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Sunset on Turtle Lake
Winter isn’t the only chill in the air on Turtle Lake.
When Sam Burgman’s mother, Gloria, nears the end of her battle with cancer, Sam makes the hard decision to leave his job as a corporate lawyer in Miami to take his mom home to Turtle Lake, Minnesota.
Ian Mendoza takes his job as Gloria’s caregiver very seriously, but unlike the assignments he’s taken in the past, Ian fails to maintain a professional distance when it comes to Sam. Unfortunately for Ian, Sam refuses to open his heart despite their mutual attraction.
Born and raised in Miami, Ian isn’t prepared for the frozen landscape that is Minnesota in the winter, but the chill he wants to erase is the one coming from Sam.
Reader This book deals with maternal illness/death.
When Sam Burgman’s mother, Gloria, nears the end of her battle with cancer, Sam makes the hard decision to leave his job as a corporate lawyer in Miami to take his mom home to Turtle Lake, Minnesota.
Ian Mendoza takes his job as Gloria’s caregiver very seriously, but unlike the assignments he’s taken in the past, Ian fails to maintain a professional distance when it comes to Sam. Unfortunately for Ian, Sam refuses to open his heart despite their mutual attraction.
Born and raised in Miami, Ian isn’t prepared for the frozen landscape that is Minnesota in the winter, but the chill he wants to erase is the one coming from Sam.
Reader This book deals with maternal illness/death.
- GenresM M RomanceContemporary
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2016
3 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Carol Lynne
251 books1,196 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 24, 2016
3.5 stars, rounded up because.
I read this book on my flight to GRL2016 in Kansas City. The author of this book is also one of the organizers, and I have mad respect for the fabulous work she does.
There's lots to like about this book. I especially like the title, because to me it has a dual meaning. The sunset at the lake is part of what Sam needs to remember, but it's also a hint at the sunset of his mother's life.
Sam's mother is dying of cancer. He moved her to Miami where he lives and works after his father's death so he can care for her with the help of her in-home nurse Ian. Sam is attracted to Ian, but doesn't want to start something that might end badly, and then lose the wonderful man taking care of his mother.
Sam is not ready to face the fact that his mother is dying. He knows it in his head, but his heart isn't there yet. Ian has been trying to get him to the point of accepting that it will happen, but he's not quite gotten there.
His mom wants to go home to Turtle Lake in Minnesota. She tells him so during her lucid moments, which are farther and farther apart.
When Sam realizes that he needs to take his mother home to Turtle Lake, to the house he grew up in, to the house where his father died, it's nearly Christmas. He knows this will be her last Christmas in the house she loves so much.
It's a heavy theme for a romance novel, to be sure, and Sam fights his attraction to Ian for a long time, and sticking his head in the sand about his mom, to the point of refusing to even talk about it. He's rude and obnoxious to Ian on occasion, lashing out in anger, but then apologizing for it. Ian is patient, but also feels that time is running out, and that Sam has to come to grips with the facts. His attraction to his employer is complicating things even more.
I do wish this book had been a little longer, to more deeply explore the growing relationship. We but get a glimpse of it, and when the UST finally culminates in getting between the sheets, it nearly felt like it happened because Sam needed the distraction, and perhaps the comfort. I have some doubts about a HEA for them due to the circumstances, even though the book ends with a HFN as far as the relationship is concerned.
I'm not ashamed to say that I sniffled a few times while reading this, especially during Sam's interactions with his mother. There's no doubt at all that he loves her and wants to do what's best for her. He also, finally, realizes why the house is so important to her, and why it's important to enjoy the small moments, just sitting on a chair watching the sun set over the lake.
I liked Ian - he was sweet and kind, but also had some backbone. Torn between wanting to care for Sam's mother as best as he could, and also falling for his employer, he was caught between a rock and a hard place.
The writing is descriptive and flows well, and the characters are well done, sufficiently explored for the length of this book. I recommend tissues while reading - you'll need them.
A beautiful glimpse into a short time period, but one that certainly packs a punch.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
I read this book on my flight to GRL2016 in Kansas City. The author of this book is also one of the organizers, and I have mad respect for the fabulous work she does.
There's lots to like about this book. I especially like the title, because to me it has a dual meaning. The sunset at the lake is part of what Sam needs to remember, but it's also a hint at the sunset of his mother's life.
Sam's mother is dying of cancer. He moved her to Miami where he lives and works after his father's death so he can care for her with the help of her in-home nurse Ian. Sam is attracted to Ian, but doesn't want to start something that might end badly, and then lose the wonderful man taking care of his mother.
Sam is not ready to face the fact that his mother is dying. He knows it in his head, but his heart isn't there yet. Ian has been trying to get him to the point of accepting that it will happen, but he's not quite gotten there.
His mom wants to go home to Turtle Lake in Minnesota. She tells him so during her lucid moments, which are farther and farther apart.
When Sam realizes that he needs to take his mother home to Turtle Lake, to the house he grew up in, to the house where his father died, it's nearly Christmas. He knows this will be her last Christmas in the house she loves so much.
It's a heavy theme for a romance novel, to be sure, and Sam fights his attraction to Ian for a long time, and sticking his head in the sand about his mom, to the point of refusing to even talk about it. He's rude and obnoxious to Ian on occasion, lashing out in anger, but then apologizing for it. Ian is patient, but also feels that time is running out, and that Sam has to come to grips with the facts. His attraction to his employer is complicating things even more.
I do wish this book had been a little longer, to more deeply explore the growing relationship. We but get a glimpse of it, and when the UST finally culminates in getting between the sheets, it nearly felt like it happened because Sam needed the distraction, and perhaps the comfort. I have some doubts about a HEA for them due to the circumstances, even though the book ends with a HFN as far as the relationship is concerned.
I'm not ashamed to say that I sniffled a few times while reading this, especially during Sam's interactions with his mother. There's no doubt at all that he loves her and wants to do what's best for her. He also, finally, realizes why the house is so important to her, and why it's important to enjoy the small moments, just sitting on a chair watching the sun set over the lake.
I liked Ian - he was sweet and kind, but also had some backbone. Torn between wanting to care for Sam's mother as best as he could, and also falling for his employer, he was caught between a rock and a hard place.
The writing is descriptive and flows well, and the characters are well done, sufficiently explored for the length of this book. I recommend tissues while reading - you'll need them.
A beautiful glimpse into a short time period, but one that certainly packs a punch.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
November 28, 2016
This was a short, low angst story about two men who find love while dealing with the impending death of a woman they both care for. The story threw me off a bit at first because when it starts the men have known each other for some time and have already fallen for each other. I felt at first that I had been thrown in to the middle of a story (which I had been) and I was scrambling to catch up. Once they head back to Minnesota though the store flowed better for me. I enjoyed the interactions with Gloria and felt they were reasonably realistic. (I work in the medical field and I am super picky about how death/dying issues are portrayed.) I liked both Sam and Ian and I enjoyed their journey to a happily ever after.
The writing was well done and it was a unique plot with interesting characters. My only complaint was that it was so short. I liked what was here but I would have rather read a longer book so we could have seen the two men falling for each other. As previously stated it was all a little abrupt and I had to take a lot of things on faith. Overall though I enjoyed this and I would recommend it as a short story.
The writing was well done and it was a unique plot with interesting characters. My only complaint was that it was so short. I liked what was here but I would have rather read a longer book so we could have seen the two men falling for each other. As previously stated it was all a little abrupt and I had to take a lot of things on faith. Overall though I enjoyed this and I would recommend it as a short story.
August 27, 2022
RECENSIONE A CURA DI EVELYNE
“Tramonto al lago delle tartarughe” di Carol Lynne è un racconto breve, dolce e che fa riflettere, ma che mi ha lasciato l’amaro in bocca per più di un motivo.
L’autrice ha voluto presentarci una situazione particolare e molto difficile per Sam, uno dei protagonisti. Gloria, sua madre, è ormai malata da troppo tempo e si avvicina sempre di più il momento in cui dovrà salutarla. Ian è al suo fianco, come aiuto per sua madre, come amante e a tratti come “grillo parlante”, poiché cerca in ogni modo di far capire a Sam quanto siano importanti e speciali gli ultimi momenti che ha a disposizione con sua madre.
Peccato che l’inizio del loro rapporto, l’inizio di tutto, non è stato raccontato. Se in un certo momento non era indispensabile, successivamente si sente la mancanza di un incontro che poteva mostrare tanto al lettore. Mi sono chiesta: perché Ian ha questo grande ascendente su Sam? Perché Sam, così scontroso e solitario, gli permette tali affermazioni e ha una grande considerazione di lui? Cosa c’è stato tra i due oltre ad una semplice notte di sesso?
Continua sul nostro blog!
“Tramonto al lago delle tartarughe” di Carol Lynne è un racconto breve, dolce e che fa riflettere, ma che mi ha lasciato l’amaro in bocca per più di un motivo.
L’autrice ha voluto presentarci una situazione particolare e molto difficile per Sam, uno dei protagonisti. Gloria, sua madre, è ormai malata da troppo tempo e si avvicina sempre di più il momento in cui dovrà salutarla. Ian è al suo fianco, come aiuto per sua madre, come amante e a tratti come “grillo parlante”, poiché cerca in ogni modo di far capire a Sam quanto siano importanti e speciali gli ultimi momenti che ha a disposizione con sua madre.
Peccato che l’inizio del loro rapporto, l’inizio di tutto, non è stato raccontato. Se in un certo momento non era indispensabile, successivamente si sente la mancanza di un incontro che poteva mostrare tanto al lettore. Mi sono chiesta: perché Ian ha questo grande ascendente su Sam? Perché Sam, così scontroso e solitario, gli permette tali affermazioni e ha una grande considerazione di lui? Cosa c’è stato tra i due oltre ad una semplice notte di sesso?
Continua sul nostro blog!
November 16, 2016
Sunset on Turtle Lake by Carol Lynne
3 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Terminal illness
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This was a hard book for me. Ian was a great character. He was compassionate, kind, but not a push over -he stood up to Sam when it was necessary and even stood up to Gloria when she needed an extra push.
Minnesota in the winter time can be magical. Lynne does an amazing job at describing the surrounding area - she truly captures the essence of what winters can be like.
The magical moments in this book were between Sam and Gloria. Their relationship needed to be repaired before Gloria's illness took her and Lynne did a great job at showing those tender moments that are normally behind the scenes.
I so wanted to love this book, but it was so short and there were really only glimpses in to the world that was Gloria, Ian and Sam. It felt too short to really develop anything between Ian and Sam - their relationship seems incredibly superficial.
Overall, the tender moments were great, but the story itself lacked for me.
3 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Terminal illness
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This was a hard book for me. Ian was a great character. He was compassionate, kind, but not a push over -he stood up to Sam when it was necessary and even stood up to Gloria when she needed an extra push.
Minnesota in the winter time can be magical. Lynne does an amazing job at describing the surrounding area - she truly captures the essence of what winters can be like.
The magical moments in this book were between Sam and Gloria. Their relationship needed to be repaired before Gloria's illness took her and Lynne did a great job at showing those tender moments that are normally behind the scenes.
I so wanted to love this book, but it was so short and there were really only glimpses in to the world that was Gloria, Ian and Sam. It felt too short to really develop anything between Ian and Sam - their relationship seems incredibly superficial.
Overall, the tender moments were great, but the story itself lacked for me.
November 20, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is a really moving short story, for which I recommend a tissue to hand. Sam is a man who has been living in denial for a long time, but as his Mother is nearing her end, he has to finally come to terms with things. His Mother's live in nurse, Ian is a man on a mission to help him, and watching the barriers come down is very rewarding. For such a short story it was incredibly easy to get invested in the outcome.
Ms Lynne has once again got to the heart of the matter in this lovely read.
This is a really moving short story, for which I recommend a tissue to hand. Sam is a man who has been living in denial for a long time, but as his Mother is nearing her end, he has to finally come to terms with things. His Mother's live in nurse, Ian is a man on a mission to help him, and watching the barriers come down is very rewarding. For such a short story it was incredibly easy to get invested in the outcome.
Ms Lynne has once again got to the heart of the matter in this lovely read.
September 21, 2021
Argomento triste, la morte della mamma ha un ampio sviluppo in questo libro. Comunque trovo questa scrittrice non nelle mie corde, sarà anche per colpa della traduzione piena di errori, ma lo stile di scrittura proprio non mi piace. Poi ci sono delle inesattezze, prima viene detto che i due si erano incontrati e avevano avuto una notte di sesso, poi invece viene detto che non erano stati assieme, boh.
January 8, 2017
I liked the second half more than the first one, although I can't say exactly why. And the whole relationship part felt a bit unbalanced, as if some important parts were missing. So I had a bit of a problem to believe the development. Better, I believed their ending but on the way to it I was missing something.
November 22, 2016
Whoa, this book was… heavy, and wonderful, and sweet, and… really good!
I love Carol Lynne’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. Sam is struggling with his mother’s illness by ignoring everything until Ian makes him pay attention and take notice. This book read like a novella, even though it had a substantial page count, but the story moved along very quickly and the characters had depth without angst. Be forewarned though: I definitely needed some tissues when reading this one. It was an emotional story and not just because of what you think – but the bond between the entire cast was heartwarming.
While there was a bit of “instantly happy from here on out” going on, I didn’t even care. Sam and Ian both earned the great love story – and the ending moniker (I won’t give it away, I promise) – will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was that touching.
This is a great read for anyone who wants a deep love story (and perhaps is ready to shed some tears). There was chemistry, but not a lot of flames – more plot and emotions than sex.
Review Copy of Sunset on Turtle Lake provided by Pride Publishing for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club
I love Carol Lynne’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. Sam is struggling with his mother’s illness by ignoring everything until Ian makes him pay attention and take notice. This book read like a novella, even though it had a substantial page count, but the story moved along very quickly and the characters had depth without angst. Be forewarned though: I definitely needed some tissues when reading this one. It was an emotional story and not just because of what you think – but the bond between the entire cast was heartwarming.
While there was a bit of “instantly happy from here on out” going on, I didn’t even care. Sam and Ian both earned the great love story – and the ending moniker (I won’t give it away, I promise) – will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was that touching.
This is a great read for anyone who wants a deep love story (and perhaps is ready to shed some tears). There was chemistry, but not a lot of flames – more plot and emotions than sex.
Review Copy of Sunset on Turtle Lake provided by Pride Publishing for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club
October 25, 2016
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and for a volunteered honest review, and I was more than happy to do it.
Sam’s mother way dying and he knew it; he just couldn’t bring himself to accept it. After losing his father several years prior, he used It as an excuse to push people away and not let anyone get close enough to hurt him when they had to leave. Sam’s mother Gloria’s care-taker Ian had fallen in love with Sam through the stories told by Sam’s mom, but he knew that he hadn’t been around for a while and even when he was around, refused to accept the fact that his mother had precious little time left.
This story was heartbreaking and I wasn’t sure I was going to like Sam in the beginning, but I completely understood where he was coming from. Grief has the ability to change a person and it changed Sam. He never grieved for his father and how he had to come to terms with losing his mother as well?
The story between Gloria and her husband and the significance with Turtle Lake was beautiful as well, as I won’t spoil it with explanations, but it really made the story, in my opinion.
It was touching and heartbreaking and hopeful at times and I loved that Sam got what I felt like he needed at the end. Acceptance is a hard pill to swallow.
I’m also glad for Ian because I know it hurt him to be in the position he was in and I’m glad that Sam got his head out and was able to be what Ian needed him to be; afterall, he cared about Gloria a great deal as well. I wished he’d gotten to be there with her more at the end too instead of leaving Sam alone with her, I felt like he deserved that too, he was the only one there for her for so long, he didn’t even get to say goodbye to her; so that part bothered me a bit, but not enough to take anything away from the story really. He was patient and supportive and endlessly caring for not only his patient but for Sam too.
It was a short, touching little read and I’d recommend it, for sure. It’s turned me a bit sappy, in this review… but,it’s well worth it! Great read!
4 stars from me!
Sam’s mother way dying and he knew it; he just couldn’t bring himself to accept it. After losing his father several years prior, he used It as an excuse to push people away and not let anyone get close enough to hurt him when they had to leave. Sam’s mother Gloria’s care-taker Ian had fallen in love with Sam through the stories told by Sam’s mom, but he knew that he hadn’t been around for a while and even when he was around, refused to accept the fact that his mother had precious little time left.
This story was heartbreaking and I wasn’t sure I was going to like Sam in the beginning, but I completely understood where he was coming from. Grief has the ability to change a person and it changed Sam. He never grieved for his father and how he had to come to terms with losing his mother as well?
The story between Gloria and her husband and the significance with Turtle Lake was beautiful as well, as I won’t spoil it with explanations, but it really made the story, in my opinion.
It was touching and heartbreaking and hopeful at times and I loved that Sam got what I felt like he needed at the end. Acceptance is a hard pill to swallow.
I’m also glad for Ian because I know it hurt him to be in the position he was in and I’m glad that Sam got his head out and was able to be what Ian needed him to be; afterall, he cared about Gloria a great deal as well. I wished he’d gotten to be there with her more at the end too instead of leaving Sam alone with her, I felt like he deserved that too, he was the only one there for her for so long, he didn’t even get to say goodbye to her; so that part bothered me a bit, but not enough to take anything away from the story really. He was patient and supportive and endlessly caring for not only his patient but for Sam too.
It was a short, touching little read and I’d recommend it, for sure. It’s turned me a bit sappy, in this review… but,it’s well worth it! Great read!
4 stars from me!
February 14, 2024
Sunset on Turtle Lake is a short, but touching, story that gives you Sam's story. He changed when his father died, and now his mother is also suffering from a terminal illness. He has tried to do what he thinks is best but has to admit that it didn't work. Instead, he takes his mother back to their home for Christmas. It is also so that she can die there, but he refuses to admit to that part.
The relationship between Sam, Ian, and Gloria (the mother) are all very good, but there just wasn't enough detail for me. I would have loved to have gotten to know these characters a bit more.
Nevertheless, this is a story that may tug on your heartstrings as it did mine. It is very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt your reading flow. Absolutely recommended, it's just not very long.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 22, 2016
The relationship between Sam, Ian, and Gloria (the mother) are all very good, but there just wasn't enough detail for me. I would have loved to have gotten to know these characters a bit more.
Nevertheless, this is a story that may tug on your heartstrings as it did mine. It is very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt your reading flow. Absolutely recommended, it's just not very long.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 22, 2016
October 29, 2016
3.75 stars
February 8, 2017
Touching story
This is a short read that is a moving love story, The author's prose is simple and yet elegant. Definitely recommend.
This is a short read that is a moving love story, The author's prose is simple and yet elegant. Definitely recommend.
January 3, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 29, 2018
Emotional for sure, but also did not connect to characters just their pain.
November 12, 2022
Ho letto questo libro molte volte, perché è dolcissimo, e ogni volta mi sono commossa. Scritto bene, ti fa entrare nella storia senza giudicare. Per niente volgare, anche se tratta di un amore gay.
November 6, 2016
3.75 stars
Be sure to have tissues nearby
Be sure to have tissues nearby
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews