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.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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.
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 fiancé, 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 fiancé 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.
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 fiancé, 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 fiancé 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.
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.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
COLIN'S CONQUEST by Lisa Rene Smith
Colin, a centenarian vampire, marks Joanna as his future mate when she is a young girl. Years later, Joanna is compelled to go to her family’s cabin deep in the Texas woodlands, where Colin claims her for himself. But Joanna isn’t willing to remain captive in Colin’s lair and keeps trying to escape from him. Colin is surprised by Joanna’s fiery, independent nature and is baffled at the human emotions this strong woman brings out in him. Joanna is fascinated by Colin and her passion for him cannot be denied. However, few females survive the transition from human to vampire, and Colin, once he realizes he is in love with Joanna, decides that he does not want to risk her life. He hypnotizes Joanna, commanding she forget him and his young companion Ben. But Joanna’s body does not want to forget, and she risks her life to find Colin, unaware that other, powerful male vampires are heading her way, each determined to have her as his mate.
Colin’s Conquest is a captivating tale wrapped around a sizzling romance between characters readers will not soon forget, filled with vivid details of the sometimes brutal lives of blood seekers. Packed with suspense and rocking with action, this superb paranormal raises the bar in the romance field. Readers will be quickly turning pages, engrossed in the fascinating world Smith has created, so much so that they will be reluctant to leave it. Highly recommended.
Colin’s Conquest is a captivating tale wrapped around a sizzling romance between characters readers will not soon forget, filled with vivid details of the sometimes brutal lives of blood seekers. Packed with suspense and rocking with action, this superb paranormal raises the bar in the romance field. Readers will be quickly turning pages, engrossed in the fascinating world Smith has created, so much so that they will be reluctant to leave it. Highly recommended.
CHAOS THE VAMPIRE CHILD by Lisa Rene Smith
Smith begins the second of her blood seeker series twelve years after the ending of the first. Centenarian Colin and his transformed wife Joanna remain married, residing with their daughter Chaos, Colin’s neophyte Ben and Linnea, Colin’s creator. Chaos enters puberty and quickly changes from child to woman in one day, sending out her siren’s song. Women vampires are a rarity and much coveted by the males of their clan, who hear her mating call and hasten to find her. But Colin and his family are committed to protecting Chaos and will gladly give their lives to see that she remains safe and by their side. But there are blood seekers more ancient and much stronger than they, and death and destruction lie in their path as they seek to protect Chaos.
Smith once more delivers an outstanding paranormal. Action and adventure abound and romance is hot and sweet. Characters from the first book in the series return for a more in-depth look into their backgrounds and personas. The fight scenes are well-written and filled with suspense. Smith’s visualizations are uniquely poetic and draw the reader into the story as she takes them from the piney woods of Texas to the Floridian coast. Highly recommended.
Smith once more delivers an outstanding paranormal. Action and adventure abound and romance is hot and sweet. Characters from the first book in the series return for a more in-depth look into their backgrounds and personas. The fight scenes are well-written and filled with suspense. Smith’s visualizations are uniquely poetic and draw the reader into the story as she takes them from the piney woods of Texas to the Floridian coast. Highly recommended.
THE PIRATE AND THE PURITAN by Mary Clayton
At a young age, Mercy Penhall witnessed her mother’s hanging and has not spoken in thirteen years. While sailing from Virginia to Massachusetts, her ship is destroyed by pirates and she is taken captive. Edmund Gramercy, forced by the pirates to be a captain, remains alive only because he knows how to navigate the seas. A compassionate man, Edmund protects Mercy from the other pirates, and is intrigued by her courage. Although attracted to Mercy, he realizes he can never have any sort of life with her due to his criminal background. Mercy has never experienced the feelings she holds for Edmund and would like nothing more than to remain by his side but fears she is not worthy of his love. Edmund helps Mercy escape and, from that point, both endure numerous hardships while longing for one another. Yet fate steps in more than once to bring the two together, only to be torn apart again.
Mary Clayton’s historical romance wraps the reader in an enthralling love story that moves from the high seas to colonial America. Clayton provides vivid detail of the time period with keen insight into the differences between the religious communities, the ongoing political strife, the way women were perceived, and the brutality of a pirate’s life. Characterization is excellent, from Mercy, a brave, mute Puritan who questions her religion and fears she is tainted, to Edmund, a compassionate man forced to live a cruel existence, to John Hanson, the evil Puritan minister intent on exorcising the witch within Mercy. Packed with action and suspense, readers will fall in love with the characters and this excellent love story. Highly recommended.
Mary Clayton’s historical romance wraps the reader in an enthralling love story that moves from the high seas to colonial America. Clayton provides vivid detail of the time period with keen insight into the differences between the religious communities, the ongoing political strife, the way women were perceived, and the brutality of a pirate’s life. Characterization is excellent, from Mercy, a brave, mute Puritan who questions her religion and fears she is tainted, to Edmund, a compassionate man forced to live a cruel existence, to John Hanson, the evil Puritan minister intent on exorcising the witch within Mercy. Packed with action and suspense, readers will fall in love with the characters and this excellent love story. Highly recommended.
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