Books of Southern Poetry by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Update! Congratulations to Patsy who said...

"I'm from Mississippi too. I live in Laurel. I would love the book of poems of Mississippi." ~Patsy H.

Patsy left me her email so she's already been contacted. Thanks so much everybody for participating!

Except for the distinct connection between poetry, romance and food, this post today isn't directly related to food, but with Valentine's Day approaching us, I wanted to share these books of poetry by one of our Mississippi treasures, Patricia Neely-Dorsey. You may recognize Patricia by her widely popular poem entitled "Southern Life" that has often been shared around the net.

Southern Life

Patricia grew up in Tupelo and after graduating college in Boston, where friends nicknamed her Mississippi and Tupelo because of her passion for them both, she spent many years of her psychology career in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2007, she returned to the roots of her hometown, where she wrote two books of poetry - the first, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems, followed by My Magnolia Memories and Musings in Poems.

There are so many negative misconceptions about both Mississippi and the South, but Patricia has taken on the self-appointed role as our Mississippi good-will ambassador and it is through her poetic prose that she hopes to leave the reader with a more positive impression of how she feels about them both.

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems

This collection is a true celebration of the South and things Southern, and has been called a poetic love letter to the South. The author invites readers to meet the real Mississippi through poetry and the written word. You'll find titles such as "Sounds of Summer," "Mississippi Morning," "Soul Food Restaurant," "Country Breakfast," "Shelling Pea," "Childhood Memories," "Neighborhood Groceries," "Tupelo," "Warm and Fuzzy" and "Our Place."

"Reading Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia: A Life in Poems was an emotional experience for me. Neely-Dorsey's accounts of her life experiences are so vivid and so true to the region that what she writes of Lee County, Mississippi, could be universal events throughout the Hill Country and elsewhere."

"I am a native Mississippian. I know exactly of what the author writes. I have lived it. Mississippi flows through my blood in ways that are nearly inexplicable, and yet, Neely-Dorsey has largely explained it through her poetry."

"This delightful book brings me back to a time and a place I do not know. It makes me feel like I really missed something by not growing up in Mississippi. Every poem draws word pictures and brings to mind scents and sounds to transport the reader to an event, whether it's shucking peas to killing hogs, to the old country church, or the high school band and drill team."

Magnolia Memories and Musings in Poems

In her next book, Patricia Neely-Dorsey continues to celebrate our South. Through personal thoughts, observations, and childhood memories, Patricia gives us an up close and positive glimpse into the Southern way of life.

You'll find poems titled "Natchez Trace," "Southern Comfort," "Nicknames," "Dawn by the Lake," "The Shack," "Preacher's Wife," "Back in the Day," "Neighborhood Gossip," "My Childhood Room," "The King," "Home," "Seasons of Love" and "Family Tree."

"Patricia Neely-Dorsey's second poetry book looks and sounds a lot like the first one if you only look at the cover and the title, but I was pleasantly surprised to find fresh, truly new material inside its pages. As I began to read through the poems, I noticed that the poet's style and view on life had evolved and changed a little since the first collection. Although the subjects covered are similar in some ways to those explored in the first book, they are often tackled in a different way in this collection."

"Once, life seemed somehow simpler, when a family was strong, unified and resolved in its beliefs - a time of Magnolia Memories. We had pride in who and what we were then, the same sort of pride that shines through every word in this book. I share Ms. Neely-Dorsey's love of country and state, a love of the warmth of the past. I highly recommend My Magnolia Memories and Musings to those who would share these peaceful reflections of a true Southern belle."

"Warm and sweet as drizzled honey on a homemade Mississippi biscuit, My Magnolia Memories and Musings lingers in the reader's mind long after the last page is turned. In its pages, I found so many similarities with my own life that I identified with the author herself."

A perfect gift for Valentine's Day, or for just yourself anytime, you'll find Patricia's books at your favorite bookstore or order them direct from Amazon, visit her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, check her Pinterest board, or visit her website to learn more. 2014 calendars are still available for purchase as well. Click here to find out how to order one.

GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Patricia has generously offered to give one lucky reader a choice of Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems, or a 2014 calendar. Simply comment below to enter which you would prefer, anddon't forget to leave your name so we can let you know if your name is selected with the random draw. Because of international shipping constraints, this giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only please. Giveaway closes Monday, February 10, 2014 at noon CST. Good luck!

Mississippi Through and Through, by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Reflections and Magnolia Memories to review, plus another copy of Reflection to offer in this giveaway.

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