Etta Mae's Worst Bad-Luck Day (Miss Julia Book 16)

If you're a fan of the "Miss Julia" series then you're familiar with Etta Mae Wiggins. Etta Mae has a recurring role in the series and there's an honesty and poignancy to her character that really appeals to me. While this book takes place in the world of Miss Julia, it's not actually part of the series. This story belongs to Etta Mae and her plan to improve her lot in life.No matter how hard Etta Mae Wiggins works, she can never get ahead. She's had it up to here with being thought of as "trailer trash" and with the constant struggle to make ends meet. She's been working as a caregiver to a wealthy older gentleman who suffered a stroke, and like most of the men in town he's taken a liking to Etta Mae. He likes her so much in fact that he wants to marry her. Could marriage to a man that's 50 years her senior be the solution to Etta Mae's problems? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing's for certain: things are bound to get complicated!My feelings are a little mixed over this one. I enjoy the author's writing; her characterization is very sharp and the dialog is excellent. I love the way she conveys accents and dialect - writing a southern accent that sounds natural takes a fair amount of skill and she nails it. While the writing impressed me, I struggled a bit with the storyline. Basically the entire book takes place over three days, and Etta Mae's first person narrative chronicles her every move. I hate to say it, but sometimes it seemed tedious to me. Trips to the Laundromat and the drive-thru just aren't very interesting. Don't get me wrong - Etta Mae's narrative is infused with humor and her brand of no-nonsense insight, but overall I had the feeling that the storyline was stretched a bit too thin.In the end I have to say that the quality of the writing compensated for the lackluster storyline and I enjoyed this book. There's a little bit of a "mystery" thrown in here, but at its heart this is a story that's all about the characters, and it's as simple (and as complicated) as that.Very occasional use of strong language; no sexual content

Hi readers,Ann B. Ross has written over a dozen books in the "Miss Julia" series and I've loved every single one of them. She writes with the amazing ability to bring you dead-center into the lives of each of her unique characters. I cannot tell you how much I've enjoyed her books thus far; they are always good for many laughs.One of the characters in the Julia books is Etta Mae Wiggins" who is a treasure. She has a heart made of pure gold, but can also spit out a well-deserved rough phrase or two when the situation requires. "Etta Mae's Worst Bad Luck Day" had me laughing, as all of Ann Ross' books do. She works as a home-care nurse's assistant for the elderly. One such person is Mr. Howard Connard, a very wealthy widow who has suffered a stroke that has left his speech impaired and he is confined to a wheel chair and hospital bed. However, his good hand is always grouping and grasping for Etta Mae and he obviously falls in love with her; he proposes marriage. After much thought, and being tired of always being looked down upon due to her family's background, she agrees - thinking she will finally be able to have a higher status in life by becoming the second Mrs. Howard Connard.Through many antics, difficulties and dramatic events, they finally make it to the pastor of a church she once frequented. They are now married. Getting back to the house they find his son Junior and his nasty wife, Valerie. When hearing the news of the marriage, needless to say they were wondering about the old man's estate. Junior has a trust fund off of which the couple had been living for years, but as is not uncommon with a greedy daughter-in-law, Valerie went into a complete freak fit over the thought of Etta Mae inheriting all.Mr. Connard and Etta Mae did finally consummate their marriage vows, and Mr. Connard had been waiting for his attorney to come so he could change over some of his estate to Etta Mae. Unfortunately, he kicks the bucket before that transpires, and Etta Mae is left high and dry, taking with her only her new name of Mrs. Howard Connard. Still, she feels glad that Mr. Connard died a happy man.That seems to be enough for her in any case, and so she returns to her lovely little extra-wide and becomes the manager of the trailer park owned by Ms. Julia Springer (of all the Miss Julia books).This is such a fun read and the only bad thing is that each time I get a new Ann B. Ross book I read it in a day or two max and then I must want for another new one to be released.Happy reading folks!G.

This is not a Miss Julia book. Remember that. Miss Julia has a speaking part in the very beginning and she makes 2 appearances via phone and one in person near the end of the book, but this is all Etta May Wiggins's story. And what a story it is! Taking place over 3 days, with one thing after the other happening, I could barely catch my breath during the reading of it!I read one reviewer's remark 'delightful read that will make you smile'. This book will make you roll in the floor laughing to beat the band! Seriously, I was reading during my lunch and nearly choked on my food! I roared all through lunch.This book takes places years before when Etta Mae and Miss Julia didn't get along very well. In fact, they practically couldn't stand each other. Etta Mae is a spitfire, that's for sure, giving as good as she gets when it's thrown at her and not letting anyone push her down. I loved her brashness, too. But deep down, Etta Mae is a big hearted woman with wonderful characteristics. And she tries her best to be polite and well mannered. But sometimes a girl just has to take a stand!I declare to goodness, this book was a laugh riot from beginning to end! I'd surely like to see more of Etta Mae if Ann Ross feels so inclined. Maybe a novella? This was just a wonderful read. Now warning to all the Miss Julia fans: Etta Mae is not prim and proper and she's quite rowdy at times.Now I'm waiting for the next Miss Julia book in April 2015.

I always liked Etta Mae; but in the Miss Julia books, you always see her from Miss Julia's perspective - a nudge, a scrapper, a reliable helper. Etta Mae is a more straightforward character, and the narration of the book reflects that. It's definitely a deviation from the prim Miss Julia and her dry wit, suspicion, and drama, but still a nice distraction during COVID times. My copy took a few hits, but like Etta Mae, it kept on going.

Etta Mae Is a character in the Miss Julia books, if you read them, you will be aware of her. But of course, like all characters she has a background, and several marriages behind her before she even meets Miss Julia. This is a fun story, where we get to find out why Etta Mae lives in a trailer, how she got the job of managing the trailer park and of course, what happens on her worst bad-luck day! It can be read anywhere between any of the Miss Julia blooks, but was actually published after MJ's Marvellous Makeover - although the action takes somewhat earlier in Miss Julia's whole story.Anyway, if you are a fan of Miss Julia, don't turn your nose up at this one!