Books Books: Domestic Fiction

The Empress of Cooke County

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025 by onemoreexclamation

Welcome to the The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman book tour hosted by Suzy Approved Book Tours.

About The Empress of Cooke County

Title: The Empress of Cooke County

Author: Elizabeth Bass Parman

Released: September 3, 2024

Find it: Amazon

Thirty-eight-year-old Posey Jarvis is the self-appointed “empress” of rural Spark in Cooke County, Tennessee. She spends her days following every word about her idol and look-alike Jackie Kennedy, avoiding her stalwart husband Vern, and struggling to control her newly defiant daughter Callie Jane—all while sneaking nips of gin. When Posey unexpectedly inherits a derelict mansion from her quirky old aunt Milbrey, she finagles her way into hosting her high school’s twentieth reunion there. She cares nothing about seeing her classmates, but she cares deeply about seeing the love of her life, a man who dumped her nineteen years ago. Possums are nesting in the parlor and the stench of cat urine permeates the sunroom, but she must be ready for the big day, even if she has to do the work herself.

Eighteen-year-old Callie Jane finds herself accidentally engaged and is panicking about her fast-approaching wedding. She’s also had enough of her domineering mother. Even though she loves her father, the idea of working at his emporium for the rest of her life just makes her sad. She longs to escape from her mother, her job, her upcoming wedding, and the creepy Peeping Tom terrorizing the town. She dreams of leaving everything she’s ever known in her rearview mirror and starting over in California. But when her life has been mapped out for her from birth, how can she break free?

Book Blurbs

‘You won’t simply read The Empress of Cooke County, you will fall into a world we all long for: sizzling small-town life in the American south with its secret history, vivid characters, and juicy dramas. If the complicated Jezebel and the feisty women of Steel Magnolias had a baby, it might be Posey Jarvis. Put on a pot of coffee, cut yourself a wedge of chess pie and dive in.’ — Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

First-time novelist Parman delivers a twisted tale of small-town drama. Fans of gothic tales or Southern novels will enjoy this.’ — Library Journal

‘Funny, fast-moving, suspenseful, with unforgettable and deeply drawn characters, The Empress of Cooke County will rivet readers.’ — Lee Smith, New York Times bestselling author

‘Get ready to laugh! Elizabeth Bass Parman is a true Southern storyteller. I couldn’t have loved The Empress of Cooke County more.’ — Fannie Flagg, New York Times bestselling author

‘The Empress of Cooke County gives you a juicy taste of small-town Southern life at its best! Be prepared to laugh out loud as you race through pages full of secrets, high drama, and an unpredictable ending!’ — Lisa Patton, bestselling author of Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter

Review for The Empress of Cooke County

Hard to believe this is a debut novel, it’s that good. I’m a huge fan of dual POV – mother and daughter do an excellent job of providing all the details and drama. The dual female main characters bring a lot to the table in the way of finding themselves and questioning the decisions they’ve made along the way. Posey, the mother, is cringeworthy with doses of humor. You can’t help but cheer for Callie and want to help her escape. The other characters do a great job of supporting the theatrics. Let’s add small-town southern gossip with some darker shades and you have a page-turner. Well done and I’d be happy to read more by this budding author.

About The Author

Elizabeth Bass Parman grew up entranced by family stories, such as the time her grandmother woke to find Eleanor Roosevelt making breakfast in her kitchen. She worked for many years as a reading specialist for a non-profit and spends her summers in a cottage by a Canadian lake. She has two grown daughters and lives outside her native Nashville with her husband and maybe-Maltipoo, Pippin.

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