Barbara Delinsky is a crossover writer from the formula romance novel genre, which tends to focus more narrowly on the relationship developing between a hero and heroine than do mainstream novels. Her recent work, shelved under general fiction in bookstores and libraries, has a broader scope, each book tackling a timely social issue. Nonetheless, even though she now writes what is known as women's fiction, Delinsky remains a true romantic. Lake News centers on a strong yet vulnerable woman who is facing a personal crisis, and a slightly older man who at first seems to belong to the enemy camp: "He wanted to write a book about her, but she wanted privacy.

That put them on opposite sides." This book also offers a cast of vividly drawn minor characters, the gorgeous scenery of autumn in New England, and high drama.

With almost seventy novels to her credit in...