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Chimes from a Cracked Southern Belle
WINNER OF BEST REGIONAL FICTION For fans of Sophie Kinsella, Bridget Jones, Fannie Flagg, Steel Magnolias, and Southern fictionDon’t miss this mega-funny look at Southern Living. Winner of an Independent Publisher Book Award for “Best Regional Fiction,” and a University of Georgia Book Club Pick.Published February 9, 2021, by Collard Queen PressMost people think the reason Prudy Millings married the best-looking preacher in the Carolinas⸺who inexplicably turned psychotic and mowed her down with the church van⸺is that she was raised all wrong.So not true.Prudy, a 38-year-old plucky heroine to root for, sets out on a path winding with loveable kooks and an over-the-top family, wanting to prove there is a great life on the other side of tragedy, though her crazed ex still sends threatening letters from prison.Prudy’s reclamation of her life begins two years after the crime spree that nearly stopped her heart. She packs up her two precocious children and settles in her parents' South Carolina hometown where she deals with a delightful, Proverbs-spewing mama who pretends her grown daughters are virgins. Even after they’ve married and birthed children.There, in the quirky cocoon of family support, Prudy finds new purpose for herself and her children, discovering joy in places she never expected a nursing home where she tends to the likes of 104-year-old Annie Sue who loves Posh Spice, still drives her ancient Skylark, and has a hankering for cold draft beer.In crashing funerals with her sex-kitten Aunt Weepie who attends funerals just to get the covered-dish meals afterward, even though she has no idea who's in the coffins.As Prudy begins a journey toward recovery and becoming a registered nurse, a dark secret surfaces, one that if handled right, could be her ticket to allowing herself to love again.WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
There are a number of laugh-out-loud scenes, from the 104-year-old woman who won't let her driver's license expire without a fight, to the crazy aunt who crashes funerals of strangers just to get a good spread of Southern cooking. This ultimately is a tale of forgiveness and survival in the Deep South. Highly recommended!
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2013
313 people are currently reading
1193 people want to read
About the author
Susan Reinhardt
9 books185 followersSusan Reinhardt is a best-selling author known for her gift of taking serious topics and infusing them with humor and heart.
Her novels are perfect for book clubs, the beach and vacations, or sitting on the couch with a good read.
She is especially praised for creating casts of unforgettable, quirky characters who stay in readers’ minds long after the final page.
Her debut novel, CHIMES FROM A CRACKED SOUTHERN BELLE, won “Best Regional Fiction” in the Independent Publishers Book Awards international contest, and was a No. 1 Amazon bestseller. The novel was a top summer reading pick and a book-club favorite.
Her second novel, THE BEAUTIFUL MISFITS, was named a Reader Favorite and was awarded an IPPY silver medal.
New York Times bestselling author Breanne Randall said this about THE BEAUTIFUL MISFITS:
"I don't know if I've ever gotten sucked into a book so fast! The writing is BEAUTIFUL, but it's so much more than that- there's an authenticity here that I don't see in a lot of books these days. I'll only expand it to say, you're going to have a lot of feels. You're going to LOVE this book. And it may just end up as one of your top reads this year. And I promise, I don't ever recommend books unless I truly, truly love them. — Breanne Randall, instant New York Times Bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic.
Her latest novel, THE HALF WIFE, a romantic comedy and perfect beach read, is coming soon from Carolina Girl Press.
Reinhardt is a former syndicated columnist and has written for national publications, winning multiple awards.
She lives in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, N.C., and is on her second and final husband. She has two grown children, three steps, and can ride a unicycle and twirl a baton at the same time. But not very well.
Publishers Weekly reviewed her work, saying it was "Filled with “lyrical prose” that’s “fun and fresh,” and Booklist lauded her work as “ranging from side-splitting to achingly poignant. She's like a modern-day, southern-fried Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry, and her tales of the ordinary will resonate with women everywhere.”
Her novels are perfect for book clubs, the beach and vacations, or sitting on the couch with a good read.
She is especially praised for creating casts of unforgettable, quirky characters who stay in readers’ minds long after the final page.
Her debut novel, CHIMES FROM A CRACKED SOUTHERN BELLE, won “Best Regional Fiction” in the Independent Publishers Book Awards international contest, and was a No. 1 Amazon bestseller. The novel was a top summer reading pick and a book-club favorite.
Her second novel, THE BEAUTIFUL MISFITS, was named a Reader Favorite and was awarded an IPPY silver medal.
New York Times bestselling author Breanne Randall said this about THE BEAUTIFUL MISFITS:
"I don't know if I've ever gotten sucked into a book so fast! The writing is BEAUTIFUL, but it's so much more than that- there's an authenticity here that I don't see in a lot of books these days. I'll only expand it to say, you're going to have a lot of feels. You're going to LOVE this book. And it may just end up as one of your top reads this year. And I promise, I don't ever recommend books unless I truly, truly love them. — Breanne Randall, instant New York Times Bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic.
Her latest novel, THE HALF WIFE, a romantic comedy and perfect beach read, is coming soon from Carolina Girl Press.
Reinhardt is a former syndicated columnist and has written for national publications, winning multiple awards.
She lives in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, N.C., and is on her second and final husband. She has two grown children, three steps, and can ride a unicycle and twirl a baton at the same time. But not very well.
Publishers Weekly reviewed her work, saying it was "Filled with “lyrical prose” that’s “fun and fresh,” and Booklist lauded her work as “ranging from side-splitting to achingly poignant. She's like a modern-day, southern-fried Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry, and her tales of the ordinary will resonate with women everywhere.”
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May 13, 2022Winner of Best Regional Fiction.
A book club favorite.
A book club favorite.
July 24, 2013
Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle by Susan Reinhardt.
Seldom have I read a book that left me with so many different emotions. Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle is at times totally hilarious, and at other time poignant, and mysterious. The story begins with a description of how Prudy is trying to regain her independence after her minster husband runs over with the church van. Her struggle is interlaced with the daily Bible passages, and commentary her mother uses to get her mad enough to get out of bed and stand on her own. Prudy, the heroine, is a total psychological mess, and one could become depressed identifying with her, but the way Susan weaves the humor of the mother and aunt into the story line, you will laugh all the way to end.
I highly recommend reading Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle, a second time, when one’s cheers for Prudy, and laughter will only increase.
Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle is where poignancy and humor merge. Chimes… has the melancholy of “The Glass Menagerie”, and strength of humor in “Steel Magnolias” to engage each reader. It would make a great movie and/or play.
Jack Medlin
Seldom have I read a book that left me with so many different emotions. Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle is at times totally hilarious, and at other time poignant, and mysterious. The story begins with a description of how Prudy is trying to regain her independence after her minster husband runs over with the church van. Her struggle is interlaced with the daily Bible passages, and commentary her mother uses to get her mad enough to get out of bed and stand on her own. Prudy, the heroine, is a total psychological mess, and one could become depressed identifying with her, but the way Susan weaves the humor of the mother and aunt into the story line, you will laugh all the way to end.
I highly recommend reading Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle, a second time, when one’s cheers for Prudy, and laughter will only increase.
Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle is where poignancy and humor merge. Chimes… has the melancholy of “The Glass Menagerie”, and strength of humor in “Steel Magnolias” to engage each reader. It would make a great movie and/or play.
Jack Medlin
August 9, 2013
I finished reading Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle a few days ago and I cannot stop thinking of the characters in the book.. I gained a relationship with all of them. Prudy, Mama, Aunt Weepie...and even Pauline.
I know "mama" personally, because I have a Mama just like this one in Susan's book.. She doesn't leave recordings on my answering machine, but she sure tells me what 'her' Bible says.
In the south, the name 'mama' is endearing.. I couldn't imagine picking up the phone calling my mama.. "mother." just doesn't fit.. (Everybody needs a 'mama.'
Dee Millings made me want to be a stronger person.. She went through hell and back.
Because of the emotions I have felt this week during and after reading the novel, I have felt the need to go to the Eckerd's to get my blood pressure checked...
I cannot wait to see this book made into a screenplay and then shown at the theatre.. It is better than The Help.. Kudos to Susan Reinhardt for her Five Star writing..
I hope everyone will take time to purchase this book... You will not regret it!
Tough cookie, that Prudy..
I know "mama" personally, because I have a Mama just like this one in Susan's book.. She doesn't leave recordings on my answering machine, but she sure tells me what 'her' Bible says.
In the south, the name 'mama' is endearing.. I couldn't imagine picking up the phone calling my mama.. "mother." just doesn't fit.. (Everybody needs a 'mama.'
Dee Millings made me want to be a stronger person.. She went through hell and back.
Because of the emotions I have felt this week during and after reading the novel, I have felt the need to go to the Eckerd's to get my blood pressure checked...
I cannot wait to see this book made into a screenplay and then shown at the theatre.. It is better than The Help.. Kudos to Susan Reinhardt for her Five Star writing..
I hope everyone will take time to purchase this book... You will not regret it!
Tough cookie, that Prudy..
July 5, 2013
To say that Susan Reinhardt makes me laugh out loud while reading her is an understatement. I'd recommend any of her other books...but this is different...her venture into fiction.
Around page 45 ish is a scene that will have tears coming to your eyes from laughing. I'll only say it has to do with a monkey being, well...a monkey.
I put this book ahead of some others, because I'd had a rough week. This book not only brought the usual laughs, but says a lot about choices we make, how we can remake our lives, age gracefully and with life...and have fun doing it.
It's hilarious, but touching, and it's well worth every penny.
That is causes me to bring out my Southern accent while reading is simply a plus!
Around page 45 ish is a scene that will have tears coming to your eyes from laughing. I'll only say it has to do with a monkey being, well...a monkey.
I put this book ahead of some others, because I'd had a rough week. This book not only brought the usual laughs, but says a lot about choices we make, how we can remake our lives, age gracefully and with life...and have fun doing it.
It's hilarious, but touching, and it's well worth every penny.
That is causes me to bring out my Southern accent while reading is simply a plus!
June 19, 2021
The title fits this amazing read perfectly!
Wow where do I begin? I absolutely loved this read! The characters, storyline, plot, and the lovely sprinkles in between! It took me on an emotional roller coaster. From laughing my butt off, balling my eyes out, smiling until my lips hurt, feeling so grateful for my son by holding him in my arms, to being so angry I realized I was holding my kindle too tight! I am so grateful I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Even if I didn’t it would have been worth every penny! Susan thank you for making such an astonishing book! The only part I didn’t like was that it came to an end! I highly recommend this book it sure fits in multiple genres!
Wow where do I begin? I absolutely loved this read! The characters, storyline, plot, and the lovely sprinkles in between! It took me on an emotional roller coaster. From laughing my butt off, balling my eyes out, smiling until my lips hurt, feeling so grateful for my son by holding him in my arms, to being so angry I realized I was holding my kindle too tight! I am so grateful I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Even if I didn’t it would have been worth every penny! Susan thank you for making such an astonishing book! The only part I didn’t like was that it came to an end! I highly recommend this book it sure fits in multiple genres!
July 3, 2021
Funny read
The characters were very different and very easily liked.This book is funny and has a very serious undertone.I would recommend this book for anyone wanting a feel good book.
The characters were very different and very easily liked.This book is funny and has a very serious undertone.I would recommend this book for anyone wanting a feel good book.
September 16, 2021
good pace!
as the only Yankee on either side of my family, I can attest to having at least three black versions of Aunt Weepie.
as the only Yankee on either side of my family, I can attest to having at least three black versions of Aunt Weepie.
June 3, 2021
Entertaining summer read.
October 5, 2013
Laughter IS the Best Medicine
Leave it to Susan Reinhardt to tackle an extremely disturbing topic—spousal abuse—while writing about the recovery in a very funny way. And that’s just what she does in her latest novel, Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle.
Prudy (Dee) Millings is trying to put her life back together after doctors have done the same for her poor ol’ body. Recovering from a near-fatal attack by her psycho-preacher-ex, she and her two “young-uns” are trying to move forward again. A former Homecoming Queen, Dee has now put a few pounds and did not finish nursing school before running off with the most handsome man in the county. Her two cheerleaders in this endeavor are her mother (who’s almost as crazy as her ex) and her Aunt Weepy—who scours the obit section of the newspaper daily so she can plan to crash nearby funerals (whether she knows the deceased or not) in order to be invited to the “covered dish” afterwards. (Now I don’t like to cook either—but this seems a bit extreme…) Two years after the attack, doctors say her bones are healing fine, but it’s her spirit that needs the most help…
When I first discovered why this Southern belle was “cracked”, I thought to myself, “Here we go—another depressing Black and Blue…” but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s not that Susan sugar-coated the abuse issue—we learn about every gory cut, scar and crushed limb—but I was amazed that she was able to write about it in such a way that the tone was ultimately uplifting. Instead of framing our protagonist Dee as a victim, we see how she eventually became a survivor—and thriver—in life.
It was an enjoyable, well-paced and entertaining read with fascinating characters (and I do mean “characters”…) a positive message, and some of the best one-liners ever. Rounding up her description of Dee’s mother, she writes, “She meant well. Only I wasn’t well enough for what she meant.” After Dee runs over a squirrel with her car—which was a bit too reminiscent of her recent “accident” in which her Baptist preacher husband tries to run her over with the church van—she is obviously emotional and guilt-ridden. The author describes Dee’s ensuing “rodent CPR” episode, and then her mother reacts, “Get away from that thing right now!...You could get rabies. I didn’t raise you to French kiss road kill…”And finally, she writes of Dee’s physical urges, “I was almost at the point, lust-wise, of putting a personal ad in the paper.” Wanted, DFHMWMOT (Disease Free Heterosexual Man With Majority Of Teeth) for three to four nights of fun. No attachments. No commitments.”
Fans of Fanny Flagg and Beth Hoffman will love this little Southern slice of life. It also reminded me of Robert Leleux’s memoir, “The Living End”, that he wrote about the serious topic of his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, in that Susan finds the (funny) silver lining without diminishing the impact of the subject. I’d be curious to hear how a survivor of abuse reacts to this book. For the rest of us—it’s a highly recommended read!
Cheers!
BCC
Leave it to Susan Reinhardt to tackle an extremely disturbing topic—spousal abuse—while writing about the recovery in a very funny way. And that’s just what she does in her latest novel, Chimes From a Cracked Southern Belle.
Prudy (Dee) Millings is trying to put her life back together after doctors have done the same for her poor ol’ body. Recovering from a near-fatal attack by her psycho-preacher-ex, she and her two “young-uns” are trying to move forward again. A former Homecoming Queen, Dee has now put a few pounds and did not finish nursing school before running off with the most handsome man in the county. Her two cheerleaders in this endeavor are her mother (who’s almost as crazy as her ex) and her Aunt Weepy—who scours the obit section of the newspaper daily so she can plan to crash nearby funerals (whether she knows the deceased or not) in order to be invited to the “covered dish” afterwards. (Now I don’t like to cook either—but this seems a bit extreme…) Two years after the attack, doctors say her bones are healing fine, but it’s her spirit that needs the most help…
When I first discovered why this Southern belle was “cracked”, I thought to myself, “Here we go—another depressing Black and Blue…” but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s not that Susan sugar-coated the abuse issue—we learn about every gory cut, scar and crushed limb—but I was amazed that she was able to write about it in such a way that the tone was ultimately uplifting. Instead of framing our protagonist Dee as a victim, we see how she eventually became a survivor—and thriver—in life.
It was an enjoyable, well-paced and entertaining read with fascinating characters (and I do mean “characters”…) a positive message, and some of the best one-liners ever. Rounding up her description of Dee’s mother, she writes, “She meant well. Only I wasn’t well enough for what she meant.” After Dee runs over a squirrel with her car—which was a bit too reminiscent of her recent “accident” in which her Baptist preacher husband tries to run her over with the church van—she is obviously emotional and guilt-ridden. The author describes Dee’s ensuing “rodent CPR” episode, and then her mother reacts, “Get away from that thing right now!...You could get rabies. I didn’t raise you to French kiss road kill…”And finally, she writes of Dee’s physical urges, “I was almost at the point, lust-wise, of putting a personal ad in the paper.” Wanted, DFHMWMOT (Disease Free Heterosexual Man With Majority Of Teeth) for three to four nights of fun. No attachments. No commitments.”
Fans of Fanny Flagg and Beth Hoffman will love this little Southern slice of life. It also reminded me of Robert Leleux’s memoir, “The Living End”, that he wrote about the serious topic of his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s, in that Susan finds the (funny) silver lining without diminishing the impact of the subject. I’d be curious to hear how a survivor of abuse reacts to this book. For the rest of us—it’s a highly recommended read!
Cheers!
BCC
June 7, 2015
I'm sad to say I just did not like this one
I was looking for a read that had a solid story and would give me a few laughs. I'll admit the name and cover of this book probably sold me on it but I wasn't a fan. I never laughed and the dialogue was choppy to me. It was overly wordy and detailed about irrelevant details. The characters never felt realistic to me and I found the plot tiring. Not a read I'd.recommend....sorry.
I was looking for a read that had a solid story and would give me a few laughs. I'll admit the name and cover of this book probably sold me on it but I wasn't a fan. I never laughed and the dialogue was choppy to me. It was overly wordy and detailed about irrelevant details. The characters never felt realistic to me and I found the plot tiring. Not a read I'd.recommend....sorry.
October 20, 2020
Don't miss this one!
I started this book but put it aside because I just wasn't sure about it. So glad I went back to read it as it was one of the funniest books I've read. It was also very serious, as it was a story about verbal and mental abuse that ended up as very physical abuse. Even though it's a very serious matter, Reinhardt made me laugh out loud while reading, couldn't put it down! Great read.
I started this book but put it aside because I just wasn't sure about it. So glad I went back to read it as it was one of the funniest books I've read. It was also very serious, as it was a story about verbal and mental abuse that ended up as very physical abuse. Even though it's a very serious matter, Reinhardt made me laugh out loud while reading, couldn't put it down! Great read.
October 25, 2020
A Great Read
This story has it all, great characters, sadness, turmoil, a lot of humor, and best of all told the only way a true Southern could with charm.
Highly reccomend this book for all women who have loved or want to be in true love again.
This story has it all, great characters, sadness, turmoil, a lot of humor, and best of all told the only way a true Southern could with charm.
Highly reccomend this book for all women who have loved or want to be in true love again.
June 21, 2015
My first Susan Reinhardt book
I really enjoyed this book. I laughed, cried and rooted for Dee from the first page until the last. I totally enjoyed reading this book.
I really enjoyed this book. I laughed, cried and rooted for Dee from the first page until the last. I totally enjoyed reading this book.
March 1, 2016
Nice book with very heavy topic but the story has a lot of humor and i liked her caracters very much!
July 26, 2022
Laughed out loud, wanted to smack people, loved the Aunt!
February 10, 2016
HILARIOUS, even with a couple of serious issues dealt w/ by the protagonist. Highly recommended.
June 24, 2021
This book was funny and easy to read, yet still poignant in its description of Prudy/Dee and her recovery from domestic abuse. The cast of characters is a bit over the top, yet amusing, and I found myself rooting for Dee as she navigated her way through her “new” life.
Fellow Upstate readers will appreciate the setting in Spartanburg, SC, and will enjoy the characterization of the different areas of the state.
Fellow Upstate readers will appreciate the setting in Spartanburg, SC, and will enjoy the characterization of the different areas of the state.
July 22, 2021
A Southern Delight
This is one of my all time favorite books! Battered women rising to their feet proving true love can fix anything. This is all done under the meddling of a very close knit Southern family with a well meaning nosey mother. This novel is a laugh out loud funny book that I could so relate to being from one of those Southern families!!
This is one of my all time favorite books! Battered women rising to their feet proving true love can fix anything. This is all done under the meddling of a very close knit Southern family with a well meaning nosey mother. This novel is a laugh out loud funny book that I could so relate to being from one of those Southern families!!
September 7, 2021
I really enjoyed reading Chimes from a Cracked Southern Belle. Being from Charlotte, North Carolina myself I was very familiar with the setting. The story and characters were so well developed I thought maybe the author knew some of my kinfolk. I found the book funny, entertaining and relatable and look forward to reading more of Susan Reinhardt’s work.
June 15, 2021
Deeply moving story with hilarious Southern truths thrown in for levity!!
August 14, 2022
Funny light hearted loved it looking forward to next one
August 6, 2013
I want to come out and first let the world know that this book is not an accurate reflection of the typical southerner. Seriously. It's not.
That being said, Chimes of a Cracked Southern Belle is an interesting read. It centers around Dee Millings, a divorced mother of two who's ex husband is in prison for basically running her over with a van and then stabbing her nearly to death with a screw driver outside the Piggly Wiggly, or some other aptly named grocery store. The book is fairly hilarious, if you're not from a fairly traditional southern upbringing (like me). Then it's sorta kinda offensive in parts. But let's overlook that for now because I'm trying to be unbiased here.
Dee has some issues, and who wouldn't in her shoes. She's got a son who has outbursts and obviously therapeutic needs, and a little girl who's pretty much a little replica of her over bearing, way to prim and proper mother. And let's not get started on the mother. If Dee Millings mom was my mother, I wouldn't need to be stabbed in the chest with a screw driver to lose my mind. I would probably need to be institutionalized before I reached 15. That woman was a basket case. Add in that her ex-husband is still writing her dark and menacing letters from prison, she's having a hard time moving from her past, and she can barely make ends meet. It's a hard life for her.
There are a lot of things I love about this book. I love the honesty, the raw emotion, and the fact that this book centers around real people with real problems. Dee isn't a super hot super model with perfect legs and perky boobs. Her love interest certainly isn't Brad Pitt or any comparable hottie. Her kids are far from perfectly behaved, and her mother is a nut case. She scrubs toilets and wipes butts for a living, and has a hard time even making her basic rent payment. I liked (note: like, not love) the characters (with the exception of one particular character, any guesses as to who that is?) and the plot, for the most part was a beautiful story of love, loss and finding strength when it seems like the best thing to do would be to crawl under the covers and never come out.
There are also quite a few things I didn't like. First off, this book could have totally been written in under 300 pages. There was a lot of useless internal monologue that was incredibly repetitive and pointless. But that's beside the point. The big turn off for me was that I'm southern through and through, I say y'all and toast with sweet tea and am, for the most part, a fairly conservative southern baptist. So…I didn't take kindly to the author's rendition of a conservative southern baptist. Dee's mom was a bitch. And yes, there are southern moms out there who are preoccupied with status and what the communities think of them and so forth, but Dee's mom takes the cake. And it would have been okay if she was selfish and cold hearted and put herself above her kids in every aspect of her life (which she did) IF there had been character growth on her part during the book. But no, there wasn't. Dee's mother didn't grow an ounce in the entire 384 pages of this book. It was all Dee's fault that her husband went nuts and ran her over and tried to murder her with a screw driver. It's all Dee's fault that she has scares and has self esteem issues. It's all Dee's fault that people whisper about her. No blame for the man who actually did the attempted murder, nope, that was all Dee's fault. And those opinions would have been fine, IF the character had grown to realize the err of her ways throughout the book. But she didn't. On that last page, her mother, who's a huge part of the book, was still as self centered, hateful, and ugly as she was in the beginning. And that simple fact, along with the author's little slams here and there against rural southern culture, was enough to turn me off from the book. Have a reason for your character's ugliness, and fix it in the course of the book, because there was nothing funning about that character, even though it's obvious that's what she was intended for.
For that reason along, I give this a hesitant 3 stars.
That being said, Chimes of a Cracked Southern Belle is an interesting read. It centers around Dee Millings, a divorced mother of two who's ex husband is in prison for basically running her over with a van and then stabbing her nearly to death with a screw driver outside the Piggly Wiggly, or some other aptly named grocery store. The book is fairly hilarious, if you're not from a fairly traditional southern upbringing (like me). Then it's sorta kinda offensive in parts. But let's overlook that for now because I'm trying to be unbiased here.
Dee has some issues, and who wouldn't in her shoes. She's got a son who has outbursts and obviously therapeutic needs, and a little girl who's pretty much a little replica of her over bearing, way to prim and proper mother. And let's not get started on the mother. If Dee Millings mom was my mother, I wouldn't need to be stabbed in the chest with a screw driver to lose my mind. I would probably need to be institutionalized before I reached 15. That woman was a basket case. Add in that her ex-husband is still writing her dark and menacing letters from prison, she's having a hard time moving from her past, and she can barely make ends meet. It's a hard life for her.
There are a lot of things I love about this book. I love the honesty, the raw emotion, and the fact that this book centers around real people with real problems. Dee isn't a super hot super model with perfect legs and perky boobs. Her love interest certainly isn't Brad Pitt or any comparable hottie. Her kids are far from perfectly behaved, and her mother is a nut case. She scrubs toilets and wipes butts for a living, and has a hard time even making her basic rent payment. I liked (note: like, not love) the characters (with the exception of one particular character, any guesses as to who that is?) and the plot, for the most part was a beautiful story of love, loss and finding strength when it seems like the best thing to do would be to crawl under the covers and never come out.
There are also quite a few things I didn't like. First off, this book could have totally been written in under 300 pages. There was a lot of useless internal monologue that was incredibly repetitive and pointless. But that's beside the point. The big turn off for me was that I'm southern through and through, I say y'all and toast with sweet tea and am, for the most part, a fairly conservative southern baptist. So…I didn't take kindly to the author's rendition of a conservative southern baptist. Dee's mom was a bitch. And yes, there are southern moms out there who are preoccupied with status and what the communities think of them and so forth, but Dee's mom takes the cake. And it would have been okay if she was selfish and cold hearted and put herself above her kids in every aspect of her life (which she did) IF there had been character growth on her part during the book. But no, there wasn't. Dee's mother didn't grow an ounce in the entire 384 pages of this book. It was all Dee's fault that her husband went nuts and ran her over and tried to murder her with a screw driver. It's all Dee's fault that she has scares and has self esteem issues. It's all Dee's fault that people whisper about her. No blame for the man who actually did the attempted murder, nope, that was all Dee's fault. And those opinions would have been fine, IF the character had grown to realize the err of her ways throughout the book. But she didn't. On that last page, her mother, who's a huge part of the book, was still as self centered, hateful, and ugly as she was in the beginning. And that simple fact, along with the author's little slams here and there against rural southern culture, was enough to turn me off from the book. Have a reason for your character's ugliness, and fix it in the course of the book, because there was nothing funning about that character, even though it's obvious that's what she was intended for.
For that reason along, I give this a hesitant 3 stars.
April 23, 2015
Robbie's Review
With her first foray into the world of fiction, columnist and humorist Susan Reinhardt welcomes her readers to life in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Well-written and populated with a cast of comical and eccentric characters, Chimes From A Cracked Southern Belle tells the story of cracked, but not broken Southern Belle Prudence Millings Jeter. Prudy, who will tell you real quick that she wants to be called Dee Millings now, has survived a near death experience at the hands of her abusive husband. She has no desire to be seen as a victim and is determined to build a new life for herself, her son Jay " a bona fide genius" and her daughter Miranda, a pint sized suffragette who loves to lecture on the advantages of recycling and avoiding alcohol. As Prudy emerges from her cocoon to become Dee, she makes plans to reinvent herself and pursue the goals she set for her life before she succumbed to marriage to the Reverend Bryce Jeter.
Little things. Don’t make a big deal out of little things, my therapist kept saying. All these small things can be taken care of. It’s the big stuff worth the sweat and concerns. Jobs, children’s well-being, the return of joy and meaning in life. These are the biggies.
The author employs a broad brush and a wildly divergent palette to paint her characters: the psychotic Reverend Jeter, Prudy's Bible quoting mama who refers to her lady parts as "possum" and her Aunt Weepie whose philosophy for atoning for "cracking open a pot of major sins" is to "darken the doors of a nursing home and get your hands dirty and soul clean". Following her Aunt Weepie's advice leads a young Prudy to Top of the Hill Manor.
Nursing home duty is what a Baptist-bred girl does when she slips up and sins, especially if the busted commandment lined up for balancing has something to do with a man and one’s desires for some gratification in the Sealy/Serta department.
As Prudy begins her journey to realize her dream of becoming an RN and "to take care of the world’s tiniest and sickest newborns, the premature infants in the neonatal intensive care units. And those at the opposite end of life’s journey—the white-haired men and women at Top of the Hill or any other nursing home", it's only natural for her to return to Top of the Hill Manor to seek employment. Nothing has quite prepared her for one of the residents, Miss Annie, who still drives and who discovers the pleasures of bikers and bars at the age of 104.
“I want to go to a bar,” she said. “A real bar with men who have tattoos and ride motorcycles. This is a priss parlor. I can eat Thai chicken or I can drink beer, and I done told you which I was in the mood for.”
No story is complete without a love interest and that part is filled when Prudy reconnects with her first love, Croc Godfrey.
I was already falling. Straight into a tempered love with Croc Godfrey—a quiet love that is comforting and sustaining, like soup. Not the kind of hot jalapeño love that burns out long before it ever has a chance for sweet embers.
Chimes From A Cracked Southern Belle was a delight for me to read since I was born and raised in a little town named Charleston not too far from Spartanburg and even though Prudy and her family and friends are fictional, I know people just like them! This book will have you running the gamut of emotions from shock to pity to joy. You will be brought to tears and you will laugh out loud. Within the escapades of all her colorful characters, the author weaves a serious story of how one woman, with courage and determination, finds love, forgiveness, healing and an ending that will satisfy every reader.
With her first foray into the world of fiction, columnist and humorist Susan Reinhardt welcomes her readers to life in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Well-written and populated with a cast of comical and eccentric characters, Chimes From A Cracked Southern Belle tells the story of cracked, but not broken Southern Belle Prudence Millings Jeter. Prudy, who will tell you real quick that she wants to be called Dee Millings now, has survived a near death experience at the hands of her abusive husband. She has no desire to be seen as a victim and is determined to build a new life for herself, her son Jay " a bona fide genius" and her daughter Miranda, a pint sized suffragette who loves to lecture on the advantages of recycling and avoiding alcohol. As Prudy emerges from her cocoon to become Dee, she makes plans to reinvent herself and pursue the goals she set for her life before she succumbed to marriage to the Reverend Bryce Jeter.
Little things. Don’t make a big deal out of little things, my therapist kept saying. All these small things can be taken care of. It’s the big stuff worth the sweat and concerns. Jobs, children’s well-being, the return of joy and meaning in life. These are the biggies.
The author employs a broad brush and a wildly divergent palette to paint her characters: the psychotic Reverend Jeter, Prudy's Bible quoting mama who refers to her lady parts as "possum" and her Aunt Weepie whose philosophy for atoning for "cracking open a pot of major sins" is to "darken the doors of a nursing home and get your hands dirty and soul clean". Following her Aunt Weepie's advice leads a young Prudy to Top of the Hill Manor.
Nursing home duty is what a Baptist-bred girl does when she slips up and sins, especially if the busted commandment lined up for balancing has something to do with a man and one’s desires for some gratification in the Sealy/Serta department.
As Prudy begins her journey to realize her dream of becoming an RN and "to take care of the world’s tiniest and sickest newborns, the premature infants in the neonatal intensive care units. And those at the opposite end of life’s journey—the white-haired men and women at Top of the Hill or any other nursing home", it's only natural for her to return to Top of the Hill Manor to seek employment. Nothing has quite prepared her for one of the residents, Miss Annie, who still drives and who discovers the pleasures of bikers and bars at the age of 104.
“I want to go to a bar,” she said. “A real bar with men who have tattoos and ride motorcycles. This is a priss parlor. I can eat Thai chicken or I can drink beer, and I done told you which I was in the mood for.”
No story is complete without a love interest and that part is filled when Prudy reconnects with her first love, Croc Godfrey.
I was already falling. Straight into a tempered love with Croc Godfrey—a quiet love that is comforting and sustaining, like soup. Not the kind of hot jalapeño love that burns out long before it ever has a chance for sweet embers.
Chimes From A Cracked Southern Belle was a delight for me to read since I was born and raised in a little town named Charleston not too far from Spartanburg and even though Prudy and her family and friends are fictional, I know people just like them! This book will have you running the gamut of emotions from shock to pity to joy. You will be brought to tears and you will laugh out loud. Within the escapades of all her colorful characters, the author weaves a serious story of how one woman, with courage and determination, finds love, forgiveness, healing and an ending that will satisfy every reader.
August 6, 2013
**I was given this book in exchange for an honest review**
I have to say that the title and cover of this book is what drew me in and almost MADE me pick it up and read it!! It is so funny and gives a good idea of what is coming with this book. However, I was slightly disappointed when I was finished. The book just didn't deliver on the funny that I was expecting.
Chimes takes place after Dee Millings was brutally attacked and left for dead by her crazy husband up in Asheville, NC. Two years, lots of healing, and a crazy mother later she ended up in Spartanburg, SC just trying to exist. She has a degree, but it really does nothing for her. She is depressed, lonely, and has two kids that drive her crazy sometimes. Especially when they want stuff and she can't afford it. So this book shows us what happens when a woman takes a stand against depression and makes a life for herself.
What was neat for me was where the book takes place. I was born Upstate SC and I grew up in the Foothills of NC both locations were important in this book. I could actually see in my head some of the places that Reinhardt mentioned ,like Whitehall road and the zoo, because I have been there as a child. I related to the character because of this. It was like I was transported back to my childhood.
The cast was interesting. Dee was your typical mother after a traumatic beating with PTSD character. There was nothing special about her, but I liked her overall. Her mother was a hoot. Even though I wanted to smack her a lot, she was just so southern and I loved it! She reminded me of a few of my aunts from SC!! The monkey scene was CLASSIC!! Aunt Weepie was another character that just make me laugh! The fact that she trolls funerals...not for men...but for food was so funny!! She was great!!
This book had the bones to be seriously funny. I mean her mother and aunt alone should have made this book freaking hilarious. And don't get me wrong, there were really funny spots in the book, spots that made me laugh out loud in public. However, there was not enough funny spots to smooth over the drier parts of the book. Pretty much any moment where Dee was not with her family.
The Verdict:
This book has the potential for greatness, it just needs some polishing!! I would recommend it though for people who want a good laugh at someone elses mother!!
See the review at www.bookscompletemeunlimited.com
I have to say that the title and cover of this book is what drew me in and almost MADE me pick it up and read it!! It is so funny and gives a good idea of what is coming with this book. However, I was slightly disappointed when I was finished. The book just didn't deliver on the funny that I was expecting.
Chimes takes place after Dee Millings was brutally attacked and left for dead by her crazy husband up in Asheville, NC. Two years, lots of healing, and a crazy mother later she ended up in Spartanburg, SC just trying to exist. She has a degree, but it really does nothing for her. She is depressed, lonely, and has two kids that drive her crazy sometimes. Especially when they want stuff and she can't afford it. So this book shows us what happens when a woman takes a stand against depression and makes a life for herself.
What was neat for me was where the book takes place. I was born Upstate SC and I grew up in the Foothills of NC both locations were important in this book. I could actually see in my head some of the places that Reinhardt mentioned ,like Whitehall road and the zoo, because I have been there as a child. I related to the character because of this. It was like I was transported back to my childhood.
The cast was interesting. Dee was your typical mother after a traumatic beating with PTSD character. There was nothing special about her, but I liked her overall. Her mother was a hoot. Even though I wanted to smack her a lot, she was just so southern and I loved it! She reminded me of a few of my aunts from SC!! The monkey scene was CLASSIC!! Aunt Weepie was another character that just make me laugh! The fact that she trolls funerals...not for men...but for food was so funny!! She was great!!
This book had the bones to be seriously funny. I mean her mother and aunt alone should have made this book freaking hilarious. And don't get me wrong, there were really funny spots in the book, spots that made me laugh out loud in public. However, there was not enough funny spots to smooth over the drier parts of the book. Pretty much any moment where Dee was not with her family.
The Verdict:
This book has the potential for greatness, it just needs some polishing!! I would recommend it though for people who want a good laugh at someone elses mother!!
See the review at www.bookscompletemeunlimited.com
April 11, 2021
A true southern Novel
At the beginning of this book a quote was given That' said southerners Are proud of their crazies we don't hide them we put them on the front porch and celebrate them This is this book Does that and so much more. It is hard to imagine going from an abusive relationship to 1 that is Fullfilling satisfying and edifying this books is funny And but keep you laughing and it's times crying but always entertained
At the beginning of this book a quote was given That' said southerners Are proud of their crazies we don't hide them we put them on the front porch and celebrate them This is this book Does that and so much more. It is hard to imagine going from an abusive relationship to 1 that is Fullfilling satisfying and edifying this books is funny And but keep you laughing and it's times crying but always entertained
February 10, 2021
Loved it, loved it, loved it. This book is a laugh out loud story. And a love story as well. Some parts are simply hilarious; some parts are truly heart breaking. Dee is a strong and fierce woman, but riddled with the scars of the past; Aunt Weepy and Mama are quirky and quite eccentric, too. Can’t say I’ve ever known anyone quite like them, but loved them in spite of their “flaws”. Aren’t we all flawed in some way? Susan writes so poignantly of the choices made and the crossroads Dee faced, of her struggles to overcome tragedy and move forward. I loved this book…could hardly put it down for its sheer entertainment alone, but with the added value of the themes of hope and forgiveness, it really resonated with me.
August 14, 2013
Loved Loved Loved this book. If you are a true southerner you will identify with the characters in this book. They are in every southern family. Prepare to not be able to put it down. Humor, romance, southern culture, tragedy and triumph all rolled into one exquisite story. If you can't find humor in yourself and your family, you are wound too tight and take life way too seriously. For a fun escape, read this book , embrace your crazy relatives, your neurotic thinking, and thank God you are southern and not alone!
December 4, 2013
What a wonderful, funny, sweet book! It's full of Susan Reinhardt's trademark wry humor, with a touch of snark. It also demonstrates Susan's ability to tackle some of life's more serious issues, with compassion and empathy. Like the cover blurb states, you don't have to be from the South to enjoy this book!
August 26, 2014
Wow!
Wow!
Such a great book! Just googled Southern Fiction and found it quite by accident. I laughed and cried. Great story with sweet, eccentric and hilarious character!
Wow!
Such a great book! Just googled Southern Fiction and found it quite by accident. I laughed and cried. Great story with sweet, eccentric and hilarious character!
August 9, 2013
You can see my review here http://sweettreatblogblog.com/reviews...
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