Lake Magic

by Kimberly Fisk

A captivating, heartwarming debut novel.

After the loss of her fiancé Steven, Jenny Beckinsdale has more than a broken heart to deal with-their fledgling seaplane service is going under. In debt to Steven's best friend and fellow Navy pilot, she plans to convince the sexy, cynical flyboy to help save the business...and in the process these two lost souls may find they're saving each other.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Modern, Romantic, Love, American

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

In the third grade, my teacher encouraged me to enter a school wide writing contest. Horse crazy even back then, no one was surprised when my story featured a four-legged hero. But everyone was surprised when my story won. The prize? A trip to Seattle to attend the Young Author’s Convention. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. The dress my mom made me for the big day…the ferryboat ride…meeting my first published author (Stephen Cosgrove just in case you were wondering). And my shoes. New shoes. Shoes with heels! (All of a 1/4 of an inch but, hey, a girl has to start somewhere).

The writing bug bit and bit hard. But real life intruded on my fictional world. Marriage, motherhood and a demanding job derailed me for a few years but then something wonderful happened. Actually, several pretty wonderful things. After the birth of our youngest son, I decided to leave my job. One day while I was busy chasing toddlers and changing diapers, my husband handed me an article from our hometown paper highlighting the local Romance Writers of America chapter. A whole world of writers and readers? Heaven. But the wonderfulness didn’t stop there. Soon after joining RWA, I met the amazing and incredibly talented Kristin Hannah who was looking for an assistant. Somehow I landed this dream job. With Kristin’s generous guidance and the support of the world’s best critique group, it took me a few years to finish my first novel. (Okay, six, but who’s counting.) It then took the prodding of my amazingly supportive friends to convince me to enter RWA’s Golden Heart contest. When they announced that I had won, I wish I could say I was speechless. Surprised? Yes! Shocked? Yes! Yes!! But speechless? How I wish. No. I cried. Like a baby.

While that manuscript didn't immediately find a publisher, it did land me the world’s best agency. And my second book, Lake Magic, found the perfect home.

Besides spending time with family, ignoring my messy house and writing, I love reading, having exercised, having weeded, and having figured out what’s for dinner.



Here are what others are saying:

“It was late. I only meant to take a peek but ended up reading BOARDWALK SUMMER in one delicious gulp, and I’m still thinking about the characters. A terrific read. Page turning and deeply emotional. You’ll fall in love with these characters who have so much at stake. Highly recommended.”
— Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author: "Lake Magic is pure magic. This is a stellar debut from a writer who is destined to become a reader favorite."

Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author: "There is nothing quite like the pleasure of discovering a new writer to love, and Kimberly Fisk will be that writer for many lucky readers. Her debut novel, Lake Magic, is a celebration of all the deepest things in life--family, friendship and the healing power of love. It's the perfect pairing of a good woman, a bad boy, and an emotional roller coaster of a story you'll savor right through to the last page.""

Reviews

[Jane Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heroine had no admirable traits other than a perfect body. She’s grieving and frightened until a gorgeous guy saves the day.

STORY BRIEF:
Jenny comes from an overachieving wealthy family. She started a couple of businesses which failed, and her family bailed her out. She was engaged to Steven, a former Navy fighter pilot. They borrowed money to start a seaplane charter business. Jenny inherited her grandmother’s house on a lake, where they have the plane. Steven is killed by a drunk driver. It’s nine months later, and Jenny still wears his ring and has trouble going into his office. The charter business is in trouble.

Jared was one of Steven’s fellow pilots. He loaned $100,000 to Steven for the seaplane business. Jared angered some politicians and recently resigned from the Navy over an inquiry. Now he wants his $100,000 from Jenny so he can buy a remote piece of land in Mexico and hide from humanity. She doesn’t have the money. She can’t get any financing from the bank, and she refuses to ask her parents for it. She’s humiliated over her parents bailing her out from past failures. Technically the loan isn’t due for four months, so she tells Jared he’ll have to wait. Jared moves into Jenny’s house and starts working in the business until he can see a way to get his money, even if it means selling the house or the plane.

Jared’s mother abandoned him at age 8, and he was raised in foster homes. He doesn’t believe he can ever love someone or have a normal family life.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
During most of the story Jared is drawn to Jenny’s perfect playboy bunny body. I was jealous of her. I wish I had a perfect body. She’s a terrible cook and irresponsible at most everything in life. There was nothing to admire other than the physical. With a push from Jared, she later starts pushing herself and does something good for the business. She’s physically drawn to Jared but acts like a frightened bunny rabbit, always running away from him. Even when they start kissing and she tells him she wants him, she freaks out and runs away before continuing the encounter. For the reasons above, I didn’t have much sympathy, admiration, or interest in her. She is a weak heroine, who finally becomes more normal after getting over her grief and falling in love with Jared.

Jared was gorgeous. Wherever he went, the ladies came on to him. He had commitment issues based on his past. He was smart, and he did some good things in the story. I liked him.

Overall, the story was average. I can’t say I “really” liked it, but it was thoughtful and nice. Over 90% of the story is about Jenny’s approach/avoidance feelings towards Jared. It is a romance, so they do get together at the end. I wanted more emotional appeal and some plot improvement. There is an interesting side story with 13 year old Cody. He occasionally stays with Jenny and Jared. I would have liked a little more story about his parents.

CAUTION SPOILER:
I was uncomfortable with one of Jared’s actions. After having sex with Jenny and then hurting her, he plans to give her something out of guilt. It was not something a rational man would do. He’s a military guy. He’s not rich. Why would he give her all of his money? I didn’t feel good about this “grand gesture,” especially since her parents were so wealthy and would give her anything she wanted.

DATA:
Story length: 328 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 3. Total number of sex scene pages: 7. Setting: current day small lakeside town near Seattle, Washington. Copyright: 2010. Genre: contemporary romance.

[Kelli Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and edited book. I don't care for books where the couple fight and plot against one another for 2/3 of the story. I also don't believe a woman will be attracted to a man she dislikes so vehemently no matter how hot he is. The initial meeting felt contrived and like a disaster I could see coming from miles away. Jenny was often made to look silly, falling, losing her paddle in the middle of the lake, etc... so Jared could save her without breaking a sweat or getting a hair out of place. Turning her business around just happened too fast and easy. A business operation with one plane and one pilot would be a mom and pop organization. As soon as Jenny started talking about getting all these commercial contracts, I wondered how she'd be able to accomadate them plus her leisure clients. It almost sounded like Jared just fell into being a top gun pilot, when that requires years of college (according to my military expert). And he never even flies the float plane (which he holds in such disdain) or takes on a charter for his own company, which I really expected him to do. I didn't get into the subplot about her sister at all. Without the subplot and the F-bombs it could have easily been a Harlequin romance (and there is nothing wrong with that). I just paid more and expected more.

With all that said, Jenny was likable and relatable. Jared was likeable for the last 50-75 pages. Like I said, it was well written. There was humor and beautiful description and F-boms (my fav). The author has a nice voice. Jared thought like a man and swore like a soldier (FYI-that's a good thing. I love small town stories, stories set in the PNW and stories near water (lakes, rivers, oceans). The cover, which the author probably had nothing to do with, depicts a lakeside picnic, which never happened that I can recall. It looks like a Women's fiction cover to me, but is a romance. I kinda liked how it ended, neither having to give up their dreams.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author to me. Excellent debut book. Hero is a Navy pilot and heroine is a fledging seaplane service owner. All around easy read with a delightful and warm story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book!! I really enjoy books where the protagonists grow in character and experience healing of the soul together.

[Sandy Hickey]

Romantic suspense at it's best

Lake Magic has it all. A beautiful setting. A true build up. Significant suspense. And a special ending.

Author Kimberly Fisk takes the time to develop and define her characters which aren't just the main two, then reels you in to the secondary and third set of characters leaving you wanting for so much more.

Who doesn't love a man in uniform? Now take that to the next Ievel. A fighter pilot. A Top Gun. Sexy as sin and oozing with anticipation.

What I appreciate in Kimberly Fisk's character development is that she covers all the bases. And while the anticipation leading to consummation is being built, she takes the time to insert safe sex practices which drive me nuts in most other books.

I look forward to reading more books by Kimberly and hope she turns the characters Paul and Anna into stories of their own.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the loss of her fiancé Steven, Jenny Beckinsdale has more than a broken heart to deal with-their fledgling seaplane service is going under. In debt to Steven's best friend and fellow Navy pilot, she plans to convince the sexy, cynical flyboy to help save the business...and in the process these two lost souls may find they're saving each other.

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lake Magic is a good title for the lake in the state of Washington. What is better than watching the waves wash against the shore and maybe washing away problems and challenges. Jenny has inherited her grandmother's house by the lake and the story begins..............

[Sherry Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. I thought they would never both be on the same page but oh when they did!!!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice story. Just so much repetition about why the characters feel like they do. Got it the first time or two.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Holly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of undying love, heart ache and the rebirth that comes with it! Timeless romance and no hurry to jump in to the nitty critter, teased your senses!!!

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

gd read

[Satıgül Yüksek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitap bir aşk kitabından çok aile bağlarını anlatıyor gibiydi,yazar nedense aşkı son elli sayfaya sıkıştırmayı uygun bulmuş,ne yazık ki ben bulamadım :)

Erkek karakterimiz , Jared Worth, oldukça yakışıklı ve sert mizaçlı biri,annesi onu küçük yaşta terk etmiş, babasının kim olduğunu ise annesinin bile bildiğini sanmıyorum,yetiştirme yurtlarında ve koruyucu aileler arasında dolaşıp,durmuş,ama kariyerinde iyi bir yerlere gelmeyi başarmış zira kendisi başarılı bir savaş pilotu üstelikte binbaşı :)

Kadın karakterimiz Jenny, uzatmalı nişanlısı Steven'ı trafik kazasında kaybetmiş, bu arada Steven'da bir savaş pilotu ve Jared ile arkadaşlar, hatta Steven Jared'e hayran, zira Jared'in kod adı Hayalet ve uçmadaki başarısı üzerine oldukça yaygın bir ünü var,kızımız Jenny oldukça güzel bir kadın,Steven ile birlikte kurdukları bir işleri var Mavi Gök Hava Yolları Deniz uçağı kiralama servisi ( daha kısa bir ad bulsalardı bari)

Aslında kızın bilmediği bir gerçek var Steven bu işi kurarken arkadaşı Jared'dan oldukça yüklü bir miktar para almış ve onu şirketin ortağı yapmış bu sırrı da sadece kendisine saklamış,söylemeye gerek duymamış zira Jenny ve Jared hiç karşılaşmamışlar kız Jared'ı Seven'ın eskiden birlikte çalıştığı biri olarak biliyor..

Steven'ın ölümü üzerine gerçekler ortaya çıkıyor,Jared ortaklıktaki payını almak için Jenny'nin kapısını çalıyor ve parasını alıp gitmeyi düşünürken bir de görüyor ki şirket neredeyse battı batacak,ya kıza varını yoğunu sattırarak parasını çıkaracak yada bir süre orada kalıp işlerin yoluna girmesine yardımcı olacak , aslında kızın ailesi çok zengin ama Jenny kimseden para istememekte kararlı bunu gören Jared da kendince bir plan yapıyor ki zaten olaylar ondan sonra gelişmeye başlıyor, ne kadar gelişiyorsa artık :)

Kitapta yan karakterlerde ilginçti,özellikle Jeny'nin ablası Doktor Anna,kendisi gibi doktor bir kocası ve ergenlikte sorunlu birde oğlu Cody var, kadının tek derdi işi olunca aile parçalanma aşamasına gelmiş, ayrıca aşırı korumacı bir annesi ve birde abisi avukat Paul var, fakat yazar Paul'e fazla yer verme gereği duymamış ki ben versin isterdim :)

Söylediğim gibi aşk sadece son elli sayfada biraz kendini hissettirdi oda biraz yani, yazar çok fazla uzatmaları oynamış,gereksiz detaylarla doldurmuş sayfaları, karakterlere ısınamıyorsunuz bile,özellikle Jenny'nin hiç bir özelliği yok sayfalar boyunca pembe ojelerinden ve parmak arası terliklerinin çıkardığı şıpıdık seslerinden başka bir şey geçmiyor,ah birde yemek yapmasını bilmiyor unutmuşum : ))

Kitap çok kötü değildi ama okumasam da olurdu dediğim kitaplar arasında yerini aldı :)

http://gulunkitapligi.blogspot.com.tr/

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't work for me on so many levels I'm tempted to give it 2*. The writing was technically good, with nice prose and smooth transitions, but it was shallow. The plot, the characters, and the emotions were all shallow. None of the characters were well-developed, and several weren't even 2-dimensional, they were simply names on paper. On page 142 was this line:
"Twenty-six years old and still trying to prove herself to her family. Pathetic."

And that about wraps up Jenny's character throughout the book. Ms. Fisk never succeeded in making me feel any of the characters' emotions, so even the slight changes in Jenny and Jared seemed unconvincing. Jenny's family members were patronizing to the point of cruelty, and her sister was an especially selfish, unsympathetic character. Frankly, there was hardly anyone in the book to like or respect, especially given the secondary characters were mostly cardboard placeholders.

The plot was thin, but Ms. Fisk could have pulled it out if she had been able to flesh the characters out enough to make the reader connect with them. The reader needs to feel close enough to these characters for their emotions to be the readers emotions, and for the reader to get lost in the time and place, feeling what the characters feel. This book didn't have good enough character development to be a character-driven story, and not enough action and plot to be plot-driven.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

Jenny Beckinsale is trying to keep her float plane charter business afloat after the death of her fiance, Steven, nine months ago. When a "mysterious" partner arrives asking for his money from the business, Jenny is shocked and frustrated because she does not have the money. She could ask her family for the money to buy him out, but she refuses to let them bail her out another time. She has failed too many times in the past and is ready to make or break it on her own.

This is a growing up story. Jenny finally finds that she has to take care of herself and stop letting other people take care of her. She has never really lived her own life by always letting others take the lead and sitting back for the ride. Jared's arrival forces her to find her own way and awaken from her haze.

The book is a bit cheesy and without serious depth, but it is an enjoyable read. It did not take me long to finish the book, but it was not a gripping tale by any means. I think I just wanted a bit more from the characters. I did not feel that I ever truly understood Jared and what happened to him in the Navy. It felt a little flat. I wanted more from the characters.

Overall, a worthwhile read, but best for a light read on a Sunday afternoon.

*I received this from LIbraryThing's Early Reviewer's program*

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance with lots of family drama. I loved Jenny’s family and the way they all came together and loved each other even if they didn’t always get along. Jenny’s sister and nephew are important characters in the story and Jared himself is a great hero. The author does a wonderful job of really digging into Jared’s history and psyche.

I really enjoyed this one, but I wish that Jenny and Jared could have been a little less physically perfect. This is what Jared though about Jenny, “She’d look completely at home frolicking around Hugh Hefner’s mansion in a bunny suit.” His nickname for her was Bunny. As for Jared, “he was one of those men who always looked good, whether they’d gotten off a motorcycle, out of the shower, or out of bed,” and so on. For me, their perfection made them less interesting. A flaw or two can make a character endearing, but being reminded the Jenny was drop dead gorgeous every time Jared called her Bunny was a bit much for me.

there's more on my blog http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/201...

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. Nothing complex or complicated, just a fairly straight-forward romance. I liked it, but didn’t find much about it to love. I found the animosity of Jenny’s family towards her a bit confusing. If you ask me, she had a right to still be a bit of a mess 9 months after her fiance’s death. There was more history than that to it, but the outright hostility didn’t sit well with me. I also could have done without the subplot involving Jenny’s sister and her absentee husband. It added absolutely nothing to the story, especially since it’s resolved without much to-do. Jared is your run-of-the-mill leading man, who didn’t really need a "hero" story behind him. I think he would have been much more interesting with more of a bad-boy story behind him. But these are really just nit-picky things. If you like romance in a beautiful setting, it’s not a bad book to pick up.

[Rhonda Rae Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Saturday read...took me on an adventure of love, family, and struggle to survive insurmountable obsticles while mixing a fairy-tale romance in for smiles.

Not a novel that I would normally pick up but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I've never been one for romantic novels but his one appealed to me because of what happened to the main character and the possibility of tension within family.

The characters were believable and I was carried away with what happened. If you're looking for an easy read that will take you to another place and time then this will be one you won't want to miss.

Good job Kimberly, I'm sure that you'll only grow from here and gain quite a following. I look forward to reading your next novel.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice debut contemporary romance. It has the usual tension between the two main characters, Jenny and Jared who find themselves as business partners of a failing business. After Jenny's fiancee dies, she finds herself owning their charter plane business with an unknown partner, enter Jared on a Harley. They find themselves attracted to one another even though they despise the other. There is a nice side story going on at the same time with Jenny's sister Anna and her family. This was a nice quick read for a Saturday afternoon. If you enjoy contemporary romance you will enjoy this book.

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK. It started off a little slow for me. I usually stop reading a book if I'm not interested in the first 100 pages. This book got interesting in the 90s. I didn't really like the hero or the heroine at first either but they grew on me as the story progressed. There was nothing special or extraordinary about the story. A contemporary romance in the truest sense. It was a little cheesy at some points, especially the end, but all in all it was your average romance. Don't think I'd read anything else by this author (just not my style), but I would recommend it to readers of contemporary romance. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't totally like it either. It was just OK.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

When her fiance, Steven, dies, Jenny is left brokenhearted and with a failing seaplane service. Steven was deeply in debt to his best friend, Jared, who wants his money back now. Jenny refuses to borrow the money from her parents and convinces Jared to fly for her in return for his investment. Over the summer they both begin to revise their initial impressions of each other and love begins to bloom. [return]I had a hard time with this story. There was a lot more language and sexuality than I was expecting and it just came across crass and cheap. There was so much conflict between everyone I just got irritated with the whole storyline. Not an author I will pick up again.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the author's first novel, and as such, it was not bad. It is the story of Jenny and Jared - reluctant partners in a seaplane charter business out of Seattle. Nothing earth shattering, but a quick read. When I looked for the author's web page, mentioned on the back cover, there is nothing there. I note that she said it took her 5 years to write this book. Makes me wonder if there will ever be another...

[hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5

the summary led me to believe i was going to get some sort of "marriage of convenience" type deal and it turned out not to be that which was SO DISAPPOINTING. i didn't hate it and liked certain parts of it (loved jenny! loved her relationship with her siblings and the fact that it wasn't perfect but at the end of the day they have each other's back! and i liked jenny/jared in specific moments) but i needed jared to be less of a jerk than he was and there wasn't enough of that for me.

[Laurie Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this story. Kimberly Fisk brought Jenny and Jared's stories to life and I fell in love with them, as well as the secondary characters and their stories. This is such a wonderful feel-good story about wounded souls who help each other find the good in life. Thank you, Kimberly Fisk, for an excellent read.
Oh, and I have a favorite scene: J+. Wow! Was that ever powerful!

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I read a romance novel that reminds me why I fell in love with them so many years ago. Lake Magic is one of those books. You can't help identifing with the wounded hero and failure-prone heroine. A book like this is a rare find to be treasured. I finished it all in one day, as I couldn't put it down.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good debut novel about a woman who has lost the love of her life and clings to his memory. Of course the guy that walks in is a hunk and a half who no woman could ignore. He has his eyes set on Jenny. Oh to be so lucky. Basic storyline where the girl gets the good looking guy in the end. Fast reading book and nothing too deep or emotional.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok romance book.
I couldn't identify with Jenny's greiving. Her family was annoying, and like another reviewer said, Jenny had no admirable qualities other than good looks.
The main guy has issues connecting to people. I don't think his issues were resolved enough at the end to let me believe their relationship/marriage would work out.

[Kristi Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was a fun story and well written. Very touching and I loved that it was about 'Flyboys'. Loved it!
I live in the Pacific Northwest, (Troutdale, OR), so I love to read books from authors who live in my neck of the woods!
I hope to read more books by Kimerley Fisk in the near future.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. It wasn't the best book I've ever read or anything but it was a nice and pleasant read. I enjoyed the characters and their journey, although thought that Jared's background story could definitely be expounded upon. Overall a good time.

[Songül · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bu sıralar okuduğum nadir keyif aldığım kitaplardan biri oldu ..Jenny nin beceriksizliği, sakarlığı , iş bitirememezliği ile Jared in karizması , inatçılığı ve her planının elinde patlamasını okumak eğlenceliydi..her şey dozunda ve aşırılıktan uzak bir yalınlıkla işlenmiş...