Marrying Daisy Bellamy (The Lakeshore Chronicles) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Wiggs (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 25, 2011 | Series: The Lakeshore Chronicles

Daisy Bellamy has struggled for years to choose between two men—one honorable and steady, one wild and untethered. And then, one fateful day, the decision is made for her.

Now busy with a thriving business on Willow Lake, Daisy knows she should be happy with the life she's chosen for herself and her son. But she still aches for the one thing she can't have.

Until the man once lost to her reappears, resurrected by a promise of love. And now the choice Daisy thought was behind her is the hardest one she'll ever face….

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Daisy Bellamy has spent much of her young life juggling two men-Logan O'Donnell, the responsible father of their son, and wild military man Julian Gastineaux. She's been in love with Julian for years, but he's so mercurial that they've never been able to give their relationship a real chance. Logan, on the other hand, is reliable, stable, and committed to their son. Daisy and Julian finally decide to take the plunge, but their happiness is cut short when Daisy receives word that Julian has been killed in the line of duty in Colombia. Devastated, she takes a year to move on, marrying Logan in order to give Charlie a stable family. Julian, of course, isn't dead; he's been taken prisoner by a Colombian drug lord, and he eventually escapes and returns to Daisy, throwing her into a major dilemma. Wiggs's newest (after Summer at Willow Lake) is improbable in the extreme, with thin characters and contrived conflicts engineered to make the reader like Daisy despite her questionable actions.
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About the Author

When Susan Wiggs’s recent novel, Fireside, landed at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, the author responded by jumping fully clothed into her swimming pool. In February. In the Pacific Northwest. After thawing herself out, the author put on her lipstick and vacuumed the living room. Why? Because on the tiny island where she lives, news travels fast. She knew her girlfriends would show up momentarily - which they did - with the customary champagne and bags of Cheetos. She toasted her loyal readers, whose unflagging interest in her books propelled her sales upward. She toasted her friends and family as well, since they have always been the source of her inspiration. From the very start, her writings have illuminated the everyday dramas of ordinary people. At the age of eight, she self-published her first novel, entitled A Book About Some Bad Kids. Today, she is an international best-selling author, with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries. Her Lakeshore Chronicles novels celebrate the power of love, the timeless bonds of family and the nuances of human nature that make headlines every day. She lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest and is perpetually working on her next novel. --This text refers to the MP3 CD edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (January 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778329259
• ISBN-13: 978-0778329251
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's Talk of the Nation, and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.

From the very start, her writings have illuminated the everyday dramas of ordinary people. At the age of eight, she self-published her first novel, entitled "A Book About Some Bad Kids."

Today, she is an international best-selling, award-winning author, with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries. Her recent novel, Marrying Daisy Bellamy, took the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List, and The Lakeshore Chronicles have won readers' hearts around the globe. Her books celebrate the power of love, the timeless bonds of family and the fascinating nuances of human nature.

She lives with her husband and family at the water's edge on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where she divides her time between sleeping and waking.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#100 in Books > Romance > Historical

#100 in Books > Romance > Historical

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 67 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeper than it appears January 30, 2011

By A Book a Day

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I loved this book! The main characters are Daisy Bellamy single mother to a child by Logan and attracted since her teens to Julian. She is an accomplished photographer, loves to photograph nature scenes, but is earning a living doing wedding shoots. Logan has stepped up to the plate for their child Charlie, being a really good Dad to him. Julian has taken the time to turn himself into an honorable person getting his education and serving his country. Both men believe that Daisy and Charlie is their path to happiness. Now the plot gets complicated and to say more would spoil it for the reader.

The book dives into all types of relationship issues and all four main characters - Daisy, Julian, Logan and Charlie reveal themselves. It was interesting, informative, and has made me think long after I closed the book. I could not put this book down (finished at 3:30 am) and intend to re-read it soon. I have read all the Lakeside Chronicle books and each time my only disappointment is that the book has ended. I'd like to hang around Avalon a bit longer.

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, but a DOWNER! January 31, 2011

By Janet

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is a hard one to write. The book was well written, was a good book in the sense that it kept me glued to the pages. Of course, I may have been anxiously looking for something happy to happen, so maybe that is what really kept me glued. On the one hand I really liked it - it was emotional, for sure. But it was draining.

Possible spoilers:
I can only say the characters of Daisy and Julian, with Logan on the side had become so big in past books that it was disappointing, when they finally get their story, Daisy and Julian get just a handful, very few pages devoted to them being together happily. The majority of the book was misery, depressing to read. I kept thinking as I began part 3 that the happy romance was going to come soon, but not so.

I would have given this book more stars had the turning point from misery to happiness started much sooner, instead of in the last couple of pages. Daisy and Julian had such a history and connection, they deserved more time in the book together, being happy. As a reader of this whole series I feel like I had an investment in Daisy and Julian and was disappointed.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars complicated relationship drama January 26, 2011

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

In Avalon, New York, wedding photographer Daisy Bellamy continues, as she has for years, strugglling to choose between two wonderful men who love her. She adores both hunks. Julian Gastineau could never live by Willow Lake while Logan O'Donnell could.

However, everything changes between the trio when Daisy gives birth to Logan's offspring Charlie. Yet nothing changes as in spite of having a child with a man who wants to raise a family with her, Daisy still has wet dreams involving Julian. She knows one day she will have to select between two lovers; one safe and nurturing while the other is wild and carefree.

The latest Lakeshore Chronicles (see Snowfall at Willow Lake and Summer at Willow Lake) is a profound character study that looks deeply into the souls of three protagonists. Daisy understands responsibility but desires running around the world as a crisis photojournalist. Julian offers her the freedom to soar anywhere; Logan offers her a safe haven to raise their child. Readers will enjoy this complicated relationship drama summed up by the Roy Orbison and Joe Melson song Running Scared.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars The most disappointing book I've read in ages April 14, 2011

By Mkhmn VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

I've been reading the Lakeshore series and anticipated Daisy and Julian's story. I don't know why - I didn't finish this. The book has no real romance to speak of, and the triangle of Daisy, Julian and Logan just went on and on...very disappointing. I'm done - sorry Ms. Wiggs but this book blew.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Marrying Daisy Bellamy March 17, 2011

By Tiffany

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Loved Lakeshore Chronicles up to this book. Hated Marrying Daisy Bellamy whole story was full of pain or awkwardness. Nothing smooth about this book. I was anticipating the story of Daisy being great maybe that was my problem. There was zero romance in this story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This is what I was waiting for? February 3, 2011

By Molly McDevitt

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I have read all of the Lakeshore Chronicles. When I found out Daisy's story was finally going to be it's own book I was so excited, I felt like I had been watching her grow up. This was not the book I hoped it would be. So depressing and frustrating. Not what I expected of the characters I had come to know. Life is not easy or perfect, but what the author chose for these characters...disappointing. It brought Daisy and Julian's story to close, but it could have been done without so much suffering.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Story February 11, 2011

By H. Powell

Format:Kindle Edition

Like so many others I waited impatiently for this book... After all, the last we heard from Daisy she was on the platform at the train station with Logan and Julian in a fight and with a diamond ring rolling around on the floor... How could we not wait for the ending... I had my idea as to how this story should end and who Daisy would marry... Never could I have imagined the beautiful and heart wrenching story that would unfold... I laughed, I cried, a reread parts of the book over and over to digest all of the love as well as the drama and heartache that it contained on every page. Ms. Mallery captured the realism of "life" as it occurs, especially in the military... As an Air Force wife for many years I was maybe able to relate to the story more than some... Logan once again proved to be a great Dad but suffered some character flaws and Julian again proved to be a man destined for life... Daisy came through as a very strong and capable woman to be admired in her role as a mother, world class photographer and life partner... I disagree with any condemnation of this book and consider it maybe the best of the Lakeshore Chronicles.... So many of the people we met in former stories reappear to bring us back to Avalon... I will make this book part of my permanent library and will read it again and again... Were I to go on it would only divulge the story and I would not spoil this book for anyone... In my opinion this is a beautifully written, highly emotional and a love story for the ages... Please enjoy it as much as I did