Snowfall at Willow Lake

Sophie Bellamy has been protrayed in the earlier stories as the former wife & absentee mother - and I'm sure I had a rather poor impression of her character. Although it seemed as if Sophie was a selfish, career-driven woman, this story peels away the layers and reveals the real woman. Although it takes a life-threatening event to bring Sophie back to her family and discovery of her real values in life, she is actually a brave, caring woman. Her love interest, Noah, breathes new life (and, as a bonus, a lot of humor) to this story. I really got caught up in the lives of Sophie & Noah, and of Max & Daisy & Daisy's baby. You won't be disappointed, but expect to laugh, cry & worry about how this wonderful story will end. I've enjoyed ALL the Lakeshore Chronicles, but this one in particular touched my heart. A special place in my "keeper shelf" for these stories!

I found this book to be the best of the series. I enjoyed reading Sophie and Noah's journey, and to be honest - I thought this was the most real book of them all. The other books have been good, but I didn't want to put this down. Perfect book for a cold winter day.

Fortyish international Attorney Sophie Bellamy has always wanted to help the less fortunate and has been successful at it. However, the cost of spending much of her life overseas has been personal; her marriage to Greg died and her relationships with her two children, twelve year old Max and New Paltz College student Daisy are dysfunctional and distant at best. The same holds true with her grandchild Charlie. Following a nasty hostage misadventure at the Hague involving her work with the depressed people of Umoja in Africa, Sophie has come to wintry Avalon, New York to make amends with her offspring, which means getting on with her former spouse, his new wife Nina and her offspring (see DOCKSIDE for Greg's tale). However, the first person she meets after the lake effect snow and ice caused her car to skid and crash is Dr. Noah Shepherd, a veterinarian. Sophie is attracted to him, but she did not come to Ulster County for romance; she came a second chance with her children; not understanding that a second chance with Max and Daisy can only come with Noah. The Avalon Lakeshore Chronicles (see THE WINTER LODGE and SUMMER AT WILLOW LAKE) are always terrific family drama romances, but SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE may be the best yet due to the complexity of the relationships. Sophie is an incredible lead protagonist who has given her heart to the less fortunate children in places like Africa's Umoja, but has failed to connect with her children in Avalon as she has tried to protect them by excluding them from the horror she has witnessed. Fans of the series will fully appreciate this strong tale while newcomers will relish how inside a romance talented Susan Wiggs reminds her readers that many children around the world suffer needlessly. Harriet Klausner

This is the ideal snuggle-up book, perfect for cold winter nights. These characters are so real -- funny, imperfect, thoughtful -- that you fall in love with them. Also includes new updates on favorite Willow Lake characters.