The Bitter and the Sweet
by Anessa Sewell Kent
Pub Date 04 May 2023
Black Rose Writing
Christian| Women's Fiction


In 1943, 16-year-old Vernadine Dawn Turnipseed is invited to join Buford County High School's boys' basketball team. Spit's Creek, Alabama, is roiled by shock waves, riots, and anger. In a twist of fate, the once hated, despised and rejected Vernadine becomes the ‘Queen of Basketball’ and the unlikely hero of her hometown, county and state.


However, Vernadine harbors a secret that would devastate her newfound status in her community if it were ever revealed. After a carefully hatched plan with her parents, Vernadine suddenly departs her hometown, leaving the town to speculate what happened to her?She abruptly departs her hometown after carefully drafting a plan with her parents. What happened to her is left up to speculation.


Upon learning of her father's illness, Vernadine returns home after many years as a successful, confident and beautiful woman, finally solving the mystery of 'what became of Vernadine?' once and for all.This time for good.


Louanna Parsons disappeared in the spring of 1961, and no one would ever suspect the prominent man involved.


I give The Bitter and Sweet five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Great Southern fiction. Moving and original.
Many thanks to Black Rose Writing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book reads really differently. It's almost like an outside person is telling the story in a very monotone way. I made it through 60% of the book and decided I was not going to finish it. The story and the writing just did not appeal to me.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.