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Local Author Publishes First Book

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: March 18, 2009

While driving home one day, Chris Coad Taylor of Land O' Lakes said she was inspired to write her first book "Secrets of Havenridge."

"I was driving home when Stephanie (the main character) spoke to me," Taylor said. "It starts off with her losing her 6-year-old daughter Lily. She drives to a small Georgia town and it is like stepping back in time. She decides to move there because she wants a new start. It is a story of starting over and being able to work through difficult times and heartaches. It teaches people there is more beyond the surface."

Taylor described her book as Mayberry meets a game of Clue. She said the story is full of suspense, mystery and hidden surprises in the pages.

"I grew up with Alfred Hitchcock and my favorite director is M. Night Shyamalan," Taylor said. "I like the way they reformed the mold and did things differently. I like stories like that, so that is the way I write my stories. I don't want to be cookie-cutter."

In the story, Stephanie ends up moving into a house that used to belong to a powerful family in the town that owned a brewery. She ends up researching the family and that helps to drive the mystery and suspense of the story.

Taylor said she did a lot of research for her book.

"I decided that the brewers had to of had a lot of money from somewhere," Taylor said. "I researched some options like maybe they could have owned cotton, but where I had the story there were no cotton growers. While researching, I came across a mental hospital in Georgia. I went there and it took me in a whole new direction for my book, but if you want to know more, you will have to read it."

Instead of finding a publishing company to publish her book, Taylor started her own JoHazel Publishing.

"I like the control of it," Taylor said. "I figured if I was going to have to do my own marketing and all the other work, then I might as well get the whole piece of the pie. I did everything a traditional publisher would do anyway by hiring editors and designers."

Mary Lozano of Odessa has been friends with Taylor for about 20 years. When the book came out in February she couldn't wait to read it.

"It is a good story," Lozano said. "It was very interesting and the plot moved quickly. I was anxious to get to the next page throughout reading the book. I like the characters a lot too, because they seemed like real people."

Ingrid Dubose of Valrico said after reading only one book, she is a fan.

"I loved it," Dubose said. "I couldn't put it down. It was intriguing and it flowed well. I am looking forward to her next books. As long as she keeps writing, I will keep reading."

Taylor has spent most of her life in creative fields. She has worked as an interior accessory designer, a muralist and in the floral industry. She said it has always been second nature to her to be artistic.

In the fall, Taylor plans to release her second book "Amber Moon and the Rainbow Murders," which she describes as psychological thriller.

Taylor will have a book signing at Land O' Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. where she will share some of her research and discuss her book. For information, visit chriscoadtaylor.com.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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