Cypress Point

Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Diane Chamberlain
Review: Diane Chamberlain has been one of my favorite authors of contemporary women's fiction/romance for quite a while and this book is typical of hers where she puts two interwoven stories into one book. And what a book it is. I read it in a day, something that is not at all typical for me.

CYPRESS POINT is set on the Monterey Peninsula and Bay Area of California including Carmel and Big Sur. Joelle D'Angelo and Carlynn Shire's paths first cross when Carlynn saves Joelle's life on the day she is born. Now 34 years later Joelle again needs Carlynn's help. Her best friend Mara suffered a brain aneurysm when her first child was born 14 months previously. Mara is now in a nursing home, attempts at physical rehabilitation being to no avail.

Joelle had introduced Mara to her husband, Liam, a fellow social worker at a Monterey Hospital. In a moment of weakness on the first anniversary of Mara's devastating illness (also the first birthday of Liam and Mara's healthy son, Sam), Liam and Joelle are comforting each other and things go further than they should have. Using no protection due to the fact that they weren't thinking (if they *had* been thinking they wouldn't have made love in the first place) and that Joelle had suffered from infertility in her marriage (she is now divorced) -- Joelle becomes pregnant. She has definite plans to leave the area before she is too far along in order to avoid embarrassment for not only herself but for Liam. But first she wants to do everything she can to help Mara (who although awake, cannot communicate, recognize most people, or make many voluntary movements - it is clear she is severely brain-damaged). A visit to her parents has her recall her miraculous revival at birth at the hands of Dr. Carlynn Kling Shire so Joelle contacts Carlynn to see if there is anything she can do to help Mara. Joelle is a bit hesitant to do so knowing that shortly after she was born, Carlynn was in a auto accident that killed her twin sister and doesn't want to remind of her of that tragedy.

Carlynn Kling and her identical twin sister, Lisbeth were raised on the family estate of Cypress Point on Monterey Peninsula's famous 17-Mile Drive. It's evident early on that Carlynn has a gift of healing and she uses that gift and becomes a physician. Her identical twin sister doesn't appear to have the same gift and, in fact, is quite a bit different than Carlynn. Their mother only wanted ONE child so when, on the delivery table, she's informed there are two instead of one, she begins many years of ignoring and, in fact, disclaiming her second daughter. Lisbeth's early years weren't so bad because her father doted on her but after he died Lisbeth led an abysmal existence. While Carlynn was sent to all the best private schools, Lisbeteh was given a substandard education. Despite this Carlynn and Lisbeth remained close but most people don't realize they are twin because Carlynn remains slim while Lisbeth's lack of self-esteem and over-eating as a way to deal with her loneliness and insecurity causes her to balloon to 200 pounds. When Carlynn goes to medical school in San Francisco, Lisbeth follows and works as an office manager at a medical clinic.

While in San Francisco, Carlynn continues her healing ways and comes to the attention of Dr. Alan Shire who is also interested in psychic phenomena and has studied Edgar Cayce. Their relationship eventually becomes personal as well as professional and they marry. Meanwhile Lisbeth has a romance of her own with Gabriel Johnson, an accountant at the hospital where Carlynn and Alan practice. There's a complication though - he's a Negro and it's the 1950s. Through it all Carlynn and Lisbeth's mother uses one excuse after another to reject Lisbeth and to find a reason to shut her out of her will.

But all isn't as it first seems. Things get very exciting and complicated when Joelle's careful plans go awry and a closely guarded secret being kept by Carlynn is eventually revealed.

Both stories are compelling and while reading Joelle's portion I was hesitatant to switch gears to go to Carlynn's story. But I needn't have worried. Diane Chamberlain is such a pro at telling intertwined stories in such a way that both have the reader's full attention -- making each story as interesting and exciting as the other. There is one caveat here for romance readers, infidelity plays a role in this story and for those of you who are against it in any way, shape, or form in the books you read, then this will not be for you. But those who can keep an open mind, will be richly rewarded.

Whether it's the way she tells the story, her way with words, the way the breathes live into her characters or something less definable, Diane Chamberlain's books are definite page turners and this one, as most of her others, are very highly recommended. In CYPRESS POINT, the setting itself becomes a character as well be it while sailing in the Pacific, the fog-shrouded coast of Big Sur, or area of Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive and even those who've never been to the area may be tempted to plan a trip there in the near future. The time-period goes from the 1930s when Carlynn and Lisbeth are children, to the 1950s when they are living in San Francisco and meet the men who they eventually marry, to 1967 and the commune where Joelle is born.

Diane Chamberlain has again gifted readers with an outstanding read. To simply say "I loved it" is an understatement. It has all the qualities I have come to expect in an excellent read - and from this talented author.

Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Diane Chamberlain
Review: Diane Chamberlain has been one of my favorite authors of contemporary women's fiction/romance for quite a while and this book is typical of hers where she puts two interwoven stories into one book. And what a book it is. I read it in a day, something that is not at all typical for me.

CYPRESS POINT is set on the Monterey Peninsula and Bay Area of California including Carmel and Big Sur. Joelle D'Angelo and Carlynn Shire's paths first cross when Carlynn saves Joelle's life on the day she is born. Now 34 years later Joelle again needs Carlynn's help. Her best friend Mara suffered a brain aneurysm when her first child was born 14 months previously. Mara is now in a nursing home, attempts at physical rehabilitation being to no avail.

Joelle had introduced Mara to her husband, Liam, a fellow social worker at a Monterey Hospital. In a moment of weakness on the first anniversary of Mara's devastating illness (also the first birthday of Liam and Mara's healthy son, Sam), Liam and Joelle are comforting each other and things go further than they should have. Using no protection due to the fact that they weren't thinking (if they *had* been thinking they wouldn't have made love in the first place) and that Joelle had suffered from infertility in her marriage (she is now divorced) -- Joelle becomes pregnant. She has definite plans to leave the area before she is too far along in order to avoid embarrassment for not only herself but for Liam. But first she wants to do everything she can to help Mara (who although awake, cannot communicate, recognize most people, or make many voluntary movements - it is clear she is severely brain-damaged). A visit to her parents has her recall her miraculous revival at birth at the hands of Dr. Carlynn Kling Shire so Joelle contacts Carlynn to see if there is anything she can do to help Mara. Joelle is a bit hesitant to do so knowing that shortly after she was born, Carlynn was in a auto accident that killed her twin sister and doesn't want to remind of her of that tragedy.

Carlynn Kling and her identical twin sister, Lisbeth were raised on the family estate of Cypress Point on Monterey Peninsula's famous 17-Mile Drive. It's evident early on that Carlynn has a gift of healing and she uses that gift and becomes a physician. Her identical twin sister doesn't appear to have the same gift and, in fact, is quite a bit different than Carlynn. Their mother only wanted ONE child so when, on the delivery table, she's informed there are two instead of one, she begins many years of ignoring and, in fact, disclaiming her second daughter. Lisbeth's early years weren't so bad because her father doted on her but after he died Lisbeth led an abysmal existence. While Carlynn was sent to all the best private schools, Lisbeteh was given a substandard education. Despite this Carlynn and Lisbeth remained close but most people don't realize they are twin because Carlynn remains slim while Lisbeth's lack of self-esteem and over-eating as a way to deal with her loneliness and insecurity causes her to balloon to 200 pounds. When Carlynn goes to medical school in San Francisco, Lisbeth follows and works as an office manager at a medical clinic.

While in San Francisco, Carlynn continues her healing ways and comes to the attention of Dr. Alan Shire who is also interested in psychic phenomena and has studied Edgar Cayce. Their relationship eventually becomes personal as well as professional and they marry. Meanwhile Lisbeth has a romance of her own with Gabriel Johnson, an accountant at the hospital where Carlynn and Alan practice. There's a complication though - he's a Negro and it's the 1950s. Through it all Carlynn and Lisbeth's mother uses one excuse after another to reject Lisbeth and to find a reason to shut her out of her will.

But all isn't as it first seems. Things get very exciting and complicated when Joelle's careful plans go awry and a closely guarded secret being kept by Carlynn is eventually revealed.

Both stories are compelling and while reading Joelle's portion I was hesitatant to switch gears to go to Carlynn's story. But I needn't have worried. Diane Chamberlain is such a pro at telling intertwined stories in such a way that both have the reader's full attention -- making each story as interesting and exciting as the other. There is one caveat here for romance readers, infidelity plays a role in this story and for those of you who are against it in any way, shape, or form in the books you read, then this will not be for you. But those who can keep an open mind, will be richly rewarded.

Whether it's the way she tells the story, her way with words, the way the breathes live into her characters or something less definable, Diane Chamberlain's books are definite page turners and this one, as most of her others, are very highly recommended. In CYPRESS POINT, the setting itself becomes a character as well be it while sailing in the Pacific, the fog-shrouded coast of Big Sur, or area of Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive and even those who've never been to the area may be tempted to plan a trip there in the near future. The time-period goes from the 1930s when Carlynn and Lisbeth are children, to the 1950s when they are living in San Francisco and meet the men who they eventually marry, to 1967 and the commune where Joelle is born.

Diane Chamberlain has again gifted readers with an outstanding read. To simply say "I loved it" is an understatement. It has all the qualities I have come to expect in an excellent read - and from this talented author.

Rating:
Summary: Love this author, love her books!
Review: I first began reading Diane Chamberlain in 1992 with her book, Keeper of the Light. After that title I made it my business to find and read every book she wrote and then buy all of her new books almost as soon as they are published. For some reason I saved Cypress Point which I bought at a reading featuring the author in 2002. And while Keeper of the Light and the Keeper trilogy which include Kiss River and Her Mother's Shadow will remain my favorite book, I do think I saved one of the best for last since Cypress Point was a most wonderful read.

Cypress Point takes place in the beautiful area of Monterey, California surrounded by the cypress trees we all marvel at whether we live there or visit. And what better place than to tell the story of a medical healer and the young woman she saves at birth whose paths once again are about to cross.

Carlynne Shire knew she was a medical healer at an early age. And while she has always been treated special by her family her twin sister, Lisbeth, didn't possess the same gift and was virtually ignored by her mother. Growing up and treated differently, Carlynne becomes a gifted doctor while her sister only attends secretarial school. Both sisters find love although neither of them have quite as traditional marriages as one would think.

Then sometime later when Carlynn saves a young baby born on a commune, little does she know that in the future years later she would be asked to save this woman's best friend. Or how this birth at the commune would effect the life of her sister, herself or their husbands.

For Joelle reaching out to the woman who saved her years before may be both a blessing and a curse if she is able to help her. Joelle needs Carlyn to try and help heal her best friend who suffered a brain aneurysm while giving birth to a son. But if Mara regains her abilities and life, what will happen to the love Joelle feels for Mara's husband, Liam. How the medical healer and Joelle meet after more than 30 yearsprovides readers with a wonderful novel filled with romance and a bit of a mystery.

As the author Diane Chamberlain provides readers with in most of her books, this one really captivated me and I hated to see it end. I highly recommend this book as well as all of Diane's books. They are emotional stories with characters you will think about long after you finish her books. Now that I also read Diane's latest book, The Bay at Midnight, I will be anxiously waiting for her next book to arrive on the bookshelves.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting relationship drama
Review: Joelle's best friend Mara Summers suffers a brain damaging aneurysm while giving birth. Joelle helps Mara's spouse Liam cope but soon falls in love with him. One night they lose control and make love. To her shock, after failing to become pregnant with her former husband who has since sired a baby with another woman, Joelle is expecting.

Liam remains divided between his love for Mara and feelings of guilt for his love for Joelle. Also feeling culpability, Joelle turns to ailing healer Carlynn, who once saved her life when she was stillborn and apparently dead at birth, to help Mara. Carlynn realizes she must heal Joelle and Liam, which will help Mara more than any miracle she might perform. As she nears death, Carlynn reveals to Joelle a secret shared by her spouse and the widow of her twin sister so that the latter might find a happy medium within this bizarre triangle.

Diane Chamberlain provides fans of relationship dramas with an interesting tale starring a strong ensemble that will remind the audience of the works of Barbara Delinsky and Belva Plain. The story line floats back forth between the present and the past, but never anchors the reader to either era. Still the characters are a powerful fully developed group whose struggles for love and happiness turn CYPRESS POINT into a pleasant tale that readers will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Interesting relationship drama
Review: Joelle's best friend Mara Summers suffers a brain damaging aneurysm while giving birth. Joelle helps Mara's spouse Liam cope but soon falls in love with him. One night they lose control and make love. To her shock, after failing to become pregnant with her former husband who has since sired a baby with another woman, Joelle is expecting.

Liam remains divided between his love for Mara and feelings of guilt for his love for Joelle. Also feeling culpability, Joelle turns to ailing healer Carlynn, who once saved her life when she was stillborn and apparently dead at birth, to help Mara. Carlynn realizes she must heal Joelle and Liam, which will help Mara more than any miracle she might perform. As she nears death, Carlynn reveals to Joelle a secret shared by her spouse and the widow of her twin sister so that the latter might find a happy medium within this bizarre triangle.

Diane Chamberlain provides fans of relationship dramas with an interesting tale starring a strong ensemble that will remind the audience of the works of Barbara Delinsky and Belva Plain. The story line floats back forth between the present and the past, but never anchors the reader to either era. Still the characters are a powerful fully developed group whose struggles for love and happiness turn CYPRESS POINT into a pleasant tale that readers will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Story!!
Review: Once again you will find yourself with another of Diane's books you won't want to put down until you get to the very end. This is a story about true friendship, an impossible situation, secrets, love, surprise ending. This is one of Diane's best. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Another Chamberlain page-turner
Review: This is a story of two women, Joelle and Carlynn, whose lives run parallel, yet are more intertwined than meets the eye. There are two separate stories. One traces Carlynn's life beginning in 1937 at the age of 7; the other begins with Joelle's birth in 1967. The two stories merge into one where deep rooted feelings and secrets are revealed between the two women and that of their loved ones. Diane Chamberlain is best known for underlying themes where things are not always what they seem. "Cypress Point" will not disappoint the reader in line with that theme.

Rating:
Summary: An emotional rollercoaster...
Review: When her best friend, Mara, had an anerysm (sp?) during the delivery of her son, Joelle D'Angelo was heartbroken. Not only for the little boy that would grow up without his mother, but for Mara's husband, Liam. Because she loved Mara like a sister, Joelle did all she could to ease Liam's heartbreak. She spent time with their son, Sam, and even helped find a home to put Mara in when it looked like she would not be recovering. There friendship took a drastic turn one night when they slept together. For Joelle, she was sleeping with the man she loved, while for Liam, all he saw was the betrayal of his wife.

Now Joelle is pregnant herself. Having had a hard time conceiving with her ex-husband, Joelle is estatic, even though she knows that Liam won't show her enthusiasm. Before she moves away, she wants to do one more thing for Liam and Mara. The woman tha saved her life when she was born was said to have worked miracles, and Joelle wants that miracle for the man she loves. Even if the woman he loves isn't her.

Chamberlain again delivers in this intensely emotional read. I was entralled by the story of Lisabeth and Carlynn as well as Joelle and Liam. It made my heartbreak to see what Liam was putting himself through by trying to remain faithful to a woman that simply didn't exisist anymore.

Don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: An emotional rollercoaster...
Review: When her best friend, Mara, had an anerysm (sp?) during the delivery of her son, Joelle D'Angelo was heartbroken. Not only for the little boy that would grow up without his mother, but for Mara's husband, Liam. Because she loved Mara like a sister, Joelle did all she could to ease Liam's heartbreak. She spent time with their son, Sam, and even helped find a home to put Mara in when it looked like she would not be recovering. There friendship took a drastic turn one night when they slept together. For Joelle, she was sleeping with the man she loved, while for Liam, all he saw was the betrayal of his wife.

Now Joelle is pregnant herself. Having had a hard time conceiving with her ex-husband, Joelle is estatic, even though she knows that Liam won't show her enthusiasm. Before she moves away, she wants to do one more thing for Liam and Mara. The woman tha saved her life when she was born was said to have worked miracles, and Joelle wants that miracle for the man she loves. Even if the woman he loves isn't her.

Chamberlain again delivers in this intensely emotional read. I was entralled by the story of Lisabeth and Carlynn as well as Joelle and Liam. It made my heartbreak to see what Liam was putting himself through by trying to remain faithful to a woman that simply didn't exisist anymore.

Don't miss it!