Sweet Tea and Southern Grace

Southern Grace #1

by Glenda C. Manus

Sweet Tea and Southern Grace is in the genre of Christian Fiction and is the author's first published novel. It is in the style of Jan Karon's Mitford Series and its setting is a small Southern town in rural America where sitting on front porches, drinking sweet iced tea out of heirloom glasses, and participating in innocent gossip are the favorite pastimes of the good folks of Park Place, South Carolina. The story revolves around the town's Presbyterian Church and its almost meddlesome minister, Reverend Rock Clark, whose meddling ways quite often get him into trouble. There's a sweet romance brewing between the story lines, but the young preacher is too busy tending to his flock and putting out fires to recognize it. A culmination of mystery, intrigue and God's grace makes this book a delightful read.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Romance, Book Club, Audiobook

252 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2013

Reviews

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to get into this story. About 2/3rds through the book the action started. I hung in there and glad that I did. Cute story. Good clean Christian Fiction.

[Deanna Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I applaud this author for the picture she paints of church life in a small town. I especially appreciate the fact that she focuses on the positives. I found it very encouraging and uplifting. It reminded me that all over our country, a remnant of Christ's followers try their best to follow in His footsteps, encouraging, caring, loving, and blessing others.

[Sandym24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about pastoral life in a quiet, idyllic small town somewhere in Southern Carolina. It really does the soul good to spend a few hours with these typical southern characters and in this bucolic little spot on earth.
The main character is Reverend Rockford Clark, but everyone calls him Rev Rock. He's been at Park Place Presbyterian church for a few years now. I'm not sure if his age was every mentioned but he can't be more than thirty-five or so. He has a lovely neighbor and friend in Liz, who has been a widow for two years now. Liz and her husband Ron have been Rock's best friends ever since he moved to Park Place, which makes it difficult for Rock and for Liz when they start to realize they might have feelings for each other. What I liked best about this book is that when it spoke about love between two adults, it was always dignified and founded - never fleeting or focusing on the physical.
As a European reader, the various Church denominations in the US really interest me, and I should definitely dig deeper into the subject to better understand what makes them stand apart.

[Deevena Jemima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first few chapters were a bit slow..almost made me put the book aside. However, I'm glad I didn't, because I loved the sweet ending. Rev Rock's series of small adventures, mixed feelings and finally everything coming together in a nice ending. The book was a cozy read.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book - 3.5 stars
Narration by Cody Roberts - 2.5 stars
Reader has an odd sentence inflection and a consistent noticeable breath intake which can be distracting.

[Anne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute & cheesy southern Christian romance

[Haley Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, small-town story with a cute romance mixed in. There was a fun surprise at the very end that gave me goosebumps in the sweetest, happiest way. Good, sound Christian doctrine in this sweet, clean story. Very cozy.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are Presbyterian or a fan of Mayberry, you will enjoy this book. There is romance, a bit of mystery and religion, all of which combine to tell a sweet Southern story. We read this in my church book club based on the subject and the fact that the author is local. The depiction of small town Southern life definitely rang true.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true south. I am happy to find a new author (for me) that understands the true south. This story reminded me of Jan Karon's 'Father Tim'. On to the next one in the series.

[Pat Kylander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. Once I started reading I didn’t want to put down. The story line held my interest. Loved the ending. Clearly depicts life in a small Southern town.

[Kay Gouge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow

"This place is just so boring; nothing ever happens around here." So says one of the characters in this book, and I have to agree. But that's not a bad thing. What could have been done better was more character development. I must say, I've never seen a small southern town quite like this one. But maybe that's because I live in Texas, and we can be pretty cantankerous around here.

[Dorothey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Tea and Southern Blessings

I really enjoyed this book. Christian based with a great story of life in it. Holly and little Abby was heading to Park Place, South Carolina. It was really storming when she pulled off to the side to wait. Lightning struck, broke a tree limb that crashed into her car. This was just the beginning of a wonderful and complicated story. You won’t be sorry, you will enjoy.

[JLS10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Jan Karin’s Mitford series, I picked this up because it was mentioned as the first in a similar type of series. It does have that Sam feel; small town southern setting, a reverend with a neighbor that becomes a love interest, family drama, town gossip, and a character you end up not liking very much.

I will continue on with the next book in the series. I can’t say I was absorbed in the characters as much and I was with the folks of Mitford, but still something I enjoyed.

[Donna Engler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Tea and...is a sweet book

I liked the characters very much, the story line is great and you will fall in love with Rock, Liz, Holly, Abby and a host of others. Following an accident, Holly is hospitalized, and no one knows how to get in touch with her next of kin. Rev Rock gets involved with other people from his church, and it goes on from there. A good read.

[Sue Odenwelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly well written book that is Christ centered. At the heart of the book is the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in a small town in South Carolina. We see him helping those who are in need and the citizens of this small town who are devoted to the church, their pastor and God. Serving others and each other as God intended Christians to do. The story teaches us that God really is at work in the details of our daily lives. Scripture is read at the beginning of each chapter. I highly recommend this book.

[Teresa Davenport · Rating 2 out of 5]

The editing needs work - most often misuse of quotations and getting the “southernisms” wrong - like camellias that bloom in the spring and have a scent. But I keep coming back because I love the South and so many of the series’ characters, conversations, and conventions are comforting and indicative of the reason I feel at home here.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt lost.

It started and ended with the story I wanted to hear. There were some other interesting stories. Had it started as the story of Rev Rock it may have been different but it started as the story of Holly and her child. A mystery of sorts. I felt it was just all over the place.

It was a nice story and ended well.

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this story. Partially because I listened to an audiobook version in which the male narrator (so unusual for the romances I listen to) tried on so many different voices and had a wonderful southern accent.

Also, I live in SC (nearer Charleston) and it was cool to listen to a story about nearby places.

And a pastor who lives a real life and makes a real difference.

Enjoyed!

[Jennifer Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this contemporary fiction novel. The main character is a minister who loves his congregation and the people of his town. I like Rev. Rock as a character, and the townspeople were interesting. God works all things for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purposes, and I saw that presented well in this book.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasure to read a book with mystery, romance, life circumstances, kindness and prayer as a part of every day life. A young lady has an accident with her sweet daughter surviving unscathed. Read as this small town comes together in the midst of their own life lessons to encourage, support and weave through the mystery.

Enjoyable, clean read.

[Coral Swieringa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lighthearted quick read

I liked the character developments and the imagery in the environment. Feel that I could fit into a house in Park Place. No surprises but story flowed nicely.

[Sherry Jo Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern too

I found this book to be refreshing with it's southern characters and their spirit of love, forgiveness, and giving. As I too am a Southern woman, the characters were easily relatable and the vernacular was easy to follow.

[Laurie McClish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quaint story

I would recommend this story to Jan Karon readers. I loved the story line . Sometimes there is a little too much description. I wanted to hurry into the plot. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Bill Fogarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading

I had my doubts about the title but the cover with the two rocking chairs got me interested.I look forward to sitting on my porch and reading so I gave it a go. Glad I did- very enjoyable story line.

[pam moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Southern Novel

I greatly enjoyed getting to know the people of this small southern town. The author has a way of making you feel that you are there. Looking forward to more by this author.

[Linda Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little story about a typical small town in South Carolina, with the typical people and the lives they are living or are trying too. Small Southern towns are really like this but fun to read about when you are not living there. An easy read.

[Katie Blaise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cutesy

It’s a cute book and had some twists and turns to it. There was an error with the name of the barber, if I recall. I loved all the Bible verses at the beginning of some of the chapters. I also liked the deep spiritual happenings throughout the book.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Tea and Southern Grace is the first in the series by Glenda Manus. Great reading, about a Minister and his congregation doing wonderful things for the community, as well as helping other churches in this mall town of Park Place. I look forward to the others in this series.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the first page to the last! Such a sweet story of southern living with disappointments, hurts, loneliness, anger, forgiveness and love! The characters were believable and the book was well written!