Shari Smith's roots reach into the Midwest and spread under the Mason-Dixon line into the heart of Dixie. She draws on both in this collection of heartwarming stories that originated on her blog, Gunpowder, Cowboy Boots, and Mascara. With the compassion of an old soul, irreverent wit, her North Carolina vernacular, and more than a few cuss words, Shari takes the reader into "her country," the small town of Claremont, North Carolina and a mystical land in Alabama called Waterhole Branch. Holding nothing back, she explores the sensitive issues of a rural community, creative minds of the music and literary world, and how a small town's tragedy affects an entire nation. Smith introduces the reader to real war heroes and a Bronze Star recipient author who told their story in graphic detail in We Were Soldiers Once and Young. She allows us to listen in on a telephone conversation with a handsome cowboy actor who had called that hard-nosed reporter to thank him for his work, and without a word of introduction, the reporter passed the phone to Shari, telling the movie star to "say hello." Shari Smith writes with insight into the ordinary folks who meet each morning at the Claremont Café, the Boys at the Back Table, and with equanimity of prize-winning writers, songwriters, and musicians who gather on the deck of her hundred-year-old farm house. Her world is populated with beloved dogs, horses, children, neighbors, and a bunch of crazy artist-types. All are "her people" - people you want to know.

14

My work speaks to questions, mens ways, the people, places of lands, power positions, lies, wars, slavery, hate to a point of killing! The trail of tearsthe indians were willing to share through an equal process the land products! Slavery to work the land taken from the indian slaves and blacks became one, slavery to death that cannot be right! To the so-called christian soul, the wars are to die and fight on the wrong side of history. My work speaks to the fear of skin color. How sad and sick must be our minds! We can see one soul in the environment and another person in their environment! Its just one big lie that keeps the warmth of the sun out of our lives! My work carry you one way but lets you go another way! In 1914 was the war to end all war. We see how that worked out; we have the same old sin. You may give an answer or not. My work is to make one think or not be seen, just maybe of the million books out. My work speak out when a person loves a dog better than a man. When a man because of skin cannot just walk his dog, his dog, kill the man save the dog.

The book explores the challenges and shocks people face when their lives undergo dramatic changes, for better or for worse. The way people respond to these changes can be revealing, and by compelling the characters to encounter unknown situations, they are allowed to evolve. The protagonist follows her roommate to a dangerous part of town to check on her cousin, but ends up getting caught up in a drug dealing ring. She is given an assignment to sell drugs and make up for stolen money. The main guy emphasizes the importance of loyalty and trust, and the protagonist must navigate a world of uncertainty and danger in order to survive. The book is a thrilling tale of survival and self-discovery