Lives touching lives - impact they make: (2010-03-21) 
When I won this book, I was delighted. The blogs and comments I had read made one want to read it. Take the movie "It's a Wonderful life" and compare it to this book. Three women own difference types of shops and their lives impact each other - not only as friends but also in the community. Living in a small town myself I could well relate to the Keep the Heart in Heart Lake move. Rural Communities tend to look out for each other and big cities don't. I know as I was born in a big city.
One kind deed leads to another and another and another. Emma, Sarah, and Jamie all have different types of shops. All are struggling to get people to buy locally as they opt for sales and savings (as I am sure is the case today with the economic conditions). One does not realize what this does to those in their community. This book will make you want to be more loyal to those in your Community.
Jamie suffered abuse at the hands of her first husband, a cop, so she relates all cops to him and lumps them as abusive. So it is hard for Josh, with two daughters, who lost his wife to win Jamie over.
Sometimes I think we forget people who own shops are people just like us struggling with their own issues. A very good read. You'll laugh, you'll want to cry and you'll rejoice in the end.

Sweet story: (2010-02-22) 
I enjoyed this book. The three main characters are very likeable and I got caught up in the story right away.
It takes place in a small town and each of the characters owns their own shop and decide to make the town a better place. They are hoping to pass on the act of doing good deeds and hope it catches on with the town, its a story of friendships, caring and very heartwarming.
Its a cozy read, just curl up with a cup of hot tea and your favorite afghan and relax and enjoy! I know I did.
This is my first book by this author but will try others after enjoying this.

Warm, Inspiring life in a small town: (2009-12-31) 
Angle Lane is a very warm inspiring story of three women who own their own business in Washington State.

You really get into the story and almost feel as though you are part of the community and you really want to live there. I could not put the book down.

It is a great read for a quiet afternoon after the holidays. My daughter gave me a copy of LOVE IN BLOOM and from then on I was hooked on Shelia Roberts. I really enjoyed ON STRIKE FOR CHRISTMAS and it has been passed around all my friends and they are all waiting now to read ANGEL LANE.

Thank you Ms Roberts. I have now found another great author and can't read another
book. Hope there are more to come.

Karen, SC

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Feel-Good story for any time of year.: (2009-12-31) 
Searching for a feel-good story about three businesswomen in a small town trying to help it regain its heart? "Angel Lane" is just the ticket. Sarah, a baker, is a grandmother sorely missing her grandchildren who have just moved away. Emma is struggling to keep her new quilt shop open. She dreams of a life out of the movies, but reality has her living alone with a stray cat who doesn't like her. Jamie, who runs a very successful chocolate business, is divorced from an abusive cop. She is working hard at starting over, but is extremely reluctant to open her heart to an attractive cop and his two young daughters.

These three women decide to start a "good-deed" campaign encouraging other in their community to perform random acts of kindness. The story tells of many of these deeds and their outcomes (which are not always positive!). It also tells of their relationships with each other and others in their world and how they develop. This story features three of my favorite things - baked goods, chocolate, and quilting. Even if it lacked all three, it still would have been a great read. It is light reading with a positive message. It pulled on my heart and made me both cry and laugh. I recommend it highly!

Holiday Spirit: (2009-10-29) 
Emma, Sarah and Jamie are shop owners in the idyllic community of Heart Lake, Washington. Sarah owns a bakery, Jamie owns a chocolate candy store and Emma owns a struggling quilt shop and each woman brings her unique talent to their friendship.

Their friendship began one Wednesday in September when Emma wanders into Jamie's chocolate shop as Jamie and her Aunt Sarah were ending their day with a dose of chocolate. This impromptu get together had quickly became a weekly tradition. On one particular Wednesday, the group was discussing how Heart Lake was growing and losing its small town feel and how it is time to "keep the heart in Heart Lake." They unite to start a campaign of "pay it forward" with random act of kindness towards the citizens of Heart Lake and in turn their town would be a much friendlier place.

Each of the women are battling problems of their own; Sarah is lonely for her granddaughters and she gives back by teach a group of girls how to bake, Emma whose busines is failing takes in a stray cat and Jamie is nursing a broken heart from an abusive husband brings candy to the post office as a thank you. Regardless the ladies make a difference in the life of a family new to Heart Lake; Josh Armstrong, his father and two daughters plus their own friendship.

This novel is such a feel good story of friendship and love that it would make a great holiday gift for your BFF and to spark up your holiday spirit. ( )