The one thing widow novelist
Maude (M.K.) Diamond wants more than anything is to break through the mid-list run and hit
the best-seller list. It seems God will give her everything, including room-mates and
animals she’s not so keen on, except the one thing she desires the most.
Stella, Maude’s mother-in-law, could no longer afford to live in the retirement home
her son paid for while he was alive. There is no other alternative than to move into
Maude’s spacious home. Here Stella misses the routine of the retirement home, she
reads the obits – daily, and ponders her own demise. Neither is happy with this
arrangement, but it seems the only way. Maude finds it almost impossible to concentrate.
She suffers extreme writer’s block and blames it on feisty Stella’s presence.
But, God isn’t finished with Maude yet.
CeeCee, Maude’s only daughter, now a widow, also returns home. While shocking
surprises keep popping up about her husband, CeeCee mourns her losses – her husband,
her home, her lifestyle – by eating. And, with her face otherwise buried in her
‘babies’ for comfort, it seems CeeCee will never return to her friendly
charismatic self. More prayer projects for Maude. And, to top it off, Maude is offered a
ghost-writing project that will bring some much needed funding. There is a small case of
her pride involved. Will she take it?
In the meantime, the little town of Morning Shade is hit by a break-in artist of sorts.
This person breaks into homes and redecorates. Will this be the spark Maude needs to write
that best seller? Will CeeCee ever find peace? How about Stella? What will keep this
criminal from doing more damage?
A CASE OF BAD TASTE is a fun look at life. As a budding-writer I found Maude’s
excuses for not writing too familiar! And, for those who take themselves a little too
seriously, I bet Stella’s character will hit them hard. Poor CeeCee – for those
who have ever found comfort in a tub of ice cream or under the covers of a chocolate
bar-you will nod your head at her experiences, but you will also want her to get over it
and move on!
Oh, boy - do I ever highly recommend A CASE OF BAD TASTE. With a whimsical plot, quirky
characters and witty tone, this book will have you chuckling aloud. Ms. Copeland cleverly
weaves the gospel thread through without being preachy.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin for The Road to Romance
August 21, 2003 |
