Miss Julia Inherits A Mess by Ann B. Ross

◊ MISS JULIA INHERITS A MESS by Ann B. Ross

◊ Series: A Miss Julia Novel (Book #17)

◊ Narrator: Cynthia Darlow

◊ Discs: 8

◊ Listening Length: 10 hours

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Women Sleuths

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Recorded Books

◊ Audible.com Release Date: April 5 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ISBN:13 978-1490649696

◊ ASIN: BO1DPSDBWW

SYNOPSIS:

In the latest in Ann B. Ross' New York Times best-selling series, Miss Julia finds herself an executrix on a desperate hunt for a valuable collectible amid a jumble of the estate's antiques, and if she finds a prize she can honor Miss Mattie's last wishes.

When Miss Julia hears that Miss Mattie Freeman has taken a fall and is in the hospital, she wishes she'd spent more time getting to know the woman - and not just because she's last to hear about the accident! So when the tumble proves fatal, the last thing Miss Julia expects is a phone call from Ernest Sitton, Attorney at Law. Suddenly, Miss Julia finds herself the executrix of Miss Mattie's estate, and from what Ernest has to say, Miss Mattie's coffers weren't exactly full.

Determined to find something of value for Miss Mattie's beneficiaries, Miss Julia is faced with a room full of clutter that's now hers to disperse. With the lovelorn caretaker Etta Mae Wiggins working overtime, her good friend Mildred Allen on bed rest, and Helen Stroud cataloging Miss Mattie's furniture, Miss Julia soon realizes she's got a million things to do to honor her friend's last wishes. Thank goodness for Miss Mattie's handsome young neighbor, Nate Wheeler, who's ever ready to help out, and of course for Sam, who's always willing to lend an ear. But when a young man claiming to be Miss Mattie's great-nephew turns up, demanding to live in her apartment while he writes a family history, Miss Julia will find herself closer to Mattie Freeman and her mysterious family than ever before.

In this 17th installment in the Miss Julia series, Ann B. Ross delivers another hilarious and bighearted novel celebrating the South's favorite steel magnolia and the unforgettable residents of Abottsville.

Miss Julia is a prim and proper Southern lady you may be tempted to dislike a bit for her so-called uppity attitude, but you’ll wind up laughing out loud at some of her antics and loving her.

Narrator Cynthia Darlow is spot on in her vocals of Miss Julia. Darlow’s accent and mannerisms intensifies this already delightful story. She enhances the story even more by giving each character their own unique sound.

Author Ann B. Ross has captured the small town feel in her descriptions of Abbotsville and its residents. Her characters are well-developed, likable and larger than life when it comes to their friendships and the measures they will take to help each other.

The story moves at a fast pace holding your attention from beginning to end. With a few surprises along the way, a dash of mystery and lots of good-old Southern humor this is a mesmerizing tale.

MISS JULIA INHERITS A MESS is the 17^th installment in the Miss Julia series, but can be read/listened to on its own. For an entertaining story that will make you laugh and wish the characters were real, this fits the bill. Ross brings good friends, family and fun together for a charming story you don’t want to miss.

Miss Julia Inherits A Mess by Ann B. Ross, A Miss Julia Novel (Book #17), Narrated by Cynthia Darlow, Recorded Books, @2016, ISBN: 978-1490649696, Unabridged, CDs: 8, Run Time: 10 Hours

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today, I do so appreciate it. I’ve been absent these past couple of weeks, but I’ll be back around this coming week. Do you enjoy protagonist that have an attitude (but with a kind heart)? Have you ever read or listened to any of the Miss Julia books?

Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover

Miss Julia may come off as a bit stiff, prim and proper, but underneath she’s a force to be reckoned with that has a heart of gold.

Narrator Cynthia Darlow does a superb job giving distinct voices to all the characters. She beautifully captures the full spectrum of voices from the pre-teen girl to the mature gentlemen and everyone in between. She especially captures the essence of Miss Julia with her proper Southern lady exterior to her sweet internal feelings for her family and friends.

As summer approached Miss Julia thought her days would be filled with campaign-related issues as her husband Sam decides to run for the state senate. However, when a long forgotten cousin sends her granddaughter to Miss Julia to transform, the summer gets hotter than she ever imaged.

If the sullen Trixie isn’t enough to deal with, the sudden appearance of an on-line boyfriend adds to the maddening summer. It seems Trixie’s beau Rodney has his heart (and mind) set on building a cemetery on a piece of Miss Julia’s property. No matter that she doesn’t want to sell it, Rodney and his not-so-silent partner are determined to change her mind one way or another.

An uninvited houseguest, a senate campaign, and land grabbers have Miss Julia wishes she’d taken Sam up on his long summer vacation suggestion.

Author Ann B. Ross once again combines Southern etiquette with laughter and suspense for an entertaining story. The characters are likable and full of flare. The secondary characters enhance the story.

The political backdrop in the small town setting adds depth to the story. Filled with humor and intrigue, the story flows quickly and holds your attention as you wonder how certain issues will be resolved.

MISS JULIA’S MARVELOUS MAKEOVER is a charming story that will have you shaking your head at the nerve of some people. This story can be read/listened to on its own, but you will probably have a better appreciation of the characters’ relationships if you read/listen to the series in order.

Miss Julia doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hilarious adventures and proper etiquette.

Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover by Ann B. Ross, Miss Julia Series Book #14, Narrated by Cynthia Darlow, Recorded Books, @2014, ISBN: 978-1470395551, Unabridged, 8 Discs, Run Time: 9.75 Hours 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you read or listened to any of the Miss Julia series? Do you like stories where the protagonist is a ‘woman of a certain age’ or do you prefer younger protagonist?

*This post contains affiliate links.

Meet Etta Mae Wiggins Taggert Whitlow (hopeful to be Connard) {+ Giveaway+}

I was delighted to find out that author Ann B. Ross had written a book featuring one of her minor characters, Etta Mae Wiggins, and thrilled to have the opportunity not only to review the book, but offer a copy as a giveaway to y’all - the wonderful readers of this blog.

Let me share my thoughts on this entertaining book and then I’ll tell you how you can win a copy for yourself. 

ETTA MAE’S WORST BAD-LUCK DAY by Ann B. Ross

The characters in author Ann B. Ross’s Miss Julia novels are memorable to say the least. They are zany, eclectic and likable, but most of all down-to-earth.

Etta Mae Wiggins, a recurring characters in the series, is one such personality. She’s hard working with a heart of gold, but bad luck seems to be her constant companion.

Fed up with her life and determined to do better for herself, Etta Mae comes up with a plan. Working as a home nurse for elderly Howard Connard Sr., Etta Mae sees a way to give the wealthy old man happiness in his final days and herself a proper place in Abbotsville society.

As the couple plan their nuptials, Connard’s son and daughter-in-law have other plans to make sure no one but them gets the old man’s money. To add to Etta Mae’s problems, her first ex-husband Skip Taggert shows up making major promises, but bringing only trouble and heartache with him. Then there’s Deputy Bobby Lee Moser, her hunky former boyfriend, who still stirs excitement in her.

As Etta Mae tries to make it to the altar for the third time, she has to overcome a number of twists and turns along the way. Her spitfire attitude keeps her on course, but life never turns out quite like Etta Mae plans.

Once again the author has blended her Southern wit and charm with a fast pace story that will have you laughing and crying. While Miss Julia isn’t the focus of this story, she does make an appearance giving new readers an introduction to Etta Mae. For returning fans of Miss Julia, this is a priceless close-up look at the lovable Etta Mae. This book can be read on its own, but don’t be surprised to find yourself curious about Miss Julia and other adventures Etta Mae has assisted her with.

The characters are engaging and the dialogue will have you in stitches. Etta Mae is a strong-willed woman who may be a bit impetuous, but only wants to be loved and respected.

ETTA MAE’S WORST BAD-LUCK DAY is an entertaining, hilarious and lively adventure you don’t want to miss. The vivacious Etta Mae Wiggins makes a bad-luck day enjoyable in true Southern style.

Etta Mae’s Worst Bad-Luck Day by Ann B. Ross, Miss Julia Novel Book #16, Viking Adult, @2014, ISBN: 978-0670024377, Hardcover, 320 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for one print copy of ETTA MAE’S WORST BAD-LUCK DAY. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end Sunday, Aug. 31.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient. The winner from this giveaway will have 72 hours to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. The email will have ‘Thoughts in Progress: Etta Mae Wiggins’ in the subject line, just so you know what to watch for (in case it goes into your spam folder).

I appreciate you stopping by today and visiting. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out this fun book about Etta Mae and her trip to the altar. Have you read any of the Miss Julia books?

*This post contains affiliate a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miss Julia And A Giveaway

It’s a happy dance Monday at Thoughts in Progress. Why you ask? Well, I’m sharing my thoughts on the latest installment in one of my favorite hilarious series. And to make it even better, Catherine and the great folks at Viking/Penguin are giving a copy of the book away to a lucky visitor (more on that at the end of the post).

I first became aware of this series in 2000 when I came across the first installment (MISS JULIA SPEAKS HER MIND). Since it featured a Southern heroine, I couldn’t resist and have been hooked every since. Now for the latest (#14) installment in the funny series by talented author Ann B. Ross.

MISS JULIA STIRS UP TROUBLE by Ann B. Ross

Miss Julia…a prime, proper southern lady with a strong well, a stern exterior and a force to be reckoned with. But underneath, a heart of gold who would do anything (and has) for the people she loves.

What starts out as a seemingly calm autumn day in Abbottsville, NC, with Miss Julia enjoying her yard and newly remodeled house (well, three rooms at least), quickly turns to chaos. Her friend Hazel Marie’s housekeeper falls down the stairs and winds up bedridden. This leaves Hazel Marie to tend to him, care for her newborn twin daughters, manage the household, and cook (when she can barely boil water) all while her husband, Mr. Pickens, is away on private investigation business.

Miss Julia steps in with a plan. She recruits the ladies of Abbottsville to not only share their recipes and a covered dish (as any southern lady would do during illness), but also teach Hazel Marie how to prepare the recipe. All is going according to plan until Hazel Marie’s greedy uncle, Brother Vern, an itinerant preacher shows up claiming sickness and needing his family (Hazel Marie) near. To make matters worse, Mr. Pickens has been seen driving different women around town while he was suppose to be working.

Miss Julia has her hands full as she tries to bring calm and order back to the lives of her friends and her family.

This time around Miss Julia’s adventure is more of a home-bound type without some of the crazy antics she has pulled in the past. However, author Ann B. Ross gives a fun look at how quickly everyday life can turn upside down and become a snowball-effect of trouble. Miss Julia continues to give advice with a sharp-tongue, but more of her tender spirit comes through this time.

Ross has created a fun protagonist in Miss Julia readers can’t help but love. She may be prime and proper, but she’s had difficult times and overcame them with dignity giving readers laugh-out-loud moments along the way. All of the characters are well-developed and realistic with their flaws and emotions. Ross continues to evolve her characters with each installment keeping fans of the series anticipating the next development.

MISS JULIA STIRS UP TROUBLE moves at a swift pace with the story flowing smoothly. Readers are also treated to the delicious recipes the ladies of Abbottsville provide Hazel Marie as Miss Julia receives them. The notations included with each are a cute reminder that Miss Julia is in charge.

This is the 14th installment in the Miss Julia series and can be read on its own. However, I would recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate Miss Julia and how the various characters have grown throughout the series. If you can’t read the series in order, at least try to read the first installment first to completely understand where Miss Julia began and what makes her who she is. 

The residents of Abbottsville are entertaining characters you will want to visit time and time again. Miss Julia is someone you’d like to live next door to as long as you had a book of proper etiquette handy at all times. 

MISS JULIA STIRS UP TROUBLE is a delightful read that will have you smiling from the opening page to the last paragraph.

Author Ann B. Ross’ website is www.missjulia.com
 
Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble by Ann B. Ross, Miss Julia Series #14, Viking Adult Publication, @2013, ISBN: 978-0670026104, Hardcover, 368 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
Now for the giveaway guidelines. To enter, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win MISS JULIA.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. Just so you know, I don’t share this information with anyone other than the publisher nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance to win a copy of MISS JULIA STIRS UP TROUBLE is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, May 7.

Thanks so much for dropping by today. Hope your Monday is off to a good start. Do you know any prime and proper southern ladies that sound like Miss Julia? Have you read any of the Miss Julia books? Is so, what’s your thoughts on Miss Julia?