On Christmas Eve

Cape Light #11

by Thomas Kinkade, Katherine Spencer

In this Christmas novel from Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer, the residents of Cape Light learn that sometimes the best gifts are those that were once lost—and rediscovered…

With the new found confidence that comes with her nursing career, Lucy realizes she doesn’t need to put up with Charlie’s nonsense anymore. But just as she’s about to call it quits, a lost looking teenager crosses her path. Seeing that the girl is sick and alone, Lucy takes her in despite Charlie’s protests. This can be the thing that makes or breaks their frayed relationship, but right now, Lucy’s main concern is getting the girl’s real story and helping her—if she’ll let Lucy in…

With a grown son embarking on his own life, and an ex-husband starting a new family, Betty realizes she’s been too busy to find her own life partner. That is until Santa bears an unexpected gift at the Rotary Club’s Christmas party—himself. Has the holiday cheer gone to her head, or is she really attracted to a struggling magazine writer who plays dress-up? Betty can tug all she wants on Santa’s beard, but unless she believes that goodness comes in different packages, she risks Santa passing her over this Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Holiday, Inspirational

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2010

About the author

Thomas 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.

Reviews

[Regina Spiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Christmas novel by Kinkade and Spencer about the little town of Cape Light and its inhabitants. This time, part of the story centers around Lucy and her husband, Charlie. When a sick, smart-mouthed teen lands in their diner, Lucy and Charlie come to a battle over her. Lucy wants to take her home and Charlie, of course, wants her gone. The other part of the story focuses on busy Betty Bowman. When she bumps into a handsome man while catering, she never realizes that she will fall in love with Santa himself!! Place holds on this book and other Christmas/Holiday books @ http://www.alleganycountylibrary.info

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best of the series. Although many of the Cape Light residents are peripheral characters, you can enjoy this as a stand alone novel. It focuses on Charlie's wife Lucy and also realtor Betty Bowman. Lucy takes in a teenage runaway just before the holidays over Charlie's objections. Betty finds new meaning for her life and a new relationship with her adult son while helping a professional Santa carry out a fund raiser for a local charity group. All of the characters are realistic in their feelings and actions as they go about their daily lives in the town of Cape Light.

[Teri Pre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series so much!

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a visit back to Cape Light and peek into the lives of the people there. I enjoy returning to a fictional community and see how everyone is. The two main characters that are targeted in this novel are Lucy and Betty. Does Charlie drive you nuts? or is he just portrayed as a normal small business owner/husband/father. Christmas time helps the characters learn to meet new challenges and move forward with God's help. A great read for the holidays! 295 pages

[Olive Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Kinkade is a master storyteller. He pulls you in his story like you are one of he charachters. Very good.

[Debbie Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Two good story lines!

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I no longer remember how I got this book. (I had an idea, but neither of the people I thought it came from reviewed it on here, so . . .) I don't remember reading any other Cape Light novels, though it is possible that I have. (On a side note, I used to want to own one of Kinkade's paintings but after reading an article that says he doesn't do all the painting himself but only puts in a few final touches, I decided not to buy one.) I would categorize this as "light" reading. There are some themes to it but it wasn't overly preachy. There were two stories that never overlapped. (The first about the Bates Family and the second about Molly and Betty and their catering company.) Cape Light seems like a nice, idyllic town where neighbors help each other out and know each other.

Based on the blurbs, I expected the Bates' relationship to be much worse off than it appeared in this book. I never got the sense that Lucy was really going to leave Charlie--maybe temporarily to take Zoey to the boarding house and stay with her, but even that I didn't think was a serious break up. Lucy seems to have a more open heart while Charlie covers up his heart with gruffness.

Lucy and Charlie have 2 boys. Zoey gives Lucy a chance to enjoy some "girl stuff" that she would have gotten to do if she'd had a daughter.

Zoey's had a bit of a raw deal in life. She's got a learning disability that's never been diagnosed or explored which has made her think she's "dumb". She's been moved around to several foster families and separated from her brother (Kevin). She's gotten involved with some of the wrong kids and has a stalker ex-boyfriend. Her time-honed coping mechanism is running away, so it's going to take some serious love and patience to overcome that. Deep down, she's a good-hearted girl.

The author sets up a bit of a love triangle between Betty, Nate, and Alex. Betty's business partner, Molly, wants Betty to be in a relationship with Alex. Betty's heart seems more drawn to Nate. I don't think Betty was wrong to explore a relationship with Alex even though she thought she was more drawn to Nate and Betty did eventually break it off with Alex (within a month or so of meeting him and after half a dozen "dates" or less and once she realized she didn't feel the same way about him as he might about her).

Betty also has a heart-to-heart talk with her adult son, Brian. This talk appears to clear the air and make Betty more aware of what she wants out of life.

[Sydni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas is a season for love.

Lucy is a mother of two boys, full-time nurse, and wife to Charlie, a hot-headed diner owner. When a teenager tries sneaking out on her bill at the diner, Lucy realizes she is dealing with a desperate, young girl in trouble.

Betty is a single lady, caterer, and mother to an adult son. When Santa needs help rescuing the food pantry from a flood, Betty becomes Santa's Helper and organizes a Christmas party to help.

Both Lucy and Betty realize something is missing in their lives, but through God's grace and mercy, they find a gift of joy and love at Christmas.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stories.
Zoey (actually Elizabeth) is running away from foster care and an abusive boyfriend. She enters the life of Charlie and Lucy Bates and their two sons when she attempts to walk out of Charlie’s diner without paying. What do they do for Zoey? Lucy has a “heart” response, Charlie a practical response. They battle it out.

Divorcée Betty is almost 50 and again entering the dating scene. Should she settle for the wealthy physician or for “Santa Clause?”

Neither story had anything to do with the other.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to put you in the Christmas spirit, this is it. There are two story lines to follow: one is a teenage girl with an unhappy past who ran away from her foster care home, and the other is a woman nearing her 50th birthday who falls for the man in the Santa Claus suit at a party she is catering. The events take place in the days between Thansgiving and Christmas in a caring community where people look out for one another.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Cape Light series of books. Katherine Spencer presents the characters in such a way that they actually become your acquaintances, your own friends. At some point, it seems as though your life is intertwined with theirs, that you've actually lived with them.

This book in the series is especially heart-touching. It's a great read.

Once again, I fully recommend it.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've ever read something from Thomas Kinkade. I'm a big fan of his paintings and this gave me back the same atmosphere what I see on those pictures. Off to buy more of his books.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, I enjoyed this visit to Cape Light. All of the usual characters were there in the background. In this volume, Betty Bowen and Lucy were the main characters. Charley became almost likable.

[Sallyg]

good book. good series

[Darcy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful visit with my friends in Cape Light!

[Cynthia DiNunzio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book. There were two stories in here and it's just like a hallmark Christmas movie. Romance, Christmas season, sharing and caring going around. Good feels book.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable from time to time but I was surprised at times too! Overall a good, quick read that makes you smile.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the town of Cape Light, we now see that Lucy and Charlie Bates are having some difficulties with their relationship. Lucy has newfound confidence since she began her nursing career. But just as she realizes she doesn't want to put up with Charlie's nonsense anymore, she encounters a lost-looking teenage girl. The girl had come into the Clam Box for some food, but as it comes time to pay she tries to run out on the bill. Charlie gets her and wants to call the police. But, for some reason, Lucy can tell by looking at her that she doesn't feel well and isn't dressed to warmly for the cold weather. She talks Charlie into letting her take her home and get her some rest and some medication to get her well before she leaves. Lucy discovers that the girl, Zoey, has been in a foster home and run away. Lucy gets Zoey the help she needs medically and talks to social services about letting her stay with them through the holidays. What will happen to Zoey after that?

Meanwhile, Betty, who has been helping Molly with her catering business, runs into "Santa" with a sincere twinkle in his eye. Betty doesn't think much of it at first. She has been dating a doctor friend of Molly and Matt's, Alex. They have been having quite a nice time: playing tennis, going to movies and out to dinners. She just doesn't know how far this relationship will go. She again runs into the "Santa"(Nathan) and he seems interested in her also. He does take her out a couple of times, but he has been having a difficult time. He is still mourning the loss of his daughter many years ago. Christmas is a bad time of year for him as that is when she passed away, even though he makes other children happy as "Santa". How will Betty help Nathan?

A flood has occurred at the Food Bank and all the food stuffs were destroyed by the flood. Nathan has asked Betty to help him organize and ask the residents of the town to help them out by giving for the people who will now have nothing much for the holidays. Betty surprises him with getting so many donations and offers also to set up a party so that more funds can be raised. Betty was a godsend to Nathan.

Cape Light has so much going on all the time.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts and ends with relationships, which changes the directions of each of the women in this book’s lives.

Lucy and Charlie's relationship wasn’t made Luc sad and she wondered if it was worth it to continue in this marriage. Sometimes one has to look at other persons problems to get a handle on how to deal with current issues. Lucy has a change when a young teenager who had run away from a foster home came to her husband’s diner. The young girl was leaving without paying and Lucy’s husband wanted to call the police. Lucy stepped in and took the young woman home because she realized that Zoey (the young girl’s name) was sick and need some care. It is interesting how this young woman makes a place for herself in this family and they take on her cares and protecting her from some of her past.

The next person in the novel is Betty who living alone realizes that she would like to find a partner; her husband has made his decision with starting a new family. At a Christmas party she meets a man dressed as Santa Claus, who turns out to be a writer. Can she get pass the Santa Claus outfit and whether he is taking life seriously? Thankfully, she didn’t let the uniform keep her from getting to know the person.
I felt that I was there waiting each of the events unfold and cheering on both women in their struggle to make the right decisions.

I love reading Christmas stories and found myself connecting with each of the women. Yes, I would recommend this book.

[AmyReadsAll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough story. Gave off some good Christmas vibes.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been given this book as a Christmas gift and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it.

There were only a few annoying things that irritated me: some grammar errors, repeated phrases, and the authors' two comments about teenagers, which they wrote as absolute truth; they said that all teenage girls love shopping and that all teens left alone will end up in some type of trouble, neither of which is true.

Beyond that, I love how the authors designed this book. There were two stories going on at the same time: Lucy and her family providing emergency foster care for Zoey, a girl who seems always to attract trouble for herself and everyone else; and Betty, a lonely but strong and good-hearted woman who co-runs a catering business and falls for an unlikely man.

The characters and their dialogue were written in such a way that I could really feel their emotions. I felt like I was in each scene with them, especially as they were celebrating Christmas in church.

I definitely recommend this book. I love its themes of caring for others, paying it forward, volunteering, down-to-Earth romance, and the true meaning of Christmas. And hot tea. With hot chocolate being a close runner-up. There's no going wrong with themes as delicious as those.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Christmas Eve by Thomas Kinkaid and Katherine Spencer
Caterer Betty Bowman has been too busy to worry about her life til she meets a Santa while on a job. Betty had joined Molly's catering company when Molly had a new baby.
Lucy is a nurse and after hours she helps in her husbands Charlie cafe, When a girl who's very sick with a cold is the last customer she talks Charlie into allowing Zoey Jones to come home with them.
Cape Light is not what it seems. Reminds me of a unique postcard life, so magical.
Love catching up with the others in town and how they all come together for everybody..
Berry was rescued with the tray spilling by Nathan, and then all night she wasn't able to see him in the crowd. He was the Santa! He also helps her with a car that won't start and follows her home on his way to the square tree lighting.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Kinkade is to Nickolas Sparks as Hallmark movies are to Hollywood movies. It's nice to occasionally watch a simple, sweet Hallmark movie but you can tell it is lacking the budget and the wow factor of the big dogs. My expectations were bigger. For someone who can create such beautiful, mysterious, and romantic paintings, I was expecting his books to have more of those things. And the town of Cape Light sounds so romantic too. But truthfully, it was just Ok. Not the Wow factor I was looking for, but I still enjoyed it. I also thought the parallel stories were at some point going to intersect and explain why they were in the same book. But it was two seperate stories in one book, which was a little odd. I will give his books a second chance before I write him off completely.

[Trish Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know, I know – another Christmas book. It must be because it’s so hot outside. We haven’t even been able to go to Hersheypark this week because it has been in the 90s every afternoon and I just can’t take the heat!

This is actually Book 11 in the Cape Light series focusing on life in a small New England town. While you could read this on its own, it would probably be more enjoyable if you read them in order. The narration flips back and forth between Lucy and Betty’s stories, both of which touch on the areas of love, family, career, charity and faith.

I have always found these books to be a pleasure to read, with good writing and a comforting message of hope, and On Christmas Eve didn’t disappoint.

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet Christmas novel, apparently part of a series, entitled Cape Light. It works as a stand-alone book. The storyline concerns two separate tracks and there seems to be no connection except that some of the characters attend the same church and two characters work at the local hospital. While predictable, the story had well developed characters and was more meaningful than a little silly romance novel. If you want to read something heartwarming during the holiday season, this is a satisfying book.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Book !!! It draws you into previous characters problems, plays on all your emotions laughing one minute and shedding a few tears a few pages later. This is my eleventh book in the Light House series and once again it left me wanting more. I will be rereading the previous books in order to write a proper review and catch up with some of the characters on how they entered the series.

[Alona Perlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Thomas Kincade does it again! His stories are charming, warm-hearted and sentimental. They are like old-fashioned soap operas set in the fictitious town, Cape Light. I really enjoyed it. I have read many books of the Cape Light series and am planning to read more! I wish Thomas Kincaide was still alive, so he could write more stories and paint more pictures! What a shame and what a loss that he passed. So glad that he was around to fill our world with beauty and wonder!

[Pat Oringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of the annual series, I looked forward to this addition and it was well worth the wait, as it is now one of my two favorite in the series. Christian values, romance, real-life struggles and the blessing of Christmas are beautifully spun together through loving layered characters. As either a continuation or a stand-alone introduction you will love this Kinkade/Spencer Christmas story.

[Sheryl Branscombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these Cape Light novels. As always a fun inspirational read. Lucy a nurse, whose husband owns a town diner, comes in contact with Zoey, a teen runaway. The relationship changes both of their lives. And what better time than Christmas for Betty, a long time divorcee to meet a very charming Santa. Predictable storyline .

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this series for years, and although some are better than others, I enjoy them all - they're a familiar, "cozy" comfort that feels just right for the holidays - like being home and not having to worry about stuff I'd worry about on every other day.