The Outer Banks House

Last Friday we went to a book launch party for our friend Diann’s first novel, The Outer Banks House. Diann’s husband was in college with J. I met them both at their wedding about 11 years ago in… where else … the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Diann spent a lot of time at her family’s home there and started doing research into the history of the region. The result of her research was The Outer Banks House.

The book is actually historical fiction, which makes it more substantial than your average beach read, but it’s not a tough read (making it a candidate for your week in OBX, and a book club natural). I’ve always been interested in anything related to the history of the South, and believe it or not, I like a good love story. The Outer Banks House crosses into both genres (there’s even a steamy love scene that had all of us wondering at the party if she writes from experience!) and represents an awesome accomplishment for our friend.

Diann’s main characters, Abigail and Ben, strike up a secret relationship but find themselves in the middle of post Civil War hatred and violence that threatens their love, as well as Abigail’s family bonds. The Outer Banks, before the Brew Thrus and putt putt courses, serves as a scenic background and is almost another character in the book.

Diann has finished her second novel and we hope that we’ll add that to what will become the “Ducharme” section of our bookshelf (all signed by the auther, of course). If you’re going to be in the Outer Banks this summer, check out Diann’s site to see if there’s a book signing going on while you’re in town.