Review of "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins

Review written by Caroline Hughes, recent high school graduate

Ah, Paris.  City of Light, City of Love, City of...SOAP?  School of America in Paris; yes, that is where Anna Oliphant will be spending her senior year of high school.  Away from her normal life in Atlanta, Georgia, her best friend Bridgette, and her could-be-new-boyfriend, Toph.  Anna hates that she'll be missing out on her old life, and hates her rich, sappy-romance-novel-writing father for sending her away to some boarding school practically on the other side of the world. And, maybe, she's just a little bit scared of being a clueless American in Paris.

Anna soon feels a little less homesick once she befriends an artsy group of fellow SOAP students, which includes a charming English boy named Etienne St. Clair.  Unfortunately, the highly attractive Brit is in a long-term relationship with a former SOAP student, but that shouldn't bother Anna anyway.  She sort of has Toph, so no problem.  Yet as St. Clair shows Anna around Paris, helping her gain confidence and develop a new curiosity for the exciting city around her, she can't help but notice that he has the most gorgeous brown eyes and purposely messy brown hair.  And on top of that, what girl can resist an English accent?  Try as she might to fight it, Anna finds herself falling for the already taken St. Clair.  However, some tragic news and a hectic Christmas break shake things up so much that Anna is not much certain of anything...except that she is absolutely in love with Etienne.

Anna and the French Kiss is a pleasant teen romance as well as a story of embracing life changes.  The progression of Anna and St. Clair's friendship is very sweet and enticing, like a French pastry, and there is a refreshing sense of quest as Anna navigates the streets of Paris and the pressures of boarding school life.  With all the fun a slightly predictable story offers, Anna and the French Kiss will likely satisfy the cravings of those with a taste for light romance. 

Review of "Naked Came the Leaf Peeper" featuring Brian Lee Knopp, John P. McAfee, Susan Reinhardt, Vicki Lane, Tommy Hays, Wayne Caldwell, Fred Chappell, Alan Gratz, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Gene Cheek, Linda Marie Barrett, Charles F. Price, and Tony Earley

Review written by David Speed

Many authors would run screaming the other way if given a chance to collaborate on a literary project.  They’d rather sink or swim by their own hand.  The writers of this local treasure created  ‘Naked Came the Leaf Peeper’ with the attitude that there are others to share the blame, so let it rip!  What ensues is worthy of their unleashed twisted talents.

Mix a sprinkle of Lisbeth Salander with a dash of Hannibal Lecter, a southern drawl, flaming red hair and freckles.  Call the result Garnell Lee Ray.  Place her hidden amongst the rhododendron alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway with a loaded tater gun and then hold on!

Garnell’s path crosses the likes of J. D. Klontz, a relocated Yankee detective, Rowena, the incredibly sexy High Priestess and Mr. Michaux, a local big wig developer to name just a few.  Greed, lust, incest and revenge take this tale into dark hollers, over steep mountain footpaths and lead the reader up the river without a paddle.

Don’t even think about foreshadowing being used here.  Each author takes the baton, makes a left turn, drops it in a mysterious cove filled with fog or pitches it in the French Broad River before letting go.  Hilarity rules while everyone reading is left wondering what the hell is going to happen next? 

Local scenery, legend, lies and characters abound.  Western North Carolina never looked so good or bad for that matter.  These pages are equal opportunity offenders taking careful aim and finding their marks.  If you don’t identify with anyone in this book, you don’t live around here, do ya?

Do yourself a favor.  Put down this review and run to the bookstore, library or the Internet, and order up a heaping helping of genius run amok that is ‘Naked Came the Leaf Peeper.’

Carolina Mountains Literary Festival 2012

We gladly announce that registration for Carolina Mountains Literary Festival 2012

Landscapes of Imagination

is now open, and e-registration is easier than ever! 

http://www.cmlitfest.org/register

Please keep in mind that pre-registration is required ONLY for those events with a fee and/or limited attendance: the writing workshops and the Saturday Dinner Banquet.

The "Naked Came the Leaf Peeper" authors' panel on Friday evening is free as are all other sessions.