I hail from the South---Arkansas to be exact, and Southern Arkansas at that—and I’m always to drawn to stories that take place in that part of the U.S. And to make the pot even sweeter, it’s a story that evolves around food.
Lampman’s debut novel is the story of two women: Shelby Preston and Mallory Lakes. The story evolves over the course of one year,from December 20, 2010, to December 30, 2011.
Shelby is a young mother, living with her mother, with dreams of becoming a chef. Not only does she love to cook, but she knows that she can never make a good life in Coryville. Determined to make a better life for herself and her six-year-old daughter, Shelby takes the four-hour bus ride to Atlanta to apply for a job as a cook for in the downtown deli of Grasso’s, a supermarket chain.
Mallory Lake writes for the Life Style Section of one of Atlanta’s papers, The Sun. Like many newspapers in 2010, The Sun is facing declining advertising and readership. Rumor has it that the paper is about to close its print doors and go strictly digital. Not only does Mallory have to worry about losing her job, but she’s still trying to figure out why her lover unceremoniously dumped her without a hint of warning.
I enjoyed Simmer and Smoke. It’s a story of strong women who aren’t strong because it’s the cool thing to do. They are strong because they have no choice. It’s also a story of family---the one we’re stuck with and the one we choose to make. It’s a story of food. I wish the recipes hadn’t been regulated to the back of the book. The story would have been more effective if they had been listed in the text. The plot was interesting and entertaining. For half the book, it was a page turner. For the other half, it bogged down.
I give Simmer and Smoke: A Southern Tale of Grit and Spice 3 out of 5 stars. ( )

Nice.

That fatal word. This is a too simple story of three young women's year of duress and triumph revolving around the world of food. It's not my cup of tea, but that takes nothing away from the good points in the book. Believable characters who are empathetic but too mundane for fiction did nothing to rouse my interest. Believable people, not one of whom my imagination could make live off the page. Empathetic characters who faced villains in a young people's literature sort of way --black hat, white hat. And brimming over with enough moral lessons to make it suitable for a Sunday School teacher to read.

There's nothing really wrong about this book. It's that it's just nice.
Honestly, I read the first 100 pp and skipped to the end just to satisfy myself that it turned out exactly as I expected it would. It did.

Lampman's first novel is even, well plotted, and predictable. An honorable gentlewoman's "C." ( )

I have always been a fan of Southern literature and, over the years, I have read quite a bit. Simmer and Smoke: A Southern Tale of Grit and Spice ranks right up there with the best. The story centers around two women, Mallory and Shelby, who come from two very different worlds. Mallory has had a priveledged upbrining, while Shelby has had to fight for every penny. Throughout the book, events unfold which bring the two women together. Those events will make you laugh and they will make you cry. By the end, you will understand how a nurturing family, loving friends and a whole lot of determination can help you accomplish any goal you set for yourslf. Thank you Ms. Lampman for penning such a wonderful tale (and for including some delicious recipes, as well!) ( )