The Stolen Marriage by Diane Chamberlain

In 1944, twenty-three-year-old Tess DeMello abruptly ends her engagement to the love of her life when she marries a mysterious stranger and moves to Hickory, North Carolina, a small town struggling with racial tension and the hardships imposed by World War II. Tess’s new husband, Henry Kraft, is a secretive man who often stays out all night, hides money from his new wife, and shows no interest in making love. Tess quickly realizes she’s trapped in a strange and loveless marriage with no way out.

The people of Hickory love and respect Henry and see Tess as an outsider, treating her with suspicion and disdain, especially after one of the town’s prominent citizens dies in a terrible accident and Tess is blamed. Tess suspects people are talking about her, plotting behind her back, and following her as she walks around town. What does everyone know about Henry that she does not? Feeling alone and adrift, Tess turns to the one person who seems to understand her, a local medium who gives her hope but seems to know more than he’s letting on.

When a sudden polio epidemic strikes the town, the townspeople band together to build a polio hospital. Tess, who has a nursing degree, bucks Henry’s wishes and begins to work at the hospital, finding meaning in nursing the young victims. Yet at home, Henry’s actions grow more alarming by the day. As Tess works to save the lives of her patients, can she untangle her husband’s mysterious behavior and save her own life?

My Thoughts

What a great read!  I honestly can say that I haven't found a book of Diane's that I don't love!  Amazing writing, great attention to detail, the ability for me to learn something, LOVE it!
This book takes place in 1944 (LOVE historical fiction) with Tess being madly in love with Vincent, the boy next store whom she grew up with.  She is waiting till marriage and has stuck to that until one night...
Her girlfriend tells her to come with her to DC for the night to get away and stay at her aunt's place.  Little did she know she would be staying in the same home with two men, one of which is Henry Kraft.  They went to dinner, drinks were flowing and one thing led to another and she slept with Henry.
Tess is stressing over this and then she gets news...news that she didn't want to hear and would ignore if she could.  Will she be able to face Vincent with this event?
Tess does the only thing she can do and that's run away and start over.  The first person she turns to is Henry himself...
Without giving many details away this book tests human strength, relationships, health (polio epidemic), love and communication of the truth no matter the cost. 
I am recommending this book to everyone I speak to.  You won't be able to put it down. 





Drink Selection
I perfect drink to pair with this book is the Mai Tai - delish!

Rating
5 wine glasses all the way!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!



About The Author
Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of 25 novels published in more than twenty languages. Some of her most popular books include Necessary Lies, The Silent Sister, The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, and The Keeper of the Light Trilogy. Diane likes to write complex stories about relationships between men and women, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friends. Although the thematic focus of her books often revolves around family, love, compassion and forgiveness, her stories usually feature a combination of drama, mystery, secrets and intrigue. Diane’s background in psychology has given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create her realistic characters.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and spent her summers at the Jersey Shore. She also lived for many years in San Diego and northern Virginia before making North Carolina her home.

Diane received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, Diane worked in hospitals in San Diego and Washington, D.C. before opening a private psychotherapy practice in Alexandria Virginia specializing in adolescents. All the while Diane was writing on the side. Her first book, Private Relations was published in 1989 and it earned the RITA award for Best Single Title Contemporary Novel.

Diane lives with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie, Cole. She has three stepdaughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. She’s currently at work on her next novel.

Please visit Diane's website dianechamberlain.com for more information on her newest novel, The Stolen Marriage, and a complete list of her books.

Link to Purchase

Amazon