Cain't Do Nothing With Love: Southern Short Stories

CAIN'T DO NOTHING WITH LOVE was the winner of the CIPA EVVY Audio Book Award 2014. The stories have been downloaded over 55,000 times. All stories treat the most difficult topics-death, religion, family-with sharp humor and urgent respect. LUCKY CRITTERS: A lonely young woman in Florence, Alabama reacts to the sudden death of her boyfriend by connecting with his killer. Full of dark humor, Lucky Critters first appeared in The Peralta Press, the winner of its 2K2 Award. ROLLERBLADER FOR JESUS: A fifth-grader in rural Mississippi who is intent on being the smartest girl in her class sees Jesus in her closet; he advises her to "Skate On." Told with irreverent humor, Rollerblader for Jesus first appeared in Gulf Coast Literary Journal. AINT' NO COMMIES 'ROUND HERE: An aging farmer in Tuscumbia, Alabama must learn to love his grown-up nephew, even if the young man is a liberal hippie freak. Ain't No Commies 'Round Here is a poignant story about the importance of family relationships in a changing world. BABY DOG, PEEWEE NED, AND THE DEVIL'S NAKED BUTT: Grief over the death of her parents leads a young woman in Memphis, Tennessee to invite the Devil into her home. A story of humor and longing, Baby Dog first appeared in Hurricane Review. IT DOES NOT GOOD WHATSOEVER TO STAY BITTER : A former addict in rural Mississippi must decide how to react to her family's lack of support for her recovery program. It Does No Good Whatsoever to Stay Bitter treats several touchy topics-addiction, family strife, and sexual identity-with acerbic humor. SUPERMAN AT THE MANOR: The son of a retirement home resident in Charlotte, North Carolina arrives at the nursing home's Happy Hour in his Halloween costume. Using poignant humor, Superman at the Manor explores a son's rocky relationship with his mother. A TRIP TO THE LAWYER: A college student in rural Mississippi, confused by the changes happening in her family, turns to a good-looking lawyer for advice. A story of slapstick Southern humor, A Trip to the Lawyer first appeared in RedHot ChickLit Review. THE GIFT OF THE ELEPHANT: In an act of radical hospitality, a man from India offers to repay the kindness of Canton, Mississippi by giving the city an elephant. A story of gentle truths, The Gift of the Elephant was nominated for Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses by Eureka Literary Magazine. SHOW THE CLOTHES: Can the intervention of a stranger in Memphis, Tennessee keep a disagreement between a model and a luncheon guest from turning into a cat fight? Show the Clothes is an acerbic story of young woman's daily struggle to make a living. POCKETBOOK SYNDROME: A vintage clothing seller in small-town Alabama must choose between his professional standards and the love of the young man on whom he has a crush. A biting story of difficult love, Pocketbook Syndrome first appeared in New Madrid Review. Adult Content. FULL MOON WALK: A fight in a bar on Memphis's famous Beale Street forces a young woman to change her views on her sister's childrearing skills. An oddly told tale, Full Moon Walk first appeared in Southern Women's Review. SQUIGGLES THE SQUIRREL: A young boy at Lake Minnidaka Resort in rural Mississippi must quickly grow up if he is to protect his mother from an abusive lover who wears a squirrel costume. Squiggles the Squirrel is an unconventional coming-of-age tale that includes a first kiss. JUST NOW: A confused young woman sorts out her feelings by sitting zen in an Elks Lodge in north Mississippi. A poignant story of coming to terms with sudden death, Just Now first appeared in Memphis Magazine, the winner of its Annual Fiction Contest.