Book Review: The Christmas Angel by Thomas Kinkade & Katherine Spencer

The Christmas Angel (Cape Light #6). Thomas Kinkade & Katherine Spencer.  Berkley (2005). 256 pages. Genre: Christian Fiction.

First Lines: "Emily found the baby purely by accident.  Later, looking back, she decided it hadn't been an accident at all.  It was one of those things that was simply meant to be."

Summary:  Emily Warwick, mayor of Cape Light, was out for her morning run when she noticed something moving in the cradle that was part of the large creche in front of the church.  As she slowed down, she thought it must have been her imagination.  But, just to make sure, she approached the cradle and there was definitely something moving there.  It was a baby who had begun to cry.  Emily picked the baby up and tried to comfort it.  She walked toward the church with the baby on her shoulder and went inside to get the child warm and try to figure out what to do.  Once inside, she discovered a note tucked inside the baby's blankets.  The note was written by the baby's mother asking whoever found the baby to "Please help my baby, Jane."  

As Emily tries to imagine what it would take for a mother to give up her sweet baby, she is reminded that she once made the very same decision.  However, in her case, she gave her child up for adoption.  She had run off and eloped with her boyfriend when she was just nineteen.  Soon after they were married, she became pregnant.  Before the baby was born, she and her husband were involved in a car accident that took her husband's life.  Her mother convinced her that she was too young and couldn't support herself and a baby.  So, she gave her baby up for adoption.  Now, after finding this baby, she realizes that she feels as though she was robbed of raising a child.  She deeply regrets giving her baby up for adoption.  However, Emily has recently remarried.  She is in her late forties and her husband is in his early fifties.  He has already raised two children.  Before they were married, they agreed that children were not in their plan for the future.  Emily feels an instant connection to baby Jane.  But, it's not as simple and just taking the baby home with her.  The police have been notified and a social worker assigned.  Emily wants to apply to be her temporary guardian.  Her husband reminds her of their agreement before they got married.  He also reminds her that she is mayor of Cape Light and has duties she must perform.  How would she manage caring for a baby while performing these duties?  

My thoughts:  This is the second book in the Cape Light series that I have read.  I read the first book and so was familiar with the characters.  This book is number six, but I had no problem following the story.  The authors do a good job of giving brief background information when needed without bogging the story down.  I immediately liked the characters in the first book and found myself immediately drawn into this book as well.

Emily and her husband Dan have been married less than a year.  They have a great relationship and enjoy their lives.  Dan is in the process of writing a book and spends most of his days in various libraries doing research.  When Emily approaches him about becoming the baby's temporary guardian, he is completely against it.  He looks at the situation logically.  They are both busy adults.  It would be difficult to fit a baby into their lives.  He is also concerned about her.  The guardianship would be temporary and then the baby would go to another family.  He fears this would devastate Emily.  Emily realizes this is the case, but secretly hopes that they would decide to adopt the baby.  It's complicated.  The characters are very real and so are their arguments.  I am not saying that there was too much arguing, just that the disagreements were so realistic they made me squirm.  There were times when I thought Emily was being completely unreasonable.  But, through the circumstances in the story, she learns what she needs to learn.  

The daughter that Emily gave up when she was nineteen is back in her life.  Sara is a very likeable character that was introduced in the first novel.  She has a serious boyfriend who is ready to get engaged, but Sara is not sure she is ready.  Their storyline added to the plot.  Another character that continues to add to the plot is Emily's mother, Lillian.  She is a difficult person and she and Emily don't always see eye-to-eye.  At times her curmudgeonly behavior is hilarious.  

Reverend Ben is feeling like his congregation isn't listening to him and doesn't need him.  He wonders if it is time to move on to something else, something more exciting.  The idea terrifies his wife.  Their grown children and grandchildren live nearby and she would hate to move far from them.  I could really relate to Reverend Ben's struggles.  They were portrayed realistically and with depth.

Of course, this is a Christmas novel and Christmas played a large part in the story, giving the reader fresh eyes to see the wonder of the Christmas season.  This was an enjoyable read that put me in the Christmas spirit.

Quotes:

"But it's the depth of experience that counts most, isn't it? He didn't need a big city to dazzle him.  He believed in microcosms: all levels of life and complex society could be found in a tidepool."

"I know it isn't any consolation, but from the moment they arrive, children are constantly in the process of leaving us, every minute, by infinitesimal but sure degrees."