Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes - Softcover

Among the collection's authors are multi-published, award-winning writers Deborah Smith, Donna Ball, and Sandra Chastain. All three are natives of Georgia with pioneer family backgrounds. Smith's 1997 nationally best-selling novel, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, (Bantam Books) received glowing reviews and was called "a page turner" by Publishers Weekly. Smith made news this year with a two-book, $1.2 million deal to write southern-based novels for Little, Brown. Donna Ball is the highly-lauded author of more than 80 novels in both genre and general-list fiction. Her novel, THE PASSION (writing as Donna Boyd, Avon Books,) was acclaimed last year as a "brilliantly erotic tale" by Midwest Book Review and "magical" by Publishers Weekly. Sandra Chastain is the popular author of over 40 novels in contemporary and historical women's fiction. Rendevous Reviews calls her stories "good for the heart." Her current title, THE RUNAWAY BRIDE (Bantam Books,) is a featured selection of the Doubleday Book Club.

"A brilliant compilation of southern women's stories in the tradition of Anne Rivers Siddons." -- Harriet Klausner, Midwest Book Review

"Delightful. Brew tea or grab something stronger, sit down and enjoy." --Rita Mae Brown, New York Times bestselling author of acclaimed novels including the Sneaky Pie Brown mystery series." -- Anonymous reviewer

"Miss Julia would feel right at home on the front porches and in the living rooms and kitchens where these delightful stories originated. SWEET TEA AND JESUS SHOES stir her memories, as well as my own." -- Ann B. Ross, author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

"Storytelling is back with all its southern habits and charms, thanks to six women who are making it easier to get it in print. The stories are so good you'll be hungry for more." -- Liz Carpenter, acclaimed author and former press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson

"Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes is a feast for any reader." -- Lisa Knighton, editor, Georgia Women Speak

"Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes is a joyful and endearing collection of nostalgic stories which are sure to win the hearts of readers everywhere." -- Phyllis George, Miss America, TV Personality & Businesswoman

"Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes is the debut book from BelleBooks, a small publishing house that caters to Southern fare. The anthology is a collection of family stories that depict the love of family, tradition, and humor which can appear eccentric in other regions, but south of the Mason-Dixon, it's just family. ...knee-slapping humor, two-hanky emotion, and pro-wrestling action into a rich tapestry that defines what it is to be born Southern. ...Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes joins the works of Fannie Flagg, Lewis Grizzard, and Florence King in capturing the Southern experience. Pull up a rocker and pour another sweet tea." -- Joyce Dixon, Southern Scribe Reviews

"These fine veteran writers not only treat their fans to wonderful stories but also dish up their favorite recipes like Sweet Tea and Mama's Pecan Pie for readers to savor!

Don't miss this simply yummy anthology!" -- Pat Rouse, Romantic Times Columnist

"This book is rich in storytelling and makes me long for those southern days as a child listening to the stories of the past." --Barbara Dooley, author, radio talk show host, and wife of University of Georgia Athletic Director, Vince Dooley