Southern Sass and Killer Cravings Quotes

“My idea won't change the recipe. Your burger and filling are divine."
He gave me a cocky grin. "Damn right they are."
"I just agreed. What I'm suggesting is we can offer my idea as an add-on. You know, for an upcharge."
"Just tell me. You're going to anyway." He didn't seem upset anymore.
"What if we added blue cheese to the burger or crabmeat?"
He scooped the burgers up and put them on a warm bun. He was listening.
"Maybe call it Surf and Turf Black and Blue. Or something."
"That's the best idea I ever heard." Betsy hung a ticket on the wheel. "I wish I hadn't had lunch already. I'd be the guinea pig for that!"
The fryer alarm went off, and Sam pulled the basket of chicken fried chicken and hooked it to drain. "We should definitely try it. We could experiment with a couple of cheeses."
That was fine by me, as long as blue cheese was one of them.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“I thought the nonsense between you and that Myers boy was over years ago," Mama said.
I made a face. "Stop projecting your issues on me. Eddie wasn't good enough for you, so Alex isn't good enough for me. Not that it matters. He's here because Eddie wants me kept safe."
She waited until I began my facial cleansing ritual before speaking. "This has nothing to do with Edward and me."
"Right.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Back in my room, I put Izzy down, pulled my dress over my head, and tossed it on the floor, lost in thought.
"Marygene Brown," Mama scolded the second I closed the door.
I screamed. Izzy was growling and running around Mama, barking.
Alex bolted through the door, gun in hand, scanning the room for an intruder. "What is it?"
I held my hand over my heart, a familiar response for me now, and scooped Izzy up. Mama was giving me a chastising glare, her arms folded across her chest. She didn't seem to like the idea of Alex sleeping in the house. She was such a hypocrite. That was when I recalled I was standing in nothing but my bra and panties. Alex devoured me with the intensity of his gape. I snatched the dress off the floor, using it to cover myself.
"Um... I thought I saw a mouse. Sorry I alarmed you," I stammered.
"Mouse, my derriere," Mama said. "That boy doesn't need to be in this house. You have a blind spot when it comes to him." She had never been fond of Alex.
He was subpar in her eyes. He didn't own his own business, like Zach did, nor did he come from an aristocratic family. He was a common boy who grew into a common man, who earned a deputy's salary. Like Eddie.
Alex had a lopsided grin. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were using that as an excuse to get me up here. A little jealous tonight, were we?"
"You watch yourself, young man!" Mama scolded, her finger in his face. Not that he saw her.
"Shh," I said to Mama.
"What are you shushing me for? Any man would think the same," Alex said.
"I thought I heard it," I held my hand to my ear, "the mouse, listen."
He put his gun back into his holster. "Right. If you want me to stay," he waggled his eyebrows at me, "all you have to do is ask."
"I mean it. You're about to get it, young man," Mama was waving her arms around like a lunatic, and I wasn't certain she could do no harm. She had slammed me to the floor the other night.
"No. I swear it was a mouse." I shoved him out the door. "I'll be fine. Good night, Alex."
"Good night, Marygene." He grinned again as I closed the door. "If you need me, just holler." He put extra emphasis on the word need.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Marygene, girl, this is the best lime cheesecake I ever put in my mouth," Mr. Collins said from the back booth.
I stood up straight and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Collins. That's so nice of you to say."
"Is it a new recipe?" his wife, Nita, asked.
"Not really. I tweaked it a tad. I added a bit of cream at the end that I folded in by hand. It makes the batter bake off light and airy."
"It does. So good." Nita took another bite. "Every time you tweak another recipe, you bring me a slice for dessert."
"Yes, ma'am," I said.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“You're practically pimping out your only daughter." I grinned when I heard the choking sound on the other end of the line. He'd been having his morning coffee... perfect timing.
"He was supposed to sleep on the couch." Eddie didn't sound happy.
"Was he? He said otherwise." I parked and hid my snickers by pressing the mute button.
"You better be riling me up for the heck of it."
I let the line go dead silent.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Her paws scratched on the windowsill as she sounded the alarm. I liked having a warning bark, and the idea of having a pet around permanently was appealing. Maybe even healing. Someone to love unconditionally. Perhaps even provide a bit of security.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Surely, if there was someone there, Izzy would still be going nuts. The little dog was a Chihuahua, poodle, and terrier mix. Terriers and Chihuahuas were good watchdogs by nature.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“You've been keeping in touch with the reporter?"
"He came by the diner the other day. And that reminds me, you told me he was a by-the-book detective. Calhoun has evidence to the contrary."
He squared his shoulders and faced me head-on. Betsy was pushed out of the middle.
"What are you implying?" he spat.
"Hey, y'all," Betsy interjected.
"I'm not implying anything. I just want to know if you still think Detective Thornton is a pristine detective."
"Do you always believe everything people tell you?" Alex's jaw clenched.
"No." I bared my teeth.
If he wanted a fight, he'd certainly get one!
He took a step closer to me. "You believe the reporter?"
I jerked my head.
His neck was corded and his arms tensed. Boy, was he angry. "Some asshole floats into town with tall tales, dangling bait in front of your pretty little face, and you just bite? You've known him for two damn seconds. Me, you've known your whole damn life."
"Um... y'all," Betsy said louder.
"Where is all this anger comin' from?" I shrieked. "Somebody is going around murdering people. And since the department had to march to the tune of a crooked cop, I felt I had to do something."
That was a grave allegation I honestly didn't believe. He had ruffled my feathers and I was lashing out.
"And your keen investigative skills led you to believe I was dirty? Perhaps you think I'm the one going around killing people?" His voice teetered on unhinged.
"Don't be stupid," I said, more calmly.
He felt patronized, that was beyond obvious. Guilt washed over me like a tidal wave and I was searching for the appropriate words to apologize effectively, when he said, "What's with you and older men? Daddy issues?"
I gasped. "How dare you?"
That was the ugliest thing he could have ever said in this moment. And he'd said it.
His facial expression changed, and he took a step forward. I took one backward.
Eddie's commanding voice boomed, "Enough."
"I tried to warn y'all," Betsy said softly.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“And Alex cares about you, Marygene. He's just too stubborn to admit his feelings for you."
Alex and I both whirled on her.
"Marygene has the hots for you too. But she's just as bullheaded as you are."
If looks could kill, she would be dead.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Alex gawked at the baked goods. He sat down on one of the metal barstools. "Feeling stressed out, I see."
"Yeah." I passed the platter toward him. "Help yourself to the peach rolls or turnovers. I made them last night, so they're fresh."
"We okay?"
I nodded.
He didn't hesitate. "God, Marygene," he groaned around a mouthful, an expression of awe on his face. "There is nothing like your baked goods. I mean it. I've eaten pastries in all the best shops in Savannah, and nothing compares to yours."
Well, that was a real nice compliment. There were ample high-end pastry shops in Savannah.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“The island spirits are those who have much to atone for before they can cross over. Meemaw has experience."
"Can she harm me?" I asked softly.
"You're being ridiculous," Mama said.
"Said the spirit who must atone for bad deeds," I retorted. "Well, can she?"
Betsy was busy staring at her hands, which she was clenching and unclenching.
"She can't curse or hurt anyone in any way. She can only do good or she'll be stuck roaming for all eternity."
I turned and made eye contact with Mama.
"You can also ignore her and she'll be forced to leave," Betsy added.
"So, it's up to me." An involuntary smile spread across my face. "I'm in charge."
"I'm doing the best I can. I wasn't a perfect mother, but I'm here now doing everything in my power to help you girls." Her lips quivered slightly.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Y'all know that little gal Kelly Crawford that works down at Tuckers?" Tuckers Jiffy Lube was the only gas station and mechanical shop in town.
Jena Lynn's face contorted in disapproval.
"You referring to that scantily clad girl who runs the register?" I asked as Jena Lynn hopped up to retrieve the coffeepot.
"That's the one." Betsy curled up her lip in disgust.
"That girl is barely legal!" I was outraged.
"I know! I'm going to tell her granny. She'll take a hickory switch to the girl when she finds out what she's been up to. She was all over Darnell." Betsy wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She was right about that. Her granny wasn't the type to spare the rod; she parented old-school style.
Jena Lynn's tone rose as she stirred raw sugar into her coffee. "You caught them?"
"Well, I called him after what happened with poor Mr. Ledbetter---"
We shook our heads.
"---told him I was going to be late 'cause I was taking that extra shift. Guess he thought late meant real late 'cause when I got home, they we're rootin' around on my couch, the one my meemaw gave me last spring when she had her house redecorated."
We sat in stunned silence.
"I threw his junk out last night. And when he still didn't budge from the TV"---she paused for effect---"I set it all on fire, right there in the front yard." She leaned back and crossed her arms over her expansive chest.
"That's harsh." Sam stacked his empty plates. "Maybe it wasn't Darnell's fault." Jena Lynn and I gave him a disapproving glare. He appeared oblivious to his offense, and the moron had the audacity to reach into the container for a cream cheese Danish.
"Sam, if you value that scrawny hand of yours, I'd pull it out real slow or you'll be drawing back a nub," Betsy warned.
"Sheesh!" Sam jerked backward. It was obvious he didn't doubt her for a second. He marched toward the kitchen and dropped the plates in the bus tub with a loud thud.
"He should know better. You don't touch a gal's comfort food in a time of crisis," I said, and my sister nodded in agreement.
Jena Lynn patted Betsy on the arm. "Ignore him, Bets. He's a man."
I stood. "And if I may be so bold as to speak for all the women of the world who have been unfortunate enough to be in your shoes, we applaud you."
A satisfied smile spread across Betsy's lips. "Thank you." She took a little bow. "That's why my eyes look like they do. Smoke got to me." She leaned in closer. "I threw all his high school football trophies into the blaze while he was hollering at me. The whole neighborhood came out to watch."
I chuckled. The thought of Darnell Fryer running around watching all his belongings go up in smoke was hilarious. I wished I'd been there. "Did anyone try to step in and help Darnell?"
"Hell nah. He owes his buddies so much money from borrowing to pay his gambling debts, the ones that came out brought their camping chairs and watched the show while tossing back a few cold ones." She got up from the counter to scoop a glass full of ice and filled it with Diet Coke from the fountain. "Y'all, I gotta lose this weight now I'm back on the market."
Betsy was one of a kind.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“This recipe was a variation on Nanny's stout cake. Jena Lynn and I experimented when mango beer came on the market one summer. We added coconut and raspberries, and the mango beer cake was born.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“Well, our Surf and Turf Burger is real good." I pointed to it on the menu. "It's a ground sirloin burger stuffed with seasoned blue crabmeat served on grilled ciabatta bread, or you can get them as sliders. Some people prefer the smaller burgers, easier to manage."
"Sliders sound great!" He handed me the menu after I scribbled it down on Betsy's pad.
"You want fries, onion rings, or french-fried pickles?”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings

“The fragrant berry scent informed me the fruit was perfectly ripe. I picked up the refrigerated bar and took a bite. The delectable crust had a nice texture and buttery flavor. The bar had a solid flavor profile and a nice crust-to-fruit ratio. It was a decent bar, good even.
"Tell me." Jena Lynn's irritated tone let me know she was referring to her dough.
Since it was too late to do anything about that now, I told her about the bar instead. "Well, they're good." I placed the bar back on the plate. "They would be great with some lemon zest to freshen them up, reduce the sugar because the fruit is sweet enough, and add a dash of cardamom. Replace the cornstarch with flour. It makes it too gummy. Then it'll be perfect.”
― Kate Young, Southern Sass and Killer Cravings