Lisa Wingate's Lakespur Cove ~ Reviewed

Lakespur Cove
By Lisa Wingate
Published by Bethany House
ISBN#978-0-7612-0821-8
360 Pages


Back Cover:

Adventure is the last thing on Andrea Henderson's mind when she moves to Moses Lake. After surviving the worst year of her life, she's struggling to build a new life for herself and her son as a social worker. Perhaps in doing a job that makes a difference, she can find some sense of purpose and solace in her shattered faith. For new Moses Lake game warden Mart McClendon, finding a sense of purpose in life isn't an issue. He took the job to get out of southwest Texas and the constant reminders of a tragedy for which he can't forgive himself. But when a little girl is seen with the town recluse, Mart and Andrea are drawn together in the search for her identity. The little girl offers them both a new chance at redemption and hope--and may bring them closer than either ever planned.


Review:

I had so much fun reading Talk of the Town by Lisa that when an opportunity came to read her newest book I jumped at the chance at receiving a review copy. When I dove into Lakespur Cove I discovered a depth and richness in Lisa’s writing I hadn’t experience before. I was pleasantly surprised and amused by her complex characters and the community at Moses Lake. Moses Lake was as much a character in the book as the main characters Mart and Andrea were. I enjoyed them all.

Game Warden Mart meets Andrea for the first time in an official capacity when her teenage son ends up in trouble and faces the consequence of paying a fine or taking water safety classes. Neither has a good first impression of the other and don’t care to talk ever again.

On their second official meeting each gets to see each other in a different light. Andrea tells the Warden of a little girl she feels might be neglected. She encountered the girl while stuck with a flat tire on the side of the road in the woods. The towns’ people have reported the same to Mart he goes to investigate. Andrea insists she go with him. She is a social worker and is familiar with handling tough situations like this (or so she thought!)

At first glance this situation with the young girl seems like foul play but the Game Warden checks deeper to uncover some very interesting facts about Len and his past. The Reverend and people in the community pull together to help Len, who’s a high functioning mentally challenged man, follow the rules of society concerning this girl and taking care of wild animal life at his home. I love how Lisa puts this aspect in the story. It’s the way I’d hope people would respond, not pie in the sky but caring and transparent.

Lisa and Game Warden Mart move back to Moses Lake for completely different reasons. Both are pleasantly surprised at what they find there. Mart says, “There’s something about Moses Lake that changes people. It’s anybody’s guess as to why that is….the hills, and the draws, and the water, and the people piece together like an old quilt, wrapping around, comfortable and warm. Safe. You just know you’re in the right place. You feel it deep in your soul.”

I got that feeling reading this novel. Colleen Coble said, “After reading Larkspur Cover, I wanted to pack and move to Moses Lake, “ Me too!

This author has blossomed and grown in her writing and does great job of having the characters become family in your heart. Near the end of the novel unexpected, suspenseful events occur that will keep you on the end of your seat. I wasn’t quite sure how this would end. I liked that. I enjoyed the story, the characters and the unique situation. I liked learning about what a Game Warden does in his daily work routine. I had no idea! Larkspur Cove was a special adventure! I look forward to reading more of Lisa Wingate's books, you will too!

Reviewed By: Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network
Finding Hope Through Fiction

Bonus Review:

Lisa Wingate has changed things up a little in her latest novel, Larkspur Cove. Still charming, still engaging but with a more serious flavor than her series set in Daily, Texas, as she tells the story in the first person voices of Andrea and Mart in alternating chapters. Andrea is desperate to redefine her life as a solo parent following her husband's betrayal and subsequent divorce. Game warden, Mart McClendon, discovers his solitary life challenged by Andrea's appeal and compassion. Larkspur Cove is a tender and mature love story, played out against the backdrop of a colorful community and a young girl's tragic life. A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read.

Reviewed by: Rel Mollet