Mia King has written a great story of a woman pulling herself back up out of the doldrums life seems to bring. Deidre seems to be in a free fall from the top of the pyramid of success down to the bottom. One thing after another seems to knock her down but she refuses to stay there.

The contrast between the dog eat dog world of Seattle and the world of the small town and the lake is really well done. Lindsey and the people in her diner are priceless. They don't ask for a lot out of life, don't have a lot of things but they're generous, giving and ask for little in return.

The magic of the lake and the lives of the people who live around it seem to surround her, pull her in and make her a better person. Even the love story between Deidre and Kevin isn't allowed to take off and flourish until she's able to get herself together and start putting her life in order.

Ms. King has built every character in such a way that it should be easy for us to relate to them in some way. I know I can after living in small towns and big cities around this great land. Every page is packed with the kind of writing that kept me up until the wee hours of the morning wanting to know what was coming next. Wisdom, humor, twists of fate, little pieces of history or Deidre's growth kept me enthralled with the story. Maybe it was just pieces of the lake's magic! This is a fantastic love story and tale of Deidre's personal triumph.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
October 17, 2008