The Lakeshore Chronicles

The Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs

The Chronicles consists of seven books--Summer at Willow Lake, The Winter Lodge, Dockside, Snowfall at Willow Lake, Fireside, Lakeshore Christmas, and Summer Hideaway. The series begin in 2006, and Summer Hideaway is going to be published in the Spring of 2010.

Summer at Willow Lake follows Olivia Bellamy. She returns to Camp Kioga on Willow Lake, which her grandparents own, to celebrate her grandparents' wedding anniversary. Not long after her arrival she stumbles across Connor Davis. Olivia and Connor have a history which they are forced to face in order to go forward in their new relationship.

The Winter Lodge is the story of Jenny Majesky. Jenny owns the family bakery, but has secretly always wanted to write. The only person who knows her secret is Rourke McKnight. Their relationship blossoms under trying circumstances. This one is my favorite so far! :)

Dockside revolves around Nina Romano and Greg Bellamy--two characters that by now the reader is familiar with. Nina, who is now an empty nester, follows her dreams, and is forced to deal with Greg Bellamy.

Those three are the only ones I've read so far. I can't wait to read the other ones, though!

Admittedly, these are romances. However, Susan Wiggs brings so much more than romance to The Lakeshore Chronicles. Summer at Willow Lake wonderfully sets up a whole family and community that the rest of the books are based. The interesting relationships in theses books just aren't between the hero and heroine. Characters are introduced and relationships are discovered and built.

Wiggs' writing style is great. She brings to life not only the characters, but the town. What I love is that each couple so far has a history. She depicts that history to the reader by periodically having flashbacks. Personally, I love reading flashbacks, and I loved writing them in college. So for me, flashbacks as a writing device works.

When I purchased this series a couple of weeks ago, I was in the mood for a cozy read with well-written characters that I could live with for a while. The Lakeshore Chronicles met and continue to meet those expectations.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Library Loot (Week of Nov. 1st)

Time for another Library Loot! :)

Here is what I found...

The Smart Cookies' Guide to Making More Dough by The Smart Cookies

When you think about it, what woman wouldn't want to be a smart cookie?

Plus, finance books are the only types of books my husband reads....so to keep up with him, I read ones I think I'd like.

The Wishing Year: A House, A Man, My Soul: A Memoir of Fulfilled Desire

by Noelle Oxenhandler

Isn't is nice when you get everything you wished for?

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

This is the first book in her bridal quartet. I read this yesterday, and I don't know if I'm gong to review it , but it's a great, feel good, easy read.

The Ultimate Southern Living Christmas Book

First of all, I love Southern Living.

And for some reason, I'm already in the Christmas spirit--ready to decorate, cook, and make some cute gifts.

Library Loot is a weekly event hosted by Eva from A Striped Armchair and Marg from Reading Adventures encouraging bloggers to share their library finds.