Bonita Faye by Margaret Moseley

Bonita was young.  She didn't know what she wanted or how to get it.  Then she met Billy Roy and she had a new goal.  She'd be his girl and make him a nice home.  Of course, Billy Roy had his own ideas.  When he suddenly decides that she should sleep with the monied folks he takes on fishing tours, she loses her patience with him.  And Billy Roy loses his life...

Brash Books allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It is being published today, so you can get a copy now.

This story reminded me a bit of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg.  It has the same sort of cadence and story telling.  Bonita Faye had few friends but she had a dream.  She wanted to go to Paris.  When Billy Roy gets killed, she gets his insurance money and off she goes.

When she arrives, she finds that Paris is as wonderful as she thought but it's not easy to tour it.  If you don't speak French, you're limited.  Bonita makes new friends, learns what it's like to be part of family, and falls in love with a Frenchman.  The only problem is that she has a love in America, too.  She's going to have to make a decision before she goes home.

A lot happens in Bonita's life.  Most of it is good, but murder seems to follow her.  She goes home and marries her state trooper.  They help raise the neighbors kids and foster a few boys themselves.  This is the tale of a southern woman who did what she needed to do to survive.  I liked the book and I especially liked the ending.  Bonita is still traveling and going after what she wants.  That's a good thing.