Here are novels that might catch the attention of a few of The Pilot's readers.

Back to Wando Passo

By David Payne

William Morrow, 2006, $24.95

Ransom Hill has come to South Carolina to try mending fences with his wife, Claire.

Ran is a former member of a rock band that once had a couple of hits.

At Wando Passo, his wife's ancestral home, he tries to reconnect with his children and Claire.

Claire has just taken a job at a music conservatory, which was offered to her by Marcel Jones, a former member of the band, but also one of Claire's oldest friends.

Ran isn't too happy about Claire taking a job, but there's not much he can say because the money is needed.

When Ran is looking around the plantation, he comes across a black pot that contains some unusual items.

Readers are privy to the back story as Payne takes them back in time to the days of the Civil War when Claire's great-great-great grandmother, Adelaide DeLay, came to live at Wando Passo.

This book sometimes has a dark cast to it simply because of its subject matter (depression, divorce, etc.), but it turned out to be a pretty good read when I stuck with it.

Payne is the author of "Early From the Dance" and "Gravesend Light." He and his family live in Hillsborough.

The Whole World Over

By Julia Glass

Pantheon, 2006, $25.95

The author of "Three Junes" returns with the story of Greenie, a pastry chef from New York, and her husband, Alan.

The two are having problems in their marriage, so when Greenie gets the opportunity to go out West to become a chef for the governor of New Mexico, she packs up their son, George, and heads out.

The story is told from the viewpoints of both Alan and Greenie. Side stories include those of the governor as well as Greenie's friend, Walter, a gay man who owns a restaurant.

In many ways, all of these are love stories of a sort. This is a wonderful book.

An Elm Creek Quilts Album

By Jennifer Chiaverini

Simon and Schuster, 2006, $18.95

Three books in one, this would make a nice gift for the quilter in your life.

In "The Runaway Quilt," Sylvia Bergstrom Compson looks for evidence proving the involvement of her ancestors in the Underground Railroad.

In "The Quilter's Legacy," Sylvia goes cross-country to find heirloom quilts made by her mother that disappeared from the attic of Elm Creek Manor.

Wedding bells are ringing for Sylvia and Andrew in "The Master Quilter." The other quilters get in high gear to make a wedding quilt for their friends while dealing with their own personal issues.

The author has written nine volumes in the Elm Creek series, all beloved by readers. She and her family live in Madison, Wis.

Faye M. Dasen may be reached at fdasen@thepilot.com or 693-2475.