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Derby #3
By the Light of a Thousand Stars
Beyond the Sorrow, Belief Awaited.... Catherine had vowed long ago to be the kind of mother she'd never known herself, but somewhere along the way things became muddled. One by one her three children rebelled, leaving her outwardly perfect family in disarray. As if their household isn't disrupted enough, Catherine's strange sister-in-law moves in--uninvited. Into the chaos steps a new neighbor, as different from Catherine as any woman could be. Catherine is both appalled and fascinated by the unique way Barb's family interprets life's trials, and she is inexplicably drawn to them. When tragedy strikes, she finds herself longing to discover the secret to their joyful, contented lives. A Christy Award Finalist
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
49 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Langston Turner
12 books135 followersJamie Langston Turner is the award-winning author of seven novels, including Sometimes a Light Surprises, Winter Birds, and Some Wildflower in my Heart, and has been a teacher for more than forty years. She is currently a professor of poetry and creative writing at Bob Jones University. Jamie lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 3, 2013
A cute book. This was sort of a Born Again Christian book. Some of the characters seemed somewhat exaggerated to me--almost stereotypes, not real. But often the internal struggles that they were going through made them more real. I strongly believe in many of the ideas being portrayed in the book: God has a plan, He loves us, Christ is our Savior, etc. However, sometimes it got a little heavy-handed in the telling.
June 30, 2021
I've read this book several times over the years. It's fun and thoughtful. I always get something new of reading it. This time, I especially related to the character Della Boyd (a favorite) who lost her home in a fire. She comes to realize how much she misses her home and discovers a poem that speaks to this. I love how Jamie Langston Turner weaves references to poetry, novels, music, hymns and art into her novels.
December 16, 2021
I am really enjoying these books and appreciate the author’s depiction of what day to day may look like in the life of a Christ follower. These stories are intriguing and reassuring and realistic. I am so grateful for not another Christian romance.
August 8, 2022
This was a familiar-feeling book about the power of the gospel and the passage of time. Turner crafts the story in such a unique and powerful way, and although a bit wordy at times, it was beautifully written and so touching.
February 7, 2017
By the Light of a Thousand Stars is another example of Turner's excellent writing and intriguing people. Each of the main characters has a unique story of brokenness and is at a different stage of her faith walk. Dottie has been a Christian for a long time and is struggling with her faith since the death of her daughter. Della Boyd has lived a life of service to others and can't imagine why anyone would call her a sinner. Catherine is a cantankerous, shallow housewife who criticizes everything and everyone. Barb is the fairly new Christian who is trying her best to share her faith with others. Each woman is likable and believable. I loved the other kooky characters (the poetry club members) that Turner introduces into the story as well.
But the book fell short in two areas. First, the excessive teenage banter/humor got old after a while. And the fact that so many people ended up getting saved robbed the book of the sense of authenticity that I so appreciated in Turner's Winter Birds.
But the book fell short in two areas. First, the excessive teenage banter/humor got old after a while. And the fact that so many people ended up getting saved robbed the book of the sense of authenticity that I so appreciated in Turner's Winter Birds.
February 20, 2016
I loved this book for many reasons. It was entertaining but it also taught me a lot of spiritual lessons. The characters were described in such a way that I felt like I was in the room watching them. I will definitely check out other books written by this author.
May 21, 2019
I'm currently reading through my entire book collection, re-reading books if necessary (like this one), to determine which books "spark joy" and therefore deserve a rightful place in my book collection.
Currently reading
August 10, 2008A little slow...I've read a fews books since starting this one and that isn't like me.
March 3, 2011
One of my favorites: shifts between two single points of view, although the narration is 3rd person. A beautiful story of community and healing. Highly recommended!
November 3, 2012
Very slow. I read many other books while trying to finish this one. I did enjoy Dottie's insights in the last chapter and "got" the point of the book. But very slow....
November 30, 2020
Again, another thoughtful book by Turner. I especially like her character development.
May 25, 2021
It has a Steel Magnolias feel to it. A bit lengthy at times but I enjoyed it.
December 10, 2023
I started this book on an airplane seated between two strangers .., big mistake. I was crying just a few pages in. While the book grabbed me quickly, I also quickly disliked most of the characters. I didn't enjoy the sometimes backward telling of a story.
What I love is the redemption story. This is life. Even the hardest of hearts and the most deeply hurt can be reached by the gospel. The transformation of the characters was beautiful and I wanted to cheer them on.
The moral of the story, though, for me, was the call for me to be faithful with my walk. Someone is always watching. I want to be one to encourage and sew good seeds.
What I love is the redemption story. This is life. Even the hardest of hearts and the most deeply hurt can be reached by the gospel. The transformation of the characters was beautiful and I wanted to cheer them on.
The moral of the story, though, for me, was the call for me to be faithful with my walk. Someone is always watching. I want to be one to encourage and sew good seeds.
March 28, 2020
I loved this book. It follow several different women. Catherine’s three children are rebelling and then she has to house her sister-in-law Della Boyd. This is a good story about how other people’s examples of faith can influence others. Dottie and Barb are a good example of living out their Christian faith. I was especially impressed by Dottie who lives out her Christian faith even while struggling with belief herself.
June 13, 2017
Slow at times, but nice to come full circle at the end of the book and tie up loose ends.
April 27, 2018
Good story. Dottie, Barb, Catherine, Eldeen... just some of the main characters that make it interesting.
February 15, 2019
Another great book by my favorite author.
The last chapter is full of spiritual insights. The characters are like old friends by the time you get to the end.
The last chapter is full of spiritual insights. The characters are like old friends by the time you get to the end.
June 29, 2024
I have read this book countless times and love it more each time. I believe Jamie Turner should be one of the great writers of our time, but sadly so few know of her.
August 24, 2025
Great book!!
January 30, 2023
Catherine's Perfection vs Barb, her neighbour's imperfection produces some surprises, as Catherine learns some important lessons,from Barb and her sister-in-law, when she comes as an uninvited guest. Jamie Langston Turner continues to compel me to keep me reading to the end.
September 4, 2025
Present day, Berea, South Carolina
Characters
Catherine: Cranky and self-focused. Husband: Blake. Children: Hardy, Philip and Olivia
Della Boyd: Catherine's sister-in-law, house burnt down, came to live with them
Barb: Across the street, neighbor, fairly new believer
Dottie: Hairdresser, believer, grieving the loss of her teen daughter
Well, you can sure tell Ms. Turner is a professor of creative writing. Her ability to capture characters' personalities is a thing to behold. Each one was written so well that you don’t have to guess what they’re really like. Simply amazing.
There were two characters I didn’t particularly like at the beginning: Catherine and her son Hardy. Although, Hardy did make me laugh. Catherine, on the other hand, made me laugh only when she had a biting quip towards her sister-in-law that was probably not meant to be funny, but it was. Hardy on the other hand was simply beyond impolite. He was rude, mean to his siblings, slovenly, a terror at school, but funny. His character was so well thought out.
Barb was the across-the-street neighbor who insinuated herself into Catherine‘s life. You don’t realize until later it’s because she’s trying to influence her for Christ through her friendship. Her kids and her husband were so cute, especially her twin teen boys. Their fun-loving banter could have taken up the whole book in my opinion. How Ms. Turner came up with those two I can’t imagine! They were hysterical!
Della Boyd seems to be simple minded, acts like it, but there’s a depth to her that you don’t realize for quite a while.
The story begins and ends with Dottie who is a grieving mom but trying to live out her faith the best she can under the circumstances.
Much of this book is day-to-day life with all of the characters, but the stories inside are captivating. Several things happen that can’t help but change their lives.
My favorite is what happens to Hardy. No, I won’t let the cat out of the bag on this one because it’s just too good.
OKay…only one little story about Della Boyd: You know how some people think they’re going to heaven because they’re good? Della always felt she was a good person, so when someone would talk about sin, it was uncomfortable. She didn’t feel like she was a sinner because she had always been a good person. And honestly, she was. However, when someone quoted the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, she realized she didn’t live up to that commandment. And that hit her full force.
The whole book was so creative. Some may think it’s too long, and yeah, it may have been. But I just enjoyed all of it so much that I couldn’t think of many things to omit in order to shorten it.
Some Wildflower In My Heart is still my favorite, but I don’t think this author can write a bad book.
Looking forward to more!
Characters
Catherine: Cranky and self-focused. Husband: Blake. Children: Hardy, Philip and Olivia
Della Boyd: Catherine's sister-in-law, house burnt down, came to live with them
Barb: Across the street, neighbor, fairly new believer
Dottie: Hairdresser, believer, grieving the loss of her teen daughter
Well, you can sure tell Ms. Turner is a professor of creative writing. Her ability to capture characters' personalities is a thing to behold. Each one was written so well that you don’t have to guess what they’re really like. Simply amazing.
There were two characters I didn’t particularly like at the beginning: Catherine and her son Hardy. Although, Hardy did make me laugh. Catherine, on the other hand, made me laugh only when she had a biting quip towards her sister-in-law that was probably not meant to be funny, but it was. Hardy on the other hand was simply beyond impolite. He was rude, mean to his siblings, slovenly, a terror at school, but funny. His character was so well thought out.
Barb was the across-the-street neighbor who insinuated herself into Catherine‘s life. You don’t realize until later it’s because she’s trying to influence her for Christ through her friendship. Her kids and her husband were so cute, especially her twin teen boys. Their fun-loving banter could have taken up the whole book in my opinion. How Ms. Turner came up with those two I can’t imagine! They were hysterical!
Della Boyd seems to be simple minded, acts like it, but there’s a depth to her that you don’t realize for quite a while.
The story begins and ends with Dottie who is a grieving mom but trying to live out her faith the best she can under the circumstances.
Much of this book is day-to-day life with all of the characters, but the stories inside are captivating. Several things happen that can’t help but change their lives.
My favorite is what happens to Hardy. No, I won’t let the cat out of the bag on this one because it’s just too good.
OKay…only one little story about Della Boyd: You know how some people think they’re going to heaven because they’re good? Della always felt she was a good person, so when someone would talk about sin, it was uncomfortable. She didn’t feel like she was a sinner because she had always been a good person. And honestly, she was. However, when someone quoted the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, she realized she didn’t live up to that commandment. And that hit her full force.
The whole book was so creative. Some may think it’s too long, and yeah, it may have been. But I just enjoyed all of it so much that I couldn’t think of many things to omit in order to shorten it.
Some Wildflower In My Heart is still my favorite, but I don’t think this author can write a bad book.
Looking forward to more!
February 3, 2009
This book focuses on three women in a small town in SC from July 29th of one year (it doesn't give the year) to May 26th the next. It begins with Dottie, the operator of the Be-Beautiful Style Shoppe, who is suffering over the recent death of her teen-age daughter who was struck down out by their mailbox. The major portion of the book examines the Biddles, especially Catherine the obsessive-compulsive wife and mother, as she blurts out exactly what she thinks in every situation, driving her husband and children further away with every bitter criticism. Then her single and elderly sister-in-law, Della Boyd Biddle from Yazoo City, MS, moves in unannounced after fire destroyed her home and life. After hearing about Della Boyd for many chapters, the focus switches to examine her as a person struggling to discover who she is and can be, after losing everything. The last chapter returns to Dottie and allows her to answer the poignant question of her life's meaning: "Is what I'm doing important?"
I could relate to many of the southern expressions, and to the common human dilemma that Catherine experiences of feeling trapped by what she has created but not having the humility or insight to change. The book explores change and faith and brings out how each life affects many others.
I liked that the major conflicts were resolved, which is the prerogative of fiction. Reading about a person changing takes only a little time and effort; creating the change you see needed in yourself takes more time and effort!
I could relate to many of the southern expressions, and to the common human dilemma that Catherine experiences of feeling trapped by what she has created but not having the humility or insight to change. The book explores change and faith and brings out how each life affects many others.
I liked that the major conflicts were resolved, which is the prerogative of fiction. Reading about a person changing takes only a little time and effort; creating the change you see needed in yourself takes more time and effort!
November 30, 2016
I began reading this because of hearing about this "new author" decades ago at an Evangelical Church Library Association meeting. Bethany House is one of my favorite publishers; I am rarely disappointed with one of their novels.
As I got into this book I thought it was pretty good then I began not liking it as much because of its too in-your-face Christianity which seemed heavy-handed. The characters were also a little formulaic, especially Catherine and Barb.
However, the last chapter made the entire book, faults and all, worth my time in reading it for Turner inserted a profound Biblical spiritual truth in the wrap up that impacted me deeply.
Her book is divided into portions that tells the story from four different characters perspectives, three main characters and one minor one. Ironically, it is the minor one that begins and ends the book and packs a wallop. Well worth reading for that reason.
As I got into this book I thought it was pretty good then I began not liking it as much because of its too in-your-face Christianity which seemed heavy-handed. The characters were also a little formulaic, especially Catherine and Barb.
However, the last chapter made the entire book, faults and all, worth my time in reading it for Turner inserted a profound Biblical spiritual truth in the wrap up that impacted me deeply.
Her book is divided into portions that tells the story from four different characters perspectives, three main characters and one minor one. Ironically, it is the minor one that begins and ends the book and packs a wallop. Well worth reading for that reason.
March 1, 2014
I came across this book at the library and I really liked this book. This book is about 4 ladies whose stories intertwine. I found three of the ladies stories interesting, and really enjoyed reading them, when I got to one of the ladies stories, it really started to drag on. I cannot explain it, but I just did not connect with her. I liked the message that this book had and I liked that it seems as though all of the characters moved ahead in this story.
June 3, 2015
A story of hope and faith! Centered around families and friends in small town Beare, South Carolina. Each of their lives are put to the test as they face trials, sorrows and many other life issues. Included some colorful characters that tended to liven up the story.
A heartfelt and well written book!
A heartfelt and well written book!
September 9, 2014
Jamie Langston Turner is one of my favorite authors. Very seldom would I re-read a book, but read this book for the second time, and enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time. Superbly written, believable, interesting and just a good solid book.
April 17, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Could be read as a stand alone or after "Some wildflowers in my heart." The author did a great job of integrating the stories of 4 different women. She showed how our lives interact and how what we do affects others.
July 16, 2014
A tremendously engaging book from start to finish. I loved the way this story unfolded and the impact each of the main characters had on the lives of friends and family. Loved the author's writing style. And with the final words read, we realize there is so much of life to be lived!
September 6, 2015
While I mostly enjoyed this story, I felt it was probably twice as long as it needed to be. Though the characters and their stories were interesting, it really dragged in several places. All in all, it was a good story with many lively and likable characters, and a good spiritual message.
September 11, 2023
A little slow at times.This story was about Three ladies that interacted with each other .
A good story about hope & faith.
How we can touch others with the love of God with our simple everyday routine.
A good story about hope & faith.
How we can touch others with the love of God with our simple everyday routine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews