Tangled Beginnings: Family Drama, Midlife Women's Fiction

Jess Rand is eager to rebuild her life after a long-overdue divorce. First, she’ll sell the house that used to feel like home and start fresh at Whispering Pines, the Minnesota lake resort gifted to her sister by their late Aunt Celia. Her tumultuous marriage has mangled her belief in “happily ever after,” yet she’s excited to embrace her newfound independence. A savvy businesswoman, Jess mirrors Celia’s many talents. She’s determined to live up to the confidence Celia placed in her, despite a jumble of nerves and shaky optimism.

But just as Jess finds her footing again, unforeseen challenges emerge, testing her resolve in ways she never expected.

A web of deceit begins to unravel when her estranged husband disrupts a family celebration. How dare he ask Jess to care for the child he fathered with another woman? The sins of his past collide with Jess’s dreams, shattering the serene future she’d envisioned and saddling her with an unfair moral dilemma.

Her emotional turmoil grows when hidden secrets and shocking accusations tied to Celia emerge. A forced collaboration with a vexing younger man from her aunt’s past could prove to be more than her bruised and battered heart can take.

As she navigates a tangled maze of love, lies, and loss, will Jess discover that protecting her family is the ultimate way to honor Celia’s legacy?

Tangled Beginnings, the second book in Kimberly Diede’s Gift of Whispering Pines series, brings an uplifting story of the inherent strength found in a woman wronged, the power of forgiveness, and the remarkable resilience of a mother’s heart.

If you enjoy books by Fiona Baker, Hope Halloway, or Rebecca Regnier then give yourself the gift of this series.

The Gift of Whispering Pines Series

Escape to Whispering Pines with this unforgettable family. They’ll come together to learn how to heal and thrive, despite the inevitable wounds that life delivers. Join siblings Renee, Jess, Ethan, and Val as they struggle to make the most of the legacy entrusted to them. Each chapter is a testament to love, resilience, and new beginnings. If you enjoy a family saga filled with unanticipated twists, second chances, and the many gifts life offers, you’ll delight in your visit to Whispering Pines!

Whispering Pines (Book 1)

Tangled Beginnings (Book 2)

Rebuilding Home (Book 3)

Capturing Wishes (Book 4)

Choosing Again (Book 5)

Celia’s Gifts (Book 6)

Celia’s Legacy (Book 7)

Related Series by Kimberly Diede:

The Kaleidoscope Girls Series

When five young girls connect at summer camp over butterflies, drama, and a simple craft project, they're destined to become forever friends, dubbing themselves The Kaleidoscope Girls.

Decades later, they'll discover their wings together as they navigate life's difficult transformations, and find comfort in knowing their journeys are richer and better with friends.

Better with Friends (Book 1)

Sunshine and Friends (Book 2)

Five Golden Friends (Book 3)

Gift of Friends (Book 4)

Life with Friends (Book 5)