In Search of Eden

January 29, 2007
Nicholss latest effort follows the wanderings of Miranda DeSpain, a young woman who has been unable to recover from a painful adolescent experience. An upstanding drifter (she always finds gainful employment where ever she goes), Miranda finds herself in bucolic Abingdon, Virginia, where she meets an array of lovely Christian townsfolk, among them a spunky 11-year-old girl named Eden who helps Miranda find a job and a place to live. Nicholss writing style is often engaging, and while some of her characters are clichd (the ruggedly handsome, tough but tender leading man, for example), a few of her characters, most notably Eden, are quirky and real. Nichols blends the romance genre with a more problem-oriented womens novel here. While there are few surprises and the many coincidences make it difficult to suspend disbelief, the plot holds together well enough, with likable characters fighting nobly against adversity and unlikable characters trying their best to change. Spiritual themes such as forgiveness and redemption are well integrated into the novel, and the Christian characters are genuine, openhearted and giving. Readers looking for sentimental yet well-written womens fiction wont be disappointed.

February 1, 2007
Police chief Joseph North has been estranged from his brother, David, ever since David stole Sarah, the girl Joseph loved. When David is seriously injured in a car accident, Joseph is drawn back into their lives and that of his niece, Eden. David and Sarah adopted Eden when she was a baby, but Sarah has always had a difficult time connecting with her daughter. Joseph's life is also complicated by a mysterious woman named Miranda. Nichols uses her considerable talent ("At the Scent of Water; Not a Sparrow Falls") to create a complex portrait of a family in turmoil, incorporating rich characterizations and a skillfully woven plot. This title may have crossover appeal for readers of Anne Tyler. Recommended for all collections. Nichols lives in Washington State.

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