It’s always a treat for me to spend time with author Stephenia H. McGee – in person or through the wonders of technology – and I’m delighted to have her on the blog today to celebrate her new book, The Cedar Key, with a look at how to know you are (or should be) from the south.
THE CEDAR KEY by Stephenia H McGee
GENRE: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: By the Vine Press
RELEASE DATE: October 6, 2020
PAGES: 270
Could the key to Casey’s future be hidden in someone else’s past?
Casey Adams unexpectedly inherits an old Victorian house full of other people’s memories. Stuck in a quirky little Mississippi town, Casey’s hope for a fresh start died as soon she had to lay the grandmother she’d just met to rest.
But Grandma Ida carried secrets beyond the grave.
Before her death Ida carefully planned a trail of clues to help Casey unlock the Macintyre family secrets and finally explain why the family abandoned her. But each of Ida’s letters will only come from Casey’s handsome—and often frustrating—new neighbor. As Casey pieces together the stories behind the objects filling her grandmother’s house, she embarks on a heart-stirring journey that rattles her foundations, ignites her faith, and leads her to a startling discovery that will reshape her future. But only if she can face the lies that have been slowly tearing her apart.
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Six ways to know if you are (or were meant to be) from the South
by Stephenia H McGee, author of The Cedar Key
1. Sweet tea, y’all. This has to be the number one thing. When you think of the South, you think sweet tea. Now, this could mean a little dash of sweetness or you could end up with a glass of stuff like my husband’s grandmother used to make. When she said three cups of sugar, she didn’t mean three measuring cups. She meant three coffee cups! For one pitcher! It could send a hummingbird into sugar shock.
Your Score: 3 points – I’ll take my hummingbird food, thanks! 2 points – let’s make it sweet, but I don’t want to go overboard. 1 point – no thanks. I’ll take my tea without the extra calories!
2. You know the difference between a cookout and a barbeque. And they aren’t the same thing.
Your score: 3 points – Barbeques are a more formal affair where you’re served slow cooked ribs and wear your church clothes. Cookouts are for hotdogs, y’all. 2 points – these names are interchangeable. Who cares what it’s called as long as there’s food? 1 point – people in a backyard and a grill? No thanks. I’ll take my meals indoors.
3. There’s some level of confusion about which meal is actually “dinner.”
Your score: 3 points – I eat three meals. Breakfast, dinner, and supper. 2 points – I eat three meals. The first is breakfast and the last is supper, but I don’t know if the one in the middle is supposed to be lunch or dinner. It depends on who you ask. 1 point – there are three meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
4. Black eyed peas and green beans are a necessity on New Year’s Day or someone’s grandma’s going to be all over your tail.
Your score: 3 points – Yes, ma’am. I had plenty of both for good luck. 2 points – I forced down a spoonful of each, but I don’t know why. 1 point – ugh. No thanks!
5. Tailgating. It’s not a thing you do in a parking lot wearing a team jersey. It’s an all-day all-out event complete with heels and Hors d’oeuvres.
Your score: 3 points – I have attended a tailgate wearing a dress and heels in my team’s color while hobnobbing with others as the game plays on a big screen TV in our tent on the manicured campus grounds. (whew!) 2 points – I have attended a tailgate where an entire meal was served on actual plates. 1 point – tailgates are for grills, hotdogs, and team related headgear. But only until the game starts, and then we’re in the stadium.
6. You wave at complete strangers on the road. Usually by lifting two fingers off the steering wheel in greeting.
Your score: 3 points – of course. It’s the only polite thing to do. 2 points – I’ll wave at the cars I think might belong to people we know. 1 point – Wave? What’s wrong with you people?
Tally your score and leave it in the comments. One winner gets a prize pack from Stephenia H. McGee including:
1 ebook
The Cedar Key recipe booklet
The Cedar Key coloring sheet
Bible verse printables
Best-selling author of Christian novels, Stephenia H. McGee writes stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. When she’s not twirling around in hoop skirts, reading, or sipping sweet tea on the front porch, she’s a homeschool mom of two boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com for books and updates.
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Stephenia H McGee is offering one of my readers an ebook copy of The Cedar Key, The Cedar Key recipe booklet, The Cedar Key coloring sheet, and Bible verse printables! (Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read The Cedar Key by Stephenia H. McGee? How did you score on the ‘from the south’ quiz?
I love reading about a grandmother’s secrets that a granddaughter has to cover! Sounds so fun!
Thanks, Faith!
Love it! My scores a 9, and now I really want to read this book.
yay!!
Yay! Hope you enjoy it! =)
I got 13 even though I am originally from NJ. Moved to NC when I was 17. This book sounds so interesting.
THE CEDAR KEY sounds absolutely wonderful! I do so love a sweet romance that’s woven with a thread of faith. Most definitely on my TBR list and I can’t wait for the opportunity to read it
Since I do live in the south (Ozark Mountains of Arkansas to be specific), I scored 17 points – a true southern born and bred. The only reason I didn’t get 18 was that I just can’t do the heels on number 5.
hahahahaha i don’t blame you, Kay!
Me, either, Kay! I did one time… and decided never again!
I got 9 points. I was born and raised in the North, but have spent all of my adult life in the South. I guess those early years were pretty formative!
I was also raised in the North but my family roots are in Appalachia & south Georgia so I’m southern by blood lol
9 is pretty good! =)
12 points. I LOVE the south, however…I’m the only one in my family that cannot stand sweet tea. But, I love Dr. Pepper. 😁 Looking forward to reading this. Thanks for sharing!!
LOL that’s ok, I think Dr. Pepper is an acceptable substitute 😉
My oldest son hates it as well. Always seemed strange to my family. ha ha.
I scored 9 points since I’m from the Midwest. The Victorian house full of treasures and secrets intrigues me.
it does me too, Pam 🙂
12 points. I am southern through and through but I don’t like any kind of tea and I don’t go to ballgames. I don’t like ball games but I’m sure I would have if I had boys. I am learning a little about ballgames now that I have 2 son in law and two grandsons. One son in law is from Alabama so my two son in laws and my oldest grandson banter back & forth all season long. And the waving? I figure if I pass them anywhere near my road or house I ought to know them, so we wave.
Football banter – I know all about that with my husband and his brothers and brother in law! Ha ha. Love that. If they drive by you probably know them. Sounds like small town living.
My score is 14, and I’m a southern girl. I’ve heard some great things about this book already!
Thanks, Trudy!
7 points here! It’s plain to see I need to do some visiting in the South! Or perhaps if I read this book I’ll score higher! LOL
I’ve read some of Stephenia’s historical fiction and loved them. This contemporary sounds so intriguing.
Come on down any time, Winnie! We’d be glad to have you!
I scored a 10. While I grew up in the South, my mother was from Michigan and my father from South Carolina. So, I have a mixture of preferred foods, traditions, etc. I’m really looking forward to reading the book!
That’s fun. We moved around a lot when I was a kid (military brat) so I got a lot of different foods added in as well. I always figured, the more the better!
I love her Ironwood Plantation Family Book Series.
Thank you, Audrey!
The book sounds charming!
Thanks, donna!
I got 13 points! I have lived most of my life in Georgia but, my formative years I lived in Miami, FL! I can’t wait to read The Cedar Key! Also, always nice to find a new to me author!
The post made me hungry LOL
I scored 12 even though I am Southern born and Southern bred! Sorry, no sweet tea for me although I was raised on it!! I loved The Cedar Key!! Wonderfully written, inspiring book!
Thank you, Carolyn! My son is Mississippi born and raise, and he hates sweet tea too. ha ha
15 points for me. I’ve never been to a tailgating party. I’m excited to read “The Cedar Key”!
That’s a pretty high score! =)
sounds interesting
I got 11 points! My husband and I just moved to Tennessee in April from New Hampshire. Our realtor taught us what it is all about living in the south! Haha! I am enjoying it here a lot more than New Hampshire, people are so much more friendly here. I would love to read your book, the contest was fun!
How fun! Welcome to the South! =)
This sounds like a great book about uncovering family history. My score was 10.
This book sound super interesting and right up my ally sos to speak. My score was 13!