Off the Shelf: South of Heaven

South of Heaven

Author: Patti Frye Meredith “Always remember, no one loves you like your family.” Leona, p. 211.

Read by: Cindy Martin

In her amazing debut novel, South of Heaven, Patti Frye Meredith depicts the dynamics of family relationships, allowing the reader to get up close and personal with her endearing cast of characters. Through keen attention to detail and masterful use of dialogue, this gifted storyteller guides us through a family’s struggles to survive when confronted with mistakes from the past and the uncertainty of the future.

Sisters Leona and Fern square off when Leona’s husband is accused of Medicare fraud and is asking for a divorce, prompting Leona to return to her hometown to sort things out. Fern and her son Dean are distressed when Leona suddenly appears on their front porch, suitcase in hand, claiming she’s there for a visit to ensure their dementia-ridden aunt is receiving adequate care. To make matters worse, Doyle Blue, a former friend of Fern’s, is back in town and wants to make amends for his past transgressions. Both Fern and Doyle mourn the loss of Fern’s husband who has been MIA in Vietnam for decades. Meanwhile, much to his family’s chagrin, Dean has plans to invest his inheritance in an emu farm!

This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and keep you turning pages from beginning to end. You won’t want to put this one down. South of Heaven is available for purchase at local, independent book stores, as well as Amazon and other online booksellers.

Patti Frye Meredith has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Memphis. Her stories have appeared in Appalachian Heritage,

Still: The Journal, and Mulberry Fork Review. Patti, her husband, Lee, and their Springer Spaniel, Maggie, now reside in Chapel Hill. For more information, email Patti at Pfmeredith@aol.com.

Yadkin Valley Magazine contributor and renowned open-hearth cook, Mary Bohlen’s book Heritage Cooking Inspired by Rebecca Boone continues to garner great reviews!

The book is available in the gift shop at Wilkes Heritage Museum 100 East Main Street in Wilkesboro. Open Monday-Saturday 10-4.