Annette Smith has been blessed with the ability to observe and find beauty, meaning, and humor in seemingly ordinary situations. Within a sentence or two, readers are captivated by her delightful, descriptive writing style, connected with the characters, and eager to hear more. Watermelon Days and Firefly Nights is Smith\u2019s fifth book of original short stories. In this charming collection, adults of all ages enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at the lives and loves of a few of the 3,482 folks who proudly call Ella Louise, Texas, their home sweet home. These quirky and loveable characters include twelve-year-old twins whose creative pet care is appreciated by neither their mother nor their geriatric poodle, George; Faye Beth and Harvey Newman, a married couple who has lived for seven years with a gaping hole in the roof of their house and have no plans to fix it; and the industrious deacons of Grace Baptist Church, whose decision to paint the sanctuary uncovers a shocking, twenty-year-old secret. Watermelon Days and Firefly Nights celebrates the simple, small-town goodness of neighbors helping neighbors and friends caring for friends. Through glimpses of ordinary people exhibiting extraordinary love, forgiveness, and humor, readers gain a renewed sense of kinship and love and are reminded of life\u2019s sweetest hours.
a sweet slice of americana to warm you to your toes
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
After a stressful day at work, this is a book to curl up with on the sofa. It warms you like a cup of tea and a cozy quilt; little snipets of neighbors and friends and their every day but important events that may change how you view those around you. A real treat! I enjoyed every word.
short stories that blend together!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Heartwarming characters and cozy stories that bring the residents of Ella Louise, Texas to life. Smith has a gift at storytelling and these friends you will meet in this book are real and ones you would like to know.
Mayberry Meets Mitford in this great Southern-fried fiction!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Five stars isn't enough! I'd give it 10 if I could. I loved Annette Smith's latest book-Watermelon Days and Firefly Nights, and didn't want to leave the delightful town of Ella Louise, Texas (which I predict will soon join the ranks of Jan Karon's Mitford and Andy Griffith's beloved Mayberry.) And I'm in good company, too. Publisher's Weekly also likens this wonderful book and Smith's charming, poignant writing to the bestselling Mitford. So don't take just my word for it. These Southern-fried slices of life are alternately hilarious and heartwarming. I laughed and cried at the antics of the eccentric characters peopling this small Texas town and so will you. It made this Yankee gal--by way of California--long to move to Ella Louise...except I couldn't find it on the map. Bless her heart, Annette has done such a masterful job of writing, I thought it was REAL! You will, too. I can't wait for the sequel. Please, Annette, write more. I want to know more about Faye Beth and Harvey Newman, Millard and Sugar, and I'm dying to know if newly widowed Bessie Bishop and her handyman neighbor Crow Buxley get together! Don't keep me in suspense.
"Ain't the South Grand?!"
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I love my Southern heritage and Annette Smith makes me love it even more. Keen observations lead Annette to write with great meaning and wit. Her celebration of love and care through her wonderful stories is a message that we all need to read and share.
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