Appalachian Paradise

Rating:
Summary: A Romance Novel for the 21st Century
Review: "Appalachian Paradise" can be read as a romance novel or as a novel of self-discovery. Suzanne Bowers is a woman of the 21st century - choosing the pressures of an intense professional world over the stereotypical female societal roles. As a result of her high-pressure job, Suzanne is a bit more concerned with organization and efficiency than her therapist thinks is healthy; Suzanne is told that she needs to "get away."

Taking her therapist's advice, Suzanne decides to take a solo hike through the Appalachian mountains in an attempt to de-stress and center herself. Heading for her uncle's cabin in North Carolina, Suzanne is ready for her vacation. However, although Suzanne is willing to get away from the city, she's not willing to leave behind her world of schedules and to-do lists; her vacation has been carefully orchestrated. But, as with most plans, Suzanne's soon go awry.

Unbeknownst to Suzanne, her uncle and estranged father have arranged for Wes Avery, a handsome, intelligent businessman with an outdoorsy side, to be a "guide" to keep the city gal safe in the Appalachian wilderness. And, with Wes by her side, Suzanne learns how to relax, laugh, love, and just be herself - without her day planner. In the end, Suzanne's journey goes much further than her hiking destinations, and the resulting story captures the tranquility and beauty of the North Carolina mountains as well as the intricacies of the human heart.

Rating:
Summary: Light Summer reading
Review: I picked up this book solely because I live in the Appalachian region and try to support local authors.

Truthfully, my review would not be a fair review for romance lovers because I am not into the romance genre. So, I will stick strictly to the prose/style/story itself.

The writing is tight and flows for the most part. There were too many cliches and repeated adjectives for my taste; the descriptions of the trail itself and the hiking adventure were, in my opinion, the best part of the book. The plot and characters seemed too contrived. Nothing in the book really surprised me, so I guess that was the biggest disappointment.

On a positive note, I admired the straightforward writing style and the mountain imagery. The author did a nice job of bringing the reader along on the hike, and creating a couple of suspenseful moments.

I guess I was hoping for more complexities, idiosyncrasies, and surprising characters. Overall, the book was too simple and dry for my taste. But I appreciate the backdrop for this romantic adventure.





Rating:
Summary: Reviewed for Midwest Book Review
Review: Suzanne Bowers is an upper-management executive used to living a high-pressure life; a woman who has decided love is only a fabrication. When her therapist orders her to take a vacation, she decides to go to her uncle's cabin in the Appalachian Mountains, where she plans to begin a five-day hike through the mountains. Wes Avery is an easygoing man full of Southern charm who agrees, as a favor to Suzanne's uncle and unbeknownst to Suzanne, to accompany her on her trek through the mountains. When the two meet, sparks fly. Suzanne is fiercely independent and finds Wes to be an irritant, but finally decides it would be safer to have another person along for her venture into the mountains.

During their five-day adventure, Wes realizes he is in love with Suzanne, but Suzanne initially wants nothing to do with the man. However, she is highly attracted to him, even though she does not want to be. The two slowly begin to know one another and become friends. They face danger together and share many visually aesthetic moments. Suzanne slowly begins to unwind and finds herself opening up to Wes. Before the trip is finished, their campfires aren't the only things sizzling in the mountains. However, upon their return, Suzanne is confronted with two unknown truths that Wes had not divulged and she flees to Baltimore, to her old lifestyle. But Wes is determined not to lose Suzanne and begins his own battle to bring her back to the Appalachians.

Maggie Bishop brings a vast knowledge of the Appalachian region and its multitudinous array of horticulture to APPALACHIAN PARADISE. She displays the unique ability to draw the reader into each setting with vivid description, to the point that the reader feels part of the scene. The story is well-paced, the characters deftly drawn, the chemistry between Suzanne and Wes searing, and the romantic story teasing enough to leave the reader anxiously waiting for "the moment".

Rating:
Summary: Reviewed for Midwest Book Review
Review: Suzanne Bowers is an upper-management executive used to living a high-pressure life; a woman who has decided love is only a fabrication. When her therapist orders her to take a vacation, she decides to go to her uncle's cabin in the Appalachian Mountains, where she plans to begin a five-day hike through the mountains. Wes Avery is an easygoing man full of Southern charm who agrees, as a favor to Suzanne's uncle and unbeknownst to Suzanne, to accompany her on her trek through the mountains. When the two meet, sparks fly. Suzanne is fiercely independent and finds Wes to be an irritant, but finally decides it would be safer to have another person along for her venture into the mountains.

During their five-day adventure, Wes realizes he is in love with Suzanne, but Suzanne initially wants nothing to do with the man. However, she is highly attracted to him, even though she does not want to be. The two slowly begin to know one another and become friends. They face danger together and share many visually aesthetic moments. Suzanne slowly begins to unwind and finds herself opening up to Wes. Before the trip is finished, their campfires aren't the only things sizzling in the mountains. However, upon their return, Suzanne is confronted with two unknown truths that Wes had not divulged and she flees to Baltimore, to her old lifestyle. But Wes is determined not to lose Suzanne and begins his own battle to bring her back to the Appalachians.

Maggie Bishop brings a vast knowledge of the Appalachian region and its multitudinous array of horticulture to APPALACHIAN PARADISE. She displays the unique ability to draw the reader into each setting with vivid description, to the point that the reader feels part of the scene. The story is well-paced, the characters deftly drawn, the chemistry between Suzanne and Wes searing, and the romantic story teasing enough to leave the reader anxiously waiting for "the moment".