A new southern voice is quickly rising to the top of popular reading lists. Janie Dempsey Watts, a Chattanooga native who now lives in Woodstation, Ga., is charming reviewers with her first novel “Moon Over Taylor’s Ridge,” according to publisher Janie Jessee of Jan-Carol Publishing Inc.

Watts has several appearances and events to celebrate her success, including two book signings at local venues in Ringgold and Chattanooga.

Filled with lots of local flavor, the new read introduces heroine Avie Williams Cole, who has a mission: take a quick trip to Georgia to settle her father's estate. Too busy to go, her attorney husband, Michael, sends her off with their asthmatic son, Joseph, to keep her company.

In tiny Taylor's Crossing, Avie settles in but is soon thrown off course by overbearing and meddling family members and her son's fascination with a legendary Cherokee Silver mine. Their search for the silver mine leads her up to Taylor's Ridge and to a new friend, Will.

As her stay lengthens, her life begins to unravel even as she begins to blossom and make new friends. For the first time in her life, she must learn to stand on her own and find her way. What will she do about her marriage and her new love? And how can she hold on to the red land she cherishes?

Avie’s story keeps readers enthralled to the end of her journey back home and toward the future.

Highly-favored and fellow local author Susan Gregg Gilmore, who wrote about Ringgold in her “Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen,” spoke warmly of the new release, describing it as “a southern story of determination and hope, family and heartache, ‘Moon Over Taylor’s Ridge’ rings true and fine.”

A Chattanooga native, Janie Dempsey Watts grew up riding horses at her family farm in Woodstation, Ga., south of Ringgold. Her curiosity about almost everything led to a writing career.

Her stories have been published in magazines and anthologies including the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books.

After living in California for many years, she returned to northwest Georgia to live near the family farm. She is married and has two grown sons. When not playing with her horses at the farm, she can be found at her desk writing, with her American bulldog, Bella, supervising.

For a complete list of her published works, and more on horses, visit janiewatts.com or go to littlecreekbooks.com.

Book signings

Oct. 13: “Mizz Kim’s Creations,” 29 Maple St. Ringgold, 2-6 p.m.

Oct. 27: In-Town Gallery, 26A Frazier Ave., Chattanooga, 1-4 p.m.

For more info: janie@janiewatts.com or littlecreekbooks.com