In MISS BUDGE IN LOVE Daphne Simpkins offers an entertaining collection of insightful and often humorous short stories that feature the endearing Miss Mildred Budge. A retired public school teacher, Miss Budge embarks on a series of slice-of-life adventures that take readers into the intriguing and authentic lives of Southern church women. "What our readers love about Miss Budge is that they all know her personally. In fact, they all are her in one way or another. Daphne's stories are instantly recognizable to those in a church community, and that's where the real humour and real pathos comes from. Daphne is a keen observer of the strange and wonderful subculture of 'the church lady.'" Brett Alan Dewing The Christian Courier (Canada) "Mildred Budge is a forthright, almost larger than life, woman who challenges every reader's faith walk by being transparent about her own. She reminds us that Jesus loves us the way we are but He loves us too much to leave us as we are." Julie Innes Evangel

Part memoir and love letter, too, A Cookbook for Katie offers simple recipes and practical advice to a young bride about to walk down the aisle and into her own future of homemaking. Cooking tips and recipes are framed by family-themed essays that capture the flavor, heart and humor of home life. While written specifically for the writer's niece in response to the bride's request for a collection of family recipes when she was about to marry, this unusual memoir-cookbook could help any new bride who may need to answer the question, "What's for supper?" with good spirits, a hot meal and a pan of perfectly baked cornbread. Highly readable and wryly wise, A Cookbook for Katie, Recipes and Reveries for the Bride, is a celebration of love and food, with recipes not only for simple suppers and holiday meals but also for living lovingly after you say, "I do."