general

As a dis-placed, mis-placed Southerner living in the North, I have become downright testy about all the cutesy-poo, "Oh, my, aren't we just so special!" ultra-Southern writing around these days. (I'm among the few not enchanted by the Ya-Yas.)

So when a friend from New England, no less, foisted the SP Queens on me, I expected the worst. Praise God for surprises! This book is an antidote to cutesy; I found it hilarious, outrageous and wonderful. Yes, some people will be put off by the vulgarity & self-centeredness. (So give this book only to people you know!) For me, the vulgarity is part of the over-the-top energy & dead-on honesty that makes the book not only fun to read but exhilarating; her run-away creativity makes me feel more creative, more alive.

It did seem to me to lose some steam, to seem a little padded, toward the end. But that's a minor carp.

Jill Browne is not your mother's Fannie Flagg or Rebecca Wells; she does remind me, though, of another (older, I think) very funny Southern writer--Florence King.

Although I myself am a southern belle, born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. I had never heard about the elusive Sweet Potato Queens until I happened upon this book. What a find it was! I can't remember the last time I giggled/laughed out loud so much at a book.

The life, love, and food advice given by the leader of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Queens in this tell all book are hilarious if not dead on. I kept imagining the queens walking around in trashy lingerie and cooking up a storm, all the while being intelligent, happy, and well, Queenly.

You get the sense that the author truly knows how to live life to the fullest & she's trying to pass that on through her excellent writing skills. This tome will make you want to liven up your life; or at least whip up one of the heavenly recipes provided.

The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love is truly a joy to read. Pick one up today; you won't be sorry :)

This is the first installment in "The Sweet Potato Queens" series by Jill Conner Browne. I have not laughed this hard since I first discovered Louis Grizzard. While lolling about, my best friend and I love to read this book aloud to each other!!! True story: I 'lost' my first copy so I purchased another. After being MIA for a year my first copy resurfaced and I still won't let ANYONE borrow it. Instead, if I want someone to enjoy this book I buy them one of their own. It's as if Miss Browne has been inside my head and/or heard some of my conversations! After reading this first installment you will crawl outta your brain to read the next. This author is intelligent and expresses so much logical truth. This book is the "southern" book for all women.