In the Sweet by and by

In the Sweet By and By (first volume of the 8-book comedy series "The Winsome Ways of Miz Eudora Rumph") will leave you clamoring for the next adventure. Set in NC’s Smackass Gap (a real place in mountainous Clay County), Miz Eudora takes you on a zany journey of fun and laughter when she gets picked up by mistake, on the way home from husband Horace’s funeral, by a busload of Red Hatters. It’s all Preacher Jake’s fault, for when he informs her that the funeral is to be a celebration, Miz Eudora leaves the black wool dress in the "blamed old cedar chest," stating, "I didn’t know everybody was so glad Horace died!" She shows up at the service in the most festive clothes she can find – a purple "fopher" coat, a red hat, a "new, used red leather purse" and red orthopedic shoes to match!With her sidekick sister-in-law, socialite Mabel Toast Jarvis (for whom she has little use), Miz Eudora will keep you in stitches from the first chapter to the last with her pure, simplistic spirit, her strong epitome-of-a-mountain-woman will and attitude and her golden nuggets of wisdom.

BIO – CATHERINE RITCH GUESS

Catherine Ritch Guess, a NC native, is a published composer and author of inspirational fiction, non-fiction and children’s books with 18 books currently in print. Prior to her appointment through the UMC as the Circuit Riding Musician – a position that allows her to serve globally through her writing, speaking and music - Catherine served 35 years as an Organist/Minister of Music.

She is a frequent speaker/musician for national and international conferences in a variety of venues, and was selected one of the FACES of the UMC in 2004. Through her latest children’s series, RUDY THE RED PIG, she has developed the non-profit Rudy & Friends Reading Pen, Inc., which has been selected for use as a mission resource, especially for children. Through Rudy & Friends, Catherine helps replenish libraries for children in schools and church daycares in natural disaster areas and holds free cultural arts camps for FEMA "Renaissance Village" children of the same areas. They’ve recently adopted the South Hancock Elementary School, which is to open in Fall 2008, to create and furnish a library for the students of Pearlington, MS.

Portraying her newest fictional character, Miz Eudora Rumph, Guess shares the gift of laughter - God's natural gift of medicine for us - to people around the world.

Catherine, who lives in Indian Trail, NC, holds degrees in Church Music, Music Ed and a Master’s degree in Christian Education. A radio personality who recently interviewed her said of Guess, "Catherine’s lightning quick wit and musical talent are astonishing enough but combined with her never ending source of positive energy, the woman is a ball of fire that’s sure to inspire." She has been introduced as an author, composer, inspirational speaker, teacher and missionary but her favorite way to be acknowledged is "Christian sister."