Miss Julia Renews Her Vows

By: Ann Ross

Narrated by: Cynthia Darlow

New York Times best-selling author Ann B. Ross has captivated countless readers with her Miss Julia tales. In this 11th entry, America’s favorite senior citizen wants to stay hidden under the bed covers. It’s bad enough her husband Sam wants them to attend marriage enrichment classes. But when she hears Dr. Fred Fowler will lead the sessions, she’s mortified. Yet she can’t hide forever, especially when someone knocks Francie Pitts in the noggin and sends her to the hospital.

Spend some more time with Miss Julia.©2010 Ann Ross (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Series fans will have a ball." ( Publishers Weekly)

Another delightful adventure with Miss Julia

Having gotten Hazel Marie officially married off to Mr. Pickens, Miss Julia has to figure out how to spread the news of the wedding and the coming twins without letting the community realize the babies will be born four months too early, starting the next adventure in Miss Julia Renews Her Vows by Ann B. Ross. The afternoon of the day Miss Julia holds her luncheon, she gets a call from her friend Edda Mae Wiggins, a home health care worker, that she is being detained at the police station. Her new employer, Francine Pitts, recently moved back to town after the death of her fifth buried husband and is living in an assisted living comple. However, she thinks herself above the use of the services at the complex and has hired Edna Mae as her regular caregiver and her impoverished cousin, Evelyn, as her maid. Someone has bashed Francine on the head, sending her to the hospital, and stolen a valuable bracelet. She is fingering Edda Mae based upon smelling collard greens, which she claims Edda Mae' perfume smells of. Miss Julia determines to do everything she can to clear the good name of Edda Mae.

In the meantime, Miss Julia's church has invited Dr. Fred Fowler, a so-called "Christian psychologist," to come do a marriage seminar about renewing the spark in couples' relationship. Miss Julia is horrified to learn about the presence of Dr. Fowler, as he once came onto Miss Julia and then called her a nymphomaniac when she started to respond. But to him, all that was in the good cause of trying to declare Miss Julia incompetent, so the church could take control of her assets left to her by her late husband. Afraid to let her now-husband, Sam, know about her disgrace, Miss Julia tries every trick in the book to keep away from Dr. Fowler, especially lying in bed for days on end to pretend to be too sick to attend the seminar, which seems really strange to be led by a single man who lives with his mother. And when Miss Julia gets dragged to one women's only meeting, she and her close friend, the wife of Pastor Ledbetter, are horrified to discover that his whole speech is about the way-too-scary topic of S-E-X and all about how wives need to do everything they can to satisfy their husbands. Before having to listen to the second half, about specific details, Miss Julia sneaks out by crawling down the row that is too crowded to walk down.

This book continues with the pattern of the delightfulness of the Miss Julia series. It continues the fun development of the characters as they grow and progress since the first book in the series. The humor in the book made me laugh and kept me highly entertained. I like the way the books have a gentle mystery without a murder. It's highly unusual for a mystery not to contain a murder, but the Miss Julia books have fun mysteries without the danger or threat of a murder. In addition, I rarely come across comedies that don't base their humor on sex or crudity. It seems that lately most comedies tend to make fun of bodily functions, whether they be sex or bowel movements. So I really appreciate the fun way Ross creates great humor with total cleanliness. Miss Julia is horrified even to bring up the topic of sex between a married couple, and I can't even imagine how much she would freak out at the mere thought of discussing bowel movements.

I am greatly impressed by the performance of Cynthia Darlow as the performer of the audio edition of the book. She creates great voices for each character, with good accents. She makes each character seem so real and believable.

I have loved almost all the Miss Julia books, and Miss Julia Renews Her Vows is a great read. Some of the books force the reader to suspend disbelief, often to a rather extensive degree. Because the books are so fun, I find myself persuading myself to do this, but in this book I had no need to suspend disbelief because it all came across as more believable. I loved this book and give it five stars.

Great job

Always enjoy every book. Love the characters voices , amazingly the voice are spot on.

wonderful story terrific listen!!!!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes, ann ross always keeps me guess till the end, when she slowly starts to reveal possibilities.

Have you listened to any of Cynthia Darlow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened my way through all of the "Miss Julia" series, except for the last one, and the new, unpublished story which comes out next month. Cynthia Darlow does a wonderful job. She is Miss Julia. She has all the pronunciations, attitudes, and different character voices down pat. I am just about to download another book, read by Cynthia Darlow. I found it because I did a search for other books Cynthia Darlow has read. That is how good I believe she is, as a reader of the "Miss Julia" series.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not one particular moment. Just the total over all honesty of the character in facing her own foibles, all through out the book and the series.

Any additional comments?

As a fifty.....hmmm, fifty something woman, I found listening to the proper, honest, loyal, proud, but humble, and sometimes self effacing character of Miss Julia absolutely delightful. Cynthia Darlow's reading/performance has been like having a friend along, during an especially difficult period of my life. I find a nice read, something light, humorous, honest, essential. No more dark heavy subjects for me right now. Ann Ross' stories, and character of Miss Julia, but in particular, Cynthia Darlow's performance just the right medicine.

I love this series!!!

Another great adventure with Miss Julia! Great characters! Can’t wait to start the next book.

Best series I’ve read in many years and great narrator

The Miss Julia Series is tied with The Southern Sisters Mysteries by Anne George and The Cat Who Series by Lilian Jackson Braun for my all time favorite series!! The characters are lovable and once you start reading the first one, you just can’t stop! You are on the edge of your seat dying to know what happens next until you get through every book! I searched for years for another great series like this and I couldn’t be happier to have found this one! A true treasure! There aren’t many great writers that can capture my attention like Ann B. Ross has in this series. Well worth the time! Also the narrator is amazing!

Another delightful story

Once again Miss Julia had me chuckle with her antics. Superbly read by Cynthia Darlow who brings all the characters to life.

a nice time

What did you love best about Miss Julia Renews Her Vows?

always a good story from Ann Ross

What do you think your next listen will be?

I am going to pick another Miss Julia story

What does Cynthia Darlow bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

good voices, nuance, enthusiasm

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

continue to love these characters

unforgettable characters

unforgettable characters that I have come to love and want the best for. A mulit listen to tape

hilarious as usual!!😂

I've read all the Miss Julia books but somehow missed this one. what a hoot! in this crazy covid/political time we're living in, this is just what I needed! in my opinion, its a great book that can make you laugh out loud numerous times!!

Miss Julia Never Lets You Down

I can't decide if it's the narrator or the writing that makes every single Miss Julia book better than the next! Always good for a serious chuckle and keeps you invested in every one of the characters. A+