When Christmas Comes

Cape Light #20

by Katherine Spencer

Christmas brings big changes to the Inn on Angel Island…and for the Warwick family in Cape Light, secrets long hidden must be revealed.

Liza Merritt is grateful for the many blessings in her life when she returns to Angel Island with her family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Most of all, she’s looking forward to a reunion with her dear friend, Claire North. Claire seems untouched by the years she’s spent faithfully watching over Liza’s inn. Still, it is troubling to see that the hotel is no longer the sparkling jewel it once was. It’s a hard truth to face, but big decisions must be made. Is this the last Christmas they will all be together?

In Cape Light village, Emily Warwick and her sister, Jessica Morgan cheerfully plan a surprise party for Ezra Elliott’s 90th birthday. Ezra is so dear to his family, and everyone in town wants to honor the kind and generous doctor. But in the midst of their happy plans, Emily faces an unexpected challenge. It’s one that will test her moral courage and her bond with her adopted daughter, Jane. By the time Christmas comes, Emily must decide if she should reveal a secret that will forever alter the lives of everyone she loves.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Adult Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Katherine Spencer was a fiction editor before turning to a full-time career as a writer. The author of more than thirty books, she also writes the Angel Island series, as well as the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries under her real name, Anne Canadeo. She lives with her husband and daughter in a small village on the Long Island Sound. Outside of her office, she is active in many community charity projects.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 for When Christmas Comes. This is only the second in the series I read and will continue to read more.
I love the previous Thomas Kinkade's Cape Light: A Christmas Secret, but I had a tough time keeping up with all different characters in this one. It was a struggle in the beginning.
It's still a nice Christmas read with story that mostly involves a young woman looking for a family member and owner and those working at the Inn at Angel Island.

[Beachbum7805 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. I look forward to the Christmas novel each year. I was so glad this one centered on Angel Island. As always, the novel always has a point to it and Reverend Ben always has the best advice.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book put me in the Christmas spirit a little early this year. It has been awhile since I read a book in this series and I enjoyed remembering all the characters as they entered the story about the Inn that Liza owns and the problems Claire and Nolan were having running it. All my favorite characters were in this story with the addition of a few new ones. I especially enjoyed reading about Kerry and Gabriel and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire has been been looking after Liza’s inn for several years while Liza and her dr husband are out west. When she gets to the inn Liza finds several things that haven’t been taken care and finds that Claire is getting too old to run the inn. Liza has to decide if she should sell the inn or not. One of the helpers at the inn has a big secret, she is the birth mother of Emily’s daughter, she can’t decide if she should tell Jane or not.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved returning to Angel Island and Cape Light! It felt like reuniting with old friends and acquaintances during the Christmas holiday. This book was an absolute delight to read.

I received an ARC and am submitting an honest review of this book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this installment doesn't disappoint. The characters are like old friends and this book brought to the forefront some of my favorites.
The story flowed and really puts you in the holiday spirit.
A good book to curl up with in front of the fire on a cold night.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found great pleasure in reading a new installment in the Thomas Kinkade’s Cape Light series and catching up with old friends from Cape Light and Angel Island. I had really felt a loss when no more Angel Island books were published. However, Katherine Spencer has done a wonderful job of bringing back some special people to the Inn at Angel Island and weaving their story together with that of the folks in Cape Light for another beautiful Christmas story. What a delight to read another “feel-good” story. I like books with suspense, action, some romance, and a mingling of faith but the Cape Light books are special in the way they draw me into the lives of the characters and make me feel right at home. The painting by Thomas Kinkade on the cover is an added bonus to the story. I would be remiss if I led you to believe that everything about the story is just rosy. Remember that roses have thorns, so the story has some thorny issues to be resolved. Of course, one of the greatest thorns is Lillian Warwick. I love reading how Dr. Ezra deals with her. What a charming character he is! I wish I knew a living person like him so I could take some lessons. I recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When owner, Liza Merritt returns to the Angel Island Inn to celebrate Thanksgiving with dear friends she discovers that all is not well. When Liza left 6 years earlier she left the inn in the capable hands of Claire and her husband. However, things are not going well as Liza finds problem after problem with things at the inn. The sparkle is going quickly and she must do something about it. However, does that mean she has to sell her beloved inn? Maybe.

Meanwhile Cape Light residents Emily Warwick and her sister Jessica Morgan are putting together a surprise party for Ezra Elliott the much loved man who married their cantankerous and controlling mother and who is living to tell the story.

Another great Christmas story from Katherine Spencer.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is the 20th book in the Cape Light series I hope there will be more especially since there were definitely some loose ends. It was nice to be back in Cape Light and also at the inn on Angel Island. We got to meet up with a lot of characters we've met before along with some new ones. There are a lot of stories going on but they seamlessly tie together. Some twists and turns, some sorrows, sadness and happy times along with the celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The church and Reverend Ben once again plays important roles in the story but there were some surprises along the way along with lots of happiness for various reasons. I do hope we'll be returning to Cape Light for another heartwarming Christmas story told with a lot of realism.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Perhaps my favorite in this series. It appears that there is only one left in the series. I so enjoy the time I've spent in Cape Light.

I will say that if you are reading this series, pause before you open this cover and read her Angel Island series. I felt a little lost about the background of the characters at the in.

A charming book that allowed me to get away from the stress of every day life.

[GiGi Carothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must confess that When Christmas Comes which is part of the Cape Light series, is a book that I couldn't put down and also didn't want it to end. The characters in the novel seem so real and you begin to know them from reading other Cape Light books. I hope it will not be the end of the series because I really reading enjoy about Angel Falls and the people who live there. I would recommend this book even if you haven't read the other book in the series.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman seeking family arrives on Angel Island and is welcomed into the community. An Angel Island family living in the West for the last couple of years comes home. The caretakers of the Inn make a life changing decision. The local handyman finds love. These are just some of the characters in this heartwarming Christmas story.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant story with a very interesting group of characters, mostly people that one would enjoy knowing. Though the plot was somewhat predictable, the action along the way was heartwarming. Since I've not read any other of the books in this series I can't compare it to earlier volumes. But I did find it interesting enough that I will probably try some of the earlier books.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to,catch up with the people of angel,island and Cape light.

Enjoyed getting to know new characters and catching up with old ones. Can you believe Ezras going to be 95? Kerry was a great addition, always ready for the next one.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. A really good feel good book especially at this time of year! Can't wait to read the next one.

Couldn't put it down. The characters seem to become so familiar after reading all these books in the series. So enjoyable.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author. This installment in the series was another wonderful addition, I got to meet some more characters and learn about their lives and see their stories develop. This one had me laughing, crying, happy, etc... Beautiful the way it turned out.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love going back to visit Cape Light and Angel Island! It's fun to hang out with the characters again. I enjoyed reading this book

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite series!

[Debbie Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Still don’t like Lillian’s character.

[Jennifer Schaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Christmas read.

[Lisa Currier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the series. Captures the spirit of the season🎄😀

[Dr. Steve Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book to read at a busy time of year when it is important to remember why we celebrate Christmas - hope and redemption.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful book about the people of Cape light and the Angel Inn.

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a lovely book enjoyed it makes you remember what christmas is all about family

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Another great story in this series. Always a perfect read for the holidays.

[Karen Butman]

Love this series. Can 't wait for the next book!

[Terri Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

[Diane Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series.. This book #20 was excellent. Katherine's characters always inspire me. Loved the ending and look forward to many more books in the Cape Light series.

[Theresa Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as I do all of Katherine Spencer's books.

[Andria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had just enough of the original characters blending with the new characters to make it a very satisfying read.