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.

5 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Outer Banks Revisited  Aug 19, 2003 By M. Rondeau
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.

5 of 6 found the following review helpful:


Very good book  Feb 08, 2003
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.

4 of 5 found the following review helpful:


well-written contemporary romance  Feb 02, 2003 By Harriet Klausner
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

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Excellent book!  Jul 13, 2008 By Denise Gibbs "Denise"
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...

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