Bold Novel Educates Readers on Property Rights Through Thrilling Mystery Story

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 1, 2007 -- When high school teacher Coral Wood returns to her grandfather's ranch in Emerald Valley, Calif., the last thing she expected was to find herself involved in a heated public controversy, a sizzling romance and a dangerous mystery, all at once. Coral's political, romantic, and at times, sinister journey is the heart of Maryann Davenport's latest novel, "The Park" (ISBN 9780595445264, iUniverse, 2007).

"The Park" is an exciting and educational book that raises the issue of land rights and demonstrates democracy in action, with an adventure-packed story of romance and intrigue. Coral, the story's heroine, spent many happy childhood summers on her grandfather's Emerald Valley ranch, and she is dismayed to return only to find her grandfather worried about losing his ranch to a coastal city club, which wants to make Emerald Valley into a public park. As a social studies teacher at the local high school, Coral uses the controversy as an opportunity to teach her students about constitutional property rights.

"The Park" clearly demonstrates each side of the property rights issue through a colorful cast of characters whose views represent the radicals, the moderates, and everyone in between, on all sides of the debate. Davenport's characters represent the spirit of America: the unsung heroes of the middle class, from schoolteachers, to engineers.

In the midst of the following clash between environmental groups and landowners, Coral meets Mac Maclane, the handsome and fiery school biology teacher. Sparks fly between Coral and Mac, as they join the fight over Emerald Valley. When the controversy escalates, Coral and Mac must struggle to keep the protests peaceful, but after a surprising intervention from an East Coast businessman, violence flares and a college professor is killed on a nearby ranch.

Despite her best efforts to keep the peace, Coral can feel a sinister, dark threat lurking one step behind her, and realizes, too late, that she has become the prime target of a manipulative villain who is stopping at nothing to win the battle over Emerald Valley.

"I hope my readers will learn they can have a voice in what happens in their communities, but unless the majority of the people speak up, a small group rules the rest of us and that's not democracy," Davenport says. "We need someone from each group at the table."

About the Author

Maryann Davenport resides in a rural part of San Diego County in California with her husband. She has taught school in cities and rural areas, from Chicago to the West Coast and later had a career in production engineering. She now is a full-time author, and is currently working on her next book "Flint," a romantic story, with an unlikely villain.

"The Park" (ISBN 9780595445264, iUniverse, 2007) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.chimneystonebooks.com. Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com. Review copies available upon request.

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