Janet Kay and Rainy Lake Rendezvous

 This review originally appeared at Wisconsin Writers Association

Rainy Lake Rendezvous, by Janet Kay

Psychological drama,  232 pp
May 2020, Independently published
Reviewed by Lisa Lickel, www.LisaLickel.com
 
Print $15.95
Ebook $2.99
Buy on Amazon

About the Book:
AN INTRIGUING TALE OF LOVE, LIES, AND FAMILY SECRETS - WITH A SUPERNATURAL TWIST. This is the long-awaited sequel to WATERS OF THE DANCING SKY.

Determined to reclaim Beth, the ex-wife whom he divorced ten years ago, Rob leaves behind his former identity as a prominent Chicago attorney and embarks upon a secretive mission to rescue her from the man whom he believes is holding her hostage. Together, he and Beth will begin a new life in a remote cabin in the Canadian wilderness.

But Beth has finally found peace and is no longer living in fear of her delusional ex-husband. She is happily remarried to an Ojibwe artist who honors his ancestors' cultural beliefs and traditions. They live on a wilderness island on Rainy Lake along the Minnesota/Canada international border where they are raising ten-year-old Jason.

Jason's idyllic childhood takes an unexpected turn when he awakens from a dream to find himself on a bizarre wilderness adventure with a stranger - accompanied by a spirit from beyond this world. This transformational journey, filled with twists and turns, leads to the discovery of long held family secrets that will change all of their lives forever.

Can they let go of the past, learn to forgive, and move into an uncertain future together?
Genres: Psychological Suspense, Wilderness Adventure, Supernatural
 
"Rainy Lake Rendezvous is a tale that begins with obsession and madness but becomes, in the end, a journey with something quite different in mind. Janet Kay offers readers a rich tapestry of intrigue, of history, of Ojibwe lore and culture… “ William Kent Krueger
 
My review:
Janet Kay’s creepy and delusional ex-lawyer Rob Calhoun, aka Bob Johnson, will make you think twice about taking that vacation in the deep north woods. Rob has never been short of charm, until he divorced his wife for a pregnant girlfriend/wife number two who promptly disappeared with the son he never knew nor cared about. Ten years’ worth of obsessive preparation to rescue Beth, the wife Rob should never have let go, leads to an intriguing, terrifying series of revelations that will keep readers turning pages.
 
A mysterious message repeats in Bob’s head…Bob has a rendezvous with death. As we learn more about Bob, his ex-wife Beth and new husband Seth, and their young son Jason, the deeper we’re drawn into this tale of spirit guides, premonition, and the results of choices that haunt them. Taking on a new persona, Bob’s careful plot winds across the US-Canada border and onto First Nation lands through the legendary boundary waters and islands of Minnesota and Ontario. Fall and its treacherous weather add to the suspense. Bob justifies his mania by believing Seth must be holding Beth hostage and he must save her.
 
Seth’s thought-provoking grandmother holds the story together as she whispers to each of them from beyond messages of warning, comfort, and a purpose that needs to be carried out.
 
A sequel to Waters of the Dancing Sky, echoes of reincarnation from earlier lives complement contemporary events. The profound message of forgiveness, “forgiving others—and yourself—were the keys to letting go of the past and embracing a future filled with endless possibilities” leaves the reader with hope. Kay’s tale of possibilities is recommended for high school-age readers and up who love adventurous drama and mysteries. Mild language and alcohol use.

About the Author
Janet Kay lives and writes on a pristine lake in the woods of northwest Wisconsin.  Drawn to nature since she was a child, she sees it's wonders as a source of renewal, reflection and connection with something greater than oneself.  Her lifelong interests include creative writing, travel, photography, exploring nature, and spending time with family and friends.  She has a special interest in the Victorian era and in the paranormal. http://www.novelsbyjanetkay.com/