Cameo Lake

I'm a guy who up until now has always read nonfiction. However, I've recently discovered that if I'm going to read "make-believe" once in a while, how much I might enjoy reading novels by female authors. I'm finding out how much I can learn from them. . . especially the nuances of the authors' thought process, especially when falling in love. I would therefore like to recommend Cameo Lake, by Susan Wilson, mostly for men, who will learn just how a woman allows the budding romance to unfold. Most valuable, as I've said, are all the shades of gray that most men probably don't pick up on; for example, her understanding of shy people, pg 24. . . being excited initially with just being friends with Ben, pg 32. . . more of the same excitement on pg 68. . . her disappointment on pg 106 that he was too polite under special circumstances. . . admitting enjoying his nearness on pg 114. . . a white lie on pg 118. . . finding him increasingly attractive, pg 120. . . further, a different sort of man, pg 125. . . lots of nuanced revelations on pg 144, as her feelings for him begin to increase (lucky guy). . . resisting emotional urges, pg 191. . . agonizing over her feelings to the point of being sick, pg 196. . . "smitten with memory", pg 222. . . her own shyness revealed on pg 237. . . hey, it all adds up to a sweet and loving account of how a woman falls in love with a man. This is not a fluff book, although it is an easy read. And finally, a glance at the author's portrait on the back of the book shows all these nuances on her face, with soft eyes that penetrate deep.

This book definately threw me for a loop, but it was very worthwhile. I wasn't used to 3rd person perspective, and it was hard to adapt too. The first chapter was a bit slow, but once I started to get into it, I couldn't put the book down. I absolutely love romances, and this had it. It's just a wonderful novel, taking place at a wonderful place that you can fully image in your mind. You will never forget this book after you're done reading!

Novelist Cleo Grayson McCarthy has come to her friend Grace's Cameo Lake cabin in the mountains of New Hampshire for the summer in order to finish her current manuscript without the stresses of everyday life interfering. The serenity and solitude is just what she believes she needs to concentrate. While at the lake, she becomes curious about the neighbor who lives on the small island opposite her place, playing haunting melodies during the day and night. Benson "Ben" Turner was a famous rock star in the 70s. Now he lives a hermit-like existence on Cameo Lake. He has recently been the subject of much gossip as many of the summer residents believe he is responsible for the death of his wife the year previously. He spends much of his time composing music in her memory.Living in close proximity and sharing a raft on the lake, Ben and Cleo become friends. When circumstances at home dictate Cleo's husband Sean leaving the children at the lake after their scheduled two-week visit is over, the children, Tim and Lily, become friendly with Ben as well. They keep wanting their mother to invite Ben over for meals and soon they have occasional meals together and Ben becomes a great help to Cleo in keeping the children occupied so she can write.Cleo's husband Sean had had an affair early on in their marriage. And although she has forgiven him, she certainly hasn't forgotten it. When Sean seems to be spending more and more time at the office and is unavailable to take her phone calls, she becomes more and more suspicious of his actions. Still she doesn't go any further in her relationship with Ben than friendship. But as her suspicions are confirmed, Ben is a source of support to Cleo and she begins to question her real feelings for Sean. Although the conflict in the story resolves itself a little too easily, some very real issues are addressed which bring this story out of the depths of simple melodrama. The issues Cleo has with her mother-in-law, Alice, a woman of an early generation who had chosen to stay with her own husband (Sean's father) after his marital indiscretions and the very real sense of loss Cleo feels as she not only loses her husband but the closeness to his family which she cares very much for, is very real and poignant. Cleo's parents had divorced when she was young and she never felt really loved. Sean's mother and sisters have become her family and she is hurt by some of their actions and rightfully so.Ben's reasons for continually being obsessed with his wife's memory, seems a little misguided given later revelations (which could be seen as a spoiler so won't be detailed here) and I questioned whether, given his feelings toward her, he would have treated her memory in the way he did. But I am willing to overlook that to enjoy this story in which both Ben and Cleo treat their situations with maturity when they certainly could have had their emotions over take their common sense.While CAMEO LAKE doesn't have the emotional in

This is the first Susan Wilson book I've read, but it sure won't be the last. From the cover art and title, I expected a typical romance novel, but was happily surpised to find a fully dimensional story that touches on many of life's hardships. Cleo is a struggling mid-list writer who juggles her kids, her self-centered husband, and who tries to fill her need for family through her husband's large Irish clan. When she takes a writer's retreat, she's filled with guilt, but begins to find herself in her daily runs, the rhythms of her writing, and a neighbor at the lake--Ben, who has a difficult past and an equally troubling present. Their friendship grows slowly, and the reader is in their camp all the way, but understands Cleo's hesitation given her commitment to her husband. Without spoiling the ending, let me say that this book handled several difficult situations with grace, and I believed what happened between the characters without any hesitation. It's the kind of book where I'd love to know what happened to their lives long after the story ended. A truly marvelous love story all women will appreciate. Encore.

Her best friend Grace provided the remote cabin in New Hampshire so that Cleo McCarthy can concentrate on her writing without distractions. Cleo leaves behind her husband Sean and their two children, ten years old Lily and eight years old Tim. She also knows that there is no community chore she can volunteer to help with in this locale over three hours from Providence. Across CAMEO LAKE, Cleo hears music. Composer Ben Turner lives as a hermit with only his music as a companion. His neighbors treat Ben like a pariah, blaming him for the accidental death of his wife last year. When Cleo offers a smile with friendship, Ben grabs at it like a life preserver. However, Sean dumps the kids on Cleo, angering her almost as much as his past indiscretion with another woman. Cleo turns to Ben for support and soon love blossoms. With school just around the corner, Cleo has to decide between responsibility and a lifetime love. CAMEO LAKE is a powerful character study that digs deep into the souls of the lead protagonists who obtain empathy from the audience. The angst-laden story line will provide much pleasure to readers who enjoy a deep relationship drama. However, Susan Wilson simplifies things a bit too much by making Sean into a first class jerk. The novel is well written, but had possibilities of greatness if Sean was treated as a more responsible supportive adult.Harriet Klausner