Cat Rising

Cat Rising #1

by Cynn Chadwick

Things are changing for Cat Hood, a small-town carpenter living in the mountains. Her first book has been published, her agent's making big plans, and the whole town thinks she's a celebrity. She's also got a long-lost brother who turns up out of nowhere with a wife who's pregnant with twins, a '59 Harley Duo Glide that makes a funny noise, a busted-up hand that puts her out of commission, and a German Shepherd named Mike who won't get off the couch. Enter Melissa McHeaney - doctor, painter, green-eyed Irish lass. The one. And when the pair finally connect, it clicks so loud everybody close to Cat hears it. But Cat is dragging her feet, driving her friends - and herself - crazy. Is she scared off by a good thing? Or does the problem run deeper than that? There's a ghost in Cat's head and heart and a story waiting to be told - the story of her grandmother Kate, who raised Cat and her brother after the death of their parents. The Hoods had emigrated from Scotland in the late 30s, leaving home under mysterious circumstances that Cat was certain were the cause of Kate's cold, harsh brand of mothering that sent her brother Will running for his freedom - and Cat running from herself. Cat Rising is the richly drawn tale of one woman's quest to build a future through the discoveries of her past. Cynn Chadwick paints a vibrant portrait of community - friends and family together for the long haul, no matter how bumpy the ride.

Genres: Lesbian Fiction, Fiction, LGBT, Lesbian Romance

263 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Cynn Chadwick was born and raised in New Jersey but has lived in the South for over twenty years. Earning both an MA in literature and an MFA in fiction at Goddard College in Vermont, Chadwick is currently a lecturer in the Creative Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Prior to earning her degrees, she worked for one of the first women in the United States to become a master carpenter, an experience that continues to inform her writing.

Reviews

[MEC · Rating 4 out of 5]

More literary than lesfic, Cat Rising revolves around Cat Hood, a carpenter living in a small/rural town who has just published her first book of short stories. The catalyst of being published is the start of a number of changes and decisions in her life. There is no action, mystery, intrigue, or simmering romance - just Cat and her friends and family, redefining their relationsips and lives. This is the kind of story where it's the journey rather than the destination that is the focus, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The glimpses into Cat's childhood, especially with her grandmother, gave this a very authentic feel and although some people said in their reviews that there was no character development, I think it was all about character. There's a great amount of humour, usually involving Cat's best friend Lil - who was endearing and annoying (just like any lifetime friend).

[Bett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the best first paragraph of any novel I've read. It is a story about opening doors, and being afraid to walk through them, the changes that occur in one's life. It is also very funny and touching. Chadwick creates a little universe.

[Alma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this series. The writing is engaging with a quirky underlying sense of humor and the characters charming. I hope to see more from this author soon. Kudos and a heart felt thank you to Ms. Chadwick.

[Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a series of 3. Mediocre.