Product Description

"These are the memories that have chased me through life. These are the stories that painted the canvas that brought me to this place, writing these words. If I could go back, I would not trade one single day. Not one smile, not one tear, not one piercing pain. I only wish I could revisit that place and that time and for one brief rapturous moment, we could return to Candlewood Lake. This is our story."

—Justin VanSant

Sometimes true love is right under your nose and the most important moments are those that never happen.

It was the fall of 1971 when Eve’s family moved to Candlewood Lake. There she finds an unexpected friendship in Billy and Justin. While the war in Vietnam rages on, this peaceful Connecticut town sets the scene for three friends whose bond will not be broken—until a force none of them expected rips them apart. One of these men will become her husband, but will she choose wisely?

Billy is the best-looking kid in town. He has everything a kid could want: looks, friends, and a promising football career. But Billy also has a dark secret, one that will destroy his friendship and his entire family.

Justin is smart, a little too smart; his friendship with Billy makes him cool and saves him from being labeled a nerd. But Justin also harbors a secret; he knew he loved Eve from the moment he laid eyes on her. Will he get the girl of his dreams or will loyalty allow his best friend to steal his one-true love?

Candlewood Lake is a coming-of-age story that will inspire you, break your heart, and remind you of the innocence of first love and the lessons that shape our lives. It’s a powerful and lusty tribute to life, love, and the tragedies that make us stronger.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1038198 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
Penny is the author of the Amazon.com bestselling book The Cliffhanger. She is also a book marketing and media relations specialist. She coaches authors on projects, manuscripts and marketing plans and instructs a variety of courses on publishing and promotion. To learn more about her upcoming events, books or promotional services, log onto her web site at www.candlewoodlakenovel.com or www.amarketingexpert.com

Customer Reviews

Small town life
Review: In a small town in Connecticut three children become best friends. Eve, Billy and Justin remain true to each other until they graduate. Then Billy's mother dies and Eve feels that Billy needs her more so they get married. Justin, who has always love Eve, moves to California so he doesn't have to be constantly reminded of what he lost. Eventually he meets a woman he falls in love with, but she is stricken with a fatal disease. He then moves back East, and when Billy runs off with another woman, he is there to console Eve. After a series of misunderstandings, Justin & Eve finally decide to marry.
This is a very will written story and holds your interest from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book.

Friends forever
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (3/06)

"Candlewood Lake" is a story of three young friends growing up in New Fairfield, Connecticut. Justin and Billy are 12 years old and Eve is 10 years old in 1971 when the story opens, and we follow their lives until 1992 when they are grown. When the story opens in 1971, the intensity of the war in Vietnam is raging on, tearing families apart.

Penny C. Sansevieri tells the story of Billy, Justin and Eve as they grow up around the beautiful backdrop of "Candlewood Lake" in a small town atmosphere. Billy is the adventurer of the group, good-looking, athletic, and star of the high school football team. Justin is the bookworm, always knowing the right answers, and being Billy's friend saves him from being labeled the class "nerd." Eve is the new girl in town, moving to Connecticut from Michigan, and the two boys and Eve soon become inseparable friends, all while growing up around the beautiful lake. This story is a look at how the choices they make will change their destiny. Once grown, Eve must choose a husband, and her decision will affect the relationship between the threesome.

I absolutely LOVED the story that unfolds among the pages of "Candlewood Lake." It is heartbreaking, devastating, joyful, effusive and high-spirited all at the same time. You will laugh out loud, cry with sorrow and sigh with angst at the trials and tribulations of growing up in a small town for these three young adults.

This book deserves exuberant praise! It is a page turner. From beginning to end, the story never loses its pace or slows down. It will keep you riveted to the developing events, anxious to know what will happen next. I found myself thinking at times, "How much more can these characters endure?" Of course, it's only a story, but if you like a good coming-of-age tale, this is definitely it. Penny will keep you wondering right up to the final few paragraphs. I highly encourage picking up a copy of Penny's work!

I would recommend "Candlewood Lake" to anyone who likes to get totally absorbed in a good emotional drama, full of ups and downs. Anyone from the teen years and older would deem this most appropriate. I could see females enjoying it utmost.

An interesting turning point happens when, after so much of doing what is right in life, a serendipitous discovery changes the pace for the three friends. Justin, Billy and Eve have so many memories, both good and bad, that evolve around Candlewood Lake. So many important events occur while growing up involving heartache, tears, joy, pain, the reality of life, death, tragedy, loss and ultimately reconciliation and acceptance are felt by the threesome.

Penny Sansevieri prides herself on the thoroughly researched details of Connecticut and Candlewood Lake. She is meticulous in getting the accuracy of cultural/regional specifics correct. I believe she wrote "Candlewood Lake" because she had fond memories shared by her own Mom and Dad of this lovely area. In my opinion, Penny did an excellent job and was successful in her endeavor.

Emotion packed!
Candlewood Lake is modern-day romance that could be about one of your friends.

Penny Sansevieri has written a masterful story about the emotional upheaval of a longing heart desiring for completion. You can't help but care about the characters and the choices they make, both disastrous and thrilling.

This is a story about three friends, Billy, Eve and Justin, who grow up together and make choices based on believing they are doing the right thing.... Yet one who knows they did not, suffers greatly after discovering that sometimes doing the right thing is not always the perfect choice. True love, however, find its way and flourishes in the most unpredictable way.

Candlewood is just a sample of more to come from Penny Sansevieri. We are looking forward more from her in the future.

Armchair Interviews says: Candlewood Lake is an emotion-packed romance that takes the reader on a roller coaster of love lost and then gained.