Something Blue

by J. Belinda Yandell

Southern-fried Chick Lit -- funny, true and heart-warming -- about three generations of Southern women trying to survive a wedding without bloodshed, if not emotional trauma. It's "Bridget Jones" meets "Steel Magnolias."Granny Lila is trying to keep her romp with the widow next door a secret; as she tells one of her granddaughters, "Your momma don't want me to have a dog, what do you think she'd say about a boyfriend?"Lila's daughter, Barby, runs the best beauty shop in town. Four days before the wedding, she gets a letter from Mattel threatening to sue her for copyright infringement. Barby knows three that she was named B-A-R-B-Y ten whole years before Mattel introduced their little plastic bimbo; that her former boss and main competitor in town, Gladys Moreland, is the one who set her up; and that she picked the wrong week to quit smoking. Oldest daughter Scarlett is the over-stressed soccer mom to two rambunctious boys. Scarlett just can't understand why no one in her family understands how hard she's working to make her little sister's wedding absolutely perfect.Bride-to-be Ellen is the sweet if scatterbrained baby of the family. She's nervous about facing the invasion of her Yankees in-laws, including a mother-in-law who's allergic to everything and a lecherous father-in-law going through a mid-life crisis. Middle-daughter Kate is the one who fled the small hometown for the big city. Now, her boyfriend has left her, the tattoo on her shoulder isn't hidden (as she'd hoped) by the hideous bridesmaid dress, and her mother is making her go to Wednesday night supper at the church she hasn't voluntarily set foot in for nearly ten years. She's desperately hoping that five little blue tablets of Valium will keep her sane at least until they cut the wedding cake.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2014

About the author

I was born in the little town of Thomasville, GA, where the pool hall is still the best place to get a chili dog. I was raised in Savannah, GA - one of the most beautiful cities in the country and I consider Savannah my hometown. (Contrary to all the books written about Savannah, the air is redolent of neither moonlight nor magnolias, but more often dead fish and the paper mill upriver; still, I love it.)

I received my BA in Art and English from Agnes Scott College for Women, just outside of Atlanta. It was there I began to be serious about the art of writing.

I actually began my first attempt at fiction in the fifth grade (or was it the fourth?) after my mother bribed me a nickel a chapter to read her favorite book, "Gone with the Wind." I was so unhappy with the way the book ended that I tried to write my own sequel. I don't know if I stopped because I had some vague notion of copyright laws or because my mother discovered the pages while cleaning my room.

I wasted a lot of time believing that I couldn't write, afraid to try because I thought you had to be someone really special, a magician actually, to create such a wondrous thing as a book. It wasn't until college that a friend talked me into taking a creative writing class. I never worked so hard in a class, or enjoyed a class more. I came out of the closet, so to speak, and knew I wanted nothing more in life than to write stories for other people to read.

My first published novel was "Small Change: The Secret Life of Penny Burford." "Misery's Child: Book I of the Cadian Chronicles" is the second, published as an ebook. Both are available from Amazon.com

My newest novel,"Something Blue," is about four generations of Southern women trying to survive a wedding. Think Bridget Jones meets Steel Magnolias! Amazon reviewers are loving it!

I also have a fantasy series, "The Cadian Chronicles," of which "Misery's Child" is the first title.

I currently live in Nashville, TN with my overweight and slightly psychotic tabby, Doolittle. I make a living as a graphic artist, painter and crafter.

If you have read my books, please accept my most profound gratitude!

Check out my website, www.jbelindayandell.com

Reviews

[Ottilee B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!!!

I laughed throughout this whole story, it was so funny! I laughed out loud several times. I highly recommend w!

[J. Yandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don't have to be raised in the South to find this book laugh-out-loud funny, but if you've ever had to plan or participate in a wedding, you'll laugh until you cry!

Only family has the power to drive you this crazy. Only love has the power to get you through the insanity.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sort of book I enjoy when my brain decides to take a day off. Loved, Loved, Loved this book.The characters are recognizably Southern in every way and in all the various quirks. It was laugh out loud funny in parts and sweet and touching in others. It caught the essence of the crazy roller coaster in the week preceding a Southern wedding and dealing with all the crazy, neurotic, infuriating relatives (especially mothers and sisters) that you love.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellen is getting married and chaos reins in the lead up to her wedding . Her sisters Kate and Scarlett have their own issues . One has just been dumped and left with a snobbery dog , the other has her hands full with two kids and a so so marriage . Add in their chain smoking religious mother and their adorable grandmother and this makes for an enjoyable tale of weddings and madness ! Easy read and pretty enjoyable .

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

This was an entertaining book with characters that were based on reality. I enjoyed "getting to know" all of the family members as they prepared for the wedding. This author certainly knows her Southern women! The were instances that had me laughing. It was a fun read and I couldn't put it down.

[Vivianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like life imitating art

this book is for every woman. you are bound to recognize someone or something that you can relate to. it is a real treasure. please don't pass on such a remarkable book.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

what a wonderful reminder of times where families came together to support each other. the sisters in this was
a great reminder of this

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. Made me laugh out loud.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, funny, fluffy. Loved the cast of over-the-top characters described in such brilliant detail here!