Customer Reviews

Kiss River

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4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Gina has made it her quest, her very life's work, raise the Fresnel lens that lit up the lighthouse beacon on the historic and beautiful Kiss River, despite the fact that most of the local residents believe it belongs at the bottom of the sea. She does find allies in the form of the O'Neills, Lacey, a troubled artist with a promiscuity problem, and her brother, widower Clay, who is lost in grief for his late wife. Lacey takes Gina into their home, hoping against all odds that she will be the one to light up her brother's darkened soul.

Gina's quest to raise the beacon involves not only locating it, but delving into the secrets of the small town's past, that tie in with her own heritage. Long buried truths are to be painfully revealed, and the true nature of her desperate search will bring about pain and healing both. It is a race against time, for a child's life is hanging in the balance.

**** Interspersed with the main plot in the present is the diary of a young woman who lived and loved over half a century ago. To some, these entries will be tender and insightful, adding richness and color to the already moving story. Others will find them distracting and hard to integrate into the main story. In either case, the primary characters are ones to agonize with and whose hurt screams across the pages, so vividly are they drawn. No one can be unmoved by the all too real tale herein. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

Having read the first book of this proposed trilogy - KEEPER OF THE LIGHT - which captured me from the very first pages, I was anxious to return to the locale of the Outer Banks to continue the story. This story comes across in a much slower vein with a female lead, Gina, in her thirties, divorced, with a mysterious diary that switches back and forth along in the chapters. The diary turns out to be written 60 years earlier during WWII and it was written by a 14 year old girl who was the daughter of the lighthouse keeper. Throughout much of the story you have to figure out the mystery of why, Gina, is so intent on raising the Fresnal lens of the partially destroyed lighthouse from the sea, and what the connection is to a small child in India.

The son and daughter of the first book, Clay and Lacey, are the other leads and they each are dealing with issues. Clay is now a widower of less than a year carrying baggage of guilt, etc. Lacey seems to be following in her mother's footsteps after learning `some' truths about her parentage. Lacey seems to be trying to perpetuate the Saint Anne persona that her mother had acquired yet her promiscuity keeps her at odds with her brother Clay. Although the two siblings have their problems neither seems to be featured as prominently as Gina and the young girl, Bess from the 60 year old diary.

There was very little romance in this book, but more a story of healing, trust, issues and the mystery of why it was so important to have the Fresnal lens resurrected from the sea. This was a good story, a little slow for my taste, but again exquisite writing that gives you a good flavor for the marvelous setting of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Because, the author gave little attention Lacey's problem who by the end of the book was left with a whole new outlook on who her mother really `was' I would predict that she will give us this story in the last book of this trilogy in order to wrap things up. While the book does stand up alone, you will get more enjoyment from it should you read the KEEPER OF THE LIGHT first.

I love "Diane Chamberlain" books so this was no surprise that is was another hit. I found it a little hard to get started but then it just kept getting harder to put down. This is the second book in her trilogy and I can't wait for the last one.

The Kiss River lighthouse off the North Carolina Outer Banks has deteriorated to the point that the Fresnel lens lies beneath the water. Outsider Gina Higgins wants to raise the lens over the objections of most of the locals.

However, siblings Lacey and Clay O'Neill support Gina in her endeavor. The disturbed Lacey, an artist, takes Gina into her home, the former lighthouse keeper's residence, hoping that the enthusiast visitor will awaken the grieving Clay, a widower mourning his wife, out of his stupor. As Gina pursues her quest, she digs into the history of the small town that links to her family's past.

The second Lighthouse novel, KISS RIVER, is a well-written contemporary romance that uses an American heritage as a focal point for the tale. When the tale stays in the present, the audience receives a strong plot as debate ensues over the merit of raising the lens along with a delightful romance between two deserving individuals. When a subplot that occurred during WW II takes center stage, this tale seems diverging from a powerful robust story in which either subplot could have stood on its own but not together. Still Diane Chamberlain furbishes an intriguing novel that will send the audience seeking the debut story (see KEEPER OF THE LIGHT).

Harriet Klausner

After reading SECRET LIFE OF CEECEE WILKES, I went on to read BEFORE THE STORM and BAY AT MIDNIGHT. I loved these three novels so much that, based upon recommendations here and at Diane's blog, I purchased the KEEPER OF THE LIGHT trilogy. I am so glad I did. I love the characters and plots in these novels, and I especially love how there were always secrets to be learned in each book. KISS RIVER, the second book in the trilogy, was no exception. My greatest hope is that Diane will continue this excellent series by eventually writing a fourth...

I fell in love with the characters in Keeper of the Light and was looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint me. While having strong characters and storylines that could stand alone, it had an added strength for the reader who already knew the background of the characters, almost like a reunion catching up with old friends. Diane's ability to create lifelike situations and people assures her books will always be superb!

There are some books that readers enjoy so much they hope for a sequel or even a trilogy. One book for me was Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain that was published over 11 years ago. Imagine my surprise when it was announced earlier this year that Ms. Chamberlain was not only going to publish a sequel to Keeper of the Light but there would be a third book in the near future as well. This news had me sorting through my keeper books to find Keeper of the Light for a quick reread. And as soon as Kiss River was available I purchased this second book and gulped it down quickly. While no nook of Diane Chamberlains will most likely ever supersede Keeper of the Light as my favorite read from this author, Kiss River is a very good addition to the many books I have read by Ms. Chamberlain.

Kiss River takes place in the same area as Keeper of the Light, the Outer Banks of North Carolina that the author describes beautifully. The wonderful lighthouse, an integral part of the plot of Keeper of the Light has all been but destroyed and the Fresnal lens remains somewhere on the ocean floor. To this beachfront community comes Gina Higgins, a stranger intent on finding and raising the lens for reasons known only to her. While visiting the sight where the lighthouse once stood Gina makes the acquaintance of Lacey and Clay, a brother and sister who temporarily now occupy the home of the deceased lighthouse keeper. Providing Gina to stay with them, She not only becomes involved in their lives but others from the area as well while trying to solve a mystery from World War II. And all the while we as readers are treated to the alternating story of Bess Poor the lighthouse keeper's daughter who at 14 fitted prominently into this mystery.

This is a gripping plot that does an excellent job of blending two stories set 60 years apart. How the story from 60 years ago affects the characters from the book today will have you turning the pages quickly. This book is also filled with grand emotions that center around the love of a young woman for a man, the love of a mother for her daughter and the love of a child for her mother and grandparents.

I do recommend reading this book, perhaps this summer while you might be vacationing on the beach. A word of advice, while this book can and does stand alone, I do suggest reading Keeper of the Light for the beginning of the Kiss River trilogy. Now I eagerly look forward to the third book set at Kiss River.

This is a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone. You'll never go wrong with a D. Chamberlain book, cause she doesn't ever write a bad book. I can't put them down once I start to read.

I was visiting the Outer Banks when I started this book, sitting on the shelf in the house where I was staying. I liked it enough to order it when I returned home. It's an easy read romance with some interesting local history. Also, the heroine is from WA state, so it was applicable to me as well.

Disliked ths book very much. Skimmed it to find out the mystery of the lens. Confusing back and forth from Gina to Bess. I thought it was badly written. i could not really care about any of the characters.