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Cape Light #6
The Christmas Angel
A holiday miracle comes to Cape Light in this heartwarming novel from Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer.
As the spirit of the season spreads through the seaside hamlet of Cape Light, town mayor Emily receives an unexpected and precious Christmas a baby girl tucked away in a decorative cradle set up outside the church, with a note begging whoever discovers the child to take care of her. Emily is granted temporary custody—and realizes that if the mother is not found, she badly wants to keep baby Jane as her own. But the problems and changes an adoption would bring do not sit well with her husband, Dan, who’s already raised children and does not want that responsibility again. Now, in the midst of the year’s most joyous season, Emily must come to terms with her duty to her family, her own feelings of regret and loss—and what her heart truly desires...
As the spirit of the season spreads through the seaside hamlet of Cape Light, town mayor Emily receives an unexpected and precious Christmas a baby girl tucked away in a decorative cradle set up outside the church, with a note begging whoever discovers the child to take care of her. Emily is granted temporary custody—and realizes that if the mother is not found, she badly wants to keep baby Jane as her own. But the problems and changes an adoption would bring do not sit well with her husband, Dan, who’s already raised children and does not want that responsibility again. Now, in the midst of the year’s most joyous season, Emily must come to terms with her duty to her family, her own feelings of regret and loss—and what her heart truly desires...
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2005
46 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Kinkade
266 books180 followersThomas Kinkade was known as the "Painter of Light." His works, although spurned by the secular art establishment, were very popular with Christians and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 19, 2016
Having enjoyed the book before this, and having read almost the first chapter earlier, I was eager to read the entire book. I ended up being disappointed. The plots (yes, there are two story lines going on again) were pretty typical. The "Christianity" was watered down so much that there were times I felt like I was reading a non-Christian book. The characters weren't as interesting to me, perhaps because the ladies were all a bit more of a feminist mindset and the men weren't that strong. But of course the end of the book settles everything just the way you wanted it settled though I was left sort of . . . well, disappointed.
After this book, I'm not sure if I'll be reading more by this author or not.
After this book, I'm not sure if I'll be reading more by this author or not.
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December 15, 2019Didn’t finish and gave up on it about 60 pages in. Seems like a cute story and setting but if you haven’t read the past 5 books and don’t know the characters they’re all referring to and are all interconnected it’s not that enjoyable.
December 21, 2015
Welcome back to the late painter of Light, Thomas Kinkade's fictional Cape Light. He and his co-author Katherine Spencer have created delightful reading in the Cape Light Series.
Cape Light and its citizens are preparing for Christmas. Emily Warwick has plenty to be grateful for: her job as Mayor, her daughter, Sara, and her husband of nearly a year. She's also thankful for her new nephew and for her many friends. But a morning run on an early December morning will turn her world upside down. And she could lose her Mayoral position and possibly Dan. What happened? She finds a 2 month old baby girl in the creche in front of the Church. Emily sees the child as a gift from God and wants to keep the babe and raise little Jane as her own, since she didn't get to raise her daughter Sara. Her husband, family, and even Reverend Ben have some major problems with that.
But Reverend Ben has his own problems. He feels he's let down his congregation. He believes that he's failed to provide proper spiritual guidance to his flock, and finds them lacking in Grace and Charity. Maybe it is time he leaves Cape Light.
Sara is also undergoing a restlessness. She has sent clippings out to major newspapers in the Northeast without telling Emily nor Luke. She's also scared of "the engagement, marriage thing." She runs a very true risk of losing Luke especially when an old flame of Luke's comes into town.
All three story lines resolve on Christmas Day when a part of the village suffers a devastating loss. A true Christmas miracle is needed.
The ending reveals why Thomas Kinkade titled this 6th installment The Christmas Angel: A Cape Light Novel. And yes, since the setting is the Christmas Season the reader will experience slightly more spirituality in the novel or because Reverend Ben is in a Spiritual crisis, but Kinkade and Spencer never preach or overdo religiosity. They tell a very good story and the pages fly quickly.
Cape Light and its citizens are preparing for Christmas. Emily Warwick has plenty to be grateful for: her job as Mayor, her daughter, Sara, and her husband of nearly a year. She's also thankful for her new nephew and for her many friends. But a morning run on an early December morning will turn her world upside down. And she could lose her Mayoral position and possibly Dan. What happened? She finds a 2 month old baby girl in the creche in front of the Church. Emily sees the child as a gift from God and wants to keep the babe and raise little Jane as her own, since she didn't get to raise her daughter Sara. Her husband, family, and even Reverend Ben have some major problems with that.
But Reverend Ben has his own problems. He feels he's let down his congregation. He believes that he's failed to provide proper spiritual guidance to his flock, and finds them lacking in Grace and Charity. Maybe it is time he leaves Cape Light.
Sara is also undergoing a restlessness. She has sent clippings out to major newspapers in the Northeast without telling Emily nor Luke. She's also scared of "the engagement, marriage thing." She runs a very true risk of losing Luke especially when an old flame of Luke's comes into town.
All three story lines resolve on Christmas Day when a part of the village suffers a devastating loss. A true Christmas miracle is needed.
The ending reveals why Thomas Kinkade titled this 6th installment The Christmas Angel: A Cape Light Novel. And yes, since the setting is the Christmas Season the reader will experience slightly more spirituality in the novel or because Reverend Ben is in a Spiritual crisis, but Kinkade and Spencer never preach or overdo religiosity. They tell a very good story and the pages fly quickly.
March 16, 2012
The town of Cape Light is once again preparing to celebrate the holidays. Town mayor, Emily Warwick, finds an unexpected gift when she finds a baby girl tucked into the cradle in the nativity scene outside the church with a note asking to take care of "Jane." Emily cannot believe that someone would leave a baby outside in the cold. She goes into the church where Rev. Ben finds her and the baby. Officer Tulley is contacted and soon an ambulance arrives to take the baby to the hospital to be checked over. Emily rides along.
Emily is so determined to be granted temporary custody of Jane. Dan, her husband, isn't quite so taken with the idea. He had told Emily before they married that he didn't want any more children. But, Emily wears him down and he agrees. She gets so attached to this little girl and hopes that she and Dan will be able to adopt her if no family is found. She feels that when she had to give Sara up for adoption when she was born that she missed out on so much. Now she wants to have the chance to give another little girl some love. She is praying for this to happen. God will hear her pleas? Dan has to see that they would make good parents. Will she be able to convince him?
Cape Light has another problem with the people that live out in Wood's Hollow. A fire has destroyed many of the buildings that the poor people were living in. Cape Light has come together and taken the poor into the Church and given them someplace to stay. Food, shelter, clothes were given also. Rev. Ben is so surprised that his parishoners have come together in this way. He was beginning to think that he was no longer of any help to the people. Now he knows that he was being heard and people listened. God showed him the sign that he needed to stay in Cape Light to look after his flock.
More exciting things happen for the holidays in Cape Light. You will have to read to find out what all the hoopla is about.
Emily is so determined to be granted temporary custody of Jane. Dan, her husband, isn't quite so taken with the idea. He had told Emily before they married that he didn't want any more children. But, Emily wears him down and he agrees. She gets so attached to this little girl and hopes that she and Dan will be able to adopt her if no family is found. She feels that when she had to give Sara up for adoption when she was born that she missed out on so much. Now she wants to have the chance to give another little girl some love. She is praying for this to happen. God will hear her pleas? Dan has to see that they would make good parents. Will she be able to convince him?
Cape Light has another problem with the people that live out in Wood's Hollow. A fire has destroyed many of the buildings that the poor people were living in. Cape Light has come together and taken the poor into the Church and given them someplace to stay. Food, shelter, clothes were given also. Rev. Ben is so surprised that his parishoners have come together in this way. He was beginning to think that he was no longer of any help to the people. Now he knows that he was being heard and people listened. God showed him the sign that he needed to stay in Cape Light to look after his flock.
More exciting things happen for the holidays in Cape Light. You will have to read to find out what all the hoopla is about.
December 12, 2019
My aunt gave my mom this book; she enjoyed it and passed it along to me. I do like to read Christmas stories in season. At first I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd keep it and reread it some time. But then, eh ... no, I decided I'm okay parting with it for someone else to enjoy.
It started out engrossing enough, with the mayor of the town finding a baby in an outdoor nativity scene at a church. That part of the story stuck with me, partly because I know someone well who's had to work with abandoned children (wishing she could take them all home), and partly because I know another family who tried to adopt, but the birth mother changed her mind after a couple of days. And I was rocking babies myself earlier today, volunteering, to give some moms a break... sweet moments, sweet little soft cherubs ... but I am too tired to start over with infants.
The next part of the book would've been funny if I'd been a younger mom myself. As it was, it was more a matter of course. Yes, of course, the mayor would underestimate the job of caring for the baby. Yes, of course, she had no idea what she was getting into or what it takes to care for a baby. Yes, of course, she figured it out. Maybe it wasn't funny to me because I've lived that sort of scene too many times. I have spent a lot of time over the course of my life laughing at the absurdities of parenting.
I liked how Sara handled her prickly grandmother, with both kindness and the ability to just brush off the barbs without taking offense.
The story line with the Reverend Ben facing burnout began to interest me more than the baby story line. I felt sorry for the man, preaching to people who don't seem to change, trying to help people who won't take his advice. It reminded me of parenting a teen, actually. (And I shouldn't say that because I actually have some very good teens. But there are moments when they don't take the cautious way that I would over something.) We've all faced burnout before, at some time or another in our lives.
I did like Reverend Ben's advice to Emily: "If you really feel that way deep down inside, it's a hard thing to ignore. But sometimes it's hard to distinguish if those intimations are really from some greater source or from our own deepest longings, Emily." Amen. It's important - and difficult - to be able to discern the difference.
Bur Reverend Ben did say something that troubled me, though. "We can't ignore our inner voice, our intuitive feelings. Some people might say that's the way angels advise us." Angels? Speaking through our inner voice? Hmm. The Holy Spirit might speak internally to us that way, but if the angels do, they're not the angels of God, but fallen angels. Shudder. The angels that God sent in the Bible had clear, distinctive missions for the glory of God. But this statement of Ben's was not a main point in the book. Even the character Emily noted that it wasn't the way Reverend Ben normally spoke, but she didn't try to evaluate it, either.
If you want to know more about the Biblical view of angels, I'd recommend "Are Angels Real?" by Kathleen Bostrom, if you can get over the cutesy pictures. Every line of it is documented by a Bible verse in the back.
Or Reverend Ben's talking angels within him could have been mental illness.
At one point, it seemed like all three couples in this story had an inability to actually talk with each other and work through issues. Instead, they made dramatic, radical decisions without consulting with each other. Emily decided to foster and then adopt the baby, without regard to how her husband felt about it. Without even asking him or telling him until later. Reverend Ben decided to go on a sabbatical in another country for a whole year without telling his wife, and expected her to drop her job and just come along. Sara didn't tell Luke how she felt about his old flame, Christina, and how Sara needed Luke to set up some clear boundaries with her. Instead, Sara just blew up at them. In fact, all these situations involved the couples blowing up. I was a little concerned about Reverend Ben trying to counsel these people after treating his own wife that way. I wasn't sure he understood the dynamics of the give-and-take of a relationship in order to do so.
"If I'm going to lose Luke to that woman this way, I never really had him to begin with." Sara made this comment, and I'd already been thinking something similar. If he wanted to leave, then eventually he would leave, either with Christina or someone else who came along. If he wanted to leave, then he wasn't worth keeping. But it was still important to talk things through, because Sara missed seeing that this wasn't the case at all.
It bothered me some how the Reverend Ben's burnout issue was solved... SPOILER. A building burned down and his church helped the newly homeless. It just seemed like the Reverend Ben was so happy to see his congregation helping them that he wasn't very compassionate himself towards those who had suffered. I realize that the situation revealed how much of his teaching that his congregation had already absorbed in his unawares, but he seemed to be happier over that instead of distressed on behalf of those who were suffering. He even called it a miracle. What? A building burning down? Sounded more like faulty wiring or even arson, since it was a contested building. I wondered how those suffering would've felt if they'd heard him call it a miracle. It just didn't sit well with me, as if the characters who were helping were more important, somehow, than those being helped, and the unfortunate only existed as a plot devise to highlight the good deeds of the congregation.
Whenever I help and volunteer, I have to remember that although I might feel good for helping, that it's just a drop in the bucket as far as all that they are facing and suffering, that their perspective on my helping is different than my own. It doesn't solve everything. They are still suffering, even if they are touched that someone cares, and maybe some of the logistics go easier.
As much of modern Christian fiction goes, this book was not really specifically Christian. The characters could've believed anything and the plot still would've been the same. Apart from the angels talking to him, Reverend Ben didn't really say what he believed. Nothing about Jesus, so who knows?
Favorite quote:
"Why is everyone always trying to get me out of my house? I like my house. I'm comfortable here. Other people's houses are not nearly as nice."
It started out engrossing enough, with the mayor of the town finding a baby in an outdoor nativity scene at a church. That part of the story stuck with me, partly because I know someone well who's had to work with abandoned children (wishing she could take them all home), and partly because I know another family who tried to adopt, but the birth mother changed her mind after a couple of days. And I was rocking babies myself earlier today, volunteering, to give some moms a break... sweet moments, sweet little soft cherubs ... but I am too tired to start over with infants.
The next part of the book would've been funny if I'd been a younger mom myself. As it was, it was more a matter of course. Yes, of course, the mayor would underestimate the job of caring for the baby. Yes, of course, she had no idea what she was getting into or what it takes to care for a baby. Yes, of course, she figured it out. Maybe it wasn't funny to me because I've lived that sort of scene too many times. I have spent a lot of time over the course of my life laughing at the absurdities of parenting.
I liked how Sara handled her prickly grandmother, with both kindness and the ability to just brush off the barbs without taking offense.
The story line with the Reverend Ben facing burnout began to interest me more than the baby story line. I felt sorry for the man, preaching to people who don't seem to change, trying to help people who won't take his advice. It reminded me of parenting a teen, actually. (And I shouldn't say that because I actually have some very good teens. But there are moments when they don't take the cautious way that I would over something.) We've all faced burnout before, at some time or another in our lives.
I did like Reverend Ben's advice to Emily: "If you really feel that way deep down inside, it's a hard thing to ignore. But sometimes it's hard to distinguish if those intimations are really from some greater source or from our own deepest longings, Emily." Amen. It's important - and difficult - to be able to discern the difference.
Bur Reverend Ben did say something that troubled me, though. "We can't ignore our inner voice, our intuitive feelings. Some people might say that's the way angels advise us." Angels? Speaking through our inner voice? Hmm. The Holy Spirit might speak internally to us that way, but if the angels do, they're not the angels of God, but fallen angels. Shudder. The angels that God sent in the Bible had clear, distinctive missions for the glory of God. But this statement of Ben's was not a main point in the book. Even the character Emily noted that it wasn't the way Reverend Ben normally spoke, but she didn't try to evaluate it, either.
If you want to know more about the Biblical view of angels, I'd recommend "Are Angels Real?" by Kathleen Bostrom, if you can get over the cutesy pictures. Every line of it is documented by a Bible verse in the back.
Or Reverend Ben's talking angels within him could have been mental illness.
At one point, it seemed like all three couples in this story had an inability to actually talk with each other and work through issues. Instead, they made dramatic, radical decisions without consulting with each other. Emily decided to foster and then adopt the baby, without regard to how her husband felt about it. Without even asking him or telling him until later. Reverend Ben decided to go on a sabbatical in another country for a whole year without telling his wife, and expected her to drop her job and just come along. Sara didn't tell Luke how she felt about his old flame, Christina, and how Sara needed Luke to set up some clear boundaries with her. Instead, Sara just blew up at them. In fact, all these situations involved the couples blowing up. I was a little concerned about Reverend Ben trying to counsel these people after treating his own wife that way. I wasn't sure he understood the dynamics of the give-and-take of a relationship in order to do so.
"If I'm going to lose Luke to that woman this way, I never really had him to begin with." Sara made this comment, and I'd already been thinking something similar. If he wanted to leave, then eventually he would leave, either with Christina or someone else who came along. If he wanted to leave, then he wasn't worth keeping. But it was still important to talk things through, because Sara missed seeing that this wasn't the case at all.
It bothered me some how the Reverend Ben's burnout issue was solved... SPOILER. A building burned down and his church helped the newly homeless. It just seemed like the Reverend Ben was so happy to see his congregation helping them that he wasn't very compassionate himself towards those who had suffered. I realize that the situation revealed how much of his teaching that his congregation had already absorbed in his unawares, but he seemed to be happier over that instead of distressed on behalf of those who were suffering. He even called it a miracle. What? A building burning down? Sounded more like faulty wiring or even arson, since it was a contested building. I wondered how those suffering would've felt if they'd heard him call it a miracle. It just didn't sit well with me, as if the characters who were helping were more important, somehow, than those being helped, and the unfortunate only existed as a plot devise to highlight the good deeds of the congregation.
Whenever I help and volunteer, I have to remember that although I might feel good for helping, that it's just a drop in the bucket as far as all that they are facing and suffering, that their perspective on my helping is different than my own. It doesn't solve everything. They are still suffering, even if they are touched that someone cares, and maybe some of the logistics go easier.
As much of modern Christian fiction goes, this book was not really specifically Christian. The characters could've believed anything and the plot still would've been the same. Apart from the angels talking to him, Reverend Ben didn't really say what he believed. Nothing about Jesus, so who knows?
Favorite quote:
"Why is everyone always trying to get me out of my house? I like my house. I'm comfortable here. Other people's houses are not nearly as nice."
January 4, 2010
I like to grab books off the Christmas display at the library and seeing that I really like Thomas Kinkade's artwork (I probably was drawn to the idyllic picture on the front of this book)figured I'd give it a try. It definitely isn't anything to gush about, he is a much better painter than author. The story is fairly simplistic and writing isn't that fabulous but it was a good, uplifting story, even though it was a bit contrived. It was nice to read a clean, Christian book at Christmastime. Of course I knew how it would all work out, but I enjoy mindless reads like that at Christmas. I debated whether to give it 4 stars, but would give it 3.5 if I could; the writing and story wasn't enough to give it a 4, even though I like it. I'll probably pick up others in the series during coming Christmas seasons.
November 10, 2010
I'm sad to think I'm almost done with his first series of books. I hope that all the rest I read will bring me just as much joy and comfort. I especially love the books set during the Holiday season, although predictable.....who doesn't love a happy ending! I love the fact that it gives truth behind the real meaning of Christmas!!!
September 24, 2014
Another of Kinkades inspirational Christmas books. A very nice Christmas read that is full of the true Sprirt of Christmas.
December 13, 2017
Light Christmas read. Schmaltzy diversion.
Read
September 21, 2018Emily had married against the will of her parents and left home. Her husband had died while she was pregnant and her mother had pressured her to give up the child. Her daughter had found her when she was 20 and she had moved to the same town as her birth mother. They were working on building a relationship.
Emily had recently remarried and her daughter, Sara, was now in her mid 20's. Emily had gone out running one morning before Christmas and had found a baby in the manger of the church nativity scene. She took the baby into the church and called the police. They baby was taken to the hospital and treated for an upper respiratory infection. A note was left with the baby asking that Jane be taken care of. While Jane was in the hospital, Emily talked her husband, Dan, into applying to become guardian of the child while the police searched for the mother or a family member of the child.
The story got around the small town. Sara wrote up the story for the local paper about the lost and found baby. She also decided that she was jealous of the new baby that Emily had brought into her house because Emily hadn't been around to be a mother to her. Dan didn't really want any more children either. Emily knew that he was only cooperating with the foster parenting because he thought the situation was temporary.
Sara had a boyfriend that was 10 years older than she was. They were in love and had been dating for 2 years. He wanted to marry her but she told him she wasn't ready to take the next step in their relationship and become an engaged couple. He told her he would wait but she knew that he wouldn't wait forever. He wanted to know when she might be ready to make a commitment but she couldn't give him an answer.
The preacher of the community was in his 60's and was become disenchanted with his flock. He wanted more of them to care about their neighbors and be more willing to donate food and clothing to them but he couldn't seem to get them motivated. He was getting discouraged and he told his wife that he didn't know if it was his age or because he had been trying for so long and not feeling like he was a strong enough to move people anymore. She was surprised and didn't really want to leave town. She had suffered from a stroke and had spent the last year recovering.
An old girlfriend of Luke's came to town and although Sara was jealous, she chose to stay away from Luke to let him go if he should choose to go away from Sara. Sara went home for Christmas to see her adoptive parents alone while Luke's old girlfriend made plans to move into town.
The social worker didn't locate any relatives to take care of Jane and asked Emily if she wanted to apply to adopt her. Emily told Dan that she wanted to adopt Jane and they argued a bit. Their argument was interrupted by a phone call from the fire chief telling them that a fire had broke out on the poor side of town in a housing unit where the people didn't have any place to go. Emily went to see if she could help and others from her church showed up to bring food and clothes and find a place for them to spend the night.
Ben, the preacher, out of reach and came home and got the messages regarding the fire. He was surprised to find out how the church members stepped in to help without him being there. His wife was happy to find out that Ben couldn't leave now with the tragedy to handle. He wasn't taking the sabbatical that he had planned to take. They were staying put.
Dan had to step in when the babysitter that Emily hired didn't work out. She realized that maybe he was being given a second chance at raising a child with Jane. His first wife had criticized his behavior with their two kids and Dan didn't feel like he could go through that again. After Emily and he argued, he made the decision to give it another shot. Jane was a different child and Emily wasn't his first wife. Emily wasn't always putting him down like his first wife did. He told Emily after she returned from the fire that he was willing to take in Jane as their daughter.
Sara was at Emily and Dan's New Years Party and Luke came by. Luke and Sara talked and Luke told him that his ex girlfriend had left town. He didn't think she would be back because Luke had no interest in pursuing a relationship with her. Sara had missed Luke and asked him if he still wanted to marry her. He got down on one knee, proposed and gave her a ring he had showed her when the whole conversation about them getting married first came up. They went back into the party and received congratulations from her family and friends.
Lillian, Emily's mother, and Emily didn't get along very well. Sara had come to see her and they had struck up a relationship. She was still sharp with Lillian but Sara liked her wit. Sara saw through her tough exterior and knew that Lillian cared more about her than she let on. Lillian was very vocal about Emily making the wrong choice in keeping Jane but once the decision was made, she reluctantly make it known that she would accept the child as Emily's. Lillian had also found herself with a suitor that wasn't put off by her attitude. It was a local doctor who had retired.
Emily had recently remarried and her daughter, Sara, was now in her mid 20's. Emily had gone out running one morning before Christmas and had found a baby in the manger of the church nativity scene. She took the baby into the church and called the police. They baby was taken to the hospital and treated for an upper respiratory infection. A note was left with the baby asking that Jane be taken care of. While Jane was in the hospital, Emily talked her husband, Dan, into applying to become guardian of the child while the police searched for the mother or a family member of the child.
The story got around the small town. Sara wrote up the story for the local paper about the lost and found baby. She also decided that she was jealous of the new baby that Emily had brought into her house because Emily hadn't been around to be a mother to her. Dan didn't really want any more children either. Emily knew that he was only cooperating with the foster parenting because he thought the situation was temporary.
Sara had a boyfriend that was 10 years older than she was. They were in love and had been dating for 2 years. He wanted to marry her but she told him she wasn't ready to take the next step in their relationship and become an engaged couple. He told her he would wait but she knew that he wouldn't wait forever. He wanted to know when she might be ready to make a commitment but she couldn't give him an answer.
The preacher of the community was in his 60's and was become disenchanted with his flock. He wanted more of them to care about their neighbors and be more willing to donate food and clothing to them but he couldn't seem to get them motivated. He was getting discouraged and he told his wife that he didn't know if it was his age or because he had been trying for so long and not feeling like he was a strong enough to move people anymore. She was surprised and didn't really want to leave town. She had suffered from a stroke and had spent the last year recovering.
An old girlfriend of Luke's came to town and although Sara was jealous, she chose to stay away from Luke to let him go if he should choose to go away from Sara. Sara went home for Christmas to see her adoptive parents alone while Luke's old girlfriend made plans to move into town.
The social worker didn't locate any relatives to take care of Jane and asked Emily if she wanted to apply to adopt her. Emily told Dan that she wanted to adopt Jane and they argued a bit. Their argument was interrupted by a phone call from the fire chief telling them that a fire had broke out on the poor side of town in a housing unit where the people didn't have any place to go. Emily went to see if she could help and others from her church showed up to bring food and clothes and find a place for them to spend the night.
Ben, the preacher, out of reach and came home and got the messages regarding the fire. He was surprised to find out how the church members stepped in to help without him being there. His wife was happy to find out that Ben couldn't leave now with the tragedy to handle. He wasn't taking the sabbatical that he had planned to take. They were staying put.
Dan had to step in when the babysitter that Emily hired didn't work out. She realized that maybe he was being given a second chance at raising a child with Jane. His first wife had criticized his behavior with their two kids and Dan didn't feel like he could go through that again. After Emily and he argued, he made the decision to give it another shot. Jane was a different child and Emily wasn't his first wife. Emily wasn't always putting him down like his first wife did. He told Emily after she returned from the fire that he was willing to take in Jane as their daughter.
Sara was at Emily and Dan's New Years Party and Luke came by. Luke and Sara talked and Luke told him that his ex girlfriend had left town. He didn't think she would be back because Luke had no interest in pursuing a relationship with her. Sara had missed Luke and asked him if he still wanted to marry her. He got down on one knee, proposed and gave her a ring he had showed her when the whole conversation about them getting married first came up. They went back into the party and received congratulations from her family and friends.
Lillian, Emily's mother, and Emily didn't get along very well. Sara had come to see her and they had struck up a relationship. She was still sharp with Lillian but Sara liked her wit. Sara saw through her tough exterior and knew that Lillian cared more about her than she let on. Lillian was very vocal about Emily making the wrong choice in keeping Jane but once the decision was made, she reluctantly make it known that she would accept the child as Emily's. Lillian had also found herself with a suitor that wasn't put off by her attitude. It was a local doctor who had retired.
February 11, 2020
The Christmas Angel focuses on the residents in the town of Cape Light. As Christmas draws near, a few of the town’s citizens find themselves facing changes in their lives.
The main character in this story is the mayor of the town Emily Warwick. Emily discovers an abandoned baby in front of the church. She feels a connection to the baby girl named Jane, and Emily and her husband Dan become the child’s temporary guardians. As Emily hopes that Dan will change his mind about adopting Jane, she also has to deal with the possibility that another baby will be taken from her.
Meanwhile, Emily’s adult daughter Sara has to deal with issues in her relationship. Sara’s boyfriend Luke is ready to settle down, but Sara’s fears keep her from accepting his proposal.
Another character facing a dilemma is Reverend Ben, who is contemplating taking a leave from his church.
I liked Emily’s story the best because she’s a smart, strong woman who’s faced man hardships in her life. She feels that adopting baby Jane will help fill a void in her life. The scenes with her and Jane are cute. My favorite part is when she has to take Jane with her into a meeting.
While Emily would love nothing more than to be a mother to baby Jane, she struggles with her fears about whether she can handle the chaos that comes with raising a baby. She also has to deal with persuading Dan to change his mind. Speaking of Dan, sometimes I found him to be standoffish, especially when he didn’t help out with the baby. But eventually, I warmed up to Dan.
Emily’s story was cute and baby Jane was so precious in the scenes. Even though I knew how the story would end, I was still curious about whether Emily’s wish would come true.
As for Reverend Ben’s story, I liked it because he was at a crossroads as he questioned his faith. Feeling as if he’s let his congregation down and the residents have lost their way, Ben contemplates leaving the church. Throughout the story, he struggles with his decision to leave or not, but eventually he realizes that not all is lost.
Last, but not least is Sara’s story. Sara is Emily’s adult daughter, who is an aspiring journalist. Sara’s relationship with Luke is the main focus of her story. Luke is ready to take the next step in their relationship, but Sara is unsure. Their different views for the future causes problems, and Sara decides to take some time away from Luke. I found Luke to be a nice, caring guy. He’s in love with Sara and wants her to be happy. Even when they weren’t together, he showed for still cared and respected her wishes. At times, I found Sara to be a bit annoying. I felt she was being unfair to Luke and it was silly how she tried to avoid him. But luckily in the end, she eventually wises up.
Overall, this was a nice, heartwarming holiday story. I enjoyed the scenery of Cape Light and meeting it’s residents.
The main character in this story is the mayor of the town Emily Warwick. Emily discovers an abandoned baby in front of the church. She feels a connection to the baby girl named Jane, and Emily and her husband Dan become the child’s temporary guardians. As Emily hopes that Dan will change his mind about adopting Jane, she also has to deal with the possibility that another baby will be taken from her.
Meanwhile, Emily’s adult daughter Sara has to deal with issues in her relationship. Sara’s boyfriend Luke is ready to settle down, but Sara’s fears keep her from accepting his proposal.
Another character facing a dilemma is Reverend Ben, who is contemplating taking a leave from his church.
I liked Emily’s story the best because she’s a smart, strong woman who’s faced man hardships in her life. She feels that adopting baby Jane will help fill a void in her life. The scenes with her and Jane are cute. My favorite part is when she has to take Jane with her into a meeting.
While Emily would love nothing more than to be a mother to baby Jane, she struggles with her fears about whether she can handle the chaos that comes with raising a baby. She also has to deal with persuading Dan to change his mind. Speaking of Dan, sometimes I found him to be standoffish, especially when he didn’t help out with the baby. But eventually, I warmed up to Dan.
Emily’s story was cute and baby Jane was so precious in the scenes. Even though I knew how the story would end, I was still curious about whether Emily’s wish would come true.
As for Reverend Ben’s story, I liked it because he was at a crossroads as he questioned his faith. Feeling as if he’s let his congregation down and the residents have lost their way, Ben contemplates leaving the church. Throughout the story, he struggles with his decision to leave or not, but eventually he realizes that not all is lost.
Last, but not least is Sara’s story. Sara is Emily’s adult daughter, who is an aspiring journalist. Sara’s relationship with Luke is the main focus of her story. Luke is ready to take the next step in their relationship, but Sara is unsure. Their different views for the future causes problems, and Sara decides to take some time away from Luke. I found Luke to be a nice, caring guy. He’s in love with Sara and wants her to be happy. Even when they weren’t together, he showed for still cared and respected her wishes. At times, I found Sara to be a bit annoying. I felt she was being unfair to Luke and it was silly how she tried to avoid him. But luckily in the end, she eventually wises up.
Overall, this was a nice, heartwarming holiday story. I enjoyed the scenery of Cape Light and meeting it’s residents.
December 5, 2021
The main story of Emily and Dan, taking in the baby Jane was awesome. It was pretty cool, and Emily wanting to care for Jane because she had to give up her own biological baby when she was younger, made so much sense and I understood her.
I like how Dan DIDN’T want him and his wife to become Jane’s legal guardians right away.. it was more realistic that he wanted to truly think on it!
I like how their story ended, especially how Emily actually prayed about the Jane guardian/adoption situation..
Emily didn’t just pray “Lord, please let us be able to care for Jane”.. but she prayed “Lord, please do what’s best for Jane and her future. Let Your will for her life be done.”
Very nice.
I disliked reverend Ben’s story though.
It was so weird and depressing. He was pretty selfish for wanting to get away from his town and church duties because he felt “bored” and that the congregation wasn’t “Godly” enough for him (that they didn’t DO enough for the community)..
This thinking is stupid and dangerous.. 😂 If he was REALLY doing God’s work, and REALLY pressing into Him, he wouldn’t feel that way. OR, he’d at least pray about it and seek God’s knowledge and will for his life. God put you in that church as a reverend for a REASON!
The fact that he went behind his wife’s back and started paperwork for a sabbatical, and then had the audacity to tell his wife he’d like to leave without her, was crazy to me.
Sam and Luke’s little story wasn’t bad! Certainly way better than
reverend Ben’s! 😂
Luke sort of rushed into a strange proposal and shoved her into a jewelry store, making her very uncomfortable, and then expected her not to be confused and hesitant. They’d never brought up marriage before, so that was NOT the move to take. 😂
Also, Luke should’ve told Christina to back off (of flirting with him) IN FRONT OF SAM. He was a pushover and didn’t stand up for his and Sam’s relationship.. he was weird.
But, I guess, also sweet. He just made some weird choices & actions.
I loved this line in the book:
“He stood apart from her but stared at her so intently, his steady focus seemed to draw her closer.” (Scene with Luke and Sam)
Good writing.
The ending of the entire book was pretty good! The fire destroying the homes creating jobs for Sam, the newspaper writer, and Ben, the reverend.. weird, but good. 😂
Overall, I’m rating this a three. The stories were alright, but a little too predictable and dull. This book was good to read before bed, I’d rather be reading a book than playing on my phone. ☺️
Lillian (Emily’s mom) was the best part of this book! Her boldness and rudeness added spice to the book and you found yourself cheering her on because all the other characters were too traditional and boring!! 😂
I like how Dan DIDN’T want him and his wife to become Jane’s legal guardians right away.. it was more realistic that he wanted to truly think on it!
I like how their story ended, especially how Emily actually prayed about the Jane guardian/adoption situation..
Emily didn’t just pray “Lord, please let us be able to care for Jane”.. but she prayed “Lord, please do what’s best for Jane and her future. Let Your will for her life be done.”
Very nice.
I disliked reverend Ben’s story though.
It was so weird and depressing. He was pretty selfish for wanting to get away from his town and church duties because he felt “bored” and that the congregation wasn’t “Godly” enough for him (that they didn’t DO enough for the community)..
This thinking is stupid and dangerous.. 😂 If he was REALLY doing God’s work, and REALLY pressing into Him, he wouldn’t feel that way. OR, he’d at least pray about it and seek God’s knowledge and will for his life. God put you in that church as a reverend for a REASON!
The fact that he went behind his wife’s back and started paperwork for a sabbatical, and then had the audacity to tell his wife he’d like to leave without her, was crazy to me.
Sam and Luke’s little story wasn’t bad! Certainly way better than
reverend Ben’s! 😂
Luke sort of rushed into a strange proposal and shoved her into a jewelry store, making her very uncomfortable, and then expected her not to be confused and hesitant. They’d never brought up marriage before, so that was NOT the move to take. 😂
Also, Luke should’ve told Christina to back off (of flirting with him) IN FRONT OF SAM. He was a pushover and didn’t stand up for his and Sam’s relationship.. he was weird.
But, I guess, also sweet. He just made some weird choices & actions.
I loved this line in the book:
“He stood apart from her but stared at her so intently, his steady focus seemed to draw her closer.” (Scene with Luke and Sam)
Good writing.
The ending of the entire book was pretty good! The fire destroying the homes creating jobs for Sam, the newspaper writer, and Ben, the reverend.. weird, but good. 😂
Overall, I’m rating this a three. The stories were alright, but a little too predictable and dull. This book was good to read before bed, I’d rather be reading a book than playing on my phone. ☺️
Lillian (Emily’s mom) was the best part of this book! Her boldness and rudeness added spice to the book and you found yourself cheering her on because all the other characters were too traditional and boring!! 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2023
First off I would recommend beginning this series in order.
There is a small bit of catching up included for the reader but just enough to refresh the readers' memory of the prior book. Because I did read them in order, I don't know if not doing so would be as much a problem as I imagine so take my advice or not.
I decided somewhere along my Goodreads journey and learning to rate and review to save a 4 and 5 star rating for what I perceive to be the best and very best of all I read but I am still not quite satisfied with this method.
Maybe if there were 8 or 10 stars to give I wouldn't feel a need to break this down further into some sort of categories though I'm not sure just how I would want to proceed with that. Perhaps I could break the books down into categories such as romance novel (not my favorite) and then rate them 1-5 stars in the romance department.
But how would I categorize novels such as this? Maybe something such as Small Town Fiction or Christian or Clean Fiction, any ideas would be appreciated.
For that category of books, I would give this a 3 to 4 stars, but if it was to go under the category of fine fiction literature, I would just give it a 3 star or lower rating.
My favorite series of novels similar to these are Jan Karon's Mitford Series, and I would give those 5 stars. I have yet to find another similar series that I would give a 5 star rating.
So, I would still say this series is good, light-hearted, entertaining and worthy of 3 stars. If it were my favorite category, I might give it 4 stars but it is not, and that is my concern to rate too low and discourage a reader who would like to read these.
I feel like I am rambling now but perhaps someone out there will understand.
This is book #6, the 2nd that takes place during Thanksgiving, Christmas holidays. If you like picturesque small town stories, where you can sit back with a cup of tea and escape for a bit, I think you might enjoy these novels.
I did and plan to pass them on to my 30 something year old daughter and I think she might want to pass them on to hers.
There is a small bit of catching up included for the reader but just enough to refresh the readers' memory of the prior book. Because I did read them in order, I don't know if not doing so would be as much a problem as I imagine so take my advice or not.
I decided somewhere along my Goodreads journey and learning to rate and review to save a 4 and 5 star rating for what I perceive to be the best and very best of all I read but I am still not quite satisfied with this method.
Maybe if there were 8 or 10 stars to give I wouldn't feel a need to break this down further into some sort of categories though I'm not sure just how I would want to proceed with that. Perhaps I could break the books down into categories such as romance novel (not my favorite) and then rate them 1-5 stars in the romance department.
But how would I categorize novels such as this? Maybe something such as Small Town Fiction or Christian or Clean Fiction, any ideas would be appreciated.
For that category of books, I would give this a 3 to 4 stars, but if it was to go under the category of fine fiction literature, I would just give it a 3 star or lower rating.
My favorite series of novels similar to these are Jan Karon's Mitford Series, and I would give those 5 stars. I have yet to find another similar series that I would give a 5 star rating.
So, I would still say this series is good, light-hearted, entertaining and worthy of 3 stars. If it were my favorite category, I might give it 4 stars but it is not, and that is my concern to rate too low and discourage a reader who would like to read these.
I feel like I am rambling now but perhaps someone out there will understand.
This is book #6, the 2nd that takes place during Thanksgiving, Christmas holidays. If you like picturesque small town stories, where you can sit back with a cup of tea and escape for a bit, I think you might enjoy these novels.
I did and plan to pass them on to my 30 something year old daughter and I think she might want to pass them on to hers.
November 18, 2018
I enjoy reading holiday themed books as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach. The Christmas Angel, by Thomas Kinkade, appeared like it would fit the bill. This book is part of a series (#6 in the Cape Light series). I have never read the previous books, and this did not in any way impede my enjoyment or understanding of this book. The author provides background on each character without dragging the storyline down by rewriting previous books.
The Christmas Angel is primarily the story of the mayor of Cape Light, a woman in her early forties, who finds an abandoned baby in the town's nativity scene. The impact on her life, and the lives of others, is great and in a few short weeks, their lives are forever changed by this infant.
This is basically a sweet and quick story, although not very believable. The holidays are not a central theme to this book, but are just part of the background. The book is not bad, but not memorable either. It served the purpose of a light read at holiday time, but if you are looking for a book where the holidays play a major role, this would not be the one in my opinion.
The Christmas Angel is primarily the story of the mayor of Cape Light, a woman in her early forties, who finds an abandoned baby in the town's nativity scene. The impact on her life, and the lives of others, is great and in a few short weeks, their lives are forever changed by this infant.
This is basically a sweet and quick story, although not very believable. The holidays are not a central theme to this book, but are just part of the background. The book is not bad, but not memorable either. It served the purpose of a light read at holiday time, but if you are looking for a book where the holidays play a major role, this would not be the one in my opinion.
December 30, 2019
I like to read Christmas novels during the Christmas season. This one by Thomas Kinkade (the Painter of Light) and another writer was not too bad. Yes, the plot was fairly simple, the ending exactly what you thought it would be, but a nice little Christmas story. Emily finds an infant abandoned in the manger from the outdoor Nativity scene. She quickly falls for little Jane and dreams of becoming a hands-on mom. Her husband, Dan, is very much against getting too attached to a child who will soon be put up for permanent adoption elsewhere. Meanwhile, Sara, Emily's long-lost daughter, is having a crisis of her own. Her boyfriend, Luke, wants to get married, but that huge commitment scares her. Life goes on in the little town of Cape Light and what will happen in the end is up to fate and a lot of prayer. A little bit sentimental for me, but that's what Christmas is all about, isn't it?
January 5, 2021
I love this series. It is always a treat to visit the characters . Cape Light is just a delightful town, esp. at Christmas. While Emily is out for her early morning run, she finds a baby outside the church building. The mother has attached a note saying that she is unable to care for Baby Jane. Emily wants to become Jane's foster parent; however, husband Dan is not so sure.
Ben wants to take a sabbatical because he is depressed that his congregation is in a rut.
Luke and Sarah are also highlighted in this book.
This is a heartwarming book and such a fun read to read during the Christmas season and/or any time.
Ben wants to take a sabbatical because he is depressed that his congregation is in a rut.
Luke and Sarah are also highlighted in this book.
This is a heartwarming book and such a fun read to read during the Christmas season and/or any time.
December 18, 2017
# 6 in the Cape Light series. Town mayor Emily receives an unexpected and precious gift when she finds an abandoned baby girl in a creche outside the church. She is granted temporary custody of Jane yet her husband Dan is not so eager to go through the challenges of being a father again. Emily has reconnected with her daughter, Sara, that she gave up for adoption when she was a baby and is eager to experience being a mother to a young child. After the town goes through a fire tragedy, Dan has a change of heart and grants permission to adopt Jane.
January 1, 2023
3 1/2 stars
Started reading this during the "Blizzard" that was going on. A charming Christmas novel, basically reading a Hallmark movie. This specific book was special though for the fact that the main character is named Emily who is caring for a baby and my mom was gifted this exact copy when I was born. I don't know, I liked it more than expected, the characters were really sweet and the plot was not horrible.
Started reading this during the "Blizzard" that was going on. A charming Christmas novel, basically reading a Hallmark movie. This specific book was special though for the fact that the main character is named Emily who is caring for a baby and my mom was gifted this exact copy when I was born. I don't know, I liked it more than expected, the characters were really sweet and the plot was not horrible.
December 31, 2024
When Cape Light Mayor Emily goes out for a run to clear her mind, never in a million years would she have expected to find a baby girl laying in the church's Nativity scene. Over the next few weeks, Baby Jane becomes the town's reminder of showing hospitality, love, and kindness.
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2 NIV
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2 NIV
January 3, 2018
The story of how an abandoned baby found in a Christmas creche turns a small town from selfish to generous.
I loved the Christmas theme in this book...how a small town learns acceptance of all its people regardless of social status, finances and faith. So many good lessons here for people regardless of whether you live in a small town or a big city!
I loved the Christmas theme in this book...how a small town learns acceptance of all its people regardless of social status, finances and faith. So many good lessons here for people regardless of whether you live in a small town or a big city!
June 28, 2020
most of this was good reading though Dan being so dictatorial was annoying. But the main problem I have with all these books is LIllian Warwick. She is a truly unpleasant person. Nothing likeable at all wonder how her two girls turned out so well but I have read these books many times and I definitely recommend them
January 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book, it was a very quick read. Only a few instances in the story line that left me a little skeptical. As usual with this series I did find a few typos that were a bit distracting. (Missing words, incorrect character referenced, etc) Other than that, I continue to enjoy returning to Cape Light and getting to know the residents of this community better with each book.
December 17, 2023
A nice story to read this time of year. I read them out of order so I knew how things would end up but it is still enjoyable. I kind of like Lillian and her gruff manner. This story sees so many people questioning their choices in life and pondering their futures. You then see the Christmas spirit put into action. Nice read.
January 6, 2018
This book had a few different twists than what I am familiar with from the previous Cape Light novels. The story regarding Emily and the baby was very precious. I still have a few problems with the book, but as a Cape Light novel, it was very good.
April 28, 2021
A great respite between two very heavy books. I always enjoy the Cape Light Novels featuring Lillian. I found the middle of this book to be somewhat depressing. Just a quick, fun dalliance in Cape Light.
January 8, 2022
Well written. A nice story. Take the date into consideration as some of the terminology or social settings may be dated. Decent character development.
Love seeing the Church body work together to represent the love of Christ
Love seeing the Church body work together to represent the love of Christ
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2022
Cute Christmas book that I started on Christmas Eve for tradition. Would recommend over some of the others I've read. Kept my attention, although I didn't necessarily love the jumping back and forth between characters.
June 7, 2017
A small town mayor finds an abandoned baby. This book shares her and her husbands journey as they care for the baby as foster parents and contemplate adoption.
May 10, 2018
I read this book twice and loved it very much and will read again and again Thomas kinkade is great
August 17, 2018
The best one yet! I couldn't put it down!!!
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