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Mirror Lake #1
A Place to Call Home
Who Is Quinn O'Halloran?
Well, he's not exactly who he tells Abby Porter he is. Sure, he's the carpenter who'll help turn her run-down lodge into a charming inn. But what he can't tell her is that her worried brother hired him to secretly watch over her. After two weeks, he'll finally be able to return to his old life—where he belongs. Yet the closer he gets to sweet Abby, the more he wants to tell her all his secrets. Including his desire to build a life with her on Mirror Lake—forever.
Well, he's not exactly who he tells Abby Porter he is. Sure, he's the carpenter who'll help turn her run-down lodge into a charming inn. But what he can't tell her is that her worried brother hired him to secretly watch over her. After two weeks, he'll finally be able to return to his old life—where he belongs. Yet the closer he gets to sweet Abby, the more he wants to tell her all his secrets. Including his desire to build a life with her on Mirror Lake—forever.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
32 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Springer
60 books492 followersKathryn Springer grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child, she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books – which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own.
After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a book. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published.
Fast forward to today and Kathryn has written over thirty novels. She lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the "change" between winter and spring didn't last quite so long!) When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! If you want to know more, follow her blog Table Grace. . .thoughts and musings on living a life with nothing artificial added.
After a number of busy years, when she married her college sweetheart and became a stay-at-home mom, Kathryn rediscovered her love for writing. An unexpected snow day from school became the inspiration for a short story, which she submitted to Brio magazine. She went on to publish over a dozen more short stories for Brio, but it wasn’t until her youngest child started school that she decided to pursue her dream to write a book. In August 2004, her Love Inspired® debut novel, Tested by Fire, was published.
Fast forward to today and Kathryn has written over thirty novels. She lives on a lake in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the "change" between winter and spring didn't last quite so long!) When she isn’t at the computer, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! If you want to know more, follow her blog Table Grace. . .thoughts and musings on living a life with nothing artificial added.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 1, 2013
I read Springer's debut book, 'Tested by Fire' and absolutely loved it. So I ran out and got six more of them from the library. Next I read 'Soldier's Newfound Family'... one of her latest books: It. Blew. Goats. Somewhere between her debut and today, she totally lost what made her stand head and shoulders above all the other inspirational writers. It's like a literary Amy Grant - who started out with "Jehovah" and "El Shaddai" and watered down to "Baby, Baby" and "House of Love". The difference was ASTOUNDING.
So I backed up to the beginning, and prayed that there would be more of the 'early', meaty, GOOD stuff by Springer... and Praise Ha'Shem, she had other REALLY, *REALLY* good ones, out there. ((sigh of relief))
Quinn had a rough upbringing. He got out, made something of himself, and then everything went to hell in a handbasket on him. Until the day he got a call from the hotel mogul, Alex Porter, who wants him to take a job as bodyguard for Alex's sister. Who just happens to have found the Lord, left the city, and was in Quinn's town, trying to renovate a bankrupt Bible camp into a bed-and-breakfast. But the thing is, Quinn isn't allowed to tell Abby that he's been hired by Alex. She hates her brother's overbearing ways, so Quinn is to pose as the handyman she so desperately needs.
What Quinn gets, though, is redemption. With the town, with the Lord, and after Abby finds out what's really going on, with her, as well. It. WAS. *FANTASTIC*. No platitudes, real faith lived out, even some backbone against the Church Growth Movement Springer obviously later embraced.
Still. This book? I'm buying it. It was phenomenal. LOVED the chapel in the woods, the dog friendship, the fishing fiasco, Abby's how-to books... loved everything about this. Definitely worth reading. Now, on to the next one...
So I backed up to the beginning, and prayed that there would be more of the 'early', meaty, GOOD stuff by Springer... and Praise Ha'Shem, she had other REALLY, *REALLY* good ones, out there. ((sigh of relief))
Quinn had a rough upbringing. He got out, made something of himself, and then everything went to hell in a handbasket on him. Until the day he got a call from the hotel mogul, Alex Porter, who wants him to take a job as bodyguard for Alex's sister. Who just happens to have found the Lord, left the city, and was in Quinn's town, trying to renovate a bankrupt Bible camp into a bed-and-breakfast. But the thing is, Quinn isn't allowed to tell Abby that he's been hired by Alex. She hates her brother's overbearing ways, so Quinn is to pose as the handyman she so desperately needs.
What Quinn gets, though, is redemption. With the town, with the Lord, and after Abby finds out what's really going on, with her, as well. It. WAS. *FANTASTIC*. No platitudes, real faith lived out, even some backbone against the Church Growth Movement Springer obviously later embraced.
Still. This book? I'm buying it. It was phenomenal. LOVED the chapel in the woods, the dog friendship, the fishing fiasco, Abby's how-to books... loved everything about this. Definitely worth reading. Now, on to the next one...
August 13, 2018
Absolutely gorgeous.. I loved every single minute spent reading this novel. Thank you Kathryn Springer for giving me such a good time.
October 21, 2010
Enjoyed the story. It flowed well and was easy to read. Well written Christian romance.
June 13, 2020
I received this book via two friends, one of whom sent it on to me when they were done with it.
Mirror Lake area sounds like a peaceful place to live or at least to visit. The idea of missionaries Lydia and Simon having met at the Bible Camp that was there before Abby bought the property and wanting to renew their vows there was an interesting twist, even if they weren't a big part of the story.
In the early part of the book, it is hinted that both Quinn and Abby have some part of their past lives that was a bit traumatic. We do eventually find out what those are, but for a while it was a bit annoying to me to have it hinted at but not know the why behind the hints.
I admire Abby wanting to go out on her own, especially after her brother keeps refusing to let her have a bigger part in the management of the hotels. I do give her credit for stepping out on faith and working toward something she wants.
I like that Abby's willing to give second-chances. Instead of listening to town gossip, she's willing to "judge" each person based on how they present to her, particularly in the cases of Cody Lang and Quinn.
In one sense, I can understand her brother's caution and wanting to protect her, even if he does overdo it. Since someone was "after" him, I can see him worrying that the problem might spread to his sister. But in other areas, he seems to want to keep Abby caught in the aftermath of the abduction when she was six-years-old rather than seeing that she has grown up.
If you analyze the plot behind the likable characters, it's easy to see that it's a well used plot in the romance genre, where the two main love interests assume things rather than talking to each other about what they're feeling etc. which prolongs the story.
Mirror Lake area sounds like a peaceful place to live or at least to visit. The idea of missionaries Lydia and Simon having met at the Bible Camp that was there before Abby bought the property and wanting to renew their vows there was an interesting twist, even if they weren't a big part of the story.
In the early part of the book, it is hinted that both Quinn and Abby have some part of their past lives that was a bit traumatic. We do eventually find out what those are, but for a while it was a bit annoying to me to have it hinted at but not know the why behind the hints.
I admire Abby wanting to go out on her own, especially after her brother keeps refusing to let her have a bigger part in the management of the hotels. I do give her credit for stepping out on faith and working toward something she wants.
I like that Abby's willing to give second-chances. Instead of listening to town gossip, she's willing to "judge" each person based on how they present to her, particularly in the cases of Cody Lang and Quinn.
In one sense, I can understand her brother's caution and wanting to protect her, even if he does overdo it. Since someone was "after" him, I can see him worrying that the problem might spread to his sister. But in other areas, he seems to want to keep Abby caught in the aftermath of the abduction when she was six-years-old rather than seeing that she has grown up.
If you analyze the plot behind the likable characters, it's easy to see that it's a well used plot in the romance genre, where the two main love interests assume things rather than talking to each other about what they're feeling etc. which prolongs the story.
April 30, 2023
Wonderful start to this series. I love how the characters, like us, made assumptions about each other without really knowing the whole story. Not that I loved they did that.. but I love that Springer wrote them "real". I love Abby's passion and also her courage to push forward in the face of fear. I love the lesson on how we allow others, as well as our past define us.. when we should only let Christ do that. Springer hinted at some future stories in the series by giving us glimpses into other characters in Mirror Lake. Looking forward to reading more!
October 25, 2016
Ebook
Wonderful story about second chances. She needs to prove herself to her brother and herself. He needs to prove himself to others and himself. God puts them together and they are whole
Wonderful story about second chances. She needs to prove herself to her brother and herself. He needs to prove himself to others and himself. God puts them together and they are whole
October 31, 2018
This line of books always have a simple romance and a gentle Christian message. Not a lot of depth but an easy read. Enjoyed the main characters in this one. This book is the first in a series and introduced the readers to several characters that will probably have their own book before the series is done.
April 2, 2018
It was OK. Nothing spectacular. I won't finish the series.
March 29, 2019
Very good book. Great storyline and very Christian based!
September 2, 2019
Felt the chemistry was pretty good between the couple.
October 31, 2019
It was over before I knew it! I'm excited to read the other books in the series :)
June 12, 2020
Book #1. Quinn helps Abby gather lodge/cabins/bed & breakfast restored and they find new beginnings.
October 11, 2022
1.5 stars
July 15, 2025
I enjoyed the book wish there had been more to the ending
September 26, 2025
Good story!! Clean, entertaining!!
June 9, 2012
This is another Love Inspired book that I picked up for a quarter at the library. It was a sweet, fast, very clean read....with a christian/romance type theme. This one was quite a bit more preachy then the other two Love Inspired books I read...and none of them have been extremely well written....but I give them 3 stars for being clean and having a nice message.:) The story-line was a cute idea. The heroine has broken off from her very rich family to start a life of her own. She purchases a run-down bed and breakfast on "Mirror Lake" and is trying to get it fixed up to open. Her very over-protective brother ends up secretly hiring Quinn O'Halloran, a local locksmith/ex-body guard, to watch over her...he becomes her carpenter...etc...the story is a bit repetiive and there's not a whole lot of drama that happens to the characters, but it's a feel good squeeky clean book, which is always nice:)
February 19, 2016
I couldn't put this romantic story down. I read it in one sitting. The dialogue between the two main characters was witty, building great chemistry. It was a pure love, and I just adored it. I fell in love with the small town (it reminded me of my hometown) and the other characters were a joy to meet.
April 30, 2012
Read the second in the series first, so went back to read this one. Pretty straight-forward. Girl might be in trouble, so over-protective brother hires a body-guard without telling her. Guy guarded, not just guarding. Falls for girl, anyway. Nice little story with a moral: God has a plan.
November 12, 2013
I love this book. The more times I read it, the more I love it. I love Abby and Quinn, they are great characters with excellent character development.
September 15, 2012
Cute and fluffy. The kind of book you need every once and a while
August 19, 2013
Cute book - super quick read...
March 15, 2014
Abby's brother Alex Porter hires Quinn to protect her. While he poses as a carpenter, they fall in love.
December 22, 2016
Very enjoyable romance. Looking forward to reading all of the Mirror Lake series.
May 12, 2025
I loved this book. I love mirror lake and I really like the characters. I love the environment that she built and the characters that’s she introduces!! Can’t wait to read the next book!!
March 19, 2010
I just loved this book!
April 27, 2013
Loved this book! Very inspiring and exciting!
Read
October 18, 2018If you love to hear love stories this is a good one. Can Quinn O’Holloran open up to Abby and win Her Heart? If you want to know what happens you are going to have to read this amazing book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews