JDCMustReadBooks

 Author:  Darcie Chan. 

Release Date:  June 17, 2014

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

ISBN: 9780553391879

Pages: 416

Format:  Paperback

Genre:  Fiction – Contemporary 

My Rating:  5 Stars 

A special thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

"I fell in love with this story, the author, the town, and the characters!"

This mysterious mansion drew me in from the front cover, along with these intriguing characters, especially, Mary and Father O’Brien. Your heart goes out to this woman, living a sheltered life, yet able to touch so many lives with her goodwill, even in the next upcoming book (from the grave).

Shifting back and forth from past to present, Chan takes us back to the era of the fifties and sixties. A time when options were limited, for those suffering from social anxiety disorders--except mental institutions, which would have been detrimental in this case with such a delicate and fragile woman.

When combined with physical abuse, there were even less options for these victims --a lack of support, education, and protection, especially ones fighting against wealthy and powerful families. Thankfully, in Mary’s case, she has two allies – Father O’Brien and her husband’s grandfather, Conor.

Anxiety disorders are the most common emotional disorders, annually affecting more than 20 million Americans (about one in nine). In Mary’s case, one of post-traumatic stress disorder (occurring in individuals who have survived a severe or terrifying physical or emotional event), interfering with her daily functioning. Even today’s alarming statistics, one in four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime, and an alarming (60%) of rapes are never reported to authorities.

On a humorous note, some readers will also relate to the time between 1953 and 1968, transitioning from black- and- white television, to color—recalling the excitement, and will enjoy the TV show mentions.

Darcie Chan, writes from the heart-- Her passion is reflective throughout the pages, of this thought-providing novel of life lessons learned. Be sure and visit the author’s website to learn the inspiration behind The Mill River Recluse-- the majesty of the Cornwell mansion, and the generosity and kindness of one man.

Fans of Emilie Richards, Beth Hoffman, Donna Ball, Nancy Thayer, Joanne Demaio, Wendy Wax, Susan Wiggs, Patti Callahan Henry, Karen White, Shelly Noble, and Lisa Wingate will enjoy Chan’s warmhearted style and rich characters, you will not soon forget.

I highly recommend the second Mill River book, as well.
THE MILL RIVER REDEMPTION
Coming 8/26/14
Available NOW for Pre-Order!
A separate giveaway coming August!

These special books are standalone reads; however, trust me, you will want to read both, as some of the characters live on, in this engaging family saga of two sisters!

Congrats to Winners of The Mill River Recluse Book Giveaway Contest! Judy Canfield, Carole Bishop, and Patricia Tucker 

"A sensational story of triumph over tragedy, one that reminds us of the value of friendship, and the ability of love to come from the most unexpected of places."    

Hope you will love RECLUSE, and the upcoming REDEMPTION as much as I enjoyed reading them.  Let me know your comments, after reading, as would love to discuss.  

About the Author

Darcie Chan is the New York Times bestselling author of the eBook sensation, The Mill River Recluse, now being offered in print format 6/17/14, and the upcoming novel The Mill River Redemption, 8/26/14, now available for pre-order.  The Mill River Recluse, has sold more than 700,000 copies to date. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal.  For fourteen years, Chan worked as an attorney drafting environmental and natural resource legislation for the U.S. Senate. She now writes fiction full-time and lives north of New York City with her husband and son. Author photo by Carrie Schechter

The Mill River Redemption 

Coming 8/26/14 

New York Times bestselling author Darcie Chan returns to the enchanting town of Mill River in a heartwarming novel of family, self-discovery, and forgiveness. Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy.

Josie DiSanti is starting over. Recently widowed, she has fled her New York City home with her two young daughters—spirited Rose and shy Emily—in tow. She takes refuge in Mill River, Vermont, to live with her only remaining relative, Ivy Collard, the local bookstore owner and a woman Josie barely knows. There, the young mother and her girls build a new life for themselves—until a shocking tragedy tears the sisters apart.

Years later, Josie’s still-estranged daughters return to the quiet town for the reading of their mother’s will, which stipulates that they must work together to locate a hidden key to a safe-deposit box containing their inheritance.

Even from the great beyond, it seems Josie will do anything to bring about her daughters’ reconciliation. Having no choice but to go along with their mother’s final wishes, Rose and Emily move back to Mill River for the summer to begin the search—discovering that, in the close-knit community known for magic and miracles,

an even greater treasure awaits them.