View Park

July 1, 2006
View Park is a mostly African American suburb of Los Angeles, and the Chase mansion is the largest home in the community. Chase Beauty, a Fortune 500 cosmetic company for women of color, is owned by founder and CEO Steven Chase. He grew up poor, put himself through college, and is a tough businessman and father. His wife, Janet, grew up wealthy in New York and is the perfect companion, mother, philanthropist, and head of the Chase Foundation. Their sons, Carter and Michael, and daughters, Leigh and Haley, are each accomplished in their own right, even when it proves disastrous. When Leigh returns from a year in Africa, the Chase celebration is cut short because Haley witnesses a shooting while boating with a married senator. Police Chief Jackson's son, Sean, is assigned to protect Haley, and daughter Avery becomes a target for takeover of her salons, Essentials. Sean and Avery soon find themselves swept up in the family chaos. The Chases' disregard for others puts everyone in danger and forever changes the family bond.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)