All is Bright

Cape Light #15

by Katherine Spencer

In this novel in Thomas Kinkade’s Cape Light series, Reverend Ben Lewis reflects on Christmas past while his beloved daughter, Rachel, looks to the future…

After some old photos spark Reverend Ben’s memories, he recalls his first Christmas as a young minister in Cape Light, when a prominent church benefactor stood accused of a serious crime, tearing the town apart. Ben had to carry the banner of God’s mercy into the fray—while struggling to prove to everyone, including himself, that he was worthy of his calling.

Rachel Anderson has trouble picturing life without her husband. But single dad Ryan Cooper might be just the man to show her there’s such a thing as focusing—and fretting—too much. Moved by Ryan’s gentleness and understanding, Rachel soon imagines a new world filled with hope. But deep loss and old fears are not easily dispelled, and Christmas brings a choice: cling to the past’s comforting memories, or reach for a future of bright possibilities…

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Chick Lit

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2014

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

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

These days all I really want is simple and sweet. I probably would’ve rated this at a solid 3 a few years ago, but my needs and tastes are changing 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Diane Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and Memories - Changes and Surprises

Time for the annual Christmas services at the old stone church at Cape Light. Many preparations are being organized for the yearly Bazar plus a new project, a book about the history of the church. Reverend Ben is asked to take home a box of photographs to sort through. The trip down memory lane brings to mind challenging experiences from nearly forty years ago. This is a delightful reflection of Reverend Ben’s first Christmas service as a new pastor and the difficulties he over comes.

Reverend Bens daughter Rachel was widowed just a couple of years ago. She is challenged with raising her two children. When a spark ignites between Rachel and the coach of her sons basketball team her life becomes complicated. Torn between her desire to protect her sons feelings and the awaking of her heart, Rachels world is a rollercoaster.

I went to the Library and checked out the whole "Cape Light" series. They were wonderful!

[Lisa Currier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, seemed slow moving. Could be because Rev. Ben has never been one my favorite characters. Alot of history about the Warwick's, which was just ok. Felt like the story about Rachel was a jump in time, that part of the back story was missing.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Cape Light Christmas books! Look forward to a new one each year. I'd be right at home in this small town with all the wonderful characters. If you are a fan, you will love this installment :)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Cape Light series, this was sort of a backtrack with the characters as in previous books we already know that the matriarch of the Warrick family is already married to Dr. Elliott. It was good to find out what had happened in earlier years with them. Really enjoyed the book.

[Jan]

Easy read.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice continuation of the series with the church and Reverend Ben along with his grown daughter, Rachel and his grandchildren and the Warwicks too. I wasn't a fan of the book going back and forth between the present and the past - the winter of 1978. While there's a lot of darkness and some meanspiritedness - especially at the Christmas season - there is hope for the future and loose ends are tied up although there's a lot more story to tell. The story twists and turns and there are many stories being told that seem to seamlessly intertwine.

I liked Rachel and how well she communicated with her kids - especially teenager Will, given that she's been a single mom a few years. Her relationship with her parents was special and I liked how close they all were. There are hints of what's to come and I look forward to reading more of this series so I can be up to date in case additional stories are written.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed half of this book, the half about Ben and the flashbacks. Though some spots did seem to drag on I thought the story was engaging and interesting. On the other hand I didn’t enjoy the half about Rachel as much. I found myself getting frustrated with her parenting choices with Will, not always but a handful of times. Overall it was a pretty enjoyable read but I wouldn’t read it again.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I always enjoy my time in Cape Light, this book felt repetitive. Another book that goes back in time. That story line didn't hold my attention. I did find Rev Ben's first Christmas sermon compelling. I have been reading one book in the series each month. I'm going to slow down and read one each quarter.

[Debbie Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Cape Light books and was surprised and pleased to find one i somehow had missed reading Was also surprised to see a very rare soft side of Lillian Warrick my least favorite character. I definitely would read it again and would recommend it

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and love the whole series. It was great to go back in time to learn more about the beginning of these characters. I also loved to learn about Rachel and her children.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is Bright

I love the c s per light series. I wish there was more books in the series. I have read all of them so for. My favorite people is Lillian and Ezra.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theme: forgiveness

[Dee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great life lessons are always part of this great series. Quick, uplifting reads!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-warming Christmas story !!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad Katherine Spencer kept writing this series after Thomas Kinkade died. I hope the final books wrap up the characters' lives well.

[Judy Yike-Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the entire cape light and angel island series really enjoyed the books…just wish there was one more book in the angel island books…Katherine Spencer please write one more.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of Rachel and Ryan and moving on with life after grief. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to the Oliver Warwick scandal. Good lessons to be learned there, as provided by Reverend Ben.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest book in the Cape Light Series focuses on Reverend Ben. It's actually two stories in one because the book goes back to the mid '70's, when Reverend Ben first became the minister at his church to the present day and one young widow's quest to move on with her life and intertwines the two. To me, this book was very entertaining because it provided the backstory on some of the characters I've grown to love (or not, in some cases) in Cape Light. The writing is lively and descriptive and the author's sense of place is excellent. You can almost picture yourself in this charming fictional Massachusetts town. To me, it's sort of a New England version of Mayberry. As always in these books, there are lessons to be learned, setting the stage for an uplifting ending.

For fans of this series, read it, you will love it. If you haven't read any of the Cape Light books, this is still a good read on its own, but it is really better to read all the books of this series in order to get the entire scope of all the stories in this town.

Kudos to Ann Cannadeo for continuing on with writing these books after Thomas Kinkade's untimely death. I'm eagerly looking forward to next one!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with Rev. Ben looking at some old photographs whch causes him to think back to when he was a new pastor in Cape Light and all of the events which happened before their first Christmas celebration in this town. His daughter was a young child when the members of the church split in their support for or against one of the member Oliver Warwick who was accused of a serious crime. The town has depended on the his businesses to keep many of the people in town to have employment. For many their Christian faith wavered in serious ways not just because he admitted to being guilt but also because of his weath. As Rev Ben looks backto the past, his daughter Rachael looks to the future without her deceased husband and raising two children and having to react to her young son's reaction when she went on one date could her decision to go back to how things were before this date gives the results intended?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reverend Ben is remembering his first Christmas in Cape Light, one that was a challenge to him in his first assignment. As one very important member of his church faces charges that he has swindled his own company Rev. Ben must first find his own forgiveness and then help his congregation find theirs.

As Rev. Ben fights his own battles his daughter Rachel is learning to move on from the death of her beloved husband two years before. She must also help her son Jack move on and he is finding it difficult and unwanted.

Another great Cape Light story!

[Regina Spiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

At number 15, the Cape Light series is still going strong. In this book, Reverend Ben is doing some reminiscing of days gone by...when he first started preaching at his new church and his daughter Rachel was just a baby. Rachel, now 36 and widowed at 34, is still putting one foot in front of the other, trying to protect her two children from the effects of losing their father. Will she be able to remove the walls she built around them when possible love and hope are peeking in?

These sweet novels remind us of home, faith in humanity and God, and that there is always hope....

[Rachel Sides · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of the Cape Light series though I've missed many of the Angel Island books, so I feel like I might have missed some of the storyline. I don't remember Rachel losing her husband, but they were never major players in the books and just might not remember. Finally getting to meet Oliver Warwick and watch his downfall answered a lot of questions. Every book I read feels like I'm watching a Hallmark movie.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest book In the series looked back at the late 1970s when Rev. Ben first came to Cape Light. It reflects a lot on a passage of scripture found in Matthew chapter 25 verses 31-46 where Jesus spoke of by doing the least of things you are doing unto him. It outlines how people can pass judgement onto others. It also shows how forgiveness can heal.
It was excellent as always! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book in the ongoing series because it gave readers a chance to learn why Lillian Warwick acts the way she does. The church is preparing a history and Rev. Ben is assigned to look through photographs and also write the story of Oliver Warwick. Chapters flip between 1978 when rev. Ben first came to Cape Light and today where his widowed daughter Rachel is assisting her son's basketball coach with the team and finds herself attracted to the divorced father.

[Linda Husvar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author skillfully told two stories: Reverend Ben's memories of his first year as a pastor and his daughter, Rachel's,life after becoming a young widow. Ben's challenges as he tried to lead his church to develop faith, forgiveness, and restoration were inspiring. Rachel's struggles as a widow and single parent having difficulties moving forward in life were realistic. I liked the life lessons demonstrated in their stories. Highly recommended.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then latest install want in the Cape Light series explains a great deal about a story that has always been mentioned, but never fully explained. It details the trails of Oliver Warwick and how he lost his fortune. There were many details that explained how exactly that occurred, which I enjoyed after having that tale eluded to in many previous novels. It was a nice mix between current day and flashbacks to Oliver's downfall.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christmas tale that leads the minister Ben Lewis down memory lane to his first Christmas in Cape Light. The church is writing a book to raise money
for the church. It is well written and the story is heartfelt tale of love and respect for the pastor and the people in the congregation. Christmas in a
small New England town.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my most favorite series to read! I anticipate the new book each holiday season. Loved that this one cleared went back to the past to tell us about a major even that occurred in the books timeline. As always looking forward to the next book.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pastor's remembrance of his early ministry as one story line and present day problem of his widowed daughter is a bit confusing, but the Scripture and Pastor's sermons during troubles in the flock made it a 4 star for me. A Mitford Father Tim/Harmony Pastor Sam companion.