Publisher: Independently Published

Published Date: November 9, 2018

Length: 162 paperback

I purchased this book to read for the Rockmart Cultural Arts Center bookclub.

Miss Bessie is an elderly woman living alone outside of Albany, Georgia. Wise beyond her years, she guides the residents with wit, humor, and grumpy grace. The new pastor of the Methodist Church, Timothy Wallace, learns early on that his greatest support and advocate will be Miss Bessie. In this charming and often humorous story, Miss Bessie mentors Pastor. The true beauty of their relationship is the manner in which she makes a point. She is cunning in how she asks Preacher for help and then while he is helping her, he learns a life lesson. This is exactly how we should all teach lessons, with sensitivity to the person, not teaching by humiliation.

Who in your life is like Miss Bessie? The closest I can come is my mother’s mother, Grandma Kinsley. I spent much of my youth with her and can say I only saw her angry once. She had a unique, special relationship with each grandchild. Like Miss Bessie, she would teach us things without us even knowing.

The book takes us back to a time when life was challenging but we all tried to help each other. Passing down a legacy was more important that how much you were left. Bessie was opinionated but never to a fault and generous beyond measure. This is one of the Southern fiction books that you read and are left with a warm glow. Bryan M. Powell knows how to tell a story with all the charm of the South.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻/5