Big Hair and Flying Cows

Sweet Meadow #1

by Dolores J. Wilson

Bertie Byrd is unique. To say the least. She calls Sweet Meadow, Georgia, home, where she works for her father doing auto repairs. She also drives the tow-truck, although Sweet Meadow's rather colorful denizens tend to treat Bertie more like the local, free taxi service. You know, someone has to get to a doctor's appointment or pick something up at the dry cleaners. Bertie's favorite day of the week is Friday, when she leaves the wrecker with her father for the whole weekend and joins her friends at the Dew Drop Inn for a night of dancing. Her best friend, Mary Lou, sometimes fixes her up with dubious dates, although Bertie has to remind her friend not to tease her hair too high for those occasions. Like the time when they went to Carrie Sue's open house, and a ceramic cow with angel wings hanging from a ceiling fan locked its hooves into Bertie's big hair and refused to let go. She had to wear it all night, dangling chain and all. Bertie's nearly perfect life is about to take a downhill turn, however. It starts when her landlord, Pete, currently a resident in a nearby nursing home, starts showing up at her house. In his birthday suit. A very badly wrinkled birthday suit. And then she goes to her mailbox, a rubber large mouth bass, and finds a notice from the zoning commission saying she can no longer park the wrecker in her driveway. The notice is signed by George Bigham. But when she goes to the courthouse to take care of her little problem, it is only to discover George Bigham is deceased. And Mary Lou's pregnancy test just came up positive. Can it get any worse?

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Romance

326 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Also publishes under the names Dolores Wilson and D.J. Wilson.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly, silly, silliness abounds. If you are a fan of the Miss Julia series or the Maggody series by Joan Hess, then this is a great series to enjoy. Fluffier than a fluffernutter sandwich on wonderbread. If you aren't familiar with that sandwich, or detest it, then this might not be your new series but I like fluff so it suited me just fine. Recommended for Aunt Ann & Aunt Merlene.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This delightfully ridiculous romance was just the right book at the right time. Thanks to the librarian who listened when I said I liked quirky characters. Big hair and Flying Cows has quirky characters, aplenty.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first couple of pages, I knew I had picked a winner. This book is so funny and enjoyable. I laughed out loud many times while reading it in 3 evenings. I am thrilled to discover that there are two more books in the same series - Sweet Meadow - and I will be searching for the second one, pronto!
The main character, Bertie Byrd, has a wonderfully dry sense of humor, and quickly captured my heart. She has her share of luck, some bad, some good, and it was easy to empathize with her. This lighthearted story certainly would appeal to most ages from teen to older adults.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town Bertie Boyd loves her parents as well as her job running the family wrecker service, but hasn't been so lucky in finding true love. She kisses a few frogs along the way but ultimately makes peace with her life.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed something light as life is really hectic right now, and this fit the bill. Cute fluff, gave me some chuckles and, while predictable, was a nice read.

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comic story of Bertie Byrd the unlucky tow truck driver as she navigates the perils of family, dating and life in a small town. Fans of Jana Deleon would like this series as well.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Lots of laugh out loud moments and so much heart it feels good....

[Marfita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps this is Stephanie Plum with less sex and violence? Spunky female lead with hair trouble and occasional wardrobe malfunctions. Quirky southern characters and amusing situations, but no real point to it. I suppose it's a romance-y thing. Will Bertie find true love? Who's writing the poison pen letters with helpful hints? Where did Pete hide the key (that was sort of obvious)? Not a lot of this makes sense, but it's fluffy and fun and ends happily, if obviously.
At least Bertie doesn't hold a grudge (unless you're an ex-boyfriend, and then you're toast) against the whackos who are making her life a minor misery. She may get mad at them but then thinks better of it and resolves to treat them better. Perhaps there's a lesson in that for us all.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly, sweet, full of fluff, Southern story that has fun characters. There were a couple of spots where I did laugh out loud, but the biggest disappointment was that, if you read the summary of the book on Goodreads, you have very few surprises in the book. Maybe, since the story is pretty predictable, that doesn't matter, but it felt like a movie trailer that goes on way too long...
I know this is a series, but I would REALLY need a "no brainer" book to be motivated to pick up the next one. However, I believe this is Dolores's first attempt at writing, so the subsequent books may be a little better.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think the title is funny and intriguing, then you will enjoy this book. It certainly caught my eye at the local library and I was happy I checked it out!

Sweet Meadow, GA is home to Bertie Byrd the tow trucker driver who at 32 is still looking for love in her small town. Humorous, witty and slightly bizarre neighbors and friends surround Bertie’s life. There is Southern charm, clever dialogue and comebacks and crazy antics, but that is what makes this book so entertaining. Underneath the comedy there is Bertie’s Cinderella story and romance in the air.

If you don’t find yourself laughing while reading this book, you need to chill out more.

[James Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

from Lorinda:

Big Hair and Flying Cows by Dolores Wilson (part 1 in a series of 3) followed by Barking Goats and the Redneck Mafia and last but not least is Jail Bertie and the Peanut Ladies.

If you want to get away from it all with non-stop laughs check out Big Hair and Flying Cows. The main character is Bertie who is a female tow truck driver for the small town of Sweet Meadow, Georgia. This book and the other two in the series will keep you laughing until the very last chapter. Anyone who has grown up in a small town will relate to this book. Poor Bertie deals with crazy neighbors and lots of small town drama but it never gets her down!!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book on Friday and couldn't put it down. I was laughing so hard during some parts of it that my husband was wondering what was wrong with me. I was laughing so hard I was crying and couldn't catch my breath! I loved it and can't wait to get the next book in the series. This story is about Birdie Byrd a tow truck driver and auto mechanic at her family's garage. It describes her everyday life and the crazy, unpredictable things that happen to her, as well as her romantic life. I would highly recommend this book.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bertie is a small town tow truck driver and mechanic, plus too darn funny. I laughed out loud so many times. Her best friend Mary Lou is a hoot! Bertie thinks she may be a bit touched because Bertie's brothers dropped her on her head when she was young, she may be right. But where did Bertie's bad luck come from, because it certainly follows her around! Through her love life, getting run over by an airplane (don't ask) and having an old man enter her house at various times of the day and night. It's one humorous thing after another- definitely read if you like a good laugh!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for the summer reading program. It is one of the readers choice books. I thought it was funny. Very much like watching an old southern movie about the crazy life of one person, Bertie. I thought it was great and sincere. Nice to read a wholesome funny book. And hey, I have branched out to adult books! Yeah for me!

[Ayren · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny and fast to read.

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one night and laughed out loud the entire time! You can so see all of Berties mishaps happening to you!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, funny book!! You must read this for a good laugh.

[Margaret Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully funny. If you are offended by bad language, this book substitues and doesn't use four letter words. I found it funny anyway.

[Rose Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious--all 3 books in this series are just plain laughing-out-loud fun!

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Side splitting! Didn't really gain anything from this book, but enjoyed a good laugh!

[Allison Farnsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some really good laughs in this book. They are many quick one liners that sneek up on you. It was also very clean and light hearted.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just grab this book off the library shelf. When I started reading it I realised my mistake. No swearing, no sex but not worth reading.

[Sherilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book. Not much depth to it but I enjoyed reading it and laughing as I did

[Deb Krill · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's whimsical if nothing else, funny in parts and keeps you entertained for a few hours of reading.

[Kelly Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny...the life and antics of Bertie, a regular Jane.

[Christin]

This was a fun, fast book. I caught myself laughing out loud more than a few times!

[Shannon Causey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on a whim in the library. I thought it was a really funny light read. It's kind of a chick lit book, but even William read it and laughed.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, romantic (with an actual wedding!); not very edifying, but a nice change from Heyer books.

[Melissa Duchaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have ever read!!! She is my favorite author now.

[Vicki Hinze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to laugh hard and often.