“As concrete as yesterday’s home cooked meal and as universal as Greek tragedy, Mama Sadie is a big canvas story set in a small place. With the skill of a master storyteller, Brenda Remmes informs us about the frightening science and treacherous politics of environmental disaster while keeping her story anchored in the individual dramas of a community divided by life and death issues. Mama Sadie herself is a marvelous creation. Her courage, resourcefulness, and unwavering moral vision inspire a town and make this novel a page turner.” – Sterling Watson, author of Suitcase City and Fighting in the Shade
“If you’re a fan of Brenda Remmes’ other Quaker Cafe novels, you’ll love Mama Sadie, and if you haven’t read them, you should start here. Sadie and her many quirky friends in Cedar Branch take on a corporation that wants to build a hazardous waste incinerator in their community. The conflict, based on real events in North Carolina, is tense, complex, and presented with a perfect balance of scientific authority and human drama. The characters, both the heroes and the scoundrels, are multi-dimensional, the plot is impressively intricate, with surprises all the way, and the ending is satisfying and believable. You’ll relish being in the hands of a masterful storyteller!” – Deno Trakas, author of Messenger from Mystery
“For anyone who enjoys small town Southern culture with a hearty dose of local activism, this is your next book club pick. Books rarely get more relevant than Mama Sadie.” – Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son
“In this insightful novel, one dynamic grandmother employs wit and wisdom to protect her small Southern town from greed and corruption.” – Sandra Redding, Author of Naomi Wise: A Cautionary Tale
“Brenda Remmes accurately captures what I’ve seen happen to a small community when visions of money split friendships, families, and faith in government.” – John Runkle, Attorney at Law