The Mill River Recluse - Darcie Chan

Bio:

Darcie Chan was born in Wisconsin and grew up in small towns in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Indiana.  Currently, she lives in northern Westchester County, New York, with her husband, their son, and two cats.

The Mill River Recluse is her first novel.

Visit Darcie online at: http://www.darciechan.com!

Product description:

Disfigured by the blow of an abusive husband, and suffering her entire life with severe social anxiety disorder, the widow Mary McAllister spends 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, the media, an elderly priest with a guilty habit of pilfering spoons, 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, though insignificant, fixtures. An arsonist, a covetous nurse, and the endearing village idiot are among the few who have ever seen Mary. Newcomers to Mill River--a police officer and his daughter and a new fourth grade teacher--are also curious about the reclusive old woman. But only Father Michael O'Brien knows Mary and the secret she keeps--one that, once revealed, will change all of their lives forever.

The Mill River Recluse is a story of triumph over tragedy, one that reminds us of the value of friendship and the ability of love to come from the most unexpected of places.

Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

The Mill River Recluse is an unusual story with entertaining characters and a plot that contains elements of humor, romance, and suspense.  Beyond those things, though, I hope that my novel is enjoyable to readers in that it shows that someone who is misunderstood or different in some way, and even someone who is seemingly far-removed from his or her community, may in fact be more special and integral than anyone could imagine.

Q: Why did you go indie?

My goals in releasing a novel through the Kindle Store were to demonstrate that there is a market for my novel and to build a readership for future work.  Kindle books are immediately accessible and becoming more popular every day.  I also think that Kindle (and other e-reader users) may be more open to reading a first novel and, if it is enjoyable, recommending it to others.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?

A sampling of some authors whose books I have enjoyed include Alice Seybold, Sara Gruen, Sue Monk Kidd, and Alexander McCall Smith.

Link to web site or blog or Amazon/Smashwords:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051PRFLQ
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61803
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mill-River-Recluse/Darcie-Chan/e/2940012964205