"Many people enjoy Lakeview Park, and each one has a unique story. Between the pages, you’ll meet:
- Clarence, who thinks he might have found a winning lottery ticket
- Kuniko, a grandmother and widow who discovers that friendship can bloom anywhere
- Wayne, a former guitarist who rediscovers the joy of music
- Jenny, a mother whose husband is serving in Afghanistan
- Carol, whose journalistic assignment teaches her more than she expects
- Shirley, who discovers that some dreams are worth keeping
- Alex, for whom friendship bridges age differences and soothes a broken heart
- Gloria, who discovers her blessings and makes peace with her past
- Alice, who loves to tell jokes, even though her memory is fading
- Carl, who discovers that reality may hold more promise than long-held fantasy
- Carolina, a ghost searching for her lost child
- Tiffany, a teenager with hopes and dreams
- George, whose life is ebbing, but not his love
- Sheila, a young woman estranged from her family
- Carlos, the groundskeeper who has devoted his career to the park
Lakeview Park is a collection of O. Henry-like slice-of-life stories about the people who frequent a fictitious park. These tales reveal folks of all ages, from a small child to the elderly."
Have you ever walked through the park or just set on a bench and watched other people? Do you ever wonder what their life is like, whether they are poor or rich, have a loving family or an estranged family?
Lakeview Park is a collection of fictional stories based on a few actual events or places. It's the stories of 15 different people who all use the park in one form or another. Some just to talk a walk, some to feed the ducks and others to reminisce. There are others who like to race their sailboats in the lake or just pick up cans for money to live on. And then we have Carlos the grounds keeper who has met them all, knows their names , their problems, walks with them and talks with them. Some stories will make you smile, so will make you feel a little tug at your heart or cause a little tear to form. Did I have a favorite among the stories and the people? Yes, all of them. It would be hard to pick out just one ot two but I would have to say the story of Alice and George or Carlos.
I have read every book that has been written by Larry Collins and his wife Lorna. If you have not read any before than your are in for a real treat. Their stories are cleaning written and always have a meaning in them that one can take to heart. After seeing the trailer I know you will want to read the book. Recommended for everyone.
Reviewer Lynn
