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"Camellia Season, by Natasha Peterson, is a moving character-driven coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of late 1960s New Orleans. The narrative centers on young Cherie and her friends as they navigate the complexities of adolescence amidst a city in flux. Cherie, confined by the turmoil of her unhinged mother and the challenges of her environment, finds solace in her wordless diary—a silent companion filled with drawings marking time and counting down to an uncertain future. As her diary ticks toward zero, Cherie must confront and overcome the trials that come with the threshold of adulthood.
Peterson’s novel is a masterfully written exploration of growing up, offering a profound look into Cherie’s world and the people who shape it. The depth of character development is remarkable, vividly bringing to life the personalities, beliefs, and aspirations of each individual in Cherie’s life. The nuanced portrayal of these characters creates a compelling narrative where each person’s story is integral, adding rich layers to the overall tapestry of the novel. Cherie’s evolution is palpable through her actions, narration, and increasing comprehension of her world. This is a novel that beckons you to return, eager to delve deeper into its narrative layers. Natasha Peterson has crafted a compelling tale, and I eagerly anticipate her future works."
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"Camellia Season A Novel is a lively, character-driven coming-of-age novel that centers around Cherie, who grapples with a troubled home life and seeks to find herself during an era of rapid cultural change. Peterson's prose flows lovingly, clearly, and, at times, poignantly. Descriptions of the protagonist's wordless journal add intriguing texture to the storytelling. Camellia Season is uplifted through its vibrant setting and focus on a core set of characters as they change and grow. Readers will easily empathize with Cherie as she longs to escape her circumstances and achieve independence. The broader cast of characters are effectively rendered, while the New Orleans setting in the late 1960s sparkles."
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"In late-1960s New Orleans, a teen and her friends long to make it to adulthood. It’s 1965, and 13-year-old Cherie is counting down the days until she turns 18 and can escape from her mother, a French immigrant named Paulette. Cherie endures her mother’s constant scorn, and she eventually learns that her mother has all but rejected her and regrets having given birth to her. One of the teenager’s few comforts is the wordless diary in which she makes illustrations to vent her frustrations. In the past, Cherie tried to keep a written diary, but Paulette turned it into a joke. As she grows up, she finds peace away from her home with her close friends, all of whom have their own struggles and who, like Cherie, are passionate about social justice (they all stage a walkout to demand integration in their high school).
Peterson’s style is reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird in its evocative and specific descriptions of the South and its people (“Wayne was a slab of beef from Texas with greased-back dark hair and narrow blue eyes”), as well as the episodic nature of the plot. Like Scout, Cherie is a clever youth and unafraid to question convention. Peterson’s wit continually amuses, especially when noting some social ill: “The smokers and stoners were the most integrated group at school…. They joked amongst themselves that Fortier High School could be a joyful place if only people would act like them.” An involving coming-of-age novel with New Orleans flavor."
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"This work is truly a rich, flavorful gumbo, mixing tumultuous history, famous artists and luminaries from the 60s who happened to have an actual New Orleans connection, and a colorful array of locals, many with an intriguing amount of depth and nuance. The themes of friendship, family and coming-of-age in rapidly changing times are universal, and the characters are uniquely compelling. No doubt, this work would be cherished by any high school junior or senior that reads it. And heads up to the adults: put CAMELLIA SEASON A NOVEL on your “must list.” It is a surprising and gripping read that could have you reflecting on your own journey and place in this world."
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"I couldn't wait to read the next page. I just had to find out what happened to these characters as they navigated their teen years, with all the twists and turns that come with growing up, as well as the changes of that decade in US history. Very satisfying from beginning to end. I very much hope there's a sequel!"
“I devoured this evocative, exquisitely detailed tale of teenage girls and boys coming of age in turbulent 1960s New Orleans. The next best thing to being there!” — Alexandra Sokoloff, Author, The Huntress/FBI series
“I loved this book. It’s a wild ride from beginning to end, with such great insights into an era when young women started to build a fresh, new confidence and independence for themselves.” — Reidar Jönsson, Author, My Life as a Dog Trilogy
Lyrical and imaginative. Try to put it down. You can’t. I hated to let these characters go. — Helene Chrinian, Author, Young Adult and Children’s Books
Fun, captivating, and heartbreaking read… an exquisite tale of young adulthood. Cherie and her friends became my friends. I didn’t want it to end. — Deb Fox, Graphic Novel Creator, The Man Who Beat Death Valley
As someone born and raised in New Orleans, CAMELLIA SEASON captures the vibrant spirit of my home. Peterson has written an evocative masterwork that deserves to be read by everyone.” — Evlondo Cooper, Writer and Podcaster
This beautifully written, poignant novel transports you back to New Orleans in the late 1960’s as a sensitive and rebellious teen copes with a radically changing culture. — Charles W. Bailey, Jr., Publisher, and Digital Artist
Chapter 1. August. 1965. The Wordless Diary
Cherie turned the key in the front door lock very slowly, and she flinched when it clicked.
She opened the door carefully and looked in. Cherie’s mother, Paulette, was on the phone in the kitchen, her voice piqued with giggles. She knew the flirty tone in Paulette’s voice. It meant a man was on the other end of the line, which made it easier to sneak in.
“Oh, George! You are such a bad boy,” Paulette chastised playfully, her French accent on display. Cherie listened. There it was. The high-pitched laugh that punctuated her mother’s words like three beats on a snare drum.
All clear. Cherie entered on tiptoes, closed the door behind her, and spirited through the living room avoiding the spot where the floorboards always creaked.
She darted down the hall into her room, shut the door, and hid in the closet, where it was dark and silent.
I did it! Cherie sighed with relief as she curled up in the corner. She closed the closet door from the inside by pushing a sneaker outside and then pulling on the shoelace. She kicked aside the mess on the floor, shoes, clothes, books, pictures torn from magazines, pens and pencils, notebook paper with wishes and curses scribbled on them, little junky things dumped out of her plastic purse, and a few pennies. Cherie felt around the floor and found her flashlight. The light was yellowish and dim. She tapped it to make it brighter. C’mon, she coaxed, shine for me, but to no avail. The battery was going. Still, there was enough light to see the treasure she snuck in without her mother knowing it.
“I started thinking about writing CAMELLIA SEASON after Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to give life to all the wild stories and atypical Southerners I knew growing up in New Orleans. But my first draft had a long way to go. I received enough encouragement (along with a lot of criticism) to not give up. Two more drafts and a half-dozen working titles later, I knew I could let my book meet the world.” — Natasha Peterson
CAMELLIA SEASON A NOVEL is Natasha Peterson’s debut novel. She co-authored MEMOIR YOUR WAY, and wrote the graphic novel, THE 9-11 STORY BOOK, illustrated by Alan Gerson. Peterson’s first nonfiction book was SACRED SITES: A Traveler’s Guide to North America’s Most Powerful, Mystical Landmarks. She is an award-winning multimedia content producer and ghost writer, including 11 awards as senior writer for Ogilvy PR/Washington DC. Peterson’s ads, PSA’s, and articles have appeared in Time, USA Today, The New York Times, and in syndication. She started her career in TV and film story development in Los Angeles after a year of classes at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.
Coming Up in 2026
THE 9-11 STORY BOOK (Graphic Novel)
New York: Featured this fall at the National 911 Memorial & Museum exhibit, 911 and Comics.
CAMELLIA SEASON A NOVEL
April: Pittsboro, NC Book Club Reading and Signing
May: New Orleans TBA
MY FRIEND IN THE PAINTING
Middle Grade, Fall Release, 2026
