Synopses & Reviews
Fan favorite Etta Mae Wiggins takes center stage in the latest novel in the New York Times bestselling Miss Julia series Bestselling author Ann B. Ross is back with another lively adventure set in Miss Julias Abbotsville. For the first time, though, she writes from the perspective of another resident: the hardscrabble, heart-of-gold Etta Mae Wiggins. Etta Mae is frustrated with her trailer-park life and her no-good family, and she has big dreams for something better. Working as the home nurse for the elderly but wealthy Howard Connard, Senior, she finally sees her chancewith her sexy curves and infectious charm, Etta Mae is determined to become his wife. Unfortunately, Connards scheming, money-hungry son and stuck-up daughter-in-law are equally determined to make sure she doesnt. To make matters worse, Etta Mes exhusband Skip (her first ex, that is) has shown up with a winning lottery ticket in his hand and local thugs hot on his heels. Plus, her dreamy former flame, officer Bobby Lee, keeps popping up to remind her that shes not over him yet. In the middle of all this mayhem, Etta Mae has to get that marriage licensebefore its too late!
A hilarious wild goose chase that takes us from the mansions of Abbotsville to the trailer park that Etta Mae calls home, this book is filled with familiar faces (including Miss Julia, who narrates the first chapter), features Ann Rosss signature wit and southern charm, and will appeal to fans of the beloved series and newcomers alike.
Review
“It is impossible not to like irrepressible, perfectly proper Miss Julia.... [Fans] will agree that
Miss Julia Hits the Road hits nary a bump with its ingenuity, great good humor and pleasing, light touch.” —
The Roanoke Times
“Ann B. Ross and Miss Julia are fast becoming Southern classics. Readers eager for entertainment should tuck in their skirts, strap on a helmet and hit the road with them.” —Winston-Salem Journal
Review
Praise for Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day:
“Ross, author of the well-received Miss Julia series, steps away from her main character to tell a story from the perspective of one of the towns most colorful residents. Filled with familiar faces and southern charm, Ross [novel] . . . is the satisfying story of one woman who refuses to give up her dreams.” —Booklist
“Fans of Ann B. Ross will love this book! Etta Mae Wiggins is the funniest character to come down the pike since Miss Julia showed up to speak her mind. I laughed all the way through it. Hooray for Etta Mae!”
— Fannie Flagg, author of The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion
"Ann B. Ross has given us an irresistible heroine. Spirited, sassy, and thoroughly charming, Etta Mae Wiggins manages to turn a day of misfortune and mishaps into an endlessly entertaining adventure, with the perfect dose of wit and romance. Etta Mae sashayed off the page and straight into my heart—I adored her and rooted for her from the start."
— Erika Marks, author of It Comes in Waves
"Smart and sweet, bold and brash, and, above all, determined to better herself, Etta Mae Wiggins will win your heart. Ann B. Ross's wit and ear for dialogue are at their best in this delightful romp from a low-rent trailer park to the upper crust of Abbot County, North Carolina."
—Vicki Lane, author of the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries
“Any book by the beloved creator of the Miss Julia series is a cause to celebrate. Etta Mae is one of the South's pluckiest, most endearing characters, and readers will love her fun, fast-paced adventures.”
— Michael Lee West, author of A Teeny Bit of Trouble
“The curvaceous spitfire Etta Mae Wiggins will swing through the streets of Abbotsville and straight into your heart. What a most excellent bad-luck-day ride!”
— Charlene Baumbich, author of the Dearest Dorothy novels
“Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia books are always a delight, and Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day is no exception.”
—J.A. Jance, author of Moving Target
“Once again the author has blended her Southern wit and charm with a fast paced story that will have you laughing and crying. . . . This is a priceless close-up look at the lovable Etta Mae. This book can be read on its own, but dont be surprised to find yourself curious about Miss Julia and other adventures Etta Mae has assisted her with. Etta Maes Worst Bad-Luck Day is an entertaining, hilarious and lively adventure you dont want to miss.” —Thoughts In Progress
[A] wonderful blend of snort-out-loud funny, heartstring-tugging and social commentary.” — Hendersonville Times-News
“Miss Julia exhibits all the primness and properness of a well-bred southern lady of means, with a whole lot of spice, initiative and sense of adventure thrown in, appealing to women of all ages and to lovers of humorous southern fiction. . . . Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day stars another character from the series, Etta Mae Wiggins, the home-care nurse and sometime manager of the Hillandale Trailer Park . . . Fans of the Miss Julia series will have plenty of the usual comedy.” — Wilmington Star-News
“Etta Maes Worst Bad-Luck Day is a very special, one-time-only publishing event for Ann B. Ross and her legions of fans as they await the next Miss Julia novel.” —Socrates Book Reviews
Praise for Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble:
“A delightful read that will have you smiling from the opening page to the last paragraph.”
—Thoughts in Progress Blog
“Miss Julia of course, steps right in to solve Hazel Marie's problem. Her solution is to teach Hazel Marie to cook. Her help results in a collection of cooking lessons and recipes that are right out of the Southern Cooking hall of fame. However, as in any Miss Julia story, the fun doesn't stop (or start) there.”
—Tutus Two Cents Blog
“The 14th installment of the Miss Julia series offers . . . some meddling, a light mystery, and a reliable set of down-home Southerners.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Miss Julia to the Rescue:
“This latest in the Miss Julia series has punch. . . . Theres plenty here to satisfy fans.”
—Booklist
“Delightful . . . Those who like smiles with their crimes will be satisfied by the latest in the popular Miss Julia series.”
—Publishers Weekly
Praise for Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle:
“Steel magnolias kick butt.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Charming [and] engrossing.”
—BookPage
Praise for Miss Julia Renews Her Vows:
“Ann B. Ross develops characters so expertly, through quirks, names, and mannerisms, that they easily feel familiar as the reader is gently immersed into the world Miss Ross has created in the Miss Julia stories. . . . A delightful read.”
—Winston-Salem Journal
“Fast-paced, hilarious, and thoroughly fun.”
—Salisbury Post
Praise for Miss Julia Delivers the Goods:
“Its still early yet for beach reading, but a near-perfect candidate has already arrived: The real appeal of Miss Julia Delivers the Goods lies in the comedy of manners. Short of a return to Mayberry, Rosss version of small-town Tar Heels is hard to beat.”
—Wilmington Star News
“A light-hearted page-turner to slip into the beach bag or to carry with us to a lawn chair in the garden when the sun is buzzing away high in the sky. . . . Just grab this and devour it.”
—Charleston City Paper
Praise for Miss Julia Paints the Town:
“A fun confection where Miss Julia, in letting go of some of her own hidebound ideas and social prejudices, learns that her worst enemy may well be the guy she helped elect . . . and her best ally may be one shes always thought beneath her contempt. Yes, Miss Julia is back, and I, for one, am one happy camper.”
—J. A. Jance
“Miss Julias feisty attitude has won the hearts of so many fans.”
—BookPage
Praise for Miss Julia Strikes Back:
“Fans will enjoy the change of pace and appreciate all the familiar elements that have made the series so popular.”
—Booklist
Praise for Miss Julia Stands Her Ground:
“Funny, feisty, frothy.”
—Lexington Herald-Leader
“Fans will not want to miss Miss Julias latest round of dramas.”
—The State (Columbia, South Carolina)
Praise for Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind:
“I absolutely loved this book! What a joy to read! Miss Julia is one of the most delightful characters to come along in years. Ann B. ross has created what is sure to become a classic Southern comic nove. Horray for Miss Julia, I could not have liked it more.”
—Fannie Flagg
Review
“Fans of Ann B. Ross will love this book! Etta Mae Wiggins is the funniest character to come down the pike since Miss Julia showed up to speak her mind. I laughed all the way through it. Hooray for Etta Mae!”
— Fannie Flagg, author of The All-Girl Filling Stations Last Reunion
"Ann B. Ross has given us an irresistible heroine. Spirited, sassy, and thoroughly charming, Etta Mae Wiggins manages to turn a day of misfortune and mishaps into an endlessly entertaining adventure, with the perfect dose of wit and romance. Etta Mae sashayed off the page and straight into my heart—I adored her and rooted for her from the start."
— Erika Marks, author of It Comes in Waves
"Smart and sweet, bold and brash, and, above all, determined to better herself, Etta Mae Wiggins will win your heart. Ann B. Ross's wit and ear for dialogue are at their best in this delightful romp from a low-rent trailer park to the upper crust of Abbot County, North Carolina."
—Vicki Lane, author of the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries
“Any book by the beloved creator of the Miss Julia series is a cause to celebrate. Etta Mae is one of the South's pluckiest, most endearing characters, and readers will love her fun, fast-paced adventures.”
— Michael Lee West, author of A Teeny Bit of Trouble
“The curvaceous spitfire Etta Mae Wiggins will swing through the streets of Abbotsville and straight into your heart. What a most excellent bad-luck-day ride!”
— Charlene Baumbich, author of the Dearest Dorothy novels
“Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia books are always a delight, and Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day is no exception.”
—J.A. Jance, author of Moving Target
[A] wonderful blend of snort-out-loud funny, heartstring-tugging and social commentary.”
— Hendersonville Times-News
“Miss Julia exhibits all the primness and properness of a well-bred southern lady of means, with a whole lot of spice, initiative and sense of adventure thrown in, appealing to women of all ages and to lovers of humorous southern fiction. . . . Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day stars another character from the series, Etta Mae Wiggins, the home-care nurse and sometime manager of the Hillandale Trailer Park . . . Fans of the Miss Julia series will have plenty of the usual comedy.”
— Wilmington Star-News
“Once again the author has blended her Southern wit and charm with a fast paced story that will have you laughing and crying. . . . This is a priceless close-up look at the lovable Etta Mae. This book can be read on its own, but dont be surprised to find yourself curious about Miss Julia and other adventures Etta Mae has assisted her with. Etta Maes Worst Bad-Luck Day is an entertaining, hilarious and lively adventure you dont want to miss.”
—Thoughts In Progress
“Etta Maes Worst Bad-Luck Day is a very special, one-time-only publishing event for Ann B. Ross and her legions of fans as they await the next Miss Julia novel.”
—Socrates Book Reviews
Review
"The third Miss Julia is just as fun as the first two.... You can count on Miss Julia to conquer adversity, one way or another, and you can count on thoroughly enjoying yourself while you read how she does it." —
The Winston-Salem Journal
Review
"Ross allows the reader to laugh gently at feisty, opinionated Miss Julia while thoroughly enjoying the view through her eyes."
-Booklist
"Ann B. Ross and Miss Julia are fast becoming Southern classics."
-Winston-Salem Journal
Synopsis
A delightful standalone novel as told by the sassiest character in the beloved
New York Times bestselling Miss Julia series. Don't miss Ann Ross's newest,
Miss Julia Weathers The Storm, coming April 2017 from Viking.
Heart-of-gold, hardscrabble Etta Mae Wiggins has bewitched Miss Julia fans as the steel magnolia s sidekick in several
New York Times bestselling novels. At last, Etta Mae gets to speak for herself, and longtime readers and newcomers alike will love her story and her opinions of Miss Julia.
Growing up, Etta Mae couldn t escape her daddy s no-good name or the attention of every roving eye in town. But when she becomes the home nurse for an elderly man who is Abbottsville s wealthiest resident, she sees an opportunity to say sayonara to her trailer-park days once and for all. However, a number of interested parties are less than thrilled by the thought of wedding bells, and she ll have to work fast to marry Mr. Right on the worst bad-luck day of her life.
From the Trade Paperback edition."
Synopsis
Miss Julia—that Southern spitfire of a certain age who is never less than charming, even when she’s at her most opinionated—has been praised by Fannie Flagg as “one of the most delightful characters to come along in years.” In Miss Julia Hits the Road, she is becoming increasingly concerned about her gentleman friend, Sam, who has suddenly started wearing cowboy boots, sending her flowers, and writing bad poetry. And when he shows up on a Harley-Davidson Road King and asks her to hop on, she’s convinced he’s lost his mind. Meanwhile, her invaluable housekeeper, Lillian, has been evicted from her home by her greedy landlord. Deciding that Lillian’s need is greater than her own fear (not to mention loss of dignity), Miss Julia takes Sam up on his offer and sets off on a motorcycle Poker Run to raise some fast cash. She’s ready to risk life and limb in Sam’s sidecar to save Lillian’s home from the bulldozer, but will Miss Julia’s scheme work?
Synopsis
A delightful standalone novel as told by the sassiest character in the beloved New York Times bestselling Miss Julia series Heart-of-gold, hardscrabble Etta Mae Wiggins has bewitched Miss Julia fans as the steel magnolias sidekick in several New York Timesbestselling novels. At last, Etta Mae gets to speak for herself, and longtime readers and newcomers alike will love her story and her opinions of Miss Julia.
Growing up, Etta Mae couldnt escape her daddys no-good nameor the attention of every roving eye in town. But when she becomes the home nurse for an elderly man who is Abbottsvilles wealthiest resident, she sees an opportunity to say sayonara to her trailer-park days once and for all. However, a number of interested parties are less than thrilled by the thought of wedding bells, and shell have to work fast to marry Mr. Right on the worst bad-luck day of her life.
Synopsis
Miss Julia faces a double dose of trouble-this time right under her own roof Miss Julia's iron will and kind heart have assured her a spot among the most beloved characters of Southern literature. In her latest adventure, Miss Julia whisks Hazel Marie off to the doctor when the latter admits she's been feeling poorly. The news floors them both: Hazel Marie is pregnant with twins. Unfortunately, she's also just sent her beau, Mr. Pickens, packing. Miss Julia needs a plan-and fast. So when Sam's house is robbed, Miss Julia declares that only J. D. Pickins, P.I., can get his things back. Playing Cupid and solving the crime might seem like a tall order but readers everywhere know that Miss Julia always delivers the goods.
Synopsis
Readers love Miss Julia, the proper lady of a certain age with a backbone of iron and perfect Steel Magnolia poise, not to mention the sharpest tongue south of the Mason-Dixon Line. In Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, we find her feeling a little wistful when Hazel Marie, once her late husband's paramour and now her best friend, prepares to move out and live in sin with that marriage-shy Mr. Pickens. Suddenly, to Miss Julia's delight, a wedding is in the offing: Handsome Deputy Coleman Bates and attorney Binkie Enloe announce their plans to run down to the courthouse and tie the knot. But Miss Julia insists they have a real wedding ceremony and vows to make it happen. When a missing preacher, a crowd of uninvited guests, and a queasy bride threaten the happy event, Miss Julia is there to restore order, confirming her undying motto: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!
Synopsis
The irresistible, indefatigable Miss Julia is back, turning the tables on a thief who chose the wrong belle to burgle Having earned a devoted following for her rollicking antics and unshakable poise, Miss Julia's eighth outing begins with an unfortunate discovery. Her cherished engagement ring-an exact replica of Princess Di's-turns up missing after a party, making her the latest target of a Florida- based gang who, according to Sergeant Coleman Bates, has been denuding Dixie of its jewelry. Incensed, Miss Julia packs Little Lloyd into the car and heads south to claim what is rightfully hers-and to show the feds that there's more than one way to do reconnaissance: selling the Good Book!
About the Author
Ann B. Ross is the bestselling author of fifteen novels featuring the popular southern heroine Miss Julia, including, most recently, Miss Julias Marvelous Makeover. She holds a PhD in English from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has taught literature at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. She lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.