Monday, January 19, 2009

Lakeshore Chronicles: Snowfall At Willow Lake - Susan Wiggs


I had previously wrote about the enjoyment of reading Susan Wigg's book " The Winter Lodge" (http://ladyjansneverland.blogspot.com/2007/11/susan-wiggs-winter-lodge.html)which is book 2 of a series of stories in the Lakeshore Chronicles about the lives and loves of the Bellamy family of Avalon on Willow Lake. Since then i have read book 1 "Summer at Willow Lake" and book 3 "Dockside" of the Lakeshore Chronicles and have enjoyed all the stories. I have just finished reading the latest book 4 in the Lakeshore Chronicles "Snowfall At Willow Lake" which continues with the story of Greg's ex-wife Sophie Bellamy from Book 1.

Can a single moment change your entire life?
International lawyer Sophie Bellamy has dedicated her life to helping people in war-torn countries at the expense of her children and marriage. But when she survives a hostage situation, she remembers what matters most—the children she loves back home. Haunted by regrets, she returns to the idyllic Catskills village of Avalon on the shores of Willow Lake, determined to repair the bonds with her family.
There Sophie discovers the surprising rewards of small-town life—including an unexpected passion for her neighbour Noah Shepherd, the local veterinarian who is 10 years younger than her. Noah has a healing touch for anything with four legs, but he's never had any luck with women—until Sophie. Book 4 also touches on how Sophie's daughter Daisy which was mentioned in Book 3 copes with being a single mum and how her baby son helps to bring Sophie and Daisy closer. Sophie also manages to get closer with her son Max with the help of Noah.
Book 4 really tells the story of what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror and finds her way home, to healing and redemption and a new chance at happiness. It is truely a wonderful read and i would highly recommend the whole series of the Lakeshore Chronicles to fellow book lovers. I'm now eagerly waiting and hoping that Susan Wiggs will continue with the story of Sophie's daughter Daisy and how she copes with being a single mum.
I'm also curious whether she would end up with the father (Logan O'Donnells) of her child or Julian Gastineaux the guy whom she finds herself attracted to but unable to be with as she is not ready to start a new relationship while juggling a baby and her studies. There is also the story of Sonnet and Zach to continue with in the Lakeshore Chronicles. Below is a summary of Book 1 and 3 for those who are interested.

Book 1 has the romance story set at the Catskills camp where the main character Olivia Bellamy is renovating for her grandparents' 50th anniversary. Helping out is contractor Connor Davis, who initially doesn't recognize Olivia as the girl whose heart he broke a decade before at the very same camp.
Now, both hold grudges against the other that hide their insecurities; although he's become successful and sophisticated, Connor believes Olivia's social status puts her out of his league, while Olivia remains buried in her awkward-little-fat-girl memories. The narrative switches off between present-day action and the summers Olivia and Connor spent at Camp Kioga, filling in the spaces of their relationship with each other and with their dysfunctional families.



Book 3 continues with Susan Wiggs telling the story of Nina Romano and Greg Bellamy which was briefly mentioned in Book 1 and 2. Nina Romano, single mom and ex-mayor of Avalon, is just a bank loan away from realizing her lifelong dream: restoring the Inn at Willow Lake, a historic lodge once owned by the wealthy Bellamy family, and turning it into an elegant retreat. Then she finds that Greg Bellamy has beat her to the punch.
Greg and Nina have been sparring since the night Greg decked the West Point cadet who had gotten her pregnant at age 15. Now, nearly 20 years later, Greg is the divorced dad of his own pregnant teen Daisy. Predictably, Greg is clueless when it comes to running a hotel, and the only person in town qualified to act as general manager—Nina—refuses to take the position. Greg finds the mature woman even more enticing than the rebellious teen, and gradually their lives, and those of their children, becomes more closely interwoven.

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