The Courage Tree

Written by Diane Chamberlain

Narrated by Ann Marie Lee

Eight-year-old Sophie Donohue just wanted to be like every other little girl. Which is why her mother, Janine, reluctantly agreed to let her go on the weekend camping trip with her Brownie troop. But when Janine arrives to pick up Sophie after the trip, her daughter is not with the others. Somehow, along the forested route from West Virginia, Sophie has disappeared.

Sophie is no ordinary eight-year-old. She suffers from a rare disease, and Janine has recently enrolled her in an experimental treatment as a last effort to save her life-despite the vehement objections of her ex-husband, Joe. Without her medication, Sophie cannot survive long. All her mother's instincts tell Janine that Sophie is alive, but time is running out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Nov 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781494588779

Diane Chamberlain

Diane Chamberlain is the best-selling author of 20 novels. Her books, frequently set in the southeastern United States, are complex stories about love, compassion and forgiveness with a touch of mystery and suspense. Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, and attended Glassboro State University. She also lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. Diane received her master's degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker and a psychotherapist in private practice, working primarily with adolescents. Diane's background in psychology and her work in hospitals have given her a keen interest in understanding the way people tick, as well as the background necessary to create real, living, breathing characters. More than a decade ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which changed the way she works: She sometimes types using voice recognition software. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she is able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy work and travel schedule. Diane has three married stepdaughters, three grandchildren, and two shelties. She lives with photographer John Pagliuca in North Carolina where she's at work on her 21st novel.

Reviews for The Courage Tree

[Gabriela Prokopowicz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The ideas where interesting and unexpected, the characters were only partially realistic and partially just “written for the right story”.
Storyline of Zoey had not much sense.
The idea of the mother “feeling her daughter” and finding her after everyone gave up was ok but just too straitened.

The book could have been twice shorter. It often repeats itself and explained to the reader obvious things , feelings and what results in what without giving the reader credit of intelligence.

[Estelle Pizer · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Way too wordy and some of the emotional content just doesn't feel true. The second story made no sense.

[Ronel Stapelberg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the story. Clear, fresh and entertaining. It was easy listening entertainment. I love the narrator. Beautiful voice. The narration is natural with appropriate emotional intonation.

[Cristina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book on inspiration, determination and hope! I was engulfed in the story, loved every second.