Diane Chamberlain's latest work of art...plus a book giveaway

Photo by John Pagliuca

Introduction by Melissa Amster

In a short amount of time, Diane Chamberlain has become a favorite author of mine, and this is just after reading a few of her books. Her latest, Big Lies in a Small Town, which publishes today, is going to blow you away. It's such a powerful story about redemption. Check out my review.

I follow Diane's personal account on Facebook and have enjoyed seeing all the throwback photos she has been sharing. She's also really kind and gracious to her readers and I am honored to have her back at CLC today. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy of Big Lies in a Small Town, along with a paperback of The Dream Daughter (one of my 2018 favorites) to give away.

Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 27 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small "books" as a child, she didn't seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor's appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. 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, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.

Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole. (Bio adapted from Amazon.)

Visit Diane online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest

Synopsis:
North Carolina, 2018: Morgan Christopher's life has been derailed. Taking the fall for a crime she did not commit, she finds herself serving a three-year stint in the North Carolina Women's Correctional Center. Her dream of a career in art is put on hold—until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer that will see her released immediately. Her assignment: restore an old post office mural in a sleepy southern town. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration, but desperate to leave prison, she accepts. What she finds under the layers of grime is a painting that tells the story of madness, violence, and a conspiracy of small town secrets.

North Carolina, 1940: Anna Dale, an artist from New Jersey, wins a national contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Alone in the world and desperate for work, she accepts. But what she doesn't expect is to find herself immersed in a town where prejudices run deep, where people are hiding secrets behind closed doors, and where the price of being different might just end in murder.

What happened to Anna Dale? Are the clues hidden in the decrepit mural? Can Morgan overcome her own demons to discover what exists beneath the layers of lies? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What was the inspiration behind Big Lies in a Small Town?
I grew up in a town where large murals graced the post office walls. It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that I learned the origin of those huge paintings: they were part of the government program to put people, including artists, back to work after the Great Depression. I’ve never forgotten those murals and when it came time to think of a new story, I decided to put myself into the shoes of one of those government sponsored (fictional) painters. Only later did I decide to experience the mural from the perspective of an art restorer as well.

Which character did you feel more connected with: Morgan or Anna?
That’s a tough question! I have to say my connection to both Morgan and Anna was just about equal. Most of my readers seem to connect equally to them as well. They each have such an engaging and sympathetic story that my head and heart was with both of them throughout the book.

If Big Lies were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
It would be a very eclectic soundtrack, alternating between music from the forties and the 2010s, if you can imagine such a thing. “Tea for Two” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” interspersed with Post Malone and Ariana Grande? Hmm.

What is your favorite piece of artwork?
Oh, I have so many! I particularly love Klimt’s 'The Kiss’. That painting is vaguely the inspiration for the work of art that draws Morgan in and makes her want to be an artist.

Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
Generally I like somewhat heavy programs with very human characters (I loved Homeland and The Americans, for example), but right now, I’m deep in the world of Doc Martin. I love its quick moving storylines and kooky characters. I also can’t wait for Outlander to return!

What is something new you would like to try this year?
I’ve wanted to try a zip line for years. I love flying and anything that propels me through the air. We’ll see if it ever actually happens!

Thanks to Diane for visiting with us and to St. Martin's Press for sharing her books with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends January 20th at midnight EST.