By the Light of a Thousand Stars

Title: BY THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS
Author: Jamie Langston Turner
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
June 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0298-8
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction/contemporary

Catherine Biddle wanted to be the mother she’d never known, but somewhere things became muddled. Her children are rebelling, her marriage is suffering, and her perfect life is in disarray. To make matters worse, Catherine’s stranger sister-in-law moves in—uninvited.

Catherine is unkind, and bitter, not known for being nice to the school when they call, complaining about her teenage son. She isn’t exactly nice when a new neighbor moves in across the road, especially when this new neighbor tries to become part of the Biddle’s everyday life.

But people have a way of changing people, and as Catherine learns to accept her sister-in-law, her neighbor, and her son, things changed and soon she finds herself dealing with a whole new set of rules. When tragedy strikes, Catherine discovers the secret to a joyful, contented life.

BY THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS is a thick book, but never-the-less, it was a book that grabbed my interest and held on. I didn’t like Catherine much at first, but I loved some of the interaction between her and some of the teenagers. I laughed at loud in some places. Catherine did grow and change as the book progressed, becoming a much nicer person toward the end of the story.

The faith message is expertly woven in, and isn’t preachy. I liked that some of the characters lived out their faith as a very real part of their lives, and not just a Sunday thing. I found myself hoping that Catherine’s life would become much happier than it was at the beginning, and I pulled for this troubled family.

I highly recommend Ms. Turner’s latest book BY THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS. While not a book you can read in an afternoon, it is a book that will stay with you for a long time to come. $13.99. 414 pages.