Author Spotlight and Giveaway!!!

Hi Everyone,

I am really excited to share today’s post with you all. One of my favorite authors, Diane Chamberlain, is celebrating 30 years as a published author! When I read Necessary Lies years ago, she became one of my must-read authors. Today, I am thrilled to share my review of her latest novel, an interview, and a GIVEAWAY!!! Good luck to you all.

Enjoy!

~Ariesgrl

Dream Daughter

Carly recently lost her husband in the Vietnam War, but she looks forward to meeting their baby soon. When the doctor tells her that her unborn child has a fatal heart condition, Carly is beyond devastated. Her brother-in-law, Hunter, has always been quirky, but she loves him dearly. When he tells Carly there is a possibility that she could save her child, but it means doing the unthinkable and risking everything, Carly must make a difficult decision. How far is Carly willing to go, to save her daughter?

Dream Daughter is unlike any other book by Diane Chamberlain, and yet, it still has all the classic elements of her writing. The characters experience horrific events, while readers still hold out hope for each. The familial bonds are strongly displayed by every member, and they represent the different aspects of love. Dream Daughter offers some twists and turns that highlight key moments in America’s history. Readers will devour this book quickly, and they will want to discuss it with their friends months later.

Interview:

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?
I knew from about the age of six that I wanted to write stories, and I did write a few terrible “novels” at age twelve, but when it came to thinking of a career, I didn’t even consider being a writer. I needed to be able to earn a living and doubted writing would fit the bill, so I got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, something I never regretted. Understanding how people tick is a great asset to have when writing fiction.

Where do you find the inspiration for your books?
Everywhere! You want to be very careful having a conversation around me because I am probably listening intently, hoping for a story idea in whatever you say. But seriously, a news article or an historical event or a dream might trigger a story idea. I try to stay open to everything I see and hear.

Over 30 years, do you have a favorite character or storyline?
I will forever feel an attachment to the characters in my first novel, PRIVATE RELATIONS. I don’t necessarily recommend that book to readers, (unless they want to see how I’ve improved over the years!). I nurtured those characters for a decade before I actually set them down in a story, and when I reissued the book for its 25th anniversary, I added an epilogue in which all of them were now 25 years older. It was a special treat for me to “be with them” again.

If you could live in one of your books, which would it be?
Not sure I would want to live in any of them, since I really put my people through the wringer! But since you asked, I think I would pick the KEEPER OF THE LIGHT trilogy. It’s set on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, one of my favorite places in the world, and the setting in those three books has a sort of gothic feel to it. I’d like to be there when the old light was still turning, sending its beacon out into the night sky.

Which authors do you read in your spare time?
We’re living in a time when there is a wealth of novels to choose from and there are so many authors, new and old, that I am drawn too. Authors that I almost never miss are Chris Bohjalian, Barbara Kingsolver, Elizabeth Berg, Alice Hoffman, JoJo Moyes, Jenna Blum, and I’m afraid the list goes on and on and on . . .

Can you tell us what you are working on next?
Yes! I’ve just completed the copyedits on BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN, which will be out in January, 2020. It’s the story of a young woman who is freed from prison with the agreement that she’ll restore an old mural—something she has no idea how to do. The story takes us back to 1940 when another young woman, the original painter of the mural, suddenly disappears. As our current day restorer uncovers more and more of the painting, she begins to solve the mystery of the muralist’s disappearance.

Where can people follow you online?
My website is www.dianechamberlain.com, where you can find printable booklists to keep track of all my books and where you can also sign up for my newsletter. I am also very active and engaged with my awesome readers on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Diane.Chamberlain.Readers.Page. Come join me there!

Giveaway Time:

One lucky person will win a paperback copy of Dream Daughter!!! For a chance to win, leave a comment below naming your favorite Diane Chamberlain book. Contest will be open until noon EDT on June 25th. Winner will be chosen using random.org and announced on June 26th. Good luck to all!