Flies on the Butter

by Denise Hildreth Jones

Can you ever really go home again?

Rose Fletcher's come a long way from her South Carolina upbringing of Sunday church and Mamaw's fried chicken. As a high-powered child advocate in Washington, DC, Rose has put her Southern upbringing behind her. But the peace and happiness she sought has eluded her. With her marriage on the brink of disaster, her mind races with the chaos her life has become.

But now Rose must head South for home--a place where the mother she headed north to escape still resides.

She'll face her demons, relive her coming-of-age, and confront the issues that kept her away all these years. It'll take the intervention of strangers and a painful miracle of grace to help her find that place called "home" once again.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Book Club, Southern, Chick Lit

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Denise Jones is a southern girl who loves Jesus, SEC football, family, friends, good food and cold Coca-Colas. She is the mom of one shih-tzu, the bonus mom to five kiddo's and the husband of one Mr. Jones. She spends her time leading Reclaiming Hearts Ministries in her home of Franklin, TN. And every now and then she writes a few books.

You can email her at:
denise@reclaiminghearts.com

Reviews

[Lori Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick, easy read!!!

[DonnaJo Pallini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Denis Hildreth book and I like her writing style. She did a good job going between present day and flashbacks. The way the story progressed of Rose working through her “issues” was realistic and thought provoking.
But, I felt it just ended without real resolution. It needs more closure. I honestly felt cheated that I don’t know how Rose is after her 24 hour spiritual journey. How did she reconcile her present day self and move forward? Great story but lacked closure at the end.

[Mackenzie Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flies on the Butter is a stand-alone novel by Denise Hildreth Jones, and it is only one of the many novels I have read by her. I have really enjoyed reading Denise’s books because I always find them to be very gripping, heartwarming, emotional novels, and Flies on the Butter is no exception. From the very beginning, I found myself caught up in Rose’s story, captivated by her “demons,” and wondering how they would all be resolved in the end. I wanted to know what caused her to be the way she was when I met up with her in this story, and every flashback to her South Carolina childhood offered a little window into where those demons came from.

The deeper I got into her story, the more I fell in love with Rose, with my own home state of South Carolina, and with the heart behind this story of finding one’s home. It’s a story of redemption. A story of finding one’s place, of opening one’s heart and life to the people around you. Rose goes through so many stages of brokenness and healing through this novel, and I found myself learning so much through her own struggles and redemption. While my own life might not be the same, pain is real for everyone, and so should be compassion. And understanding. This novel inspired more of both in me.

To be honest with you, I cried quite a bit as I made my way through the end of this story. The way that Denise brought everything to a head, bringing us to the climax of the story as Rose was coming to terms with the true reality of her life—past and present—really just brought the novel to a whole new level. I really couldn’t put it down as I was reading the last few chapters—or at all really—and I truly felt like I was right there in the midst of it all.

All in all, I really, really enjoyed this book, if you couldn’t already tell, and I’m really glad that it’s a book I have on my shelves. I can happily give it all five bookshelves, and a place on my all-time favorites list, and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who loves a good redemption story. I really wish I hadn’t waited so long to finally get around to reviewing this novel, because I honestly should have written this while it was all still fresh in my mind and I was still feeling all of the effects of reading it, but either way, I hope you can tell how much I loved Flies on the Butter from this somewhat poorly written review. Once again, Denise wrote a fantastic novel that touched my heart, and I am so looking forward to one day reading it again.
(This review is from my blog, spreadinghisgrace.blogspot.com)

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was loaned to me by a friend, so I read it knowing nothing about the author. If I’d looked into her writing I wouldn’t have been so thrown by the heavy religious bow 🎀 that she ties the whole story with at the end. I was actually ‘enjoying’ Rose’s relatable flashback memories between past and present. And then, BAM, religion sprinkle ✨and everything was fixed! Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-religion or spirituality. I consider myself to be a pretty spiritually grounded person. However, I don’t enjoy spirituality/religion wrapped in the novel form.

Call me jaded, but I just don’t see that, even for those who love God, things end up so pretty. It bothered me that the character, with one encouraging spiritual thought by a stranger, all of the sudden let go of perfectionism, as well as every pain, and regret she ever had. And in addition, she magically loved the man and she was pretty sure she didn’t love. And HE magically GOT OVER (?) her tendency to use fancy clothes, cars, purses, and a steamy affair to cope with her past?

I know God works miracles. But this story had me feeling like God was more like Santa Claus, delivering everything Rose wanted. And if that’s the case, then why hasn’t He stopped by my messy life!?😉

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I was worried I was going to be disappointed by a book I had, inexplicably, been looking forward to a great deal. (I don't know why I was looking forward to it. I've never read this author before and there isn't anything uniquely remarkable about the description.) It starts out slowly. Give it a chance. About fifty pages in, it grabbed hold of me and I didn't want to put it down. Rose, the main character, takes a trip back home, in the literal, metaphorical, and spiritual senses. I enjoyed the back-and-forth format of present day with Rose's memories, as she drove. I think I identified with it, because this is often how my own thoughts and memories wash over me as well. There were plenty of messages and lessons to be found throughout Rose's story. Some of the reviews mentioned that they felt there were "a few too many miracles" for the story to feel realistic, but I don't know. If you watch for them, there are miracles every day, and most especially, for me, when I've needed them most. You just have to know how to see them for what they are. Mostly, this was an easy (to read) book that went quickly and left me to think much and feel more. It felt like a warm hug and a pat of encouragement. I'm glad I read it.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is the fifth book I've read by Denise Hildreth and I did really like it. This is not meant to be a literary masterpiece. Its meant to be a book that uses Rose, the main character, to look at your life and see where you may have taken a turn you didn't expect or a road you didn't want to be on. I think it also demonstrates how people you meet along the way can say/do something that will affect you later. That being said, this book does not have the same quirky humor as the three Savannah books but that was kind of nice. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Will of Wisteria but it was a good read. In the book Rose is headed home to see her family but she has not been on good terms with her mother for a long time. As the book goes along you see how this relationship with her mother has affected all the other relationships in her life. I liked how the book is in the present but she keeps having flashbacks that delve into her family history. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--A bit convoluted but overall satisfying. Woman returning to her southern home reminisces about the past.

[Kristine Giesbrecht · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pointless.

Jumped all over the place. Did not enjoy this book. Seemed very stereotypical. Waste of money. Do not recommend this book.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life and what it can take you and why... Do you think about where you are and why you are there? Rose by any other name..just as sweet. Rose is headed home, reluctantly and as she drives (to fly would have been much to fast) she recalls all the ups and downs of her past and therefore here present. She has 'made it' as far as big well paying job, benefits of a sporty car taking her back south, she is healthy by 'what 'they' say' and holding her own. Her assistant who seems to have a drinking problem, perhaps in part because of Rose is forever calling Rose as she drives and asking if she had read emails... This is not safe, but again, life.
However as Rose travels there seems to be a higher plan than her agenda of making her way slowly and ever working drive home. The flash backs take us both recent and long past, her current mis haps and issues and then back in time to help us see more of the why.
Rose has it in her head that home is not where she wants to be, and all of the past was bad. Her mother is the last person she wishes to see and her cousin and brother talk her forward as she drives, it seems likely Rose could U turn at any minute and head back to current life.
Then fate steps in and she has a Coke for the first time in a long time and not just any Coke, but a COLD coke. Can something as simple as a sip on a good ol Coke take you home, and not just in your mind, but back home to stay?
Read Flies on the Butter and see just what a Coke can do and why you should flag those flies away.

[Terri Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Hildreth Jones has written a treasure. I want to wrap it up and open it again and again so I can feel the pure delight it offers. Flies on the Butter may center around a small southern town, but the childhood memories touch us northerners, too.

But don’t be fooled. This isn’t just a feel-good memoire. Jones puts her protagonist, Rose Fletcher through the real-life issues that come from poor choices and wounds from the past. Her journey back “home” is fraught with peril and bewilderment, and a few laugh out loud moments.

I selected this book after reading Hurricanes in Paradise for my book club. Her writing really speaks to me. I will be reading more.

If you want a book that touches your heart in a way that only good memories can, and if you need a story of hope, this is the book for you.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Denise Hildreth Jones books. I love her writing style. I feel bad giving this a 3 star review because I do like her so much, but I have to be honest right? I've read several of her books so my expectations were high. This is not a bad read, but I found it to be a little boring the first 3/4 of the book. Too much focus on the flashbacks and not enough of the present day. I would have liked to have read more about her life after she returned home. The restoration process. Still a decent read but I did have to skip pages here and there through the flashbacks to get to the present story. Needed a little more balance of past and present for me. Maybe writing a 2nd book to make it a series would be nice?...

[Elaine Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Butter

How do you write a review of a book that you feel is awesome without using words such as good, fun, great ,interesting,but most of all a joy. I love Rose's story. From childhood to a journey of life that she wouldn't bend. And how God's love for her showed her the way back to him. Well written. I think her encounters on the way back home was a magical part of the story Abigail was a favorite character. Being from the South and living in many areas
I love the saying you can take the girl out of the South but you can't take the South out of the girl.But isn't that the way it is no matter where you come from? Read and enjoy.

[Missy Kallenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The entire book is Rose's drive from her current home in DC, to her childhood home in South Carolina, with memories flashing back throughout the journey. I loved how God placed someone in her path at each stop along the way. My favorite quote: "And something entered the room that she hadn't felt since she was a little girl and the Spirit had fallen inside that country church on Dixon Street, and for a moment every demon in hell had to stand back from the war they had been waging on Rose." Good book!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Savannah from Savannah books; this one was good, too. Rose is driving home, after 10 years away, for her mamaw’s funeral. She’s not a very likeable person, as we see during flashbacks. She had a wonderful childhood, but but something happened to change her. She meets people along her way who see she’s hurting, and they send her on with a prayer. You can go home again, but it’s probably not like you remember.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suppose if I'd read about the author, I would have realized that this book may have religious themes - but I didn't know the book would beat you over the head with them. It was a quasi entertaining book, but I found it incredibly predictable, and I hated some of the implicit and explicit messages.

[Elizabeth Vanderesch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have this weird unwritten rule that I always finish a book, no matter how much I don’t like it, because maybe, just maybe, it will surprise me and turn out to be pretty good. No such luck here. Aside from the tired “city is bad, country is good” trope, this book was pretty darn bad. The dialogue was stilted and fake, the characters were stereotypes and the plot unoriginal.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with fear and pain and how they can mold us into people who can’t trust and guard themselves against vulnerability. I loved how the author flipped back and forth between Rose’s childhood and the present. I also liked how people, Rose met along the way, were used by God, in very specific ways, to bring about her redemption.

[Jennie Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining novel about a career w0man whose marriage is in crisis. I enjoyed the device used throughout the book of Rose flashing back to her upbringing and earlier mistakes as she makes the long drive home to where she grew up in the South. Well-written and interesting.

[Elmertang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. i t is about forgiveness; but, more about forgiving yourself. Allowing yourself to forgive you that you can love.

The outcome of the book was kind of predictable with a few twist and turns.

[Kelly Castle]

The main character is a high-powered lawyer returning home for an unknown event. During her trip she remembers incidents from her childhood and young adulthood that make her look forward to returning, but also dreading it.

Christianity plays a big part in her life and the trip.

[Debbie Hoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet family story with an uplifting message of faith.

[Lisa J. Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Journey of Significance

A reflective journey that involved introspection and coming to grips with her past and current life. God's arms are always open ready to redeem us.

[Teri Pizza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good, get you thinking, novel.

[Vivian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hokey

[Julie Bantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going home again. Made you think.

[MaryJane Santos · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfying read, not something I would usually pick up, but the title intrigued me. The ending was too pat and contrived for my taste.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, feel good read about a woman who’s heading back to her childhood in South Carolina from current life in DC. Her long drive takes her down memory lane.

[DM · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Joanne Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d try this author again. This was a decent read, but a bit predictable.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read. The last chapters are the best but still left you with lots of unanswered questions. Did Rose reconcile with her Mom, did she work things out with her marriage, did she reach out to Jenny?