Beyond Molasses Creek

Title: BEYOND MOLASSES CREEK
Author: Nicole Seitz

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

January 2012

ISBN: 978-1-59554-505-3

Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

About the Book:  Written in first person of the three different characters, each point of view is easily identified by a name at the top of the chapter. Ally is a former flight attendant. She was forced to leave the job when her back went out and she dumped a cup of coffee on a passenger. She never wanted to get back on a plane—but now she has, to fly to the Lowcountry to bury her father—and the past. Her old best friend, Vesey Washington, is still living across the creek—but this is the south; Vesey is black, she is white. And despite the attraction between them, there can’t be anything more. On the other side of the world, a young slave woman, Sunila Kunari, is wondering why she was born white in a family of black. She believes there’s more to her story that she’s told, so she escapes her life of slavery in the rock quarries of Nepal. A sketchbook tempts Sunila to follow the truth wherever it may lead…

About the Author:  Nicole Seitz grew up on Hilton Head Island, a small town off the coast of South Carolina, where she was surrounded by palmetto trees, marsh grass, sandy beaches and unique Southern characters. As an author, artist and speaker, Nicole's work is deeply influenced by her faith and the mystique and charm of the Lowcountry. In 1989 she went to the U.S.S.R as a student ambassador through People to People Organization, and the trip opened her eyes to the struggles, beauty, and universal qualities of other cultures--things she likes to explore in her work. Nicole received a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.F.A. in Illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design. Her freelance articles have been in The Island Packet, The Bluffton Packet, and SouthCarolina Magazine. Nicole is also a published illustrator, and her artwork has been exhibited in Southern art galleries. Her novels feature her paintings/illustrations on the covers. Nicole Seitz was named "Best Local Author Who Also Paints" in Charleston City Paper's Best of Charleston 2009, and in 2007, she was named one of Charleston Regional Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" for her professional successes and community involvement. Nicole enjoys meeting her readers and book clubs and often speaks to groups on writing, art and faith. In 2009, she spoke as part of the Southern Literary Festival during Piccolo Spoleto. In 2008, she gave the Baccalaureate address for the College of Charleston. An artist at heart, Nicole enjoys painting pictures with words and bringing her characters to life through detail and dialect. She lives in the Charleston, South Carolina, area with her husband, Brian, and their two children, teaches art at a local private school, and is currently.
My Thoughts About the Book:  The story starts out painfully slow and never really picked up. At one point I almost jumped to the last chapter to read the finale, but chose to keep plugging on.  Once I figured out where it was going I managed to get through the book.  I was a little disappointed in the plot development and found it difficult to make the jumps from character to character.  I do have to say that Vesey was a wonderfully developed male character. He was strong, faithful and loving.  Ally’s character did nothing for me.  Sunila’s story is heartbreaking. I cried for her. The book was very sad and just not quite the kind of book I usually look for.  This is the type book that you must read with an open mind and heart as you’re reminded that we all fit into the bigger picture of God’s plan.  It was also a reminder for me about God’s time.
Disclaimer:  I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing's Book Sneeze program to review.  The opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.