The Lightkeeper’s Bride
Colleen Coble

Book Summary: When Katie answers the call of duty, she awakens the call of her heart. Katie Russell loves working as a telephone operator in Mercy Falls, California. But since childhood she has been expected to marry well. Her family presses for an engagement to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster and though he doesn't stir her heart, their engagement promises a secure financial future. Working the phone lines one evening, Katie overhears a chilling exchange between her friend Eliza and a familiar male voice. Katie soon learns that Eliza has diappeared, and the crime may be linked to another investigation by handsome new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Katie and Will soon form an alliance. An alliance that slowly blossoms into something more. Despite the danger surrounding her, Katie is powerfully drawn to Will. But she is not at liberty to marry for love. And though society forbids their growing affection, Katie can't help but notice Will's sense of peace. It's a peace that rests on his trust in God--a trust that Katie has never had to depend on, with her future so clearly mapped out before her. But the more Katie uncovers of the mystery, the more she discovers about herself, her past, and the brilliant future that could be hers if only she has the courage to trust in God and follow where her heart so fearlessly leads.

Review: I love the start of this mystery. It put the mystery right at the center of the storyline. It was a fun book of ignoring the society expectations and the relationship between Katie and Will. I loved the cove which was spectacular and drew me in right away. I love lighthouses and was excited to read the second in the series too. ( )

I didn't like this book as much as I did the first book in the series The Lightkeeper's Daughter. I didn't feel the suspense to be as scary nor did I find the characters that likable (at least to me). You don't' need to read the first book before starting this one but I will say that I missed Gideon the dog as well as other characters from the first story.

While the overall story is intriguing, the actual suspense part of this book fell quite flat for me. What could have been a good suspense plot kept having revelations happen too early and then lots of unnecessary plots kept getting thrown in. The question of "Who Is Jennie's Father?" didn't seem as if it was getting enough attention so that when it's finally revealed, you're like meh. Other than the two main characters, the supporting cast didn't win any points with me. Katie's parents seem to have a lot of issues that never get talked about or resolved and they seem to want to keep it that way. The ending didn't really interest me. It got so to the point where I stopped caring about what happened and why it happened and who did it.

Something that did bother me a bit was what is up with all the men in this series being with two sisters??? I swear in the first book, TWO guys did it and now it happens again! I understand that in upper class families of the time period, this might have been somewhat norm to keep money in the family and keep outsiders from infiltrating above their rank. But still, I'm a bit skeeved out at how often it's happening in this series. I know there's nothing technically wrong with it but I honestly wouldn't want a guy who's been with my sister, I'll find another new guy thank you very much! And everyone seems to be ok with it too!

I will say that I do enjoy the time period and I do like how Coble mixes suspense with historical settings and time periods. Also the cover of this book is beautiful. Hopefully the third book goes back to the good stuff from the first one. ( )

The romantic elements in this novel were especially endearing. Even with the restrictions of society at that time Ms. Coble does a great job with turning up the heat and making the romantic tension palpable. I loved that. Will was a great hero and the fact that he was enamored with a child endeared him to me even more.

The whole subplot about parentage was quite intriguing as was the whole issue of a missing woman. I loved that Katie had to deal with so many different feelings of betrayal in the midst of her other struggles. That was well done. The fact that Will was there to encourage her and that he prayed for her just made him more heroic. The faith thread in this book was light, but clearly present. I loved the fact that not everyone was what they seemed, however, because it made for an engaging novel. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series. ( )