Sugar and Grits

DiAnn Mills, Martha Rogers, Janice Thompson, Kathleen Y'Barbo
Barbour Publishing (2007)
ISBN 1597895822
Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (5/07)

This charming book is four stories by four different authors.  The women are friends that live in Calista, Mississippi. Two of them are older and two are younger, but despite the difference in their ages they are always there for one another.

“Mississippi Mud” by DiAnn Mills -- This is Berta's story. She owns a business called "Bert's Dirts." She works alongside the Crawford brothers and their big job is to clear land for Matthew Jordan Van Michael III. At the completion of this job Berta will have enough money to go to New York and finish her Master's in music. However, God had different plans for Berta. She learned of Matt's plan to build a home on the land she was clearing to house elderly friends of his grandmother's. The home they were in was being closed and Matt did not want them parted. Meanwhile Berta has to deal with Bubba Crawford's crush on her. She doesn't want to hurt him, but has to let him know that she only loves him like a brother.  The road to happiness is paved with pitfalls and misunderstandings as Berta struggles with a decision to go to school or stay at home.  Was Matt her destiny?

“Not on the Menu” by Martha Rogers -- Dottie Jean Miller grew up on the wrong side of town. Her mother used to sew for the fashionable ladies in town and would make Dottie Jean clothes with the leftover fabric. When she grew up, Dottie Jean married Hank Weaver. They moved to Calista and helped run the family business; they also opened a restaurant called "The Catfish House." After Hank's passing, Dottie and her daughter Jenny ran the restaurant together. One day Fletcher Cameron was driving through Calista and saw "The Catfish House."  His son had said he stopped there and the food was good. So, Fletch decided to give it a try. Fletch was taken aback to see Dottie Jean Miller standing by the counter. She saw him too and decided to go and speak.  They ate lunch together and caught up on their lives since high school when Fletch was in love with Dottie, but she didn't know it, and Dottie had a crush on Fletch and he didn't know it. Fletch invited Dottie to a fundraiser; it would be formal so Dottie would have to get a new outfit. The night of the dinner Dottie was confronted with several girls that she had known in high school. In the bathroom, with Dottie listening, they made catty remarks about her being with Fletch. Dottie was heartbroken and left to go home. Would Fletch be able to convince Dottie to take a chance on them?

“Gone Fishing” by Janice Thompson -- Wendell Meeks had it bad for Sassy Hatchett.  Sassy thought of Wendell as a friend, but that would not stop him. Whenever Sassy needed anything fixed, Wendell was there. When she wasn't running the Bait and Tackle Shop, Sassy could be found on the pier fishing. It was where she could think and talk to God. One Saturday night Sassy got pulled into the river, just then Wendell had come along and fished her out. She was so embarrassed that she could not go to church the next morning. She could not face Wendell or take all the giggles that were sure to come her way. However, when she got together with her friends Dottie Jean, Berta, and Sue Ellen the next Tuesday, none of them said a word.  Sassy kept waiting for the shoe to fall and finally said something herself about her fall. They told her that Wendell had not said a word to anyone. Sassy then started to look at Wendell in a different light. Could Sassy give up her grouchy ways and be happy with the mailman?

“Falling for You” by Kathleen Y'Barbo -- Sue Ellen Caldwell moved back to Calista and bought out Rhonda Vous’ hair salon. She had enough of the big city and wanted to be close to her grandpa Gus. When she was growing up her best friend was Bud Briggs. Bud is now a deputy sheriff in Calista. They see each other around town and say hello but that's about all there is to that. Then Dottie Jean and Fletch Cameron decide to throw a New Year's Eve party and Bud is goaded into inviting Sue Ellen. While they are waiting for the ball to drop they get to talking. Bud tells Sue Ellen that she needs to watch what she eats and exercise. Sue Ellen tells Bud that he needs to lighten up like he was when they were younger. Bud has applied to the FBI, but before he leaves he vows to get Sue Ellen in shape. Will Bud stay in Calista or go to the FBI?  In each of the stories the hero and heroine are faced with a problem. How do they overcome it? They ask God for guidance and in each case he answers. The faith these four women have shines through each story. They are uplifting stories of not only love but of devotion to God.

Each story was enjoyable in its own right. I would highly recommend “Sugar and Grits” to anyone who is a reader of inspirational fiction.

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