Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group

Georgia Bottoms is beautiful, full of southern charm and goes to church every Sunday.  She also cares for her elderly mother and sells hand made quilts all around Six Points, Alabama.

But she is also a woman with a secret life.  She entertains some of the town's finest male citizens at night.  Six different men and each has his particular night of the week and the night is customized to his particular tastes.  They have all been trained to leave her a "gift" to help Georgia take care of herself and her mother.  Plus each gentleman caller thinks he's the only lover enjoying Georgia's company.

Things start to fall apart when Georgia's minister, Mr. Saturday Night, decides to confess his sins to his wife and the entire congregation one Sunday morning.  She manages to cause a diversion to stop this confession, but knows if she doesn't do something quickly her entire private life will become public knowledge.  She has to protect her mother and herself.  Six Points, Alabama will never be the same.

First I have to give credit where credit is due. This book has been recommended by several people/blogs even before it was released.  So I could put a pretty big list here, but I won this book from a giveaway at Cheryl's CMash Loves To Read and she said to put in on the top of my To-Be-Read pile which I did. So I have Read, My Review will be below and I Recognize Cheryl for getting this book in my hands and encouraging to make time for this book. My first book in this wonderful challenge. Just a side note Cheryl is one of the hosts of this wonderful challenge.

Yes, I loved this story so much.  I think it will definitely become a sort of Southern Classic.  It is funny and heartbreaking.  The entire town seems totally dysfunctional and perfect together at the time.  

It amazed me that Georgia was able to keep up this ruse as long as she did, but Mark Childress is such a great writer I bought the whole thing, hook, line and sinker. Maybe it's the Alabama heat that drives what would almost be called insanity of this town, but I loved it, each and every word. I may be a little biased here because I live far from the south but have learned that pastors can be some of the most hypocritical persons on the earth, so I had no trouble buying into this pastor's story or the replacement.

Childress has created a strong be it offbeat heroine.  I had read several reviews before I read this book and some people actually hated it and hated Georgia.  After reading it myself I decided those who panned this book must not have had much of a sense of humor, this book is comedic look at not only southern life but life anywhere. Every word may not be politically correct but with some minor changes like a long cold winter instead of a long hot summer this could easily have taken place in North Dakota as Alabama. Do any of really know what is happening behind the closed doors of our neighbors?

This is a great book to "escape" with and it will definitely tickle your funny bone. It is my first book my Mark Childress but it most definitely is not my last!!!

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 Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was my personal collection. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”