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Celia's Gifts #5
Celia's Gifts
Fierce friendships, a fragile family, and a young woman’s only sanctuary.
Intent on escaping the far-off echoes of war, plus the heat and humidity of a Minnesota summer, Celia tags along with college friends to a tranquil lake resort. She quickly realizes that one glorious month at Whispering Pines—filled with sun-splashed days and crackling bonfires under starry night skies—will never be enough.
Something about the resort pulls at Celia. Heartaches back home fade away. Here, she can be herself, even if she doesn’t quite fit in. Her friends hint at dreams of exciting careers, but their focus is on nabbing the perfect husband. Not Celia. Her own father left them destitute, and she’s vowed to never follow in her mother’s footsteps.
But Celia can feel her steely resolve soften as she twirls across a crowded dance floor in the arms of a man she barely knows. Their whispered conversations last until pink washes a pre-dawn sky, causing Celia to reexamine everything. She’s intrigued—tempted, even. But when catastrophe shatters the serenity she’s found at Whispering Pines, she’ll face an agonizing decision.
Travel back to 1942 as Kimberly Diede introduces you to a loyal, ambitious young Celia in this fifth book in her heartwarming series, Celia’s Gifts. Immerse yourself in the loves and losses Celia experiences at Whispering Pines. Will unthinkable loss destroy her, or will she emerge stronger than ever?
Intent on escaping the far-off echoes of war, plus the heat and humidity of a Minnesota summer, Celia tags along with college friends to a tranquil lake resort. She quickly realizes that one glorious month at Whispering Pines—filled with sun-splashed days and crackling bonfires under starry night skies—will never be enough.
Something about the resort pulls at Celia. Heartaches back home fade away. Here, she can be herself, even if she doesn’t quite fit in. Her friends hint at dreams of exciting careers, but their focus is on nabbing the perfect husband. Not Celia. Her own father left them destitute, and she’s vowed to never follow in her mother’s footsteps.
But Celia can feel her steely resolve soften as she twirls across a crowded dance floor in the arms of a man she barely knows. Their whispered conversations last until pink washes a pre-dawn sky, causing Celia to reexamine everything. She’s intrigued—tempted, even. But when catastrophe shatters the serenity she’s found at Whispering Pines, she’ll face an agonizing decision.
Travel back to 1942 as Kimberly Diede introduces you to a loyal, ambitious young Celia in this fifth book in her heartwarming series, Celia’s Gifts. Immerse yourself in the loves and losses Celia experiences at Whispering Pines. Will unthinkable loss destroy her, or will she emerge stronger than ever?
- GenresContemporary
428 pages, ebook
First published April 6, 2021
27 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Diede
21 books57 followersKimberly Diede writes contemporary and historical novels that weave together family, friends, hope, and romance. She writes family sagas, suspense, and women’s fiction that you’ll find hard to put down. She truly believes we are never too old for second chances at love and life.
Kimberly has always lived in the Midwest and enjoys spending the short summer months on the lakeshores of Minnesota and North Dakota. Nothing is better than time with family at the cabin. Her love of tradition and all things vintage comes through in her stories.
In a world too often filled with sadness and tragedy, her mission is to offer stories of optimism and hope. If she can keep you reading past your bedtime, she has accomplished what she set out to do. As a life-long reader, she loves to get lost in the pages of a great book and strives to give you the same experience.
Kimberly has always lived in the Midwest and enjoys spending the short summer months on the lakeshores of Minnesota and North Dakota. Nothing is better than time with family at the cabin. Her love of tradition and all things vintage comes through in her stories.
In a world too often filled with sadness and tragedy, her mission is to offer stories of optimism and hope. If she can keep you reading past your bedtime, she has accomplished what she set out to do. As a life-long reader, she loves to get lost in the pages of a great book and strives to give you the same experience.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 2, 2021
This is the 4th book I’ve read by the author. I love her stories! Each one is special in its own unique way. I appreciate the positivity infused with the ‘Gift of _____’ theme that is in every chapter of each of her books. It’s been a wonderful process to follow the family line in her series. This one is particularly fascinating as it explores Celia’s life as a teen at Whispering Pines. As her character was only spoken about in previous books, it’s nice to get to know her a bit. You can’t go wrong with a Diede book! I recommend all of them!
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January 8, 2023My Fave in the series!
This series has been truly heart warming but this one was exceptional. Cecilia was advanced beyond her years in an era where women were beneath men. She was strong and independent and used her wisdom to be able to leave an amazing legacy. Devil's Legacy...next!
This series has been truly heart warming but this one was exceptional. Cecilia was advanced beyond her years in an era where women were beneath men. She was strong and independent and used her wisdom to be able to leave an amazing legacy. Devil's Legacy...next!
April 19, 2021
Another great book
Excellent! Couldn't put it down, as each chapter left you wanting to know what happened next. This book answered alot of questions left unanswered in the first 4 books. Must say alot of the answers were not what I expected. Eagerly waiting for the next book.
Excellent! Couldn't put it down, as each chapter left you wanting to know what happened next. This book answered alot of questions left unanswered in the first 4 books. Must say alot of the answers were not what I expected. Eagerly waiting for the next book.
July 6, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this series! Meeting Celia after reading about her generosity was eye opening! Her life and the events that lead her to become who she is was both exciting and heartbreaking. This book brought me to tears and made me smile! Can’t wait to read book 6!
February 13, 2022
stunning read
This was an incredible and very satisfying read….well written and the author kept the story flowing and interesting to the end….
Hated for it to end…truly an all nighter…
Nell
This was an incredible and very satisfying read….well written and the author kept the story flowing and interesting to the end….
Hated for it to end…truly an all nighter…
Nell
May 4, 2025
Whispering pines
These are great books. Exactly the way things were during that time. It is great finding how women needed women's lib. How women were taken advantage of and paid half of what men were. I would recommend everyone to read these books
These are great books. Exactly the way things were during that time. It is great finding how women needed women's lib. How women were taken advantage of and paid half of what men were. I would recommend everyone to read these books
April 13, 2021
Favorite Kimberly Diede book! Would be a great beach read.....family, relationships, set in the past in charming Minnesota lake country.
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January 1, 2025Good
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews