Dana Sue was the free spirited member of the group of three friends, Maddie, Helen & Dana Sue commonly referred to as the Sweet Magnolias. She married her high school sweetheart, had a daughter, Annie, and then proceeded with a rather non-directional married life. Both Dana Sue and husband Ronnie preferred non-committed choices for employment, waitress, construction work but then life caught up with them and quite simply they had to grow up and mature. Ronnie's one night stand created unimaginable chaos in the Sullivan family manifesting itself in the form of major health issues for both Annie and Dana Sue. Annie's reaction to her father's infidelity and her parents divorce was to literally starve. Dana Sue threw herself into starting a restaurant which provided her with an avenue for her cooking talents but also a convenient hideout when life got rocky. Both were busy hiding their problems from each other but their friends in Serenity were getting very anxious. Annie's eating problem was becoming more obvious with her skeletal appearance and more pressing was the toll it was taking on her health. Dana Sue had also thrown caution to the wind with her own denial of the possibility of becoming a diabetic. Dana Sue's habit of eating comfort foods made Annie all the more angry at her mother and a vicious cycle ensued. Ronnie was called upon to return to Serenity to help Annie recover after her latest collapse sent her to the hospital in serious condition.

This isn't so much a story about eating disorders. It's a story about maturing, learning and dealing with life and its problems -- not running away from or avoiding them. Annie's eating disorder is the catalyst for change in the Sullivan family. Both parents will be judged by how they ultimately resolve this. They failed test one when they chose the easy way out of a challenge to their marriage. Annie's health is test two. This is a test they can't afford to fail -- but the question is do they have the right stuff.

A SLICE OF HEAVEN is the second installment of the Sweet Magnolia series and it takes us on a journey to find inner strength and confidence. It tells us the story of Dana Sue and once again the friends have their work cut out for them. Woods gives us another glimpse into small town living whose inhabitants seem to live in glass houses and news of chaos travels faster then light. As in STEALING HOME, the first installment, this book deals with life's travails. There are all kinds of survival and life choices. They say time heals all wounds and the clock is ticking loudly in Serenity for the Sullivan family. I'm looking forward to the last installment of this fine series. Enjoy!