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Cortlandt's Darcie Chan's Latest Book Focuses On Widowed Mom's New Life

CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- The last few years have been a whirlwind for Cortlandt author Darcie Chan.

Cortlandt author Darcie Chan recently published her second book.

Cortlandt author Darcie Chan recently published her second book.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Carrie Schechter

Chan is the author of "The Mill River Redemption," her followup to her e-book bestseller "The Mill River Recluse." Before being signed by Random House, Chan worked as lawyer, drafting environmental and natural resource legislation for the U.S. Senate.

In "The Mill River Redemption," a widowed woman takes her two young daughters moves from New York City to Mill River, Vermont. The family builds a new life until a tragedy tears the sisters apart. Years later, the estranged siblings come together after the death of their mother.

Chan uploaded her first novel as an e-book after shopping the book around and finding no takers. A few months later, it was on the New York Times Bestseller List for e-books and The Wall Street Journal did a story on her. Random House then came calling and Chan resigned her attorney job.

"I've been a full-time writer ever since," Chan said. "I write when my son is in preschool. I like to write into the evening, though I should not stay up as late as I do."

In writing "The Mill River Redemption," Chan said she wanted to explore the bond between sisters. Despite having two younger sisters, Chan said it is not based on her family.

Even when she was working as an attorney, Chan said she always wanted to be a writer since she was a little girl.

"When I started writing in the early 2000s, self publishing was not an option," Chan said. "You either found an agent or put a book in the drawer. I really believed in this story and always wanted to have a book published, but first novels are a difficult sell."

Chan said she never expected anything huge from the book and that it was hard to leave her job.

"Random House was offering me something I wanted my whole life," Chan said. "I knew if I said no, I would regret it. So I decided to go for it."

 

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