Author adds depth to life with impromptu tale
Chatham’s story revolves around 93-year-old Claire Sheldon, a highly respected centerpiece of Brewster Place, a community filled with homes her departed husband built. Despite two recent strokes and a broken hip over the last three years, she is still the pinnacle of strength. Other women have always looked to her for guidance, and Claire’s life is filled with activity.
Through the third person narration of one of her friends, the novel follows Claire to her last Christmas party. There, she is enamored by a Baltie amber necklace. The piece of jewelry brings a story to Claire’s mind, and her friends gather around to listen to her tale. What she reveals is a deeply affecting explanation of the formation of amber, which becomes a story that exhibits how a seemingly ruined life can be restored to its former beauty even with the consequences of wrong choices still intact.
The mind and heart of an endeared woman sparks a delightful story that offers a message of hope. The Amber Necklace invokes the traditional feel of classic Christmas tales past and is sure to be included in celebrations in the future.
Chatham has taught students ranging from high school freshmen to college sophomores for most of her life. She is the mother of two sons, who survived childhood leukemia and a brain tumor, respectively, and is married to Barry, a published biographer. She has four granddaughters and says she loves the people, history and terrain of southern Indiana. Chatham is the author of one other book, A Whirlwind’s Breath. More information is available at www.theambernecklace.com