All is Bright

Book excerpt: In the little town of Cape Light, Reverend Ben Lewis reflects on Christmas past while his beloved daughter, Rachel, looks to the future. A box of old photographs sparks long forgotten memories for Reverend Ben, images of himself when he was a young minister, a newcomer to Cape Light and his congregation. He remembers the very first Christmas at his new church, when nothing turned out as he expected. A prominent church member and benefactor, Oliver Warwick, stood accused of a serious crime, and the entire town and congregation were quickly torn apart. Ben knew that he must carry the banner of God s love and mercy into the fray, all the while struggling to win his church s confidence and respect and prove to all including himself that he was worthy of his calling as a minister. As her father looks back, Rachel Anderson looks to the future, trying to imagine a life without her beloved husband, Jack. But then, single-dad Ryan Cooper appears on her doorstep like an unexpected package. Her son s basketball coach is just the man Rachel needs to shake up her world and show her there s such a thing as focusing and fretting too much. Ryan s gentleness, charm, and understanding are a convincing combination, and Rachel soon finds herself imagining a new world filled with hope and love. But deep loss and old fears are not so easily dispelled, and Christmas brings Rachel a serious choice: cling to a past filled with comforting memories, or reach for a future of bright possibilities."