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Deep Dixie
With her father gone, her lawyer fired, and an entire town and her own quirky family relying on her, Dixie Fulton-Leigh is in deep trouble. She asks God for help and guidance. But when rugged sawmill owner Jake Walker arrives with a plan to buy controlling interest in the family company, Dixie can't believe this disaster is the answer to her prayer. Then Dixie uncovers a secret that alters everything she's believed about herself and those she loves -- the family's feisty black maid is her grandfather's second wife, and the maid's descendants can lay claim to the family birthright and fortune!
Drawing on lessons from the book of James, Deep Dixie is a powerful story centered on how one woman comes to define family and learns to put faith in God above all else.
Drawing on lessons from the book of James, Deep Dixie is a powerful story centered on how one woman comes to define family and learns to put faith in God above all else.
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
21 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 19, 2017
I have to confess, I absolutely loved Dixie's character. Responsible for the business her father left her and an eccentric family. Dixie takes us on a journey of self discovery and romance with her southern charm and fire.
A quick and easy read, entertaining and heartwarming story.
A quick and easy read, entertaining and heartwarming story.
March 15, 2013
I stayed up well into the morning reading "Deep Dixie" by Annie Jones, because I just couldn't seem to put it down. It was making me smile. It was making me laugh. And it was making me remember.
The characters in DD are special in very many ways. They are somewhat stereotypical, but in a good way. They are very "Southern" in the way that is best about the South. Where many southern inspired books lean more towards the inbred, cruel, violent, uneducated, deeply prejudiced, women bashing, 'good-old-boys beating up the blacks and gays' sort of southern mentality (hey, I grew up there, I can say these things!) DD instead explores the other side of the South. The side where manners are expected, gentility is overlaid over a base of steel, kindness is a given, and morality isn't a joke. I genuinely liked and admired all of these characters. Well, except for the sleazy lawyer, but I enjoyed watching him having his evil plot blow up in his face (see 'women bashing' above), so it's all good!
The main character, Dixie, is strong, self-reliant, and strong willed as any true Southern Belle. Velvet over steel. She just lost her beloved father and now has three companies to run on her own, a nasty attorney trying to undermine her and take over her companies and a house full of insane relatives to ride herd on.
The main male lead is strong and handsome (of course) but he is also funny, gentle, loving and deeply determined to do the right thing for his family no matter the cost to himself. Of course, you know a relationship will develop, but it does so in such a funny and charming way that you know that Dixie will still BE Dixie after all is said and done. And he has his own family issues, a 'daughter' he took as his own when his useless sister abandoned her at two days old in the hospital, a tough southern lady mother with a broken hip and a strong need to get a real adoption completed so that he really can be 'father' to the daughter he has raised so well. Throw in some attorney mischief.
"That was before you realized that Greenhow had made just as big a monkey out of you as he had me. Now suddenly it doesn't seem like a laughing matter, does it?"
Add in some prototypical insane southern relatives:
". . . he picked up the(business)card and read aloud, "George Robert 'Smilin' Bob' Cunningham. Principal Judge, Miss Fulton's finest Future Furniture Fanatic (baby and toddler division), chief Justice Dominion Days Bail and Jail Fundraising court, Little League umpire, Mediating matters of all magnitude since 1978!"
See what I mean? Add a marvelous rendering of a 100-year-old black 'maid' who has been with the family since childhood, and a tragedy of true Southern Gothic proportions. Mix well with a depth of kindness, caring and consideration missing in most of the books I have read since I can't remember when. Tons of laughter, some surprises that I could see coming, but not exactly in the way they turned out to have happened, terrific writing overall and a ton of true heart. Overall, this was one of the most truly lovely books I have read in ages. And Dixie retains her guts, her spirit, her gentle kindness and her drive to do the right thing throughout the book - what more can you ask?
Highly recommended to anyone who wants a feel of the good parts of the South and the people there
The characters in DD are special in very many ways. They are somewhat stereotypical, but in a good way. They are very "Southern" in the way that is best about the South. Where many southern inspired books lean more towards the inbred, cruel, violent, uneducated, deeply prejudiced, women bashing, 'good-old-boys beating up the blacks and gays' sort of southern mentality (hey, I grew up there, I can say these things!) DD instead explores the other side of the South. The side where manners are expected, gentility is overlaid over a base of steel, kindness is a given, and morality isn't a joke. I genuinely liked and admired all of these characters. Well, except for the sleazy lawyer, but I enjoyed watching him having his evil plot blow up in his face (see 'women bashing' above), so it's all good!
The main character, Dixie, is strong, self-reliant, and strong willed as any true Southern Belle. Velvet over steel. She just lost her beloved father and now has three companies to run on her own, a nasty attorney trying to undermine her and take over her companies and a house full of insane relatives to ride herd on.
The main male lead is strong and handsome (of course) but he is also funny, gentle, loving and deeply determined to do the right thing for his family no matter the cost to himself. Of course, you know a relationship will develop, but it does so in such a funny and charming way that you know that Dixie will still BE Dixie after all is said and done. And he has his own family issues, a 'daughter' he took as his own when his useless sister abandoned her at two days old in the hospital, a tough southern lady mother with a broken hip and a strong need to get a real adoption completed so that he really can be 'father' to the daughter he has raised so well. Throw in some attorney mischief.
"That was before you realized that Greenhow had made just as big a monkey out of you as he had me. Now suddenly it doesn't seem like a laughing matter, does it?"
Add in some prototypical insane southern relatives:
". . . he picked up the(business)card and read aloud, "George Robert 'Smilin' Bob' Cunningham. Principal Judge, Miss Fulton's finest Future Furniture Fanatic (baby and toddler division), chief Justice Dominion Days Bail and Jail Fundraising court, Little League umpire, Mediating matters of all magnitude since 1978!"
See what I mean? Add a marvelous rendering of a 100-year-old black 'maid' who has been with the family since childhood, and a tragedy of true Southern Gothic proportions. Mix well with a depth of kindness, caring and consideration missing in most of the books I have read since I can't remember when. Tons of laughter, some surprises that I could see coming, but not exactly in the way they turned out to have happened, terrific writing overall and a ton of true heart. Overall, this was one of the most truly lovely books I have read in ages. And Dixie retains her guts, her spirit, her gentle kindness and her drive to do the right thing throughout the book - what more can you ask?
Highly recommended to anyone who wants a feel of the good parts of the South and the people there
April 3, 2019
Another book read from my overcrowded bookshelves. It was a cute book, not too sappy. A happily-ever-after Christian romance. Dixie's dad passed away and left her running the many main businesses in town. Before his death, he had met with Riley who was to become a partner in the business to help his daughter out. Dixie of course didn't know about this agreement and fought back when Riley told her why he was in town. However, Dixie's grandmother convinced her that Riley was her "rowboat" and she accepted his business proposal. By the end of the book she also accepted his marriage proposal.
June 22, 2018
Sweet
I really enjoyed this sweet story of a romance between two people that needed each other. Colorful characters and cute dialogue.
I really enjoyed this sweet story of a romance between two people that needed each other. Colorful characters and cute dialogue.
October 26, 2025
Sweet Story Line
I loved the characters. It was predictable but lighthearted. I recommend this book if you need something easy to follow and read.
I loved the characters. It was predictable but lighthearted. I recommend this book if you need something easy to follow and read.
August 30, 2015
Deep Dixie
A tale of familial inter actions with a budding romance. No sex or violence. Great for Christian readers and teens. Dixie is trying so hard to take care of her family and the business her dad left her responsible for. Noah is trying to take care of his niece that he is raising as his own. Family secrets that are not really secrets are revealed. Good moral family values abound in this tale. Uplifting stories as always with Ms. Jones.
A tale of familial inter actions with a budding romance. No sex or violence. Great for Christian readers and teens. Dixie is trying so hard to take care of her family and the business her dad left her responsible for. Noah is trying to take care of his niece that he is raising as his own. Family secrets that are not really secrets are revealed. Good moral family values abound in this tale. Uplifting stories as always with Ms. Jones.
April 27, 2016
Southern crazy
If your from the DEEP South, you will relate and enjoy this book. To quote one of my favorite Southern authors (I have quite a few, so I can't remember which one said it) " We don't lock away or hide our crazy relatives in the attic. We are proud of them and parade them out and sit them out on the front porch for everyone to enjoy". That's paraphrasing but that's what they meant. Its so true!!
If your from the DEEP South, you will relate and enjoy this book. To quote one of my favorite Southern authors (I have quite a few, so I can't remember which one said it) " We don't lock away or hide our crazy relatives in the attic. We are proud of them and parade them out and sit them out on the front porch for everyone to enjoy". That's paraphrasing but that's what they meant. Its so true!!
May 17, 2013
This was such a good book. Dixie, Riley, Miss Lettie, Grandpa, Verdi, Aunt Sis, Fulton, Wendy and Sarah. By the end of the book, you knew them all! I thought the story line was great as well as the chemistry of the characters. Just loved it!
October 11, 2015
Fun book about families
It was good to read a story about a family with skeletons.
Who genuinely loves each other. Easy book to enjoy. I would love to read more about this extended family.
It was good to read a story about a family with skeletons.
Who genuinely loves each other. Easy book to enjoy. I would love to read more about this extended family.
July 31, 2009
Though I don't mind a good story with a little romance in it, I must have thought there'd be more to this story . This one is definitely romance and it's predictable.
February 26, 2013
What a crazy cast of feel good characters.
August 26, 2014
This is a quick, entertaining, heart-warming read. It's a pleasure these days to find a novel advertised as Christian that actually is.
September 7, 2015
Good
the story about a southern family and how people's deaths change the power of a family business that keeps a town in financial success
the story about a southern family and how people's deaths change the power of a family business that keeps a town in financial success
September 15, 2015
Easy read
Nice story but very predictable. Smart southern belle meets single dad in small Mississippi town. Elderly black nurseries has a secret.
Nice story but very predictable. Smart southern belle meets single dad in small Mississippi town. Elderly black nurseries has a secret.
January 17, 2016
Did not care for heroine
Loved Riley and most of the other characters -- Dixie not so much. Liked that the story was clean and had a good sense of Southern family.
Loved Riley and most of the other characters -- Dixie not so much. Liked that the story was clean and had a good sense of Southern family.
March 9, 2013
very good book
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews