“Taste and see that the Lord is good...” (Psalm 34:8a NIV).

My dear friend and soul sister, Maggie Wallem Rowe, has recently released her latest book–Life is Sweet, Y’all (Tyndale Publishing, 2022).

Chock full of…

  • daily devotions
  • recipes
  • scripture passages
  • helpful household tips
  • wise and witty quotes…

This inspirational gift book with its colorful, retro flair makes, well… the perfect gift. Yes, LiSY’s sweet and sassy, to say the least.

I recently asked Maggie a few questions about her most recent book baby. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Even though both were traditionally published, your new release is quite the departure from your first book, This Life We Share. The first is a nonfiction series of 52 in-depth spiritual essays on our relationship with God, ourselves, and others, while the second, Life is Sweet, Y’all, is a humorous collection of inspirational life lessons paired with tips, quips, and vintage southern recipes. What inspired you to write Life is Sweet, Y’all?

“On taking care of babies: In one end and out the other makes a lot of work for Mother” (LiSY-p. 76, Margaret Helmer).

A: Great question, Maureen! In a fun twist that only God could orchestrate, both books came about as a result of the weekly blogposts, “View from the Ridge,” on my website. In each instance, publishers reached out to me to see if I’d like to submit a book proposal based on my style of writing. The post that attracted the attention of an editor at Tyndale House, the publisher of Life is Sweet, was one I wrote about a unique donut shop in Asheville, of all things!

“If you don’t know what to do for someone, feed them” (LiSY-p. 68).

Q: What was most meaningful about writing Life is Sweet, Y’all?

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose” (LiSY-p. 64, Dolly Parton).

A: LiSY is an inspirational book with Bible-based life lessons that is designed with a retro look for the general gift market. I was asked to write it in a folksy, conversational tone that is “southern-leaning.” As a native Midwesterner, “southern” is not my native tongue! It was pure fun to research southern idiomatic expressions and use those in the short devotional pieces along with household hints, quips from well-known southerners, and recipes based on the best in country cooking.

“Use unflavored dental floss–before you’ve used it on your teeth!–to cleanly cut slices of cake” (LiSY-p. 113).

Q: What do you hope readers will take away from your new book?

“Joy is sorrow inside out” (LiSY-p. 124, Hannah Hurnard in “Mountains of Spices”).

A: LiSY truly is designed as a gift book – a sassy little hot-pink hardcover at an affordable price that readers can purchase for themselves or friends who enjoy southern humor and, best of all, southern cooking.  (Have you ever seen a book on the market called Northern Cooking?  No? There’s a reason for that!)

“March on, my soul; be strong” (LiSY-p. 83, Judges 5:21 NIV)!

 

“Seek to be the kind of friend you’d love to have yourself” (LiSY-p. 36).

No matter how it’s served up, this little slice of heaven is delicious. Indeed, LiSY truly points us to the One who’s the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. (And it’s a pretty doggone good gift to give, as well!)

So run, don’t walk, to get copies of this gem–one to keep and at least one more to give away. Your friend(s) will thank you!

Remember–

“A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17 ESV).

And giving a gift like LiSY is certainly a sweet way to show your love!

Kind Father, bless this little book! May it soar to all the places You intend and bring joy and peace to weary hearts. We trust it and its author, my dear friend Maggie, into your compassionate keeping. Amen! 

“Hope may not be your mother tongue, but it’s a language you can learn” (LiSY-p.18, Maggie Wallem Rowe).

For a chance to win a copy of Life is Sweet, Y’all, write a comment below. You can share a household tip, a favorite Bible verse, or tell us why you hope to win. Whatever! Drawing will be held next Wednesday, May 18th, 2022.

**All photo captions taken from LiSY.**

To purchase through Amazon, click here. Or purchase at local retailers, like Sassafras on Main and Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville, NC.

About the Author–Maggie Wallem Rowe is a national speaker, dramatist, and writer from western North Carolina. Married for 46 years to her pastor-husband Mike, mother of three, and grandmother to six, Maggie’s work includes decades in public relations, adult education, and ministry to women. She has served as an adjunct communications professor at Daniel Webster University (NH) and Wheaton College (IL). Maggie’s first book, This Life We Share, was traditionally published when she was 67 and was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book Award in the New Author category. Maggie was also a TEDx presenter in 2021. Her second book, Life is Sweet, Y’all,  has just released from Tyndale House. Visit her at www.MaggieRowe.com.