Sunday, September 14, 2008

IN THE SHADOWS OF CHIMNEY ROCK BY ROSE SENEHI

IN THE SHADOWS OF CHIMNEY ROCK
By Rose Senehi
Ingalls Publishing Group
197 New Market Center #135
Boone, NC 28607
www.ingallspublishinggroup.com
ISBN: 9781932158830
Paperback, 292 pages, $15.95
Genre: Fiction


Hayden Taylor Parks’ life has been in turmoil since the death of her child and subsequent estrangement from her husband. Hayden grew up never having known her father and is shocked to learn that he only recently passed away. In an attempt to learn more about her father, Hayden moves to his home in Chimney Rock, NC and takes over the art gallery he owned while trying to decide what to do with the 400-acre tract of land she inherited from him. Ben Beckham is a former pro football player who recently lost his wife. After taking a position with Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, Ben meets with Hayden in an effort to persuade her not to turn the land over to developers. The two become friends and are drawn to one another, but neither feels ready to make the first move. While going through her father’s things, Hayden discovers evidence that he may have been involved in illegal activity. In an effort to redeem his reputation, she unknowingly places her life and the disposition of her father’s land in danger.

Rose Senehi draws her readers into the majestic expanse of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, creating a powerful story about one woman’s journey to overcome grief and tragedy and begin a new life. Senehi’s knowledge of the region shines through in vivid detail, with colorful descriptive and instructive geographical data. Her gentle nudge regarding conserving this magnificent area is well understood and appreciated. Characters are well-developed and the plot engaging and suspenseful. Highly recommended.

THE COLLARD PATCH BY MARY LOU CHEATHAM AND PAUL ELLIOTT

THE COLLARD PATCH
By Mary Lou Cheatham and Paul Elliott
Blue Moon Books
207 N. Service Rd. E. #213
Ruston, LA 71270
ISBN: 097419123X
Paperback, 288 pages, $22.97
Genre: Cookbook

One wouldn’t think collards would be such an interesting subject, but this cookbook is filled with plenty of fascinating facts, including a detailed description of this vegetable and its amazing health factors, the best way to grow them, how to treat infestations, how to harvest them, and on to the best way to cook them. All this followed by recipes that look to be not only delicious but nutritional. Included in the book are Southern anecdotes which are entertaining and will be appreciated by all. A valuable cookbook for any kitchen, Southern or not.

TAKEOVER BY LISA BLACK

TAKEOVER
By Lisa Black
William Morrow
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
ISBN: 9780061544453
Hardback, 341 pages, $24.95
Genre: Thriller

Theresa MacLean is a forensic scientist called to gather evidence at the murder of a bank officer which her fiancĂ©, homicide detective Paul Cleary, is investigating. Later that morning, she learns that Paul has been taken hostage in a bank robbery which occurred at the bank where the slain man worked. Theresa heads to the scene and meets acclaimed hostage negotiator Chris Cavanaugh. Theresa convinces Cavanaugh to allow her to stay on during the negotiation and watches in horror as her fiancĂ© is shot by one of the armed robbers. In an effort to save Paul’s life, Theresa approaches the robbers and asks that she be exchanged for Paul. The robbers agree, and from that point on, things spiral out of control.

This book has the makings of a good thriller, but distracting factors are the initial slow pace and lack of characters with real depth. A forensic scientist makes for not only an entertaining but an edifying read; however, there is very little forensic information relayed in the book. Theresa takes too long to figure out what’s actually going on and can’t seem to keep her emotions in check. The robbers’ rationalization for robbing the bank is not plausible; there is a much simpler way they could have accomplished what they were trying to achieve.

FLAVORED WITH LOVE BY JANE RILEY

FLAVORED WITH LOVE
By Jane Riley
Blue Moon Books
207 N. Service Rd E #213
Ruston, LA 71270
ISBN: 0974191221
Paperback, 320 pages, $22.97
Genre: Cookbook

Flavored with Love is much more than the quintessential cookbook, offering its readers wonderful, heartwarming tales about the people whose recipes are included within. There’s plenty of advice offered about the best ways to prepare food (including how to make pork sausage), along with recipes that made this reviewer’s mouth water. But this cookbook doesn’t limit itself to Southern recipes, there’s a vast assortment of cuisine presented, from Italian recipes to Thai, and everything in between. Recommended for every kitchen.