“I was a girl and he was a boy sharing a small respite from the war. A simple dance. A simple promise not to forget” (101).

The Stars Over Clear Lake is a star-crossed lovers, WWII story about a young Iowan farm girl and a young German POW, their connection to each other and to music and to a time and place that highlighted the best and worst of humanity. This is a story of memories and love and war, the past and regrets, the future and hope. This is a story that, among other things, seeks to answer: To what extent does your past define you?

( )

I didn't expect to like this book; I'm not normally in for romances, or period pieces. But I adored this. It was a surprise and a real treat. I now face a moral dilemma, because I want to keep this book forever but I also want to send it to my cousin, who grew up in northern Iowa and who would no doubt love this story even more than I did. It will be a great sacrifice, but I will have to share the love and send it on.

This story was wonderful. It takes you to northern Iowa, and if you don't know why you should love that place then you should read this book. ( )

Lorraine Kindred has lost her husband of many years. The book switches back and forth from present day to the 1940’s when Lorraine met her husband as a young girl. The iconic Surf Ballroom figures into the story where Lorraine attended many dances. Lorraine’s son-in-law is very intrigued with the history of the Surf Ballroom. He has done some research and found that the original Surf Ballroom was destroyed by fire in 1947. It was later rebuilt. Knowing that Lorraine had attended dances about that time, he asks her about the fire. Lorraine remains evasive. This is great love story with an Iowa setting and a little bit of mystery. ( )

4.5 stars.

Weaving back in forth between the 1940s and 2007, Stars Over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth is a emotionally compelling novel that is quite captivating.

A year after losing her husband, Lorraine Kindred's memories of life during the 1940s are in the forefront of her mind following a night at the Surf Ballroom. Lorraine cannot stop thinking about how dramatically life with her parents on their Iowa farm changed after her brother Pete enlisted during World War II. After Pete leaves for the battlefield, her father hires German POWs from a nearby POW camp to help work their farm. As Lorraine gets to the know the men working with her father, her viewpoint of "the enemy" gradually shifts and her friendship with Jens eventually turns to love. However with anti-German sentiment running high and her mother's insistence she marry Scotty Bishop, Lorraine is torn between duty and the man who holds her heart. Will Lorraine risk her relationship with her family to be with Jens or will she marry a man she admires but does not love?

In the present, Lorraine is still adjusting to life without her husband. Her relationship with her daughter Daisy has always been strained and they do not see eye to eye on many things. Lorraine adores her son-in-law Harry but she is a little frustrated after he announces he is looking into the fire that destroyed the original Surf Ballroom back in 1947. He is convinced she might have valuable insight into the fire but Lorraine resists his efforts to discuss the events of that night.

In the past, Lorraine and her family try to adjust to life without Pete. Lorraine is a gifted singer but her mother does not support her daughter's dreams to professionally perform. She is also very much against her husband bringing German POWs to their farm and she makes no effort to hide her animosity towards them. Lorraine is initially hesitant when she first meets the prisoners but spending time with them helps her understand that not every German is a Nazi. Her relationship with Jens evolves over time into friendship then love but when the war finally ends, the POW camps finally close and the prisoners are deported to Europe. Her life then follows a somewhat predictable path but Lorraine still struggles between doing what is expected of her and following her dreams.

With surprising plot twists and an engaging storyline, Stars Over Clear Lake is an enchanting novel that is quite poignant. Loretta Ellsworth's impeccable research brings the setting and time period vibrantly to life. The historical elements are quite fascinating and beautifully incorporated into the storyline. The characters are wonderfully developed and immensely appealing. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this delightfully heartwarming novel. ( )

Merging the stories of POW camps in the US during WW 2, and the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake IA was an interesting plot. Unlike some other reviews I've read, I think that part of the story works. I don't think the supernatural part works as well. The book is well written with believable characters, although some are maybe too stereotypical. Going back and forth between the War years and more current time works well. I empathized with the main character Lorraine, and her struggles, although I didn't agree with all of her decisions. But we have to remember she was young. I did get caught by the twist--I wasn't expecting Sid's identity. I also really liked that the Surf Ballroom part was about the original ballroom that burned down. Buddy Holly isn't its only claim to fame.
It's an easy read; probably more a young adult novel. But that may be one more reason why I liked it! ( )