Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes

Sweet Tea #1

by Deborah Smith, Donna Ball, Nancy Knight

"When it comes to family,love, tradition and pride are a powerful brew . . .The third of the Sweet Tea story collections (SWEET TEA & JESUS SHOES, MORE SWEET TEA) treats readers to a panorama of Southern life, both then and now. Family dramas, comic mishaps, sentimental remembrances and poignant choices illuminate these thirteen stories by new and established authors. There’s something for every reader: The gritty realism of a hunt for wild boars, the gentle grieving for a home now filled only with memories, the funny battle between a woman and her recipe for deviled eggs, and much more.Come sit a spell on the front porch. Prop your feet up, sip a cold glass of sweet iced tea, and lose yourself in a way of life that’s as irresistible as pecan pie and as unforgettable as a chilled slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. Welcome to a place that exists between the pages of How It Was and How It Might Have Been—just a little bit south of the long path home. Sweet Tea Collections: Sweet Tea & Jesus Shoes, On Grandma's Porch, and More Sweet Tea"

Genres: Fiction, Southern, Short Stories, Humor, Christian, Chick Lit, Christian Fiction

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2000

About the author

aka Jackie Leigh
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger

Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN

Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.

With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.

For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.

In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.

Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.

Reviews

[Laurie (barksbooks)]

I read and reviewed this author many years ago but never again and this is why.



Here's my original review so those who will cannot accuse me of being a drive-by troll. If anything I was a silly fangirl. I wrote this way back when. Ahhh, innocence was bliss.

Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes is a charming collection of stories that range from sweetly sentimental tearjerkers to laugh out loud funny slice-of-life tales. And, best of all, there isn't a dud in the entire bunch. All of the stories were obviously written with love and each is an author's memory of living in the South. The book is broken up into three sections titled: Precious Memories, Family Portraits (wow, do these ladies have some nutty relatives and neighbors!) and Beloved Critters. Being an animal lover the "Beloved Critters" section contained some of my favorite stories in the collection. The hands down winner for me was Donna Ball's UP JUMPS THE DEVIL. It's about a big, slobbering, affectionate dog that sends an entire town into an uproar and gives one grasping old bitty her comeuppance. This story had me in stitches and will be reread whenever I'm in dire need of a good laugh. The book is a little pricey, at $14.95 for only 171 pages of storytelling, but I feel its stories are worth splurging on (or saving for).

[MissSusie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Tea & Jesus Shoes By Sandra Chastain, Deborah Smith, Donna Ball, Virginia Ellis, Debra Dixon, Nancy Knight Narrated By Lee Ann Howlett
Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins
This was a cute collection of southern short stories; is it odd that my favorites are the ones about funerals and death. Each story is a unique look at a day in the life of a southern family.

I’m sorry, if I had read this in paper I would have had the name of each story and a little something about each one but since I listened on audio I’ll just have to wing it. My favorites were Nola’s Ashes and the Aunt Betsey’s funeral story, also the one about Grandma telling a story made me giggle hard! Also the Outhouse story had some funny moments too.

Lee Ann’s narration took a little bit to get used to but I ended up enjoying it very much, I felt at times she was channeling Lorna Raver, she has a similar husky note to her voice that serves Lorna so well. Although some characters may have sounded older than they were written, I was still very happy with the narration. This was my first book narrated by Lee Ann but I would listen to her again.

If you are a southern fiction fan I would recommend these short stories.

3 1/2 Stars

I received this audiobook from the Audiobookjukebox and the narrator/publisher for a fair and honest review.

[Amber Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this. It was like sitting around with my family listening to all their favorite funny and heartwarming stories. I laughed out loud and I teared up while listening! I have and will recommend this to others.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not generally one to read a lot of short stories. They just aren't my thing. That said, I really enjoyed this short story collection. The conversational style felt like I could have been siting at the kitchen table listening to family stories. The stories were mostly about family. Many stories included pets, food, death, and other everyday kinds of topics. I liked that there was a tendency to find the humor in whatever the situation was. At the end of the book was a collection of recipes that more or less correlated to the stories in the book. All in all, this was a fun book for me and I am glad that the title caught my eye and drew me in.

[Sherry Bledsoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories more entertaining......

Some stories more entertaining than others. If I gained nothing else but a quiet hour spent on a few good short stories, my biggest gain was finding new southern authors that I will be looking for their works. I always need to find new southern authors to add to my growing list of "Must Read" books as unfortunately we read these books faster than the author can write them then I'm left with nothing to read and as I don't enjoy television that much. (Shock! I know! I'm the odd duck in my family for sure!) Not having at least 2 books going at all times is unusual. Me having no books going means an unhappy woman in the house!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes
: Sandra Chastain, Deborah Smith, Donna Ball, Virginia Ellis, Debra Dixon, Nancy Knight

This is a nice collection of short stories culled from the memories of women, and growing up in the south. Some are laugh out load funny. Others require a slightly warped sense of humor. I couldn't stop listening.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Lee Ann Howlett brought the old south the the listener.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of day-in-the-life short stories set in the South. Some effectively evoke all the cultural nostalgia that defines Southern charm, quirks and familial dynamics, and the related hilarity. Some left me wanting, leaning a little too heavily on cultural stereotypes, with a lack of nuance or complexity. Over all, would still recommend as a fun and quick read.

[BJ McSt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet morsels

I loved this book! Full of great stories, told well, and evocative of so many bits and pieces that remind me of my Southern roots. One is an obvious nod to characters in " Steel Magnolias " but the story hits the mark for so many other things. Some are slyly funny, some had me laughing out loud. Good stuff!

[ALISSA CALSETTA · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a dyed in the wool Southerner, reading these short stories was like a day on the porch swing with my favorite aunt sipping a glass of sweet tea. Memories of my own family reunions, Vacation Bible Schools and Sunday suppers all came to mind as intricately as the doilies on my own mama's sofa. If this book didn't charm you, well.... Bless your heart.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK! IT'S A WONDERFUL SOUTHERN READ! (Which is pretty evident based on the title). Have some tissues handy. This is a keeper.

Second read, I laughed, cried a little (jesus shoes) and laughed some more. Southern mores, habits and traditions are hilarious!

[Alice Teets · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book filled with funny little stories about growing up, living, and dying in the South. Some of the stories were better than others, although some were a little maudlin - like a Southern fried edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

the stories are fun and the recipes just like home, if you're from the South. I got the book because I loved a Donna Ball mystery and ended up liking all the authors and their stories. I am so glad I didn't try to marry into any of these families! Or train their dogs.

[Phyllis Dodzweit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real southern treat!!

For those of us northern folks unfamiliar with the southern way of life this is a rare great of a book to read!

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

This collection of short stories was absolutely wonderful, hilarious and so true southern. I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average book of short stories with a southern flair.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories!

[Bbainbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth it just for the book's namesake story within. Great southern humor.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories deserve their own movies and some stories could be skipped.

[Marcia Harbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s a collection of short stories. The stories were all very interesting. I would recommend this to all.

[Teresa Mader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these stories made me laugh out loud!

[Rianna Dumitrescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧑🏻‍💼👩‍❤️‍👨👒👗🪭🎖️🃏🪁🀄🖼️🌫️🌁🏞️🌃🗾🎐🪻🌷💮🌸🦋🏕️🎡🏡🚪🛏️🛋️🪞🪟🧮🧸🕰️🔮📒📔📗📘📕📖📑🧧🔖🧋☕🍹🧁🍰🥯🧇🍮🎂

[Teresa Creek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book of old southern stories told like these women are sitting around quilting and storytelling.

[Heather Brush]

Source: www.inscriptionsmagazine.com
Reviewer: Heather Brush
Six southern, veteran authors tell tales of living in the South and life's lessons, through "black sheep" relatives, persistent pets and neighborly nosiness. Stories such as these could be heard from Grandmom or Great Aunt Alma about everyday events, like how Thanksgiving turned into a funeral family reunion, or how a pitcher of sweet tea can illuminate the great divide of North and South.

Each story takes on a life of its own with a detailed plot, rich characters and humor reminiscent of family legends. How does one dog take charge of the best shindig Grandpa has ever been to and another dog serve up a perfect blend of revenge and mint topped beverage? Why would a family leave their mark on a house with bloody fingerprints on the mantle? And how is it that generations of one family just cannot hold onto the land that is their heritage?

The stories are packed with side-tales and interwoven moments of life, each able to stand on its own, but being part of the collection, you feel as though you are visiting on a dear friend's front porch, and each guest is taking a turn at the story telling. The southern voices that are relaying the tales are mothers, aunts, sisters and grandmas, with a bit of self thrown in for good measure.

The characters are real and dear, sinful and precious. Too many to describe in detail, suffice it to say these are no Southern belles, but true women with intricate lives, strong minds and vivid personalities. Each speaker has her own dreams, trials and tribulations. In the short time that we spend with each, we get to know her with enough vividness to bring her to life.

The book is well composed; the stories are cut to perfect gems. Folklore, family history, and our nation's rich heritage are all rolled into a nice little read for the front porch swing. If you haven't got one, by the time you finish this book you might be inspired to go out and buy one. I so enjoyed visiting for a spell that I wish I could go back for another glass of sweet tea.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Amazon:

Come sit on the porch a spell. Let's talk about times gone by and folks we remember, about slow summer evenings and lightning bugs in a jar. Listen to the music of a creaky swing and hand-cranked ice cream and cicadas chorusing in the sultry night air. Let's talk about how things used to be in the South--and for some of us, they way they still are.

Welcome to the world of Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes, where award winning authors Deborah Smith, Sandra Chastain, Virginia Ellis, Debra Dixon, Donna Ball and Nancy Knight come together for the first time to create this poignant, humorous collection of nostalgic tales. Here life's lessons are handed down--liberally sprinkled with hilarity--from eccentric relatives, outrageous pets and unrepentant neighbors, and served up with a generous dollop of that most valued of all Southern commodities: good old fashioned storytelling. From Mississippi to Georgia, from Florida to Tennessee, these daughters of the South will take you on a lush tour of the times and places they know best, each voice as refreshing and inviting as a glass of cold sweet tea on a hot afternoon.

So come. Let us take you back. Let us take you home.

My review:

I really enjoyed this book! Being a Yankee myself, it was fun to get a peek in the the way of the Southern Woman. The stories were short and humorous. Even though I'm from the North, I could relate to so much of these stories because when you come down to it, no matter where you grew up, it's all about family!

These ladies share hilarious events from their personal histories which makes it all the more precious. Truly an enjoyable book. So grab cup of coffee I mean Sweet Tea, and this book and have a nice read!

This was a free download I found on Amazon. I received no compensation for this review.

Love and Blessings Always!
Margaret

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes (Audiobook) is a collection of short southern stories that will soothe your soul and warm your heart. These are just simple, old-fashion stories that you would hear among family or friends; the type of stories that will make you laugh or cry but will always enjoy. I have always enjoyed the writings of southern authors and their ability to tell a good story with plenty of detail and a great deal of heartfelt honesty. And, I wasn't the least bit disappointed with this collection. Each story was captivating, a bit quirky, and sprinkled with southern hospitality. One of my favorites though was the title story, Jesus Shoes, as I was swept away to an earlier time when our country was in the midst of WWII and young, southern children began the summer ritual of attending Vacation Bible School. This particular story brought tears to my eyes and teaches one of life's most important lessons of not judging others until we have walked in their shoes...or in this case, walked without shoes. I loved the various phrases that capture the essence of living in the South , such as "In the South, insults can be delivered without accountability as long as you preface them with, 'Bless her heart...". The narrator for this audiobook edition, Lee Ann Howlet, was truly remarkable. Her southern accent and charm enhanced these stories and brought each one to life. Overall, this was a wonderful audiobook experience and one that I would certainly recommend...FOUR stars.

[Rrshively · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories by several southern women authors. It truly brings a flavor of the culture and combines humor and pathos. As a Yankee through and through I was interested in this point of view. I do like sweet tea, but I dislike NASCAR races. It gave insight in areas where I differ from the particular author's point of view, and I found that, yes, I do have things in common with some of the authors. I really enjoy being a keeper of the past whether it be Civil War letters or a thundermug that is displayed prominently in my dining room. I enjoyed the novels that these authors collaborated on even more.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this collection of Southern short stories. there were so many cute sayings that made me laugh and brought back memories. some of my favorites...

"In the South, it must be understood; you don't marry the woman, you marry the family"

"In the South, insults can be delivered without accountability as long as you preface them with, 'Bless her heart...'"

"After she was gone he learned the power of temporary beauties" (referring to fresh flowers)

if you're a Kindle reader, this is a free download from Amazon.com. I highly recommend it!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is comprised of a series of unrelated, though similar in their "Southern-ness", short stories by 6 authors. It's an easy and for the most part pleasant read. Some are humorous, some are poignant,and there are a couple that bring tears to your eyes before you chuckle. They are written more in times gone by and I remember many of these traditions, opinions, and ways of thinking from my childhood. It's worth the read though if you didn't grow up in the south, you might need someone to interpret for you.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because I love the title and was curious to find out what Jesus shoes are.

I enjoyed this book. Some of the stories were funny, especially the one about the mouse, the grandma that made her own Christmas gifts, and the Sweet Tea story. A few of them were slow or kind of weird, but overall I would say it's a nice, easy read for people who are interested in reading about Southern culture.

[Gina]

Just starting this one. Found it in a used book store in a little town. Inside it was written "Jill, this is a book I really hope you enjoy. I really enjoyed another book these ladies wrote. Love, Mom".
This must have been a special book she wanted to share with her daughter. Love when I find these.