What do you think?
Rate this book
Cape Light #3
A Gathering Place
Now that the Cape Light election is over, Mayor Emily Warwick can finally focus on her burgeoning relationship with Sara-the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years ago. Seeing her after all these years has stirred up some conflicting feelings for Emily. While she is grateful to have Sara back in her life, she can't help but regret their years apart. Typically she would turn to Reverend Ben for guidance, but turmoil within his own family has inspired a crisis of faith for the minister, making him question whether he is qualified to counsel his congregants.
And then there's the fact that Emily is slowly falling for newspaper publisher Dan Forbes, who'd been all set to leave for an extended sailing trip until an accident dashed his plans-giving him and Emily more time to develop their bond.
But with two grown children of his own, would Dan ever want to start another family? Emily hopes so-because she's eager for a second chance at life...
And then there's the fact that Emily is slowly falling for newspaper publisher Dan Forbes, who'd been all set to leave for an extended sailing trip until an accident dashed his plans-giving him and Emily more time to develop their bond.
But with two grown children of his own, would Dan ever want to start another family? Emily hopes so-because she's eager for a second chance at life...
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 6, 2003
24 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Kinkade
290books177followersThomas 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
January 16, 2014
What a wonderful series. I really wish Cape Light, Massachusetts existed - I'd live there in a heartbeat!
In this installment the election is over and Emily realizes she is smitten and maybe in love with Dan Forbes who seems more determined than ever to get on with his trip. He leaves the Messenger in his son's hands, but can't quite let go of his beloved paper. Wyatt isn't sure if he really wants the paper and asks his sister, Lindsay, to help him. Dan's little house is full - too full with Wyatt, Lindsay, and his son in law. Lindsay has her own dreams about the paper and doubts about Wyatt. Does she voice them? Will Emily finally find love again?
Lucy has had it with Charlie and takes the children with her to her mother's. Luke McAllister and Sara Franklin are also at a crossroad. Could her new boss have anything to do with that? Reverend Ben is also at a crossroad of sorts and what happens to his beloved wife, Carolyn, may change everything for the Lewis family. Digger Hegman gets lost again and is facing some health problems. But it is the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons - miracles are needed and it seems like everyone in Cape light will need a gathering place.
In this installment the election is over and Emily realizes she is smitten and maybe in love with Dan Forbes who seems more determined than ever to get on with his trip. He leaves the Messenger in his son's hands, but can't quite let go of his beloved paper. Wyatt isn't sure if he really wants the paper and asks his sister, Lindsay, to help him. Dan's little house is full - too full with Wyatt, Lindsay, and his son in law. Lindsay has her own dreams about the paper and doubts about Wyatt. Does she voice them? Will Emily finally find love again?
Lucy has had it with Charlie and takes the children with her to her mother's. Luke McAllister and Sara Franklin are also at a crossroad. Could her new boss have anything to do with that? Reverend Ben is also at a crossroad of sorts and what happens to his beloved wife, Carolyn, may change everything for the Lewis family. Digger Hegman gets lost again and is facing some health problems. But it is the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons - miracles are needed and it seems like everyone in Cape light will need a gathering place.
January 15, 2018
A light series that I am enjoying in between books with a heavier storyline.
January 22, 2015
2.5 stars -only because everything came together at the end, but this book was a major Debbie downer!
May 13, 2024
I'm really enjoying this series. I think my favorite genre is small-town life.
February 28, 2023
I read this over Christmas and forgot to write a review. I read these while I'm waiting for some other books to come in at my library. Not a bad series...
September 13, 2017
I find myself captivated by this series, enjoyable read, not deep and serious, just a good read with characters I've come to know.
October 23, 2012
A nice relaxing read.
September 4, 2020
(3.5 / 5)
Leading up to and going through the Christmas season, mother and daughter Emily and Sara have to figure out how they fit into each others' lives, while both also trying to work out a burgeoning relationship. Meanwhile, Reverend Ben and his family deal with some family crises, and local diner owner Charlie and his wife struggle to keep their marriage happy.
Continuing shortly after the previous book ended, book 3 continues the saga of the residents of Cape Light. The drama ramps up, and multiple characters attempt to define their romantic relationships. I found this third book to be somewhere in between the first and second, in terms of how much I enjoyed it. I was still interested in seeing where story threads that were set up in the first book would go, but less interested in some of the storylines that were focused on in this book.
One of my biggest issues is that the official blurb for this book focuses on Mayor Emily Warwick and her relationships with her newly found daughter and with newspaperman Dan Forbes. However, the book really focused a lot more on her daughter Sara and her new job at the newspaper, as well as her own romance. I found that storyline less interesting, which understandably detracted from the overall book for me. And there were 2 romantic culminations at the end of the book, which left me feeling less caught up in the one that came second.
The religion that many of the residents of Cape Light follow is more highlighted in this book, but frankly, it made me sad. It was very shallow and consisted more of passionate pleas that God would spare loved ones lives than any kind of understanding that as Christians, we shouldn't cling so tightly to this life, because we have the hope of eternity. Don't get me wrong--I am not against praying for healing in this life, not at all. However, if we let the idea that our Christian loved ones might die cripple us, we are not trusting God at all. And this is not a very good testimony to present to readers.
I did, however, like the way the reverend himself was presented in his personal life. He was shown in his humanness, not as some kind of saint, as he dealt with his family issues and regretted his actions and attitude after certain interactions.
From the very first book, unraveling the lives of the different people in this town was what made me want to continue the series. Some of those arcs have played out, but there are some others that are still ongoing, which is enough to make me want to read the next one. After that, the series becomes all specifically Christmas novels, but at this point, I don't think I'll want to stick with it if the 4th book is a less than 4-star read for me.
Leading up to and going through the Christmas season, mother and daughter Emily and Sara have to figure out how they fit into each others' lives, while both also trying to work out a burgeoning relationship. Meanwhile, Reverend Ben and his family deal with some family crises, and local diner owner Charlie and his wife struggle to keep their marriage happy.
Continuing shortly after the previous book ended, book 3 continues the saga of the residents of Cape Light. The drama ramps up, and multiple characters attempt to define their romantic relationships. I found this third book to be somewhere in between the first and second, in terms of how much I enjoyed it. I was still interested in seeing where story threads that were set up in the first book would go, but less interested in some of the storylines that were focused on in this book.
One of my biggest issues is that the official blurb for this book focuses on Mayor Emily Warwick and her relationships with her newly found daughter and with newspaperman Dan Forbes. However, the book really focused a lot more on her daughter Sara and her new job at the newspaper, as well as her own romance. I found that storyline less interesting, which understandably detracted from the overall book for me. And there were 2 romantic culminations at the end of the book, which left me feeling less caught up in the one that came second.
The religion that many of the residents of Cape Light follow is more highlighted in this book, but frankly, it made me sad. It was very shallow and consisted more of passionate pleas that God would spare loved ones lives than any kind of understanding that as Christians, we shouldn't cling so tightly to this life, because we have the hope of eternity. Don't get me wrong--I am not against praying for healing in this life, not at all. However, if we let the idea that our Christian loved ones might die cripple us, we are not trusting God at all. And this is not a very good testimony to present to readers.
I did, however, like the way the reverend himself was presented in his personal life. He was shown in his humanness, not as some kind of saint, as he dealt with his family issues and regretted his actions and attitude after certain interactions.
From the very first book, unraveling the lives of the different people in this town was what made me want to continue the series. Some of those arcs have played out, but there are some others that are still ongoing, which is enough to make me want to read the next one. After that, the series becomes all specifically Christmas novels, but at this point, I don't think I'll want to stick with it if the 4th book is a less than 4-star read for me.
December 2, 2022
This is book number 3 in The Cape Light series. The fact I am continuing on to book 4 should mean something if only that these are good easy series to read during a period when my mind needs a break or I am tired.
If you like picturesque settings with a small town feeling in a New England village and heartwarming stories of the people who live and work there, you'll enjoy these stories.
I hoped they would be as wonderful as The Mitford Series by Jan Karon, but if you loved reading those novels, you'll enjoy reading these. These are told with clean language and innocence, which it seems is getting harder to find so this is a good bedtime read.
There are a few grumpy characters or more difficult characters as in Charlie the restaurant owner and Lillian the more mature mother and a hint of humor as well but I would have liked a bit more emotion and humor.
I am not into reading trash and violence just for the sake of violence, but I do appreciate realism. Even Mayberry RFD had a town drunk.
I give this 3 &1/2 rounded up to 4 stars.
If you like picturesque settings with a small town feeling in a New England village and heartwarming stories of the people who live and work there, you'll enjoy these stories.
I hoped they would be as wonderful as The Mitford Series by Jan Karon, but if you loved reading those novels, you'll enjoy reading these. These are told with clean language and innocence, which it seems is getting harder to find so this is a good bedtime read.
There are a few grumpy characters or more difficult characters as in Charlie the restaurant owner and Lillian the more mature mother and a hint of humor as well but I would have liked a bit more emotion and humor.
I am not into reading trash and violence just for the sake of violence, but I do appreciate realism. Even Mayberry RFD had a town drunk.
I give this 3 &1/2 rounded up to 4 stars.
May 21, 2020
Challenges: May 2020 18/31 books; RRRCs November 2019 (much belated) - Thanksgiving (9, family and friends); Steeped in Books/Stacking the Series - Level 3a/Book 3. In this installment of the citizens of Cape Light, many of the characters question their effectiveness in life and the relationships they are trying to forge or renew with others. All the conclusions are not easy ones, but work out well, which makes for a very comforting story. I look forward to reading the last of the non-Christmas theme books in this series, A New Leaf.
March 4, 2017
This is the best of the Cape Light novels I've read so far. What makes this book so fantastic is how all the characters in this book pull together and help each other out during adversity. This series, along with Jan Karon's Mitford novels, are some of my favorites. In many ways, they parallel one another and that's a very good thing. A Gathering Place reminds you that you're reading of a small town you'd find in the South. This is that type of place, but in New England. A quality work.
March 5, 2017
Loving can be hidden and we don't even know it is there. Emily is in love with Dan and he keeps being turned in a different direction of not going on his long boating adventure. Sara is in love with Luke but keeps avoiding it. Charlie and Lucy fightening but knows down deep they are in love. But Charlies hard head will it get the best of him. Rachel, Ben, Carolyn and Mark will they get their family problems resolved.
May 7, 2024
This book had at least four threads going throughout...maybe more, depending on how you counted, and I liked how each one got tied up with a lovely bow by the end.
I also appreciate the community the church in the story offered. I am blessed to be part of a small church family that truly watches out for each other. I only hope and pray that each person reading also is so blessed. If not, message me on my blog--and if you're in the Charleston area, check out Grace!
I also appreciate the community the church in the story offered. I am blessed to be part of a small church family that truly watches out for each other. I only hope and pray that each person reading also is so blessed. If not, message me on my blog--and if you're in the Charleston area, check out Grace!
February 8, 2018
This was the first book I have read by Thomas Kinkade. I could picture scenery better than usual. I have loved his artwork for a long time. I definitely would like to read more by him. He does use too many characters for my taste and were quite a few problems that the characters faced. I would definitely highly recommend this book.
March 18, 2021
After reading a few installments in this series I've gotten to know the characters and it almost feels like I'm reading about things going on in the lives of friends. I found my emotions on a rollercoaster, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and wouldn't change a thing. There were more new characters townspeople/family members that I met in this book also. Can't wait to start the next...
December 10, 2021
Third awesome book in this series I really enjoy this series especially at this time of year. There were exciting new developments which I won't spoil but it regards emily and sara and emily and dan grandma is the same crabby old lady also new developments for charlie and his wife have to take a break and catch up on lib books but will be looking forward to number 4.
May 30, 2019
I liked the positive nature of this book. When I was finished reading it, I simply felt happy. Honestly, I read it years ago, and I can't even remember what it was about, I only remember how I felt. The positive nature of this book inspired me to write my book in a positive manner as well.
April 18, 2020
Very calm story about residents of a oceanside town. I liked the variety of characters which all seemed realistic with both positive and negative traits in the normal range. Light throughout with an emotional ending, a good read between other more intense books.
November 14, 2020
The Gathering Place
I choose 5 star rating because I love the Cape Light Series. I love to hear about Lillian. I wish there was more about her in the book. I recommend the book to anyone that loves a good family story.
I choose 5 star rating because I love the Cape Light Series. I love to hear about Lillian. I wish there was more about her in the book. I recommend the book to anyone that loves a good family story.
September 5, 2023
I still really love this series. I should have saved this one for Christmas though xD
I was the most invested in Emily's story but Lucy's intrigued me a lot as well. I look forward to seeing where all of their tales go!
I was the most invested in Emily's story but Lucy's intrigued me a lot as well. I look forward to seeing where all of their tales go!
July 29, 2018
Happy ending!!!
December 31, 2018
wonderful book and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series
March 12, 2019
Good book. Haven’t read rest of the series. Charming characters and just a pleasant book.
March 26, 2019
Such a feel good read
Everyday problems, everyday people, loving, laughing and crying. These books are chicken soup for the soul. What a wonderful world to live in.
Everyday problems, everyday people, loving, laughing and crying. These books are chicken soup for the soul. What a wonderful world to live in.
June 2, 2019
As always, a wonderful story. I shed a few tears, lots of laughs, love, and joy! 😍
June 13, 2019
Awsome book
July 4, 2019
A good easy read. Can’t wait to see what will happen next.
July 14, 2019
Heartwarming
This book was so touching. You can almost feel the love of all the people. It’s inspiring and encouraging. It warms the soul.
This book was so touching. You can almost feel the love of all the people. It’s inspiring and encouraging. It warms the soul.
Read
July 16, 2019Very nice relaxing book. Enjoyed the even flow of all the characters.
July 23, 2019
I have really enjoyed the books so far
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.