The Midwife's Confession, Diane Chamberlain

When Noelle ends her life her best friends in the world Emerson and Tara are astounded. Noelle was a strong independent Woman who has had a successful career in midwifery. They start on a journey to uncover the truth. A journey they begin to wish they had not started. They uncover a letter Noelle has written to a lady called Anna 

Dear Anna,

What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry...

The details of this letter and the discoveries that follow change the lives of Tara and Emerson forever but it is too late to go back.

I loved this book, the characters were all so likeable, even Noelle who you really want to dislike for some of the things she has done. I love the way this story unfolds; the secrets Noelle has kept are of epic proportion; and date back many years. I can't imagine ever being in Tara and Emerson's shoes, finding out that someone that you feel you know and love is not the person you thought they were. This book is a must read Diane Chamberlain is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Not one of her books has disappointed me yet.

Book Review, Summer's Child by Diane Chamberlain

Twenty years ago an 11-year-old Daria Cato was walking on the beach when she discovered a horse shell, she looked under the shell and made an astonishing discovery. A newborn baby girl. A baby girl who would change Daria’s and the lives of many other people in Kill Devil Hills, a town on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

With the help of the local priest, Daria's parents adopt the baby and name her Shelly. When they sadly pass away Daria takes on the role of bring up Shelly, whilst her sister Chloe takes a calling as a Nun. Twenty years later Shelly contacts Rory Taylor. Rory is a friend from Daria's childhood, who is now a television producer of a reality show. The show solves lifetime mysteries, Shelly hopes Rory can help her find out who her birth parents are. 

Daria and Chloe are dead against Rory dragging up the past and do everything in their power to dissuade him from unearthing the truth. However the more Rory digs the more confusing the tale becomes. Piece by piece the tale unravels in a way that no one could predict.

I loved this book, I love reading Diane Chamberlains books, I have probably said this before but they are all so different, and so gripping. This tale had such highs and lows, I came to love Shelly and her sunny disposition, but totally understood Daria and her unwillingness to drag up the past. As I neared the end of this book I just could not put it down, it was so well written in a way that made me want to keep reading until I could read no longer and fell asleep. Yet another great tale by an amazing author, who is fast becoming one of my favourites.

Diane Chamberlain, The Shadow Wife

 The Shadow Wife is the reissue of  the book Cypress Point

Joelle D’Angelo’s best friend, Mara is left with brain damage after she suffers an aneurysm, giving birth to her son. Devastated by this, Joelle turns to her colleague, and Mara’s husband, Liam for support. What starts out as supportive relationship between friends, gradually becomes something more than just support and friendship. As a result Joelle is left expecting a baby and alone in the world.

Torn by guilt of her feelings for Liam, Joelle sets out determined to find help for Mara, no matter how unconventional the source. Her search leads her to a mansion in Monterey, California, and into the life of a woman shrouded in mystery.

The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, by Dianne Chamberlain

In 1977, pregnant Genevieve Russell was kidnapped. 
Twenty years later, her remains are discovered and Timothy Gleason CeeCee's childhood sweetheart is charged with murder. But there is no trace of the unborn child.

Book Review, The Bay at Midnight, Diane Chamberlain

This is the first Diane Chamberlain book I have read and it certainly will not be the last.
This book is set between 1962  and the present day, the main character Julie who's sister Isabelle  was tragically murdered in an accident by the bay of their summer home in New Jersey.
Years later her Mum, sister and herself have gone through life never discussing the incident until Isabelle's ex boyfriend Ned Chapman leaves a letter on his death bed claiming he knows who the killer is.

Julie knows George Lewis; who was committed for this crime and lived his life in Jail was not guilty, so sets out to find the truth. If not only to respect the memory of George, an old friend who had ended his days in jail, but to allow her family to bury the past for once and for all.

The search unearths many painful memories for all involved but Julie is determine to uncover the truth.

I found myself looking for excuses to read this book, and read it at every opportunity. I was so immersed in this book, like I was there with the characters observing the events unfold.  Diane Chamberlain was able to keep me in the dark until almost at the end of the book. A great read of which I thoroughly enjoyed, feeling I had spent some time back in America in the 60's.