Tuesday, September 16, 2014

I'm no Yankee, but...

Yesterday I picked up a used copy of Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch, by Haywood Smith (2002)

I live smack dab in the Midwest. I don't consider myself a Northerner or Southerner, and I am certainly not a Yankee, but when I read the back blurb quote, I laughed and knew I had to have this book.

"Strong characters and...irrepressible wit...snapshots of Southern living will charm even the hardest-hearted Yankee." ~Publishers Weekly

I can't put it down. It is such a fun read. I get tickled at Southern humor. Maybe it's because I know some other real Southern belle authors: Cathy C. Hall, Lisa Ricard Claro, and C. Hope Clark, whose warm, witty writings trip my trigger.

Haywood Smith lives on the shores of Lake Lanier, near the small town of Buford, Georgia.
This line in her book made me think of "all y'all."

"You'd have thought I'd just slapped his mama and accused his daddy of working for the IRS."

 

9 comments:

Susan Sundwall said...

Well, my stars, I'll just have to check this chick out. Thanks for the recommendation, Linda.

Bookie said...

I am fascinated by regional stuff. What makes us who we are including where we live. Southern writers are very distinct.
The West has a code. The Northeast sometimes is different. But WHAT do you think marks us as Midwesterners?

Cathy C. Hall said...

Hahahahaaa!Love that line, Linda!

I met Haywood Smith and she is as Southern as they come--which is to say, she's a delightful, charming lady. :-)

And thank you for the lovely shout out, Linda. Your witty writing trips my trigger as well!

Y'all have a good day now, y'hear?!

Debra Mayhew said...

Oh, this does sound like a fun read! I heard her name quite often when I lived in Georgia. I'll have to pick up a few of her books.

Hope Clark said...

Sounds good, Linda! I'm honored to be one of your Southern friends.

Pat Wahler said...

Love, love, love southern novels and southern writers, especially when liberally dashed with humor. I know I've read some of Haywood Smith's books before, just don't remember if this was one of them.

If you haven't read Fannie Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, think about doing so. It is among my favs.

Pat
Critter Alley

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Having been raised in south Georgia, I slip right back into my drawl when I go see my Mama and Daddy. It is a different world. Words have more syllables.

Susan said...

Well, I'm in the northeast again, after many years away. Will probably stay put permanently this time around.

Loved Fried Green Tomatoes. I enjoy writers from everywhere! Susan

Connie said...

HA! I like that last line. This sounds like a winner for sure!