The Souls of Lost Lake - A Review

                                    

The Souls of Lost Lake

by

Jaime Jo Wright

A Review

Two women living 90 years apart are searching for their past. They both reside in Tempter’s Creek, a rural community located near Lost Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Both are victims of serious crimes and almost become victims of a more serious crime except for the grace of God.

This faith-based novel intertwines two mysteries, two romances, and two complex lives, into a interest-holding story that was difficult to put down. We see God working in the lives of broken people and the results when those people rely on God and they reject that grace and mercy offered to them during the dark times of their lives. The reader also sees the cost that people will pay for making difficult choices.

The result is a book that is perfect summer reading around the campfire or in the days leading up to Halloween. Though Ava Coons may still be roaming the woods around Lost Lake (as the rumors say), the book receives 5-stars from this reader.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library - A Review

 

Long Overdue
at the
Lakeside Library

by

Holly Danvers

A Review

This fun cozy mystery is set in upstate Wisconsin along the shores of Pine Lake. Though the lake, the community, and the people, are fictional, many of us can identify with the environment which Rain Wilmot (known as Rainy to her friends) has chosen to call home. The author presents us with the second book centered around the privately owned public library which is beginning to be a year-round draw for the larger community. Though fictional, I wish I could visit.

Rainy’s best friend’s husband has been locked up for murder. It now becomes Rainy’s, Rainy’s best friend Julia, and Julia’s brother Jace, task to “figure out how to fix that.” To do that would put Rain, Julia, and other members of the Pine Lake community in danger.

I had one disappointment with the book - one about which I will keep my mouth shut. Having spent four years in Wisconsin, it was easy to picture the cold, snowy, icey, winter weather, in which the story takes place. I can easily place myself in Rainy’s place as she finds herself in the ditch along a dark, snow cover road. I have been there! The plot, the setting, and the characters, easily make this a 4-½ star book.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Murder at the Lakeside Library - A Review

 

Murder at the
Lakeside Library

by

Holly Danvers

A Review

Thirty-two year old Rain Danvers had the un-expected task of opening the Lakeside Library from Memorial Day to Labor Day that year - a task she did not need. She had come to her family’s retreat house to do just that after her husband had passed away. A task that was only made more difficult when the body had been discovered behind the outhouse the very day she arrived at Lofty Pines Lake.

This book appears to be the beginning of a cozy mystery series that is set in the colorful Northwoods of Wisconsin. As expected, along with the library, there is a nice three-season lake, eccentric characters, and a great many intelligent people who are more than willing to help the police solve crimes. The result is a great cozy that should lead to a great series.

My only concern is the constant need to serve beer (or other alcoholic beverages) at every event - social, work related, or otherwise. Yes, this is Wisconsin, one of the beer capitals of the world; but, having lived there, I know that even Wisconsinites have events that do not include beer. The author needs to find a better balance. I give the book four stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.