Written by Jimmy Dill
Jimmy Dill grew up in Fairfield, Alabama. He and his wife, Diane, have two daughters and five grandchildren. They currently reside in Shelby County, Alabama.
Books
Gracie’s Cafe
$17.50
Gracie’s Cafe is set in the Deep South during the mid-1950’s. Cain Valley, lying near the southern terminus of the Appalachian Mountains, is a small, mostly-farming community. While most of the Cain Valley residents farm for a living, a few work at jobs in the town, or in a nearby coal mine.
At the center of the town is a fun-loving, eccentric mayor, who is in charge of Cain Valley’s social events. The townsfolk of Cain Valley work hard, and play whenever they can. An unexpected explosion at the mine renders the foreman, Tom Long, unable to return to the mine.
Tom’s wife Gracie, who sees adversity as an opportunity, knows that Tom needs to remain busy and productive. Gracie persuades Tom to purchase the town’s only cafe with the settlement money from his mining accident. The purchase is made, and it is agreed that the cafe will carry Gracie’s name. The couple also purchases the adjacent, vacated building, which soon becomes “Tom’s Piddling Shop.”
Gracie’s Cafe quickly becomes the center of social life in Cain Valley, and doubles as the mayor’s office. The pivotal role that Gracie’s Cafe is to play in the future of the town could not have been foreseen. Life in Cain Valley had been essentially unchanged for decades.
The inadvertent discovery of a Creek Indian Village, below the surface of Cain Valley, leads to an in-depth exploration of the history of the territory prior to statehood. The ownership of the town’s beloved cafe, by a couple with a deep and abiding faith, as well as a strong sense of right from wrong, places the town on a path of confrontation with the state over who does the cafe really belong to, its owners and the town of Cain Valley, or the state?
Gracie’s Cafe is a fictional story of what could have been, more so than what was. It need not always be that way, especially when one or more people have a deep and abiding faith, and an unwavering commitment to do that which is right.
Availability: 3 in stock
4 reviews for Gracie’s Cafe
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Jeanne W. (Homewood) –
The first thing I underlined in the book was “Little was said that was not upward directed” in Chapter 3. I could strive to make that my mission statement.
I absolutely loved the way you wove a meaningful theme throughout this book. That made Chapter 4, “Gracie’s Recipe for Lemonade”, my favorite chapter. I had fun underlining all the references to lemonade throughout the book – a very intentional pattern by this crafty author!
I think I want to move to Cain Valley, eat at Gracie’s cafe every day, and drink from that really big pitcher of lemonade, enough to last the rest of our lives.
Loved this book! Congratulations
Vicky D. (Hoover) –
I just finished your book and love it. The story is uplifting, peaceful, and brings back many wonderful memories. Plus, it caused me to do some research on a couple of areas.
Thank you for the gift of your book and wonderful story.
Robin D. (Birmingham) –
Lovely, lovely, lovely! This is such a sweet story. The only thing that makes it “bitter”sweet is thinking about how Alabama might have been shaped if there’d been a few more Gracies and Cain Valleys in someplace other than Jim Dill’s wonderful imagination!
Thank you for sharing and letting me read this.
Pat C. (Hoover) –
For an afternoon of pure escapism, Gracie’s Cafe fits the bill. Reading of a couple who turn adversity into success and a town full of people who take care of each other regardless of their social standing, race, or mental abilities leaves one with a sense of happiness.
The characters are delightful, especially the mayor. As I read the book I wanted to go to Cain Valley to Gracie’s Cafe and be invited to eat with the Mayor.