LAKESHORE CHRISTMAS

Author: Susan Wiggs ISBN: 9780778326892 10/2009 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

Maureen Davenport lives for Christmas—and theres nothing more magical than Christmas on Willow Lake. The prim librarian is finally getting to direct Avalon's annual holiday pageant, and she's determined to make it truly spectacular. But it might just require one of those Christmas miracles she's always read about. The problem is her codirector is recovering former child star Eddie Haven, a long-haired, tattooed lump of coal in Maureen's pageant stocking. Eddie can't stand Christmas, but a court order from a judge has lauded him right in the middle of the merrymaking. Maureen and Eddie spar over every detail of the pageant. Is he trying to sabotage the performance to spite her? Or is she trying too hard to fit the show into her storybook-perfect notion of Christmas? And how is it possible that they're falling in love? ...Amid the holiday bustle of crackling fixes, caroling singers and delicious secrets, the season of goodwill becomes the backdrop for Willow Lake's most unlikely love story yet.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Susan Wiggs has a holiday hit with LAKESHORE CHRISTMAS. It is the sixth installment in The Lakeshore Chronicles, and takes readers back to the sleepy, upstate New York town, Avalon. I haven't read all of this series but the earlier books I missed are definitely on my must-read list. Ms. Wiggs has created a realistic, charming setting for her stellar storytelling skills. I am hooked, and I believe others will be, too.

This enchanting holiday story is about accepting the past and learning to embrace the future—whatever it holds. Maureen is a librarian. She loves her job and feels safe surrounded by the familiar stacks of books. Even though she's failed in the past at romance, she has come to terms with that...or has she? When her job is threatened, she faces some tough choices and agonizes over every single one of them. But while she's slapped with bad news career-wise, she's just hitting her stride with the holiday pageant. Eddie, a child film star, works with Maureen to bring off the best holiday show ever. PBS is scheduled to do a documentary, and the last thing Avalon—or Maureen or Eddie—need is a flop.

I love a character-driven tale, and this is one that certainly rises head and shoulders above so many others. Maureen, Eddie, and everyone else in Avalon, comes right to life and off the pages. I felt Maureen's indecision, experienced Eddie's failure, and understood how these characters got to their respective points in life. Even the secondary characters are filled with life and are people many will recognize. A sibling who expects more than she gives, a trio of "at-risk" teenagers, a man who is so suspicious he guards his power tools, and a host of others, make Avalon New York Anytown, USA. My favorite character is one who shall remain nameless, but I will say that I believe every holiday story should have an angel, and this one doesn't disappoint!

I fell head over heels in love with the folks in LAKESHORE CHRISTMAS. I can't think of many better ways to celebrate the holiday spirit than with a good book. I put Ms. Wiggs' latest right at the top of my holiday favorites!

Kay James