Author: Diane Chamberlain
Published: August 2015, St. Martins Press
Format: E-book, 44 pages
Source: Personal copy
In this short story prequel to Pretending to Dance, psychologist Graham Arnette longs to dance the way he used to, before illness stole his ability to walk. Graham lives on one hundred acres of family land with his daughter Molly and his wife Nora-and with Amalia, a green-eyed beauty with whom Graham shares his hopes and fears. Six-year-old Molly is the light of Grahams life. As he and his extended family turn an old springhouse into a playhouse for her, long buried hostilities emerge that lead to anger and resentment. . . and, ultimately, to the healing power of family love.
My thoughts: I have a copy of Diane Chamberlains upcoming book, Pretending to Dance (due out October 6), and I am very excited to start reading it. When I saw there was a prequel, I has to read it...I love prequels and this one has me really anxious to start reading the new book.
What I love about this prequel is that it introduces us to the characters for Pretending to Dance, but is set much earlier. Its one day that happened long ago - the day the family was working on turning the springhouse into a playhouse for Molly and when Molly learned to ride her bike without training wheels, but allows us to meet Molly, her parents, Graham and Nora, and some of their extended family. Its a typical Diane read in that she gives us that deep insight into the family and their relationships, even with this short story. Already you get the sense there are some secrets hiding amongst family members - secrets that will hopefully come to light in Pretending to Dance.
Im not sure if this is necessarily to read before reading Pretending to Dance, but it sure to get me more excited. And if you would like to read more about the book, be sure to keep reading to see the spotlight and some early praise of the book!
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Author: Diane Chamberlain
Published: October 2015, St. Martins Press
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Molly Arnette is very good at keeping secrets. She lives in San Diego with a husband she adores, and they are trying to adopt a baby because they cant have a child on their own. But the process of adoption brings to light many questions about Mollys past and her family--the family she left behind in North Carolina twenty years before. The mother she says is dead but who is very much alive. The father she adored and whose death sent her running from the small community of Morrisons Ridge. Her own birth mother whose mysterious presence in her family raised so many issues that came to a head. The summer of twenty years ago changed everything for Molly and as the past weaves together with the present story, Molly discovers that she learned to lie in the very family that taught her about pretending. If she learns the truth about her beloved fathers death, can she find peace in the present to claim the life she really wants?
Early Praise for Pretending to Dance:
"Exploring the thrilling feelings of first love, the depths of teenage angst, and the difficult decisions families and spouses make together, Pretending to Dance is a multilayered, poignant novel. Chamberlain writes knowledgeably about seeing a family member confront a degenerative illness, the power of therapy, and the hardship of loss. Reminiscent of a Sarah Dessen or Sharon Creech novel, Pretending to Dance proves that a coming-of-age story can happen at any time in your life." —Booklist
"While the family argues and Mollys hormones run wild, something else is going on that will make for the explosive revelation at novels end." —Kirkus Reviews
"A book rich in relatable characters and moving scenes, this stunning tale will linger with readers long after the last page. (4 1/2 stars, Top Pick)" —RT Reviews
