Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT LOVE AND DEATH IN BLUE LAKE by @CynthiaHarriso1 @WildRosePress

Today’s team review is from Terry, she blogs at http://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

Terry has read Love and Death by Cynthia Harrison

Love and Death in Blue Lake by Cynthia Harrison

4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed by me as part of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team

Courtney and Eddie were high school sweethearts who married young and split up over Courtney’s desire to start a family. Courtney moved to California and became a successful force behind the scenes in the music industry, while Eddie opened a bar and became a ‘love ’em and leave ’em’ type. A school reunion brings Courtney, now trained as a psychiatrist, back home to Blue Lake…

I’ve read another of Cynthia Harrison’s books, Lukes #1 Rule, and I felt the same about this one ~ her writing is so readable, almost conversational. It’s very American, in a way that I like, as it highlights the differences between English and American language and attitudes in that the books are about ordinary, small town people. I loved this passage, with Eddie commenting on Courtney’s engagement ring from her California lover: ‘Huge stone. Not the kind of ring people wore round here, no matter how much money they had. Sucker was the size of a quarter.’ Or one of the gossipy, narrow minded school reunion guests, when Courtney considers ‘setting up shop’ in Blue Lake: ‘Nobody here needs a shrink. Well, Spence had issues, but he’s from downstate.’

There are two stories running through this, one being the complex relationship between Courtney and Eddie, and the other a revenge scenario between camera girl Lily and bad experience in her past. I was most interested in the former, but the two come together to make this more than just a contemporary romance/drama.

Ms Harrison’s writing is clear and honest, with emotional statements that appear to come from the heart. ‘Why does youth squander happiness like there is a never-ending supply?‘ Courtney is a terrific character, I believed in her completely; a well drawn main character will always make a novel a ‘page turner’.

This book is due to be published on December 18th. Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com