Pamela Morsi, Bitsy's Bait and BBQ

Bitsy's Bait and BBQ

Pamela Morsi

Mira, February 2007, $13.95

ISBN: 0778324230

Emma Collins doubts her ancient car will make it, but she, her sister Katy Dodson, and her six year old nephew Josh are heading to Bitsy's B&B in the Ozark Mountains, because her enthusiastic dingbat sibling bought the "combined business" using her divorce settlement money over the Internet. When they arrive at Warbler Lake, Missouri, they learn that B&B does not mean bed and breakfast, but stands for bait and barbecue. Even worse, the place is a dump, near nowhere and all their money is sinking into worms and breakfast.

Though she loves Katy and adores Josh, Emma looks forward to returning to her life, as she dreams of returning to college, but will help her blood relatives settle into their new lives. She plans to stay for now, helping Katy make a success of the business and a home for Josh. When Katy's ex-husband hedonistic Sean arrives, demanding custody of their offspring, Emma knows she has her sister's back, even if college never comes.

This is a fun contemporary tale starring two sisters, a nephew, a former spouse with a secret agenda, a town of eccentrics, and a variety of nightcrawlers (worms that is). The amusing story line grips the audience better than a hook grips fish, due to the sundry cast who make for a fine read, as everyone delightfully contrasts with the serious minded Emma. Pamela Morsi provides a wonderful gateway to the Ozarks.