"Mud Marbles"

by Tolar Miles

Marilyn and Kathryn are sisters and neighbors whose favorite pastime is sipping martinis from mason jars on Marilyn’s front porch in the gulf front town of Orange Beach, Alabama, as they reminisce about family and the times they visited Cotton Tree. Miss Mincy is the girls’ source of stability and has given the entire family advice and inspiration throughout the years. While some could misconstrue Mincy’s presence, she is not a maid. She lives at the Chandler-Drake house in Cotton Tree. She is a family member of the Chandler-Drake household. A true southern lady, the only thing one might find “imperfect” about Mincy is that she never knew who her father was—until one day while going through some old boxes Avery Drake Montgomery finds Mincy’s birth certificate. This information and discovery of a new family changes Mincy’s life forever. Then there’s Delta, a distant cousin of the Drake family who comes to visit Cotton Tree from Savannah, Georgia for most family gatherings. Cousin Delta does not shy away from confrontation and will speak her mind even to the pastor of the First Baptist Church. She loves her bourbon and cola and livens up the atmosphere of every social event she attends. From sorority sisters shelling peas, to charity bake sales, and finding confederate gold in a hidden ballroom, Mud Marbles invokes the charm of the south and exposes long-buried secrets.

164 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2014

About the author

I write Southern fiction and children's literature. My father was in the military, and I grew up along Florida’s Gulf Coast. My mother's encouragement of our reading at a young age was a significant influence on my ability to create stories and write at a young age.
I've been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for several years.
I have written children’s short stories for magazines and have two published children’s books. My first children's book is titled "Where the Palm Trees Sway" by Janet Toole Lewis.
My most recent book, published by EverImagine Books, is titled Treasure on Shell Island by Tolar Miles.
My southern novels are titled "Mud Marbles" and "Delta". I love reading, walking on the beach, and spending time with family and friends. I'm crazy about animals and would love to live on a farm.
When I'm not writing, spending time with my family brings me the most joy!
One of my favorite authors is Rosamund Pilcher. I love her writing style.

Reviews

[Kathy Maresca]

Until Tolar Miles' novel, I had never heard of mud marbles. But... they are a thing! How I enjoyed this sweet story, full of family drama. It rings true to the South, and this Southern woman will attest to that. It's perfect for the beach. If you've ever been to Gulf Shores or want to go, this is a must read.

[Carol Mahone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. You are drawn into a world of southern charm and feel as if you have been transported to another place and time. The characters in the story become real to the reader, as if you have known them all your life. The characters all so very different yet they are all tied to their southern roots. The main character in the book, Mincy gives such wonderful advice to the other characters in the book. You feel as if she is personally speaking to you. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book. It is a book that I will keep and continue to reread throughout the years to come. I loved it.

[Jim Yonker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this well-crafted book very much! Told in the first person narrative style, it’s a fun, delightful and quick read full of southern humor, quirks and charm, and wonderful characters that I grew fond of. The author, in the relatively short book that it is, was able to flesh out the endearing, central characters through episodes of life shared by generations of good families in the Deep South. And probably like others who have read this story, Mincy, full of wisdom and love for tradition, was the one who first captured my heart; who wouldn’t, after all, want someone like her as a part of the family! This is a “must read” for anyone who loves southern fiction.