Books Read: Darcie Chan - The Mill River Redemption

Having unexpectedly lost her husband and lacking the means to support herself, Josie DiSanti and her two daughters take refuge in the small town of Mill River, to live with Josie's aunt, Ivy. The sisters, Rose and Emily, are inseparable growing up - until a shocking tragedy tears them apart.

Years later, Rose and Emily return to Mill River for the reading of their mother's will, where they learn that Josie would do anything to force their reconciliation: the sisters must move into neighbouring houses for the summer and work together to locate the key to Josie's safe deposit box, which contains their inheritance. And so, left with no choice, Rose and Emily reluctantly begin their search. But in a place known for its magic and miracles, little do they know that an even greater treasure awaits them...

Amazon links: Kindle or Paperback 

Books Read: Darcie Chan - The Mill River Recluse

Disfigured by the blow of an abusive husband, the widow Mary McAllister has spent almost sixty years secluded in a white marble mansion overlooking the town of Mill River, Vermont. Her links to the outside world are few: the mail, an elderly priest, and a bedroom window with a view of the town below.

Most longtime residents of Mill River consider the marble house and its occupant peculiar, and few of them have ever seen Mary. But three newcomers - a police officer and his daughter and a new schoolteacher - are curious about the reclusive old woman. Only the town priest truly knows the Mill River recluse, and the secret she keeps . . . a secret that, once revealed, will change the town, and the lives of its residents, forever.

Christmas Shorts with... Darcie Chan

My Christmas Shorts guest today is Darcie Chan whose bestselling e-book, The Mill River Recluse has recently been published in paperback by Sphere. 

What is your earliest Christmas memory? 

My earliest Christmas memory is waking up, along with my sisters, and then all of us invading our parents’ room to wake them before rushing to the Christmas tree to see what Santa had brought us.  We lived in Wisconsin then, and I still remember our tree set up in the living room, where huge picture windows faced out into our snowy, tree-filled front yard. It was just a wonderful, beautiful time.

 What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

My son is still very young, and my husband and I are just starting to think about what traditions we’d like to establish for our own little family.  When my sisters and I were growing up, though, my Mom would always find time to take us to the mall for a marathon-Christmas shopping day.  We’d sing all the way down, shop until the last store closed, and fall asleep to Christmas music on the radio during the drive home.  If we got a second wind once we arrived, we’d sort and start wrapping our presents. 

After my parents divorced, it became our custom to have a traditional dinner with Mom on Christmas, and then an Italian-themed meal with Dad the next day. With my father and stepmother, my sisters and I would always spend a few hours in the afternoon sitting around his large dining table making homemade ravioli for dinner.  Making ravioli is a time-consuming process, but one that let us spend lots of quality time together. It’s also easier to do with lots of hands involved, and the effort is so worth the finished product!

Sneak Peeks & Author Interview: Darcie Chan - The Mill River Recluse

One of the things I have loved since I set up my blog is hearing about new books coming out as well as being introduced to new authors who I'd probably never have heard of otherwise.  One such author is Darcie Chan who self-published her debut novel, The Mill River Recluse, which has become one of the US best-selling eBooks, which in turn has led to her getting a publishing deal with Hachette Digital here in the UK.   
 

Disfigured by the blow of an abusive husband, the widow Mary McAllister has spent almost sixty years secluded in a white marble mansion overlooking the town of Mill River, Vermont. Her links to the outside world are few: the mail, an elderly priest, and a bedroom window with a view of the town below.

Most longtime residents of Mill River consider the marble house and its occupant peculiar, and few of them have ever seen Mary. But three newcomers - a police officer and his daughter and a new schoolteacher - are curious about the reclusive old woman. Only the town priest truly knows the Mill River recluse, and the secret she keeps . . . a secret that, once revealed, will change the town, and the lives of its residents, forever.

I'm pleased to be able to welcome Darcie to the blog to talk about her book and her publishing journey...

Can you tell us a little bit about The Mill River Recluse?

The Mill River Recluse is the story of Mary McAllister, a shy woman who suffers several tragic events in her youth and, over the course of her lifetime, develops severe social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia.  As an elderly woman, Mary's condition is so severe that she finds it impossible to interact with most people.  However, she longs to be part of her community, and with the help of Michael O'Brien, the town's priest and her only confidante, she manages to find a way to do just that.