Jane Jenkins Herlong hopes her new book will help spread joy and encouragement to those who need it.

She believes that now more than ever, we need to learn to laugh at ourselves.

"Especially during the times in which we live in, I think people need levity and encouragement and hope, and I think the best way to handle things that go awry in our lives, I think a good sense of humour is paramount," Jane explains.

Jane Jenkins Herlong is set to release her new book, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep Fried South: Sassy, Sacred, Southern Stories Filled with Hope and Humor, in March.

"It's just funny, super over-the-top stories from my upbringing in Charleston.  All these funny things I had to learn growing up. It's fun, it's humorous and it's biblically based," says Herlong. "It's got little takeaways from the word of God, which I do love to connect things to Proverbs and just wise Godly statements, with stories to back them up."

Jane grew up in the tomato fields of her dad's farm. She was bullied for dyslexia and being homely. She says it's thanks to that and her mother teaching her how to use humour to bring levity to a situation, that she is where she is today.

"One time I saw my IQ, and it was so low it was pathetic," said Jane. "But I dreamed big, and I just decided with God, all things are possible, so I prayed."

"I was attracted to the pageant world. I certainly didn't have any money to enter it, but it helped with scholarships. I actually went to graduate school on my pageant money. It was everything I wanted to become, but I wasn't. It's' taken me to the next level in my life."

In her new book, Jane addresses specific landmark events along with issues in a woman’s life, such as fitting into the covered-dish church culture, sacred sisterhood, sassy seasoned Southern women and why we are drawn to beauty pageant competitions.

Whether you love southern ways of life or find their ways strange and amusing, she says you’ll be entertained and inspired with warm Southern-fried humour and tried-and-true tips for attaining the best version of yourself.

Today on Connections, Jane talks about her new book, how she knows the Canadian anthem and why it's so important to add a little joy to our lives.