JP Lane writes and paints a feast for readers' eyes and imaginations as she shares her explorations of select Grand Homes of California's Central Valley. Best of all
readers don't need to be familiar with the Central Valley because Lane guides them through the selected homes and makes them feel like they're on a personally guided tour.

As a history, this book has several outstanding qualities. First of all the content selected carefully with audience clearly in focus presents interesting stories and facts. Lane uses primary sources such as interviews with current or past homeowners, interviews with neighbors, or sources housed by the local historical society; she appears to value accuracy especially through the voices of those who know the stories of a Grand Home. Additionally the tone of the historical renderings is very casual like a neighbor chatting over a fence with a newcomer. Although the tone is comfortable, readers are intrigued by the selected material so take it seriously. Finally the selection of the historical material is thoroughly considered. Lane has a fondness for the Central Valley especially her selection of Grand Homes, and she wants to share that fondness developed by humanizing stories and details so shares them as histories. Finally she used several facts as common elements among all the selected homes to function as an organizational tool: year home was built, architectural style, architect/builder or visionary, and finally visitor status which ranges from "Museum; open to public to "Private residence. Admire from afar."

Each home's history is accompanied by a watercolor or oil painting rendered by Lane, an accomplished artist. Her fondness for the homes she selected (especially the Victorians) is apparent through her art which is soft and at times sensual. It communicates "grand" as readers eyes dance among the brush strokes and lights. Finally, Lane the artist" occasionally offers a brief painting lesson for a painter/reader--probably a hint based on her experience painting a particular element of a home.

In sum, I strongly recommend this book to the artist, one with leanings towards architecture, or one who just wants to savor the past through Grand Homes. It's easy to be mesmerized by wonderful stories and rich paintings that can carry the imagination away for a bit Finally this is a book that can easily be picked up, enjoyed and then put down to simply pick up again and again enjoying the Homes more than once. ( )