Katherine Spencer

In this inspiring novel, world-renowned "Painter of Light"(TM) Thomas Kinkade brings us back to Cape Light--the little town we know by heart... The charming seacoast village of Cape Light is the kind of place where neighbor helps neighbor and people have the time to appreciate God's blessings every day. Their lives are not without disappointment--even heartbreak. But there's something special about this town--and the people in it. Cape Light's mayor, Emily Warwick, can't remember the last time she let herself dream. Her days are consumed by the responsibilities of her job and the incessant demands of her elderly mother. And there's her younger sister Jessica, who is about to walk down the aisle with a man their mother despises. Emily has two months to bring their mother around, but so far--even with their minister's support--her plan isn't working. And it doesn't help that she's still mourning the husband she lost and wondering what happened to the baby she gave up for adoption twenty years ago. Sometimes she thinks it would take a miracle to fill the hole in her heart. But miracles do happen here in Cape Light. You just have to close your eyes--and believe in your dreams...

Inspired by the beloved artistic vision of world-renowned landscape painter Thomas Kinkade--and imbued with the light of his uplifting message--this heartwarming new novel introduces us to the quaint town of Cape Light, and the unique residents who call it home... Nestled in New England is the picturesque seaside hamlet of Cape Light, where everyone knows everyone, and folks still care about one another. But Cape Lighters have their share of hidden dreams, desires, and doubts, too. Like Mayor Emily Warwick, who sometimes feels that her job and her identity are inseparable, and her sister and rival, Jessica, who has torn herself away from the big city's excitement and sophistication to come home and care for their ailing mother. Or Reverend Ben, who counsels and consoles an entire town while coming to grips with his own private sorrows, and Charlie, the owner of the local diner, who isn't shy about letting the mayor know that he is after her job. They are friends and neighbors, doers and dreamers. They laugh and love and build their lives together in the town of Cape Light--and they will work their way into your heart...

In this book, Katherine Spencer examines Navaho cultural values by studying a specific subset of Navaho mythology: chantway myths, part of ceremonies performed to cure illness. She begins with a summary of the general plot construction of chantway myths and the value themes presented in these plots, then discusses “explanatory elements” inserted by the narrators of the myths. She continues with a deeper analysis of the cultural value judgements conveyed by these myths. At the end of the book, Spencer includes abstracts of the myths she discusses.

This Christmas the peaceful town of Cape Light shines extra bright. When Lauren Willoughby returns to Cape Light for the holidays, she’s hardly feeling festive. Although her family views her as a sharp, successful New York attorney, she’s come home to heal from a bad breakup and a career setback. While freelancing for a local law firm, Lauren meets Cole McGuire, a widower and a single father, as difficult to deal with as he is attractive. His sweet daughter Phoebe is instantly drawn to Lauren’s whimsical side, and Cole’s reserve is soon worn down by her straight-talking charm. Lauren knows she’s falling hard for this handsome, enigmatic man and his adorable little girl, but worries that the attachment can only lead to heartache. For Phoebe’s sake, Cole is committed to a quiet country life while Lauren is a city girl, determined to return to the bright lights to make her mark. Meanwhile, a movie crew has come to Cape Light, and the entire town is starstruck. Everyone except Lucy Bates, who harbors a secret about the film’s star, Craig Hamilton. One magical summer long ago, they met at the village theater and fell in love. Despite their big plans and promises, Craig broke her heart. They never spoke again and she’s certainly never forgiven him. Yet, for some uncanny reason, he’s appeared out of the blue. Will she accept this chance to sort out their painful past? Or forever regret it? And to Lillian Warwick-Elliot’s dismay, one chilly night her husband Ezra takes in a scruffy, little dog. Lillian is determined to pass the stray to “a more suitable family.” But at what cost to her marriage and Ezra’s devotion? With Christmas nearly here, can the good folks of Cape Light open their hearts to forgiveness and love?