books:

	16 Lighthouse Road (Cedar Cove, Book 1) Debbie Macomber Mira, 2001 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 41 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Dear Reader,

You don't know me yet, but in a few hours that's going to change. You see, I'm inviting you to my home and my town of Cedar Cove because I want you to meet my family, friends, and neighbors. Come and hear their stories -- maybe even their secrets!

I have to admit that my own secrets are pretty open. My marriage failed some years ago, and I have a rather . . . difficult relationship with my daughter, Justine. Then there's my mother, Charlotte, who has plenty of opinions and is always willing to share them.

Here's an example: I'm a family court judge and she likes to drop in on my courtroom. Recently I was hearing a divorce petition. In Charlotte's view, young Cecilia and Ian Randall hadn't tried hard enough to make their marriage work -- and I agreed. So I rendered my judgement: Divorce Denied.

Well, you wouldn't believe the reaction! Thanks to an article by Jack Griffin, the editor of our local paper (and a man I wouldn't mind seeing more of!), everyone's talking.

Cedar Cove -- people love it and sometimes they leave it, but they never forget it!

See you soon . . .

Olivia

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16 Lighthouse Road, Author: Debbie Macomber,(Cedar Cove Series, #1)

This book is the first in the Cedar Cove series. I loved this book...Save yourself some time and just order the entire series of 6 books. I guarantee that once you are finished one book you will want to start the next in this series. I highly recommed this book.


gets to the hearts of the readers

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

"Divorce Denied." That is the decision Family Court Judge Olivia Lockhart makes when a young couple, Cecelia and Ian Randall, come to her asking for their prenuptial agreement to be overturned so they can get a divorce. Olivia is convinced they aren't giving their love a chance and decides they need to remember why they married in the first place.

Olivia has a lot going on in her life outside of the courtroom as well. Her relationship with her daughter Justine is more strained than ever and Olivia doesn't know how to reach her. Olivia's mother Charlotte is playing amateur sleuth trying to track down family of a man recently deceased she used to visit at the senior citizens home. Olivia's best friend Grace's husband has disappeared and no one knows why. Then there is the added fact that Jack Griffin, editor of the local newspaper would like to build a more than friendly relationship with Olivia.

Welcome to Cedar Cove. In this small town, everyone knows everybody else's business, and they love it that way. Relationships between all of the characters are strong and deeply rooted, to the point when something unfortunate happens, it is a guarantee everyone will rally behind them, just as they will cheer them on when things are going well.

While Olivia's story is given a touch more focus here, I love that 16 Lighthouse Road (Olivia's address) does not really revolve around her. The catalyst for the story is Olivia's decision at the hearing of Ian and Cecilia so they play a significant role in the story as well. Their story is so sad and it was a joy to experience the healing and recovery from their loss that actually makes their love all the stronger.

I love the chatty tone of the Cedar Cove series. When I started listening to 16 Lighthouse Road, I felt as though I was sitting down with everyone as they shared with me what was happening around town. Sandra Burr does that good of a job bringing everyone to life. There is a reason she is one of my favorite audio book performers.

The more I read of Debbie Macomber's books, the more I like her. She knows how to get to the hearts of her readers and tell an emotional story that has quite an impact on the reader. Macomber truly understands what makes women's friendships work and shares the wisdom with us through her books.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, May 2008. All rights reserved.

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Good Beginning to a Series

At the beginning I was unsure about whether I would like the books because it might be too cutesy for me. Don't get me wrong, I like happy endings but what really interested me in this book were the characters. I thought she did an excellent job with all the characters in the book making them real and accessible. I read it very quickly and I will definitely check out the rest of the series.


Another good McComber book

Having read several of Debbie Macomber's books, I added this one to my reading list. I enjoyed it as much as all the others. She writes well and I soon was hooked on the various characters and could hardly put the book down until I learned their fates.

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An intriguing 'comfortable' read.....

This is the first of Macomber's 'Cedar Cove' series. If you love the Pacific Northwest, not necessarily Seattle, but Puget Sound and the small hamlets that surround it, this series is for you. The larger world is just outside, and her characters like to visit the bigger cities, they just dont want to live there. The characters,on the face of it, are every day people, but as you get to know them, the details of their lives draw you in. The characters range in age from misunderstood pre adolescents to senior citizens, trying to deal with the changes that chapter of their lives bring. They are all from different walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds, but somehow their lives intermesh and they find a common thread. As a result, you want to know them too.

I love that the characters are complicated, but not 'dark'. That's why I called it a 'comfortable' read. In the midst of all the 'noise' on television and radio, its a respite. Your imagination is sparked, but your senses aren't fried. LOL!

Enjoy!

(BTW, the books from her 'Blossom Street' series are also an excellent read.)

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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