Review of Eclipse Lake by Mae Clair

Eclipse Lake

Small towns hold the darkest secrets. 

Fifteen years after leaving his criminal past and estranged brother behind, widower Dane Carlisle returns to his hometown on the banks of sleepy Eclipse Lake. Now, a successful businessman, he has kept his troubled past a secret from most everyone, including his seventeen-year-old son.
But memories in small towns are bitter and long.

Ellie Sullivan, a nature photographer for a national magazine, has a habit of ping-ponging across the map. Her latest assignment leads her to Eclipse Lake where she becomes caught up in the enmity between Dane, his brother Jonah, and a vengeful town sheriff. When freshly-discovered skeletal remains are linked to an unsolved murder and Dane’s past, Ellie is left questioning her growing attraction for a man who harbors long-buried secrets.

MY REVIEW:

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was filled with suspense, mystery and even romance.  My favorite combination.  I was hooked from the beginning of page 1 and could not put the book down.  Mae's writing is wonderful.  Her storyline is so very realistic.  She writes with such deep emotion and pours it into her characters.  Mae's characters all have their own story to tell and mistakes they have made.  She portrays all her characters in a way that it feels like you are part of the story.  Mae keeps you in suspense until the very end when the truth finally comes out.

I really loved Dane Carlisle's characters.  He was a troubled man with a criminal past who wanted to make amends with his brother.  Dane made lots of mistakes when he was younger and one mistake in particular cost him his brother and mother.  He is now a different man and runs a successful business and has a son.

Dane based on his promise to his deceased wife travels back home with his son, who knows nothing about his criminal past to try to make amends with his brother.  Jonah refuses to forgive him and feels that he betrayed him.  Dane does not give up on his brother and stays in town where he meets Ellie Sullivan.  The connection and chemistry between them is instant. Dane and Ellie spend a lot of time together getting to know one another and the longer they spend together the more deeper they fall in love.  Dane is the perfect gentlemen.  He makes it clear from the beginning that he wants so much more from Ellie than a one night stand.  Now Ellie, who has no interest in anything beyond a one night stand feels her career is more important and doesn't see herself married.

I love Dane's son.  He is so down to earth and truly cares about his father.  You could truly feel the bond between them.  He is proud of his father and his accomplishments and is surprised when he finds out about his father's past.  His son know there is more to his past then what he is telling him and Jonah.

When the truth finally comes out, will his brother, Jonah be able to finally forgive him?  Will the Town and Sheriff?

Mae is a wonderful writer and I enjoy her writing so much.  It is so filled with emotion and the storyline is realistic and believable.  Everyone at one time or the other has made a mistake or done something they later regret.  We all have our secrets and even some of us have a past but that doesn't mean we can't change.  People can change as Mae has shown in this story.  We have to be willing to forgive them and move on.  Forgiveness is part of life and is earned.  I would recommend this book to anyone.  You will not regret reading it.  I am looking forward to reading more of Mae's books in the future.  5 stars



ECLIPSE LAKE IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM:
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About

Mae Clair opened a Pandora’s Box of characters when she was a child and never looked back.  Her father, an artist who tinkered with writing, encouraged her to create make-believe worlds by spinning tales of far-off places on summer nights beneath the stars.
Mae loves creating character-driven fiction in settings that vary from contemporary to mythical. Wherever her pen takes her, she flavors her stories with conflict, romance and elements of mystery. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about writing, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail and cats.

12 Weird and Stupid Facts About Me:

1. My favorite number is 12. Surprised aren’t you?
2. I adore cats
3. I saw a UFO when I was 6 (don’t laugh!)
4. I once took a trip in search of the legendary Mothman
5. I’m passionate about folklore and cryptozoology
6. I like to watch bats soar overhead at twilight
7. I like reading about Robert F. Kennedy
8. If I could have a superpower, I’d choose the ability to fly
9. I have a bizarre fear of bears
10. I like exploring old graveyards
11. I’m fascinated by American history and earth sciences
12. As riveting as they are, these facts are subject to change