"Chronicles of the Hamlet of Sipsey," is a series of novels set in the fictional town of Sipsey, Alabama, in the 1960s. The stories center around the citizens of the town and the members of First Macedonia Baptist Church. The first book in the series is "The Burden of Sweetberry."
This story introduces readers to the enigmatic Candida "Sweetberry" Armstrong, a vain woman who pits good against evil in her adulterous relationship with Deacon Josiah Hess. When wealthy Luther McGill returns to town, a bitter rivalry begins between the men. Sweetberry abandons Josiah and chooses Luther. The deacon doesn't bow out gracefully, and after several confrontations, murders Luther on the church ground. This historical fiction story highlights features of the African-American culture common for that time, including style of speaking, humor,worship and songs of praise.
"The Burden of Sweetberry" became an Amazon #1 bestseller in African-American Christian Fiction and #2 in Women's Fiction.