Buster Midnight's Cafe by Sandra Dallas

I can't get enough of the strong quirky female characters in Dallas' novels.  This one is no different.  Effa Commander, Whippy Bird and May Anna Kovaks have been friends since they met as young girls in the dusty mining community of Butte, Montana at the dawn of the 20th century.  Even though May Anna recreates herself as Marion Street and goes on to Hollywood stardom in the 1940's, it is their friendship that drives the story.  Effa shares their stories as young women, wives and mothers that are both tragic and oh so funny.  Buster's unwavering love for May Anna leads to events that Effa Commander knows have long been misunderstood and she intends to set the record straight.  The voices of the "Unholy trio" are classic rural homespun - sarcastic and loyal and wise.  They make you wish you could claim friends like these, ones who have known you for all the versions of your life.  Oh and there is the "who dunnit" element to Effa Commander's story that leaves you wondering just how far we would go for love or friendship.