Snowfall at Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles, Book 4) [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Wiggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2008

Can a single moment change your entire life?

International lawyer Sophie Bellamy has dedicated her life to helping people in war-torn countries. But when she survives a hostage situation, she remembers what matters most--the children she loves back home. Haunted by regrets, she returns to the idyllic Catskills village of Avalon on the shores of Willow Lake, determined to repair the bonds with her family.

There Sophie discovers the surprising rewards of small-town life--including an unexpected passion for Noah Shepherd, the local veterinarian. Noah has a healing touch for anything with four legs, but he's never had any luck with women--until Sophie.

Snowfall at Willow Lake speaks from the heart about all the loves that fill a woman's life, and all the ways that love is tested and made to grow. It's the story of what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror and finds her way home, to healing and redemption and a new chance at happiness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After two years of grueling work for the International Criminal Court in The Hague, an international terrorist incident prompts divorced lawyer Sophie Bellamy to recognize that her work is meaningless without her two children—Max, 12, and Daisy, 19—who are living with their remarried father. On the snowy night Sophie returns to Avalon, N.Y., she meets the handsome bachelor veterinarian Noah Shepherd, who's looking for the right lady to mother his kids and live in his rambling farmhouse with him. While Sophie is happy to be part of a community, get reacquainted with her kids and care for her grandson (Daisy has an infant boy with a recalcitrant father), she is thrilled at Noah's sexy attention until she learns he's 10 years younger than she—29 to her 39. In her latest Lakeside Chronicles title, Wiggs (Dockside) jovially juggles the lives of numerous colliding characters and adds some winter-favorite recipes for a festive touch. (Feb.)
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Review

"Susan Wiggs paints the details of human relationships with the finesse of a master."

-Jodi Picoult

"Wiggs's storytelling is heartwarming... clutter free... [for] romance and women's fiction readers of any age."

--Publishers Weekly

"Wiggs's talent is reflected in her thoroughly believable characters as well as the way she recognizes the importance of family by blood or other ties."

--Library Journal

"Susan Wiggs writes with bright assurance, humor and compassion."

--Luanne Rice

"Wiggs jovially juggles the lives of numerous colliding characters and adds some winter-favorite recipes for a festive touch."

--Publishers Weekly on Snowfall at Willow Lake

"Wiggs is at the top of her game here, combining a charming setting with subtly shaded characters and more than a touch of humor. This is the kind of book a reader doesn't want to see end but can't help devouring as quickly as possible."

--RT Book Reviews [Top Pick] on Snowfall at Willow Lake

"With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces complicated, flesh-and-blood characters...a refreshingly honest romance."

--Publishers Weekly on The Winter Lodge [starred review]

"Rich with life lessons, nod-along moments and characters with whom readers can easily relate.... Delightful and wise, Wiggs's latest shines."

--Publishers Weekly on Dockside

"A wonderfully written, beautiful love story with a few sharp edges and a bunch of marvelously imperfect characters...sure to leave an indelible impression on even the most jaded reader."

--RT Book Reviews [Top Pick] on Dockside

"Wonderfully evoked characters, a spellbinding story line, and insights into the human condition will appeal to every reader."

--Booklist on Summer at Willow Lake --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Mira Books; Lakeshore Chronicles. edition (January 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778324931
• ISBN-13: 978-0778324935
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #542,802 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars WELCOME HOME TO AVALON ! May 16, 2008

By Gail Cooke HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Fans of the popular Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs will be delighted with this addition to the series - especially pleased when it is read by the always splendid Joyce Bean.

A high powered international lawyer, Sophie Bellamy, would seem to have it all. She's seen her share of misery as much of her career has been assisting those in countries ravaged by war. Thus, it comes has no surprise that when she's visiting one of these areas she finds herself in the middle of a terrorist attack. This experience affects her in a number of ways - causing her to reassess her life, her values, and goals.

Suddenly Sophie not only feels compelled but wants to return to Avalon, a small town in the Catskills. She wants to be reunited with her family, her two children, Max and Daisy, and hopefully make up for lost years, time not spent with them.

As a divorced recently career obsessed woman she doesn't seem to be a very good candidate for romance, but this is a Susan Wiggs story! Upon arriving in snowy Avalon she finds not only a heavy blizzard but a skid that takes her into a ditch. As luck and the author would have it Sophie is rescued by Noah, the handsome local veterinarian. Despite freezing temperatures sparks immediately fly and she falls in love.

But wait, there's more to come. As she often does this author tosses in a few surprises leaving listeners to wonder for a while whether or not love can really conquer all.

- Gail Cooke

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pursuing desires and passions opens the door to enormous surprises February 20, 2008

By Bookreporter

Format:Mass Market Paperback

It's a fantasy come true for Noah Shepherd when he rescues sexy "international woman of mystery" Sophie Bellamy on a snowy winter's night near the frozen shores of Willow Lake. There is nothing like instant chemistry between characters to begin a steamy novel and lust between two people ready to live in the moment, spontaneous and uninhibited.

A tragic hostage situation at the Peace Palace in The Hague Holland changes Sophie and ignites fear into this workaholic international lawyer. Sophie's instinct for survival is to run to the family members she left in pursuit of a high-powered career as a lawyer on the International Criminal Court on war crimes. Sophie's life has been consumed by ceremonial events, couture wardrobes, ornate palaces, dignitaries, drivers and security agents, and translations whispered into an earpiece from exotic locations. It has been her dream job for most of her adult life. But at what price? Sophie sacrificed her family life and her marriage. Her ex-husband is now happily remarried, her daughter has a child out of wedlock and her son is a teenager trying to find his way to manhood. Sophie begins a personal journey to find her place among her family and make up for lost time, realizing that "life lived without family was meaningless."

Contrary to her prior addiction to a successful career, Sophie is now ready to surrender to living in the moment and immersing herself in her children and baby grandchild, a tight-knit community in small-town Avalon in the Catskills and in the arms of a much younger man. For years, Sophie was driven to stopping "transnational crimes against children," "tortures beyond imagining --- rape, ethnic cleansing, genocide" at the expense of missing the events in her own children's lives.... Sophie closes the door on her career and pursues a new direction in her life, surrounding herself with people who make her feel good about herself.

Being snowed in for days at a time forces Sophie to slow down, explore her feelings and her new home, and be completely self-indulgent, impulsively falling into the welcoming arms of Noah, the sexy stranger who rescues her from a snowdrift and stitches her leg and her soul. Sophie's wild attraction to Noah takes her completely by surprise, but she feels desired in a way that awakens her passions and releases her inhibitions. "Sophie's brush with death in The Hague had changed her...then when she was a hostage, she'd regretted the many times she hadn't acted on desire, the times she'd put something off, thinking she had all the time in the world."

New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs tells the story of Sophie's monumental decision to walk away from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit on the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague Holland in order to free her soul to discover who she is and who she really wants to be. She gives herself the greatest gifts: time to think, time to live, time to love.

Unexpectedly, when she lets go of the past, surprises beyond her imagination await. Sophie's wild attraction to local veterinarian Noah Shepherd takes her by surprise, and she succumbs to a boy toy who professes to follow her to the ends of the earth. Noah has the hot body of a man training for the Ironman triathlon and "a smile that took her breath away." Readers will appreciate the torrid imagery, and identify and cheer as Sophie acts on her desires and builds enduring relationships that heal and transform.

The message in SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE is clear: Follow your heart's desire, and make rediscovering yourself a priority, not a luxury. Pursuing desires and passions opens the door to enormous surprises.

--- Reviewed by Hillary Wagy Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book 4 is my favorite of the Lakeshore Chronicles. February 22, 2008

By Deborah L. Correll

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the series February 22, 2008

By Carrie Mccaslin

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lively characters, beautiful story January 22, 2008

By Pine Siskin

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Unlikely romance leads to a good read June 24, 2008

By Book lover -Philadelphia

Format:Mass Market Paperback

First, I'd strongly suggest that anyone considering this book should first read the others in the series. Knowing the other characters, and understanding their stories, is very helpful to appreciating this one.
Second, I loved the fantasy of this one, with the wounded woman finding just the right man, however unlikely the match may appear on the surface. Wiggs did an excellent job of making both lead characters three-dimensional [loved Noah's interest in STAR WARS!] and I liked the fact that other characters didn't always behave in ways the reader expects.
Third, the business of the U.N., the court at The Hague and the fictional country were all unnecessary to the plot, except insofar as they provided background on Sophie. Frankly, I skipped those parts and still enjoyed the book.
This is a good read, especially for a winter's day - or to cool off on a hot summer's day.

**********************

It's July 2012 and I just reread this book. The opinion columns lately have been full of comments in response to a high-powered career woman's magazine article about how working women can't have it all - i.e., breaking the glass ceiling at work and having a good family life. (This was particularly newsworthy because this same woman had said the opposite years before and many young women had believed that they COULD have it all.) In light of all this, Wiggs' book is prescient, with a wife and mother deciding to focus on family after years of extraordinary career success. In addition to a solid romance, Wiggs really latched onto the key question in the zeigeist - whether a high-powered career or family is more important to a woman. It certainly added another, very discussable layer to this cozy book.

Plus, I've just added another star to my review.... The book deserves it. Read more ›