The Love Campaign — Jeanne Bowman

Lakeville was a pretty town…without a heart. Could it be “reformed” before it wrecked Sue Thompson's life by driving away the man she loved?

Eye of the Beholder

Driving into Lakeville for a long-overdue visit with her favorite aunt, Sue Thompson eyed its peaceful, shady streets, the blue lake glittering in the late-summer sunlight and thought: Why, this is lovely! But Lakeville's tranquil beauty, she learned, was all on the surface, masking a malignant ugliness that sooner or later touched everyone...like her Aunt Lovenia. Sue hardly recognized her -- stooped, cowering, looking years older than she really was. What had the town done to her...and was there anything that could be done about the town? One person might help Sue find a way: Ed Weaver, an attractive young writer, an "outsider" like Sue -- and the town "pariah." But could Ed come up with the answer in time to save them from Lakeville's corruption, which was already reaching out for them...?

Welcome to Lakeville…

As they walked back toward the house, Aunt Lovenia suddenly clutched Sue's arms, startling her. “What was that?” she whispered.

For a moment, they stood listening. Sue heard nothing but the hum of cars on the lake road. Gently she propelled her aunt on.
“You won't mind sleeping upstairs alone?” Lovenia asked.
Sue laughed. “In this peaceful town?”
“Peaceful!” barked her aunt. “There is more hate per square inch in this town than any place else in the universe…”

Hero: Ed Weaver
Heroine: Sue Thompson


Original title: Home By the Lake