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Stars Over Clear Lake: A Novel
Mesmerizing and romantic, Stars Over Clear Lake transports readers to the Surf Ballroom, where musical acts became legends in the 1940s and which holds the key to one woman’s deepest secret.
Lorraine Kindred’s most cherished memories are of the Surf Ballroom, the place where youth lost themselves to the brassy sounds and magnetic energy of the big band swing, where boys spent their last nights before shipping off to war—and where Lorraine herself was swept away by a star-crossed romance.
Returning to the ballroom for the first time in decades, Lorraine enters a dazzling world she thought long vanished. But as the sparkling past comes to life, so does the fateful encounter that forced her to choose between her heart and her duty all those years ago—and Lorraine must face the secret she’s buried ever since. Along the way, she’ll rediscover herself, her passion, and her capacity for resilience.
Set during the 1940s and the present and inspired by a real-life ballroom, Loretta Ellsworth’s Stars Over Clear Lake is a moving story of forbidden love, lost love, everlasting love—and self love.
Lorraine Kindred’s most cherished memories are of the Surf Ballroom, the place where youth lost themselves to the brassy sounds and magnetic energy of the big band swing, where boys spent their last nights before shipping off to war—and where Lorraine herself was swept away by a star-crossed romance.
Returning to the ballroom for the first time in decades, Lorraine enters a dazzling world she thought long vanished. But as the sparkling past comes to life, so does the fateful encounter that forced her to choose between her heart and her duty all those years ago—and Lorraine must face the secret she’s buried ever since. Along the way, she’ll rediscover herself, her passion, and her capacity for resilience.
Set during the 1940s and the present and inspired by a real-life ballroom, Loretta Ellsworth’s Stars Over Clear Lake is a moving story of forbidden love, lost love, everlasting love—and self love.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2017
161 people are currently reading
4477 people want to read
About the author
Loretta Ellsworth
14 books328 followersLoretta received her BA from the University of Northern Iowa, and an MFA from Hamline University in writing for children and young adults. A former middle and high school teacher, she's the author of four young adult novels, The Shrouding Woman, In Search of Mockingbird,In a Heartbeat, and Unforgettable. Her WWII historical novel, Stars Over Clear Lake, will be published in 2017. She has four children and six grandchildren, and lives in Minnesota. Follow her on Twitter @lellsworth.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
December 17, 2017
Dear Readers,
I'm drawn to stories that have nuggets of truth in them, and my story is the result of my own exploration into true stories I heard while growing up.
Stars Over Clear Lake takes place in a small town in North Iowa during the years of WW II. Some places have a life of their own. The Surf Ballroom is such a place, and one that I felt honored to share in my story. But the truth is that this story has its beginnings before I was born. My parents met at the Surf Ballroom, and as I grew up I made up my own image of their meeting, of dancing together for the first time.
This story also started on road trips from our home in Mason City, Iowa as we drove east on Highway 18, where my father often pointed out a sign that sat along the road near the Algona airport that commemorated the POW camp that was once there.
Memories have a funny way of coming out in our writing, and it was these two events that triggered the characters of Lorraine, a farmer's daughter whose brother has just left to fight Hitler's army; and Jens, a German POW who plays the saxophone and ends up working on her father's farm.
It's a story of war and sacrifice, and long-buried secrets, and a love letter to my home state and my now-dead parents. If you don't have the opportunity to visit the magical Surf Ballroom, which I encourage you to do, then I hope you are transported there through this book.
Best wishes,
Loretta Ellsworth
I'm drawn to stories that have nuggets of truth in them, and my story is the result of my own exploration into true stories I heard while growing up.
Stars Over Clear Lake takes place in a small town in North Iowa during the years of WW II. Some places have a life of their own. The Surf Ballroom is such a place, and one that I felt honored to share in my story. But the truth is that this story has its beginnings before I was born. My parents met at the Surf Ballroom, and as I grew up I made up my own image of their meeting, of dancing together for the first time.
This story also started on road trips from our home in Mason City, Iowa as we drove east on Highway 18, where my father often pointed out a sign that sat along the road near the Algona airport that commemorated the POW camp that was once there.
Memories have a funny way of coming out in our writing, and it was these two events that triggered the characters of Lorraine, a farmer's daughter whose brother has just left to fight Hitler's army; and Jens, a German POW who plays the saxophone and ends up working on her father's farm.
It's a story of war and sacrifice, and long-buried secrets, and a love letter to my home state and my now-dead parents. If you don't have the opportunity to visit the magical Surf Ballroom, which I encourage you to do, then I hope you are transported there through this book.
Best wishes,
Loretta Ellsworth
May 13, 2017
3.5 stars
Tell me a book has a WWII era plot line and I cannot help but read it! "Stars Over Clear Lake" takes place in both 2007 and 1940's Iowa. We first meet an elderly woman, Lorraine, her grown daughter, Daisy, and son-in-law, Harry, as they visit a popular ballroom. One that mysteriously burned down soon after the war. Lorraine 's son in law is intrigued by the unanswered questions stemming from that long ago event, but Lorraine is hestiant to participate in the discussion and so it must have something to do with her past. Through flashbacks, we are taken back to the Kindred farm in the 1940's -son Pete is off to war in France and teenage daughter Lorraine, an aspiring singer is left to help on the family farm. Her father decides to have men from the nearby POW camp work on his farm. Lorraine 's parents continously fight over this issue, but Lorraine is intrigued and not surprisingly strikes a friendship with a German soldier, Jens. In addition, Lorraine is dating her first "real" boyfriend, local athlete, Scotty. Love Triangle, alert!
The book touches upon the tensions and mistrust of the German people(in this case, soldiers) during and after the war. As well, Loretta Ellsworth weaves an emotional cord about the relationships between mothers and daughters, while also confronting the expectations families had in regards to their daughters during the concentrated time period.
As much as I liked this book and read it without interruption, I felt it was very similar (apart from the ballroom link) to "The Cherry Harvest " and "Summer of My German Soldier. " Ellsworth states she is trying to bring to the reader's attention that the U.S. had POW camps ( may I add as did Canada- look for an article online called "The Happiest Prisoners" from Legion Magazine, it's not what I expected).
Since I was already familiar with that knowledge, I was a bit disappointed that another author would do the whole Axis and Allied romance thingy again. But for a reader that does not have that prior knowledge, there is enough substance there to keep a reader intrigued.
Thanks to NetGalley for an uncorrected digital galley in exchange for an honest review
Tell me a book has a WWII era plot line and I cannot help but read it! "Stars Over Clear Lake" takes place in both 2007 and 1940's Iowa. We first meet an elderly woman, Lorraine, her grown daughter, Daisy, and son-in-law, Harry, as they visit a popular ballroom. One that mysteriously burned down soon after the war. Lorraine 's son in law is intrigued by the unanswered questions stemming from that long ago event, but Lorraine is hestiant to participate in the discussion and so it must have something to do with her past. Through flashbacks, we are taken back to the Kindred farm in the 1940's -son Pete is off to war in France and teenage daughter Lorraine, an aspiring singer is left to help on the family farm. Her father decides to have men from the nearby POW camp work on his farm. Lorraine 's parents continously fight over this issue, but Lorraine is intrigued and not surprisingly strikes a friendship with a German soldier, Jens. In addition, Lorraine is dating her first "real" boyfriend, local athlete, Scotty. Love Triangle, alert!
The book touches upon the tensions and mistrust of the German people(in this case, soldiers) during and after the war. As well, Loretta Ellsworth weaves an emotional cord about the relationships between mothers and daughters, while also confronting the expectations families had in regards to their daughters during the concentrated time period.
As much as I liked this book and read it without interruption, I felt it was very similar (apart from the ballroom link) to "The Cherry Harvest " and "Summer of My German Soldier. " Ellsworth states she is trying to bring to the reader's attention that the U.S. had POW camps ( may I add as did Canada- look for an article online called "The Happiest Prisoners" from Legion Magazine, it's not what I expected).
Since I was already familiar with that knowledge, I was a bit disappointed that another author would do the whole Axis and Allied romance thingy again. But for a reader that does not have that prior knowledge, there is enough substance there to keep a reader intrigued.
Thanks to NetGalley for an uncorrected digital galley in exchange for an honest review
December 25, 2016
In 1944, with her only brother gone to war, Lorraine's father enlists the help of German POW's from a nearby camp to help him on their Iowa farm. Her teenage infatuation with one of the workers and her feelings of first love, are splendidly captured in the descriptions and dialog.
Sixty years later, she's looking back at the events of that year. The reader agonizes with Lorraine whose affections deviate between the German soldier and a young man from a good family in the town.
There was a devastating fire which completely destroyed the Surf Ballroom, scene of performances by the likes of Jimmy Dorsey and the Big Bopper. The Ballroom has since been rebuilt, but Lorraine's son-in-law, a firefighter, seems determined to keep investigating the cause of the original fire, and this investigation makes Lorraine more than a little nervous.
I read this EARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Thomas Dunne Books. Pub date 05/02/17
Sixty years later, she's looking back at the events of that year. The reader agonizes with Lorraine whose affections deviate between the German soldier and a young man from a good family in the town.
There was a devastating fire which completely destroyed the Surf Ballroom, scene of performances by the likes of Jimmy Dorsey and the Big Bopper. The Ballroom has since been rebuilt, but Lorraine's son-in-law, a firefighter, seems determined to keep investigating the cause of the original fire, and this investigation makes Lorraine more than a little nervous.
I read this EARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Thomas Dunne Books. Pub date 05/02/17
June 23, 2017
Having lived in Clear Lake for over 12 years, I enjoyed reading about familiar landmarks in this adult novel by young-adult novelist Loretta Ellsworth. The Surf Ballroom plays a prominent role in this story that flips back and forth between WWII and 2007.
Lorraine Kindred is a young teen while World War II is raging and when her older brother enlists her father makes use of the German prisoners at the POW camp in Algona to help with farm work. One prisoner in particular catches Lorraine's attention with his piercing blue eyes and blonde hair. He is trying to learn English and she reluctantly agrees to help him. They develop feelings for each other, but cannot reveal them even after the war ends, due to anti-German sentiment, so Lorraine winds up engaged to the star basketball player Scotty.
In 2007, Lorraine is a new widow and revisits the Surf Ballroom where she sees the ghosts of her past, including past loves, and long-dead band leaders and family members. When her firefighter son-in-law investigates the fire of the old ballroom, it sparks Lorraine's memory of that night which she's never revealed to anyone before.
Lorraine Kindred is a young teen while World War II is raging and when her older brother enlists her father makes use of the German prisoners at the POW camp in Algona to help with farm work. One prisoner in particular catches Lorraine's attention with his piercing blue eyes and blonde hair. He is trying to learn English and she reluctantly agrees to help him. They develop feelings for each other, but cannot reveal them even after the war ends, due to anti-German sentiment, so Lorraine winds up engaged to the star basketball player Scotty.
In 2007, Lorraine is a new widow and revisits the Surf Ballroom where she sees the ghosts of her past, including past loves, and long-dead band leaders and family members. When her firefighter son-in-law investigates the fire of the old ballroom, it sparks Lorraine's memory of that night which she's never revealed to anyone before.
January 23, 2023
Three and a half stars
Lorraine Kindred has both wonderful and painful memories of the Surf Ballroom and the big band music. Initially she was only allowed to attend because her older brother Pete went off to war. By then she and her friend Stella were old enough to attend by themselves.
In 2007 Lorraine returns to the ballroom for the first time in decades. This is after the death of her husband Sid. The visit brings back so many memories as ghosts from the past seem to appear that sometimes it is hard for her to tell what is real and what is not.
This is a story of family, of world war 2 and of a love that could never be? Or could it? The story of choices made and the consequences of them, is told in two time frames of Lorraine in 1940 and 2007. Sad to see how often mother and daughter relationships are portrayed as difficult and fractious. That aside, I did enjoy the story once I got into it. For some reason it took a little while to get into it and it was starting to feel a bit like a story that had been told too many times before. But then it took off and I was completely engaged.
The characters and the Iowa setting were well portrayed as is the magic of the Surf Ballroom which is based on an actual place and the author’s parents and their meeting at that place. Loved all the details of singing and music. My first read by this author, so it will be interesting to try another.
I wasn’t entirely convinced about certain ghostly aspects of the novel, but on the whole an enjoyable historical novel.
Lorraine Kindred has both wonderful and painful memories of the Surf Ballroom and the big band music. Initially she was only allowed to attend because her older brother Pete went off to war. By then she and her friend Stella were old enough to attend by themselves.
In 2007 Lorraine returns to the ballroom for the first time in decades. This is after the death of her husband Sid. The visit brings back so many memories as ghosts from the past seem to appear that sometimes it is hard for her to tell what is real and what is not.
This is a story of family, of world war 2 and of a love that could never be? Or could it? The story of choices made and the consequences of them, is told in two time frames of Lorraine in 1940 and 2007. Sad to see how often mother and daughter relationships are portrayed as difficult and fractious. That aside, I did enjoy the story once I got into it. For some reason it took a little while to get into it and it was starting to feel a bit like a story that had been told too many times before. But then it took off and I was completely engaged.
The characters and the Iowa setting were well portrayed as is the magic of the Surf Ballroom which is based on an actual place and the author’s parents and their meeting at that place. Loved all the details of singing and music. My first read by this author, so it will be interesting to try another.
I wasn’t entirely convinced about certain ghostly aspects of the novel, but on the whole an enjoyable historical novel.
June 2, 2017
I knew that this would be a special book from the first page. Stars over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth tells the story of Lorraine. This story is narrated in two timelines. One is in the 1940s and the second one in 2007. In 2007, Lorraine goes to a Ballroom which sparks memories of events that took place in 1943. The story shifts between the two timelines connecting the past and the present. We find out about events that happened in the 1940s which reveal the secrets of the present day.
This book just made me feel good. I wanted to keep reading it. I needed to know how it would all end but I had to stop myself from rushing through it. Each time that I picked it up, it felt like being reunited with a long, lost friend. I loved the moments but didn’t want them to end. Lorraine is an amazing protagonist in both timelines. I loved how different she was. She had dreams and aspirations that she was committed to despite the hostile environment that she lived in which unfortunately did not allow her to yearn for a different kind of life.
There are many characters that I loved in this book. I will just mention two of my favorite ones without explaining much so as not to spoil the book. The first one is Lorraine’s dad. He now joins my list of favorite literary dads. His relationship with Lorraine reminded me of Hans Huberman and Liesel in The Book Thief. The two were so close and it was a delight to get to know them through the chapters. I loved Jans. Oh, this man was something else. I just liked everything about him.
There are a number of major and minor themes interwoven in this lovely tale. The role of women in the 1943 society was a minor theme in this book but it still played a major role in the story. I can’t imagine what it was like to be a woman in that era. Marriage was considered as being enough for women. That title Mrs. was supposed to be all that a girl needs. If you wanted more, that implied that marriage wasn’t enough which was unacceptable. I loved reading the little details about life back then.
Love and societal expectations are major themes in this book. There was a lot of prejudice in that era. The war was going on and so sides had been chosen. The book is set in Iowa. However, there is a Prisoner of War (PoW) camp in the town. The POWs are Germans. In the story, we get to meet a group of them. We get know their characters. Some were good people but others weren’t. Nevertheless, the rest of the town just saw them as Nazis. The relationship between the locals and the POWs was made worse by the fact that a lot of men in the community had died at the war. Many families were grieving and to them, the POWs represented the enemy. In the midst of all this, there is love. Familial love that knows no boundaries, friendships that may seem odd due to the differences but they worked and love between different couples. Needless to say, not everyone accepted all these relationships.
Stars over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth will break your heart. There are chapters that I struggled through. I wanted to know what would happen to the characters but I was afraid of the truth. There were other characters that had a different ending than I wanted. I was also very torn about other characters that were not bad but things just didn’t work out for them. Most of the chapters made me smile though. There is a relationship that I really loved to read about. They reminded me of Noah and Allie in The Notebook. The relationship was so well portrayed. It was realistic and cute and I just loved this couple. I can’t stop thinking about some of the scenes involving them. The writer did such a wonderful job with this relationship. She created passion between the two characters that made me feel like I was part of their story. I wanted them to be together and each obstacle just broke my heart.
I have already said this but I loved this book. It had memorable characters and the storyline was beautiful, heartbreaking and yet a delight to read. I liked the 1940s time period more than 2007 although both were necessary for the story. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the historical aspects of this story are actually based on reality. The POW camp in Iowa which later became a museum is still there. It is called Algona. In the story, a lot happened at the Surf Ballroom which later burned down in 1946 but was rebuilt at a different site and is still standing. Yeah, the Surf still exists today and it did burn down in 1946 in a fire although in this case, the author created a story about what caused the fire. Clear Lake is an actual place in Iowa. There are a lot of things that I can mention about the setting and history but let me just say that I truly loved this detail. I don’t know anything about Iowa so it was lovely to find out so many different things about the place and its history. I loved how history and fiction were interwoven to create the masterpiece that is Stars over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth. I highly recommend this book especially to fans of historical fiction.
This book just made me feel good. I wanted to keep reading it. I needed to know how it would all end but I had to stop myself from rushing through it. Each time that I picked it up, it felt like being reunited with a long, lost friend. I loved the moments but didn’t want them to end. Lorraine is an amazing protagonist in both timelines. I loved how different she was. She had dreams and aspirations that she was committed to despite the hostile environment that she lived in which unfortunately did not allow her to yearn for a different kind of life.
There are many characters that I loved in this book. I will just mention two of my favorite ones without explaining much so as not to spoil the book. The first one is Lorraine’s dad. He now joins my list of favorite literary dads. His relationship with Lorraine reminded me of Hans Huberman and Liesel in The Book Thief. The two were so close and it was a delight to get to know them through the chapters. I loved Jans. Oh, this man was something else. I just liked everything about him.
There are a number of major and minor themes interwoven in this lovely tale. The role of women in the 1943 society was a minor theme in this book but it still played a major role in the story. I can’t imagine what it was like to be a woman in that era. Marriage was considered as being enough for women. That title Mrs. was supposed to be all that a girl needs. If you wanted more, that implied that marriage wasn’t enough which was unacceptable. I loved reading the little details about life back then.
Love and societal expectations are major themes in this book. There was a lot of prejudice in that era. The war was going on and so sides had been chosen. The book is set in Iowa. However, there is a Prisoner of War (PoW) camp in the town. The POWs are Germans. In the story, we get to meet a group of them. We get know their characters. Some were good people but others weren’t. Nevertheless, the rest of the town just saw them as Nazis. The relationship between the locals and the POWs was made worse by the fact that a lot of men in the community had died at the war. Many families were grieving and to them, the POWs represented the enemy. In the midst of all this, there is love. Familial love that knows no boundaries, friendships that may seem odd due to the differences but they worked and love between different couples. Needless to say, not everyone accepted all these relationships.
Stars over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth will break your heart. There are chapters that I struggled through. I wanted to know what would happen to the characters but I was afraid of the truth. There were other characters that had a different ending than I wanted. I was also very torn about other characters that were not bad but things just didn’t work out for them. Most of the chapters made me smile though. There is a relationship that I really loved to read about. They reminded me of Noah and Allie in The Notebook. The relationship was so well portrayed. It was realistic and cute and I just loved this couple. I can’t stop thinking about some of the scenes involving them. The writer did such a wonderful job with this relationship. She created passion between the two characters that made me feel like I was part of their story. I wanted them to be together and each obstacle just broke my heart.
I have already said this but I loved this book. It had memorable characters and the storyline was beautiful, heartbreaking and yet a delight to read. I liked the 1940s time period more than 2007 although both were necessary for the story. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the historical aspects of this story are actually based on reality. The POW camp in Iowa which later became a museum is still there. It is called Algona. In the story, a lot happened at the Surf Ballroom which later burned down in 1946 but was rebuilt at a different site and is still standing. Yeah, the Surf still exists today and it did burn down in 1946 in a fire although in this case, the author created a story about what caused the fire. Clear Lake is an actual place in Iowa. There are a lot of things that I can mention about the setting and history but let me just say that I truly loved this detail. I don’t know anything about Iowa so it was lovely to find out so many different things about the place and its history. I loved how history and fiction were interwoven to create the masterpiece that is Stars over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth. I highly recommend this book especially to fans of historical fiction.
June 20, 2017
History intertwined with romance... this book really hit the spot for me! Lorraine's story goes back and forth from the 2007 to the 1940s when she discovers that a venue from her past is trying to unveil a story she was involved in. Lorraine had the perfect high school boyfriend but also found her heart beating for a German from a POW camp that worked on her family's farm. As we go back and forth from Lorraine's past and present, we learn the details of her relationships with her family and the gentlemen that surrounded her as we watch her choose a path forward with one of them. I couldn't put this one down!!
August 21, 2018
What a wonderful tale spun with history, Stars Over Clear Lake makes one want to hop in their car and take I35 south to Clear Lake Iowa and relive this finely crafted novel.
June 26, 2017
Most of the WWII stories I read are set in Europe with a few set in the US, but usually on the coast. What grabbed my attention about this particular WWII novel was that it was set in Iowa. Yes, my home state and far away from those fighting for our country.
In Ellsworth's first adult fiction novel, she uses the magical and popular setting of the Surf Ballroom, the last venue of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" before their plane crashed. Her setting is during the prime WWII years when many families in Iowa were sending their sons off to fight and many never seeing them again.
Lorraine is a teenager who watches her brother go off to war. Pete was her mom's favorite and life at home wasn't the same once he left. Instead, Lorraine spent her time on the farm with her father and the POWs that were from the camp in nearby Algona. They came to help on the farm since her brother was off to war. As you can imagine, her mom, as well as many others in the community, did not appreciate having "the enemy" on their land and in their communities. As Lorraine grows up, she struggles with following her heart or following what people expect her to do. She has an amazing voice and spends many nights dancing and wishing about singing at the Surf. One night, her dream comes true and she sings for Jimmy Dorsey at the Surf Ballroom. What happens later that evening will change everyone's lives forever.
Ellsworth jumps between 2007 and the 1940's in telling Lorraine's story both as a teenager and now as an elderly woman. She also has a strained relationship with her daughter, much like her relationship with her own mother. When the secret she has kept her whole life starts to eat away at her, she begins to relive that fateful night and wonders if her daughter will ever be able to understand.
As an Iowan, I am ashamed to admit that I have never been to the Surf Ballroom or heard about the POW camps before this book. Ellsworth shares much detail and history to inform the reader and bring the ballroom to life on the pages. The emotions and passions of the characters seeped off the pages with honesty. The experiences of life during the 1940's take you back to a simpler, but unsure time in our history and the present day story reminds us of our own regrets of the past.
Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the attention to detail and little-known parts of Iowa's history. Besides the family featured in this story, the Surf Ballroom stands alone bringing its own bit of magic to the story. It makes you want to visit and see what stories come to life while you are there. Writing this story was a tribute to Ellsworth's own parents' love story and one she can certainly be proud of.
I also interviewed the author. You can see my interview: http://www.sincerelystacie.com/2017/0...
In Ellsworth's first adult fiction novel, she uses the magical and popular setting of the Surf Ballroom, the last venue of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" before their plane crashed. Her setting is during the prime WWII years when many families in Iowa were sending their sons off to fight and many never seeing them again.
Lorraine is a teenager who watches her brother go off to war. Pete was her mom's favorite and life at home wasn't the same once he left. Instead, Lorraine spent her time on the farm with her father and the POWs that were from the camp in nearby Algona. They came to help on the farm since her brother was off to war. As you can imagine, her mom, as well as many others in the community, did not appreciate having "the enemy" on their land and in their communities. As Lorraine grows up, she struggles with following her heart or following what people expect her to do. She has an amazing voice and spends many nights dancing and wishing about singing at the Surf. One night, her dream comes true and she sings for Jimmy Dorsey at the Surf Ballroom. What happens later that evening will change everyone's lives forever.
Ellsworth jumps between 2007 and the 1940's in telling Lorraine's story both as a teenager and now as an elderly woman. She also has a strained relationship with her daughter, much like her relationship with her own mother. When the secret she has kept her whole life starts to eat away at her, she begins to relive that fateful night and wonders if her daughter will ever be able to understand.
As an Iowan, I am ashamed to admit that I have never been to the Surf Ballroom or heard about the POW camps before this book. Ellsworth shares much detail and history to inform the reader and bring the ballroom to life on the pages. The emotions and passions of the characters seeped off the pages with honesty. The experiences of life during the 1940's take you back to a simpler, but unsure time in our history and the present day story reminds us of our own regrets of the past.
Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the attention to detail and little-known parts of Iowa's history. Besides the family featured in this story, the Surf Ballroom stands alone bringing its own bit of magic to the story. It makes you want to visit and see what stories come to life while you are there. Writing this story was a tribute to Ellsworth's own parents' love story and one she can certainly be proud of.
I also interviewed the author. You can see my interview: http://www.sincerelystacie.com/2017/0...
May 11, 2017
"Stars Over Clear Lake" is the story of Lorraine, a young woman living in Iowa where the best thing happening in her small town is the music and dancing at the Surf Ballroom. The Surf Ballroom happens to be where Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper played their last concert before "the day the music died." It also burns down in a mysterious fire. Her town also is home to a prison camp for German POWs. Her father hires several of them to work their family farm after Lorraine's brother goes to fight the war in Europe. Lorraine's affections are torn between a boy from town and a boy from the prison camp. Lorraine is also dealing with a mother who prefers her son and is devastated that he has gone off to war. So much happens in this book!
This book has a lot of different story lines in it and is told in two times: one in the 1940s, one in the almost present day as Lorraine is looking back at her life. This is an ambitious book that seeks to tackle a lot of different things and because time is split between so many elements, the book bounces around a lot. The "day the music died" connection is only mentioned briefly, which confuses where the focus is supposed to be. Is it the characters? Is it the places: the Surf Ballroom or the prison camp? Is it the love story? There is technically a love triangle but you can pretty much see from the beginning of the book where Lorraine's affection truly lies so it doesn't induce the drama that I believe was intended.
That being said, I did like a lot of the pieces of plot in the book. The love story between Lorraine and her German soldier was incredibly romantic. This is a true forbidden love story. Lorraine's mother really does not want her daughter to be seen with this German. Lorraine and Jens bond over their love of music and it's music that seems to bring them in and out of each other's lives. The very end of the book was one that made me swoon a bit.
The historical detail of the book was interesting. Our history often brushes over the fact that we had POWs kept here in the states during World War II. I found the uncovering of this hidden history very interesting. The POWs are allowed to work in places like farms and even the Surf Ballroom, which was also eye-opening to me.
Overall, I do wish that this book had been streamlined some. It could have been a very strong single love story with historical elements but everything else that was included muddied the waters somewhat. The ending did pull the book together more so bonus points for that. This was still an enjoyable read for me!
This book has a lot of different story lines in it and is told in two times: one in the 1940s, one in the almost present day as Lorraine is looking back at her life. This is an ambitious book that seeks to tackle a lot of different things and because time is split between so many elements, the book bounces around a lot. The "day the music died" connection is only mentioned briefly, which confuses where the focus is supposed to be. Is it the characters? Is it the places: the Surf Ballroom or the prison camp? Is it the love story? There is technically a love triangle but you can pretty much see from the beginning of the book where Lorraine's affection truly lies so it doesn't induce the drama that I believe was intended.
That being said, I did like a lot of the pieces of plot in the book. The love story between Lorraine and her German soldier was incredibly romantic. This is a true forbidden love story. Lorraine's mother really does not want her daughter to be seen with this German. Lorraine and Jens bond over their love of music and it's music that seems to bring them in and out of each other's lives. The very end of the book was one that made me swoon a bit.
The historical detail of the book was interesting. Our history often brushes over the fact that we had POWs kept here in the states during World War II. I found the uncovering of this hidden history very interesting. The POWs are allowed to work in places like farms and even the Surf Ballroom, which was also eye-opening to me.
Overall, I do wish that this book had been streamlined some. It could have been a very strong single love story with historical elements but everything else that was included muddied the waters somewhat. The ending did pull the book together more so bonus points for that. This was still an enjoyable read for me!
May 30, 2017
A poignant 4 1/2 star read. Loved the main characters, Lorraine, her brother Pete, the POW Jens & the high school basketball star boyfriend Scotty---all are kind, noble yet flawed young people trying to find their future in the aftermath of war. Much is made of compassion, sacrifice, and loyalty as they do. The story is told from two timelines. The part from 2007 seemed only to add perspective to the part from the 1940's--which was the best part of the book. A touching story (brought tears to my eyes at a few points) & a satisfying ending. I listened to the story from a great narrator: Tavia Gilbert. (Very clean read--a few instances of language.) Recommended!!
September 24, 2018
I started this book on a nice Fall Sunday. I had a book club coming up on Wednesday and I thought I better at least start it so I could have some input in the upcoming conversation about characters or something. I finished it that same night. It's really good. It's not going to win any literary awards like great authors like Anne Rice etc., which is why I could only give it four stars, but it's really good!! Did I say that already? Lol. From the first chapter the story grabs you and you can't put it down. One more chapter I kept telling myself.....so if you're looking for a really good book that will make you ignore your laundry- this is it!!! Highly Recommend :)
June 6, 2017
A wonderful love story of an Iowa farm girl and a German POW. Jens was one of thousands of German POW's in camps in the USA during World War II, and he was sent out of the camp to work on a farm during the day. It is also a story of one of the famous ballrooms of the Midwest.
December 6, 2016
I was instantly drawn in to this book by its cover and the time period it's set in, and I wasn't disappointed. The story and writing both flow really well.
June 15, 2017
Lorraine Kindred returns to the Surf Ballroom for the first time in years. The original Surf Ballroom was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt. So many memories and life changes occurred here for Lorraine. She sang there with famous big time bands. It was the last place Buddy Holly sang. Her memories take her back to a time in the 1940’s when she had to make a choice for herself and love. She has also been keeping a secret since the fire, one that her Son-in-Law is trying to discover. Will the ghosts of the pasts catch up with her?
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. It was SO much better, though. The fact this book is centered around an actual famous ballroom is unique. I had never heard of it (guess I’m not a Buddy Holly fan). I had also never heard of German prisoners of war being held in camps in the United States. I consider myself an educated person and love historical stuff, and I have NEVER heard of that before. I can’t imagine how hard it was for families like Lorraine’s that sent one child off to war and used the enemy prisoners for much needed free labor. I’m sure there was an emotional struggle as well as a social stigma. Because of this book, I actually did a little research on these camps.
The aspects I really enjoyed in this story, were when Lorraine has gone away to college and really has to face her future head on. Does she take the easy path, marry the hometown boy and make her mom happy? If so, her future is set. She will have a beautiful home and the future most young girls want, but without her music. Does she follow her heart and risk alienating her family? She may be living from paycheck to paycheck, but she would be singing and traveling with the man she loves. As much as the story was centered around this ballroom, it was really a coming of age story. The way it wrapped up was perfect to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend it. Four out of five stars for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. It was SO much better, though. The fact this book is centered around an actual famous ballroom is unique. I had never heard of it (guess I’m not a Buddy Holly fan). I had also never heard of German prisoners of war being held in camps in the United States. I consider myself an educated person and love historical stuff, and I have NEVER heard of that before. I can’t imagine how hard it was for families like Lorraine’s that sent one child off to war and used the enemy prisoners for much needed free labor. I’m sure there was an emotional struggle as well as a social stigma. Because of this book, I actually did a little research on these camps.
The aspects I really enjoyed in this story, were when Lorraine has gone away to college and really has to face her future head on. Does she take the easy path, marry the hometown boy and make her mom happy? If so, her future is set. She will have a beautiful home and the future most young girls want, but without her music. Does she follow her heart and risk alienating her family? She may be living from paycheck to paycheck, but she would be singing and traveling with the man she loves. As much as the story was centered around this ballroom, it was really a coming of age story. The way it wrapped up was perfect to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend it. Four out of five stars for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2017
In a time where it was expected for a woman to only marry and provide a good home for their spouse and family, Lorraine Kindred had other aspirations for her life, to become a well known singer. Everyone was encouraging of her dream, except her mother, she on the other hand wanted Lorraine to follow in her footsteps, and marry a local boy and settle down. The problem was then men on her mother's approved list didn't hold a candle to the man she loved with all her heart, a man that she knew that her mother would never approve of, nor let her marry. So she is left to decide whether she should follow her heart and be disowned by her family, or do what is expected and settle for a life she knows she will never be happy with...
After reading the synopsis for this one I was immediately taken with what I found, there was just something about it that spoke to me and had me wanting to dive in and devour every last page... and what a story it turned out to be!! From the very first page I was hooked, wrapped up in the touching story line, feeling the emotion behind every word, and left completely mesmerized. This was my first experience with Ms. Ellsworth's work, and I have to say I was quite pleased with what I found, she kept me completely enthralled from start to finish with this beautifully written tale, and turned me into a lifelong fan!
Highly recommend this one, Lorraine's heart wrenching journey is sure to touch the recesses of your heart, and move you beyond words!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
After reading the synopsis for this one I was immediately taken with what I found, there was just something about it that spoke to me and had me wanting to dive in and devour every last page... and what a story it turned out to be!! From the very first page I was hooked, wrapped up in the touching story line, feeling the emotion behind every word, and left completely mesmerized. This was my first experience with Ms. Ellsworth's work, and I have to say I was quite pleased with what I found, she kept me completely enthralled from start to finish with this beautifully written tale, and turned me into a lifelong fan!
Highly recommend this one, Lorraine's heart wrenching journey is sure to touch the recesses of your heart, and move you beyond words!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
July 12, 2020
This is the book for you if, like me, you were left heartbroken by "Summer of My German Soldier." This book immediately reminded me of Bette Greene's classic especially since in one edition Greene admits her book is a true story too. And I'm constantly seeking stories set in WW2 about good Germans even if that's an unpopular narrative for most.
Admittedly, if I had known beforehand that this narrative toggles from 1944-1947 to 2007, I may not have picked it up. Switching back and forth through 60+ years sounds exhausting just thinking about reading it. I could have done without anything going on in 2007, all of it is depressing. (Possible spoilers) Lorraine's beloved husband has recently died and her spoiled middle-aged daughter acts like a hag until the end. Lorraine lives alone and doesn't have close friends. Depressing. The only bright spot of the 2007 narrative is the Titanic-like ending.
What I would have loved more in the 40s narrative is more time with Lorraine and Jens. Jens is very cute with his determination to learn English (to talk to her!) and American life but its not very clear when Lorraine falls in love with him. And because he's a POW and under supervised time working on her father's farm, there's not much time for them to bond but I would have liked a little more.
The conflict, other than Lorraine falling for the enemy, is her mother's mental health issues and unending devotion to and preference for Lorraine's brother Pete. Her mother is only interested in her when she gets engaged to town golden boy, Scotty, and that was mostly to ensure she didn't run off with the German boy. A lot of Lorraine's struggle, while entirely legitimate, was not wanting to shame her family, especially her mother. Lorraine honey, your mother doesn't like you. You might as well do what you want.
I'm not sure I even liked Lorraine all that much. She's a good girl but she keeps telling her best friend secret things when she knows her best friend is incapable of keeping her mouth shut. She goes along with Scotty making herself believe she loves him when she's had her whole life to love him and didn't. She wastes all her time seeking her mother's approval when she knows her mother doesn't care about anything but herself and Pete. And she'll profess her love for Jens but the minute he's gone she'll profess her love for Scotty. Girl, get some sense!
Admittedly, if I had known beforehand that this narrative toggles from 1944-1947 to 2007, I may not have picked it up. Switching back and forth through 60+ years sounds exhausting just thinking about reading it. I could have done without anything going on in 2007, all of it is depressing. (Possible spoilers) Lorraine's beloved husband has recently died and her spoiled middle-aged daughter acts like a hag until the end. Lorraine lives alone and doesn't have close friends. Depressing. The only bright spot of the 2007 narrative is the Titanic-like ending.
What I would have loved more in the 40s narrative is more time with Lorraine and Jens. Jens is very cute with his determination to learn English (to talk to her!) and American life but its not very clear when Lorraine falls in love with him. And because he's a POW and under supervised time working on her father's farm, there's not much time for them to bond but I would have liked a little more.
The conflict, other than Lorraine falling for the enemy, is her mother's mental health issues and unending devotion to and preference for Lorraine's brother Pete. Her mother is only interested in her when she gets engaged to town golden boy, Scotty, and that was mostly to ensure she didn't run off with the German boy. A lot of Lorraine's struggle, while entirely legitimate, was not wanting to shame her family, especially her mother. Lorraine honey, your mother doesn't like you. You might as well do what you want.
I'm not sure I even liked Lorraine all that much. She's a good girl but she keeps telling her best friend secret things when she knows her best friend is incapable of keeping her mouth shut. She goes along with Scotty making herself believe she loves him when she's had her whole life to love him and didn't. She wastes all her time seeking her mother's approval when she knows her mother doesn't care about anything but herself and Pete. And she'll profess her love for Jens but the minute he's gone she'll profess her love for Scotty. Girl, get some sense!
January 2, 2020
A decent WWII historical fiction novel. Even if the romance is a bit predictable, the based-on-fact bits add to the story and bring to life lost stories of Iowa’s past.
May 26, 2023
This book was particularly interesting to me for two reasons- it was set in Iowa and all the landmarks and areas they discussed are places I’ve been. And because I love historical fiction and I haven’t read one in a bit. I read this physical book and I loved the characters and how it went back and forth from the 40’s to present day.I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. 📖
October 26, 2022
I really loved this book! It was a historical fiction based on a world war two era story, with the setting at an Iowa farm and two Iowa landmarks, the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake and the Algona POW camp/museum. I especially loved the audio version!
June 30, 2017
Loved it! Learned a lot about the Algona POW camp in Iowa....did not know it existed. Shame on me, but I do now! I liked how Ms. Ellsworth blended her characters to create a story that went from present day to the past in a beautiful way. And what a past!
Lorraine, our main character has recently lost her beloved husband and wonders where her new journey in life will lead her. While her daughter Daisy is supportive of her mom, Daisy has a tendency to try to run things her way and is busy with her own family and job.
While dining out at the Surf Ballroom with Daisy and her husband Harry, Lorraine has a couple drinks and combined with anxiety and questions from Harry about the fire that destroyed the ballroom many years ago, Lorraine has an experience that leaves her wondering if she is crazy or having a stroke.
Going back in time, Lorraine relives part of her life on the farm, high school and college days, brother Pete who joined the service and the POW's that came to help on the family farm since Pete was away. And we meet two special men, Scotty and Jens who were so much a part of Lorraine's life. Love the bandleaders who came back to talk to Lorraine...real blast from the past!
Good book to get lost in and to remember the old days. Thank you Goodreads!
Lorraine, our main character has recently lost her beloved husband and wonders where her new journey in life will lead her. While her daughter Daisy is supportive of her mom, Daisy has a tendency to try to run things her way and is busy with her own family and job.
While dining out at the Surf Ballroom with Daisy and her husband Harry, Lorraine has a couple drinks and combined with anxiety and questions from Harry about the fire that destroyed the ballroom many years ago, Lorraine has an experience that leaves her wondering if she is crazy or having a stroke.
Going back in time, Lorraine relives part of her life on the farm, high school and college days, brother Pete who joined the service and the POW's that came to help on the family farm since Pete was away. And we meet two special men, Scotty and Jens who were so much a part of Lorraine's life. Love the bandleaders who came back to talk to Lorraine...real blast from the past!
Good book to get lost in and to remember the old days. Thank you Goodreads!
March 25, 2018
Oh my, Stars Over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth is a wonderfully written book of historical fiction, with themes of prejudices, societal expectations and a lovely love story. It begins in 2007 inside the legendary Surf Ballroom in Iowa, with the now 70-year-old narrator reflecting on her memories of the original ballroom that burned in 1947. Mystery surrounds how the fire began, a mystery Lorraine's son-in-law is interested to solve.
The alternating chapters begin in 1944, with Lorraine, a farmer's daughter whose brother has just left to fight WWII, and a rigid, standoffish mother who blames her husband for the son enlisting. And Jens, a German POW held in a prison camp in the neighboring town, Algona, who ends up working on her father's farm. The friendship of Lorraine and Jens grows, and is torn apart again and again; by prejudices and tensions of the time of anyone in the U.S. that is German.
Not a fan of romance, but this book is so much more. It has a message that even today is relevant. Learning history is important, and allows the reader to understand what values are vital to living a happy, less divisive life.
The alternating chapters begin in 1944, with Lorraine, a farmer's daughter whose brother has just left to fight WWII, and a rigid, standoffish mother who blames her husband for the son enlisting. And Jens, a German POW held in a prison camp in the neighboring town, Algona, who ends up working on her father's farm. The friendship of Lorraine and Jens grows, and is torn apart again and again; by prejudices and tensions of the time of anyone in the U.S. that is German.
Not a fan of romance, but this book is so much more. It has a message that even today is relevant. Learning history is important, and allows the reader to understand what values are vital to living a happy, less divisive life.
August 3, 2017
I really liked this book. The story is set in Clear Lake, Iowa and anyone who has spent any time in the beautiful lake town will recognize scenes and locations used in the book, especially the iconic Surf Ballroom. But I also learned a lot about POW camps in Iowa during World War II, especially one located in Algona, Iowa, just to the west of Clear Lake. The book alternates between the World War II years and 2007. It's a love story that explores how society can fear and hate what they've been told to fear and hate. The characters are interesting and believable and the narrative keeps the reader eagerly moving ahead until the final resolution at the very end of the book. If you're not from Iowa, I recommend you take a chance on this book. If you're from Iowa, I recommend you put this book on your "must read" list.
August 18, 2017
Who knew there were German POW camps in almost all of the US? I had no clue. But this book was informative as well as entertaining.
This debut novel goes back and forth between 2007 when Lorraine is a widow caught up in the past when her brother enlisted in WW2 and German POWs came to work on her family's Iowa farm, much to the chagrin of her real b*tch of a mother. Thankfully her father recognizes that these men can be helpful on the farm. Lorraine strikes up a friendship with one of the POWs and they begin a secret relationship that is yanked away when he is sent away.
Lorraine goes on with life, gets in touch with her high school boyfriend and suddenly her future is all planned out. The war is over and life can go on. But wait...
Read the book. It's a good story and the hatred for those with German heritage seems appropriate for these times.
This debut novel goes back and forth between 2007 when Lorraine is a widow caught up in the past when her brother enlisted in WW2 and German POWs came to work on her family's Iowa farm, much to the chagrin of her real b*tch of a mother. Thankfully her father recognizes that these men can be helpful on the farm. Lorraine strikes up a friendship with one of the POWs and they begin a secret relationship that is yanked away when he is sent away.
Lorraine goes on with life, gets in touch with her high school boyfriend and suddenly her future is all planned out. The war is over and life can go on. But wait...
Read the book. It's a good story and the hatred for those with German heritage seems appropriate for these times.
July 20, 2017
Interesting premise, just enough setting to be believable without over doing that, enough history to set a believable tone, and not a topic that is worn out. The romance is a good thread, with the POW and the war losses. The author does not dwell too long on the usual topics, but builds the teenage love and loss nicely. The family conflict is well done. Set up as today and remembering juxtaposed, the story moves along nicely. I grew up in Iowa, which is what drew me to the book. Hints of POW camps, farm life, added to my slight bits of knowledge about Clear Lake, lake life and dance halls, all very unusual in the middle of Iowa, had me taking it home from the library. I am glad I did.
May 4, 2017
It is nearly 2:30 am; I should have been in bed hours ago. But instead of sleeping the lure of turning just one more page kept me awake. Stars of Clear Lake is a deep love story about Lorraine, a small town farm girl with dreams of singing and Jans a German POW who part of a group helping her family's farm. While I was not totally thrilled with the ending of the book, seemed too neatly wrapped up, I thought this book was charming and worthy of 5 stars. I can't wait to recommend it to others.
I won this book in a Goodreads' giveaway, but the opinion completely my own.
I won this book in a Goodreads' giveaway, but the opinion completely my own.
October 19, 2017
For all the readers who love a good story enhanced with learning something, this is the book for you. If you want porn and violence, look elsewhere.
You will learn about events in the US during WWII that you may not have been aware of, and will make you think about current situations that are going on around the world.
The main character is very likable and has several surprises to share. You will be taken on a journey to another time and place and back to present. What's better than that?
I loved this book!
You will learn about events in the US during WWII that you may not have been aware of, and will make you think about current situations that are going on around the world.
The main character is very likable and has several surprises to share. You will be taken on a journey to another time and place and back to present. What's better than that?
I loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2017
This book made me so happy! I loved everything about it! Lorraine is a little farm girl who just watched her older brother leave to fight in WWII. While he is gone, her father hires German POWs to work the farm to keep things going. And so begins a very sweet story about forbidden love, family expectations, reaching for your dreams, and keeping secrets. The biggest question of all...Who is Sid?!
May 24, 2017
This is a lovely romance/mystery novel set in Clear Lake, Iowa, a town I have driven through many times and which we refer to as "the oasis" - the sole spot for hours on I35 that is full of fast food restaurants (which I believe is what Daisy is alluding to when she offers to go to lunch with Lorraine "as long as it's not fast food").
I knew bits and pieces about the plane crash, POW camps, and the nativity scene, but enjoyed reading about them in a novel and learning a little more.
I knew bits and pieces about the plane crash, POW camps, and the nativity scene, but enjoyed reading about them in a novel and learning a little more.
June 9, 2017
This is the story of forbidden love and the choices of a young woman coming of age during the 1940s in Iowa. I absolutely loved reading this book and I could barely put it down. I enjoyed how Ellsworth used the history of the real life Surf Ballroom in the book as it made the characters and the events more real. I won an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher as part of the Goodreads Giveaways program.
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