CAT RISING is the richly drawn tale of one woman’s quest to build a future through the discoveries of her past. Author Cynn Chadwick paints a vibrant portrait of community—friends and family together for the long haul, no matter how bumpy the ride. Cat Hood and Lily Cameron have been best friends since kindergarten, when Lily rescued Cat from a schoolyard bully. In the 30 years since, the pair has grown into GIRLS WITH HAMMERS, making a modest living as small-town carpenters in the mountains of western North Carolina. But things are changing for Cat. Her first book has been published, her agent’s making big plans, and the whole town thinks she’s a celebrity. She’s got a long-lost brother who turns up out of nowhere with a wife who’s pregnant with twins, a ’59 Harley Duo Glide that makes a funny noise, a busted-up hand that puts her out of commission, and a German Shepherd named Mike who won’t get off the couch.