Review: The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

About the book (from Amazon): Maya and Rebecca Ward are both accomplished physicians, but that's where the sisters' similarities end. As teenagers, they witnessed their parents' murder, but it was Rebecca who saved Maya from becoming another of the gunman's victims. The tragedy left Maya cautious and timid, settling for a sedate medical practice with her husband, Adam, while Rebecca became the risk taker.

After a devastating hurricane hits the coast of North Carolina, Rebecca and Adam urge Maya to join them in the relief effort. To please her husband, Maya finally agrees. She loses herself in the care and transport of victims, but when her helicopter crashes into raging floodwaters, there appear to be no survivors.

Forced to accept Maya is gone, Rebecca and Adam turn to one another—first for comfort, then in passion—unaware that, miles from civilization, Maya is injured and trapped with strangers she's not certain she can trust. Away from the sister who has always been there to save her, now Maya must find the courage to save herself—unaware that the life she knew has changed forever.

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed The Lies We Told.  In some ways it was your typical "women's fiction" which focuses on relationships and romance, but the murders at the beginning of the book, and the strange things that happen to Maya later give it an edge that "women's fiction" often lacks.  I enjoyed the contrast between the two sisters; and as a resident of the New Orleans area who has had reason to research the medical conditions here immediately following Katrina, I found the setting --the North Carolina coast in the weeks following two surprisingly bad hurricanes which trapped many people with floodwater--to be of special interest.  That being said, I found the ending somewhat forced and very unrealistic--though all the main characters lived and were happy at the end.  


In case it is important to you to know, the book contains no sex scenes but does end in a way most traditional Christians would consider immoral.
  Grade:  B-

On-line book signing:  Do you like to get your books autographed by the author?  Diane Chamberlain is hosting an on-line book signing through June 14.  Fill out the form on her website and she'll send you a free autographed nameplate for your copy of The Lies We Told.  

About the Author: Diane Chamberlain is an award-winning author of 19 novels published in more than 11 languages. Her books, which are often set in her home state of North Carolina, feature a combination of family drama, intrigue and suspense. Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C. She also was a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents. Diane’s background in psychology and her work in hospitals have given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create real, living, breathing characters. Several years ago Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which has changed the way she works – she sometimes types using voice recognition software. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she is able to enjoy everyday activities. Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her shelties, Keeper and Jet.

THE LIES WE TOLD
Diane Chamberlain
MIRA Books
$13.95 U.S./$16.95 Canada
June 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2853-7
368 Pages