A captivating and light book with believable characters!
The author has captured the real feeling of Sedona. Whether you're a visitor or a resident, you will relive your own adventures by revisiting some of Sedona's favorite haunts.
A great story that touches on the many beliefs and life styles that abound here, but does not take away from the main story. A good read.

If you want to learn the inside story about Sedona, Arizona, then "City of Refugees" is a must read! I don't mean where to hire a jeep tour or where to eat lunch or what art gallery is currently "in"; I mean what do jeep tour drivers and hotel employees really think of tourists, how do retired folks deal with the high cost of living, how do homeless folks deal with just living and more.

This is a biting look at life in a city that sells itself to tourists in order to exist. The writing is succinct and the message is clear. All is not well beneath the veneer of commercialism sold to visitors. As in any city, there are underlying agendas and Ms. Birch dutifully nails many of them.

The style is unique; she mixes a fictional plot with newspaper articles written by the main character. These articles really hit on the "story behind the story", giving outsiders an insider's view of what really goes on in a city renown for its breathtaking scenery and lure of New Age philosophies.

If you've ever visited Sedona, or even if you haven't, you will enjoy this good read!