Sugar and Grits

SUGAR AND GRITS is a novella set in Calista, Mississippi. The heroines in each story are good friends. The two older women are 60+ widows who own their own businesses inherited from their late husbands. Dottie Jean, (my character) owns The Catfish House Restaurant, and Sassy, (Janice's character) owns a bait shop and loves to fish. They mentor the two younger women Bertie (DiAnn's girl) who owns a dirt moving company, and Sue Ellen (Kathleen's girl) who owns the beauty salon. Have some fun in the small town where everyone knows everyone else and their business. The ladies don't gossip; they're just concerned for the welfare of others. The heroes are a wealthy business man from Jackson, the town mailmain, an IRS agent, and the local sheriff.

Their paths to romance are filled with various obstacles that the ladies work together to unravel and resolve.

This and That

I've been reading some great books lately. Brandilyn Collins takes the reader on a wild ride down many roads before finding the right path to the killer in Web of Lies. After many twists and turns, the story climaxes in a frantic rush to save an innocent person. When Annie Kingston and Chelsea Adams meet, you know things will happen, and not always good. I've read everyone of Brandilyn's books and eagerly anticipate the arrival of each one. I love scary stories, but make sure I don't read them if I'm alone in the house. If you haven't already read it, make haste to do so. You won't be sorry. Uh, just pretend the spiders arent there.

Another book I thoroughly enjoyed was Paper Moon. Linda Windsor has such a penchant for humor that you find yourself laughing out loud at the antics of Mrs. C, Annie, Karen, and Blaine. As a retired teacher, I can so relate to the situations Linda conceives for her characters. I chaperoned many a senior trip, and this delightful tale brought back wonderful memories of those excursions. This is a great read to take your mind off what ails you.

Martha's Musings for Saturday

Hello, Everyone. It's a beautiful day here in Texas. I'm really excited because after years of waiting, I finally am going to be published in a novella with my three friends. The novella is set in Mississippi where my heroine owns the Catfish House. The town of Calista near a river about 30 miles from the Gulf Coast. She is a 65 year old widow who reunites with an old friend from high school and romance blossoms. It'll be out in Spring of 2007. Hope you have a chance to meet Dottie Jean and her friends as they fall in love and make great changes in their lives.

My writing journey began in the 1940's when I wrote skits for my cousins to perform for the family and also wrote stories for my paper dolls. Some you younger friends may not be as familiar with those since Barbie came into the picture. I wrote my first novel at the age of 17 as a Freshman at Baylor University. My dream then was to become a writer. I wanted to be like Jo March of Little Women when I grew up. Well, it's taken 53 years for me to "grow up" and have my first novel published. But the wait was worth it. God had the plan all along, I just had to keep working until the plan was complete and ready to go. I know He has a purpose for my life, and I'm along for the ride to wherever He takes me.

Have a great day and I'll see you on down the road, but I'd love to hear from you before then.

I'm busy working on a cozy mystery set in a retirement center in northeast Arkansas. It's great fun. My crit partners, Janice, Kathleen, and Marian are giving great advice.

MarthasBooks

Exciting week as I received my first contract. Thanks to all my ACFW friends who believed in me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. A special thanks to my crit partners Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y'Barbo and to my friend and mentor, DiAnn Mills for including me in the anthology, Sugar and Grits. Watch for it in the spring of 2007.