Cold Rock River

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07) Adie Jenkins will always be haunted by the death of her youngest sister. "What happened changed all of us. But Uncle Burleigh said, `Didn't change ya, it ruined ya,' `You won't never be the same,' he added, `not none of you's.' I hate to give that old codger credit, but turns out he was right. None of us was the same -not ever." When Buck Jenkins moved to town, Adie was determined to catch his eye. Buck thought he looked a lot like Elvis. He even had Elvis hair. "It was shoe-polish black" and he had a habit of using his palms to slick it back. Sixteen-year-old Adie was two years his junior and thoroughly besotted. When the couple was married they moved to Hog Gap with his mother, Verna. "Buck didn't keep a job long enough to get us any money, and he gave most of what he made each week to Verna for groceries." It was almost time for the baby to be born when Imelda Jane came into their lives. Buck and Adie rent a small house and Willa Mae comes into their lives. Willa Mae was a midwife. An old journal bound in cracked brown leather went everywhere with her. The journal told the story of Tempe, a female slave at the beginning of the Civil War, overcome with grief when her master sells her three children. Adie retreats into the journal as she struggles to raise her own child, Grace Annie, cope with a "skirt chasing husband," and come to terms with the death, many years before of her baby sister. "My Mammy say, `You gots to stir dat pot of sadness up real good,' she say. ` and keeps it stirred so the happy times don't git lost in dat stew. `Cause you gwine eat dat stew for all your life. See da good part in dat stew? Eat all dat up and keeps doing dat.' She do, she say dat. Willa Mae said, her face full of pride." "Cold Rock River" by J.L. Miles is set in the early Vietnam era. Ms. Miles successfully depicts southern history, intolerance, slavery, and relationships. The characters are so real and believable that they draw you into the story; they become a part of you. From the first page you know you can't put the book down until you read every page. The plot has some unforeseen twists. There were times when I found myself laughing out loud and times when I was reaching for the tissues. This book is sure to please! I highly recommend this book to women that enjoy really good fiction.

I absolutely loved it! I laughed and I cried. It was full of joy and sorrow, love and loss, strength and frailty. The pefect chick-book! Will definitely read more books from J.L. Miles.

I was blown away by J.L. Miles' first book, Roseflower Creek, so I had to buy Cold Rock River in hard cover. I am so glad I did. Reading this book renewed my faith that some writers are truly gifted. I could not put this book down. Miles' characterization and development made me feel like I was living the lives of her multi-faceted characters. The way she deals with Southern history, racism, slavery, marriage, relationships, and other crucial elements, is riveting and brilliant. You will not be disappointed if you read this book. I can't wait for her next.

"Cold Rock River" ripped me apart. From the first sentence, no, from the first word to the very last. Ms. Miles - It was so fun to spend that time with your characters. I thought your first book, "Roseflower Creek" was a touch of class, but this one? Well, a wheelbarrow full of class comes to mind. You stopped me in my tracks.