Miss Julia Takes Over (Miss Julia Series #2) » (~)

Ann B. Ross, who has taught literature at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, is the author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, one of the most popular Reader's Digest Condensed Books of 1999 and a Book Sense Top Ten selection.

When Miss Julia burst on the scene in her fictional debut, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, this proper lady of a certain age found her orderly world turned upside down when Hazel Marie Puckett appeared with her nine-year-old son, Little Lloyd, who looked disturbingly similar to Miss Julia's late husband. Now, in Miss Julia Takes Over, with her sharp tongue and iron backbone intact, Miss Julia must tackle another disruption when Hazel Marie doesn't return from a dinner date with a fund-raiser who, in Miss Julia's opinion, wears his shorts too tight. Frantic and unable to persuade the local police that Hazel Marie is in danger, Miss Julia hires J. D. Pickens to investigate, despite her reservations about his taste for beer and women. She and Little Lloyd help search for Hazel Marie, running into adventures ranging from a most indelicate display of fisticuffs to a high-speed car chase on the track of a NASCAR Speedway, all the while standing strong ...because if Miss Julia doesn't take care of things, who will?

Fast paced, funny, and full of colorful characters you'll want to meet again and again, Miss Julia Takes Over is a zany race through the South you'll not soon forget.

"Miss Julia is one of the most delightful characters to come along in years." (Fannie Flagg)

"Ross allows the reader to laugh gently at feisty, opinionated Miss Julia while thoroughly enjoying the view through her eyes. [For] readers who love Jan Karon." (Booklist)

Publishers Weekly

Imagine Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith Show with a lot more backbone and confidence, and drop her smack in the middle of a humorous, rollicking plot akin to that of the movie Smokey and the Bandit and you have the tone and pace of Ross's entertaining second novel (after Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind) starring the feisty Southern heroine. When the sheriff won't help Miss Julia find Hazel Marie, her deceased husband's former girlfriend who now lives with Miss Julia along with Hazel Marie's illegitimate son, Little Lloyd, she takes over, determined to rescue Hazel Marie from danger. Miss Julia quickly finds herself embroiled in scandals involving Brother Vernon Puckett, "a ranting and raving television and tent-revivalist," and Pastor Larry Ledbetter, a "silky smooth pulpiteer of the biggest church in town." A handsome private investigator and a famous NASCAR driver add to the exploits. Gallivanting all over North Carolina, Miss Julia "takes a hand in her own life" as she searches for Hazel Marie, running into unexpected trouble, car chases and illegal activities. At times, this teetotaling dowager full of ironic self-righteousness seems a bit contrived, and the scenes in which she helps Hazel Marie escape from the bad guys are far-fetched. Despite the simplistic spin, Miss Julia will continue to appeal to the many readers who enjoyed the first book, as well as fans of fiction by Southern writers like Bailey White, Anne George and Fannie Flagg. (July 23) Forecast: In the short term, national publicity and a 10-city author tour will help to get the word out. The film version of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, starring Shirley MacLaine and Dolly Parton, is in the works, which bodes well for the longterm. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.