The View From the Lighthouse

Miracles of Marble Cove #1

by Melody Carlson

Diane Spencer has just moved to beautiful Marble Cove, Maine, to start a new life and to finally write that novel she's always dreamed about. She settles into her new home and meets her neighbors, including Shelley, a young mom trying to make ends meet; Margaret, a friendly artist; and Beverly, a reserved businesswoman who only comes to Marble Cove on weekends. But the four women discover that they have all survived a miraculous brush with death and have been given a second chance at life. Is this just coincidence? Or has God brought them together for a reason?

One evening, as Diane is taking a walk along the rocky shore by her house, she sees something strange -- a flash from Orlean Point Light. The lighthouse has always been a fixture in Marble Cove, but it's been deserted for decades. Is Diane seeing things? But then her three friends see the mysterious light too. It seems unreal -- until the beacon's beam flashes at exactly the right moment to help save a man's life! No one understands what made the light flare, but they all begin to realize that God has a plan for them that they are only beginning to imagine.

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Come to a place known for flip-flops, lobster pots, and porch swings. It's a place to relax, a place to feel at home. Take a walk along the rocky coastline and gaze out at the boats bringing in their daily catch. Meet four different yet unforgettable friends who are mysteriously drawn together by events too amazing to be coincidence. Follow their miraculous adventures as they face life's challenges, hold each other up in faith and experience God's amazing grace.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Mystery, Adult, Summer, Cozy Mystery

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good series from the Guideposts Publishers done by a variety of Christian authors. This is the first book in the series and provides the background for the rest of the series. Set in small town Marble Cove, Maine, widow, Diane Spencer spent many summers there with her family. She has now decided to move to Marble Cove full time and pursue her dream of writing a novel. As she settles in, she develops friendships with 3 of her neighbors, Shelley, Margaret, and Beverly. They discover they all have one thing in common though there is a great span in their ages. They all have had a near death experience and lived through what they believe is a miracle. Add to the story of this great foursome, a touch of mystery with a defunct lighthouse that seems to have a light that occasionally comes on and you're set for a good read. The ending definitely leaves you hanging and looking forward to the next book in the series.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Keeping things bottled up inside us usually just makes matters worse. At the very least, it can make things seem worse. Whether our problems are big or small, I believe it's better to bring them to the light of day."

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my eye for a couple reasons: the cover is lovely; the synopsis seemed to promise a low-stress Christian drama; and the concept of four women as the main characters was unusual and intriguing.

I was looking for a light read that would be gentle on my nerves, and View delivered. The operative word here is "mellow."

~

Plusses:
The author definitely anchors this seaside tale in an atmospheric location--whether it's the sound of roaring waves or the smell of fresh paint, I felt like I could do a 360° turn and sense every detail of Marble Cove in my mind.

The characters are likable--each time Diane stepped out her front door, I looked forward to seeing who she would meet up with.

I was thankful that the drama wasn't emotionally distressing to any great degree. Real life is dramatic enough, it's nice to escape into the pages of a book.


Critique:
The story continually teases us with hints of a mystery, but never quite gets off the ground with that. The abrupt ending makes me think that the story arc is meant to spread across the whole series, without a definite conclusion to this book.

~
Overall:
A well-written, light read with a mellow tone.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy, uplifting read - just the way I like it. Unfortunately the end left a lot hanging and for that I took off a star.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane moves to a small town in Maine to start her novel, she meets her neighbors and finds they all have a strange connection. She is fascinated with the lighthouse and sees lights flashing on and off. She finds out others in her neighborhood have seen the same thing and they try to figure out why.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the first in a series , put out by Guideposts. I snapped it up at a rummage sale because I love books with a lighthouse setting, and because it was published by Guideposts I knew it was a Christian book. However, it is quite clear that this is the "first" book in the series as nothing is really resolved by the end of the book. The story is really just an introduction to the characters and the setting, with the "hint" of some plot-lines. There is even the first chapter of the second book in the back to "hook" you in. I was a bit disappointed , as I had read a few books from other Guideposts series before and found many were good stand-alone books. I had no trouble finishing the book though, as it was a pleasant enough diversion. It just could have been so much better.

[Mtl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diane Spencer is finally realizing her dream of moving back to the quaint, seaside town of Marble Cove, Maine, where she and her family vacationed every summer. Since her husband passed away, she is now taking a big step on her own and buys an adorable, cozy cottage just two blocks from the ocean and the mysterious Orlean Point Lighthouse. She is finally going to write the novel she always dreamed of writing. While she is getting settled, she meets three fascinating women with whom she discovers she shares a bond—they have all experienced a miracle, and miracles are still occurring in Marble Cove. Melody Carlson’s novel is a story of women’s relationships, faith, and hope. It is the first in the “Miracles of Marble Cove” series.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diane finally realizes her lifelong dream of moving to Marble Cove. She meets and makes new friends along the way.

While that first sentence might sound like a synopsis, it's actually the entire book. The whole book is just Diane making new friends and doing things with them. Unfortunately there is nothing else to it. Once I got to page 189, I realized nothing was going to transpire and became disappointed that I had ever started the book to begin with.

It gets 2 stars because the writing flows. I love a mindless read as much as the next gal, but I still need it to go somewhere.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent start to what appears to be a long series. I'm glad I have the next book on hand.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane moves to Marble Cove Maine, a place she vacationed every summer with her husband and kids. Now she is on her own after losing her husband. What will she find in this charming small town. And what's up with the lighthouse that is sending out a mysterious beam of light occasionally. Diane meets her neighbors and finds out she is not the only one that has seen the light, soon she has a close friendship with three neighbors and soon they discover a unique bond that brings them even closer. Can they discover the mystery of the lighthouse and how can they help each other. A delightful start to a new series, and with Melody Carlson writing you know this story will captivate you. I have found that she is one if my favorite authors to follow.

[Christine VanHalder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I haven't read Melody Carlson in a long while. This book was a fun, easy, read. The ladies that formed friendships in the small down of Marble Cove, reminded me a lot of "The Golden Girls." I hated to see this book end. It never did answer what was causing the decommissioned lighthouse to send out a light, like a miracle to someone or some dog in need. The book was the first in a series from Guidepost books. I found book two in a library system, just waiting for the inner library loan to go through. I want to read the whole series, but don't know if I can find every book. I'm taking it one novel at a time.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Miracles of Marble Cove cozy mystery series put out by Guideposts. I recently finished another Guideposts cozy mystery series, which I thoroughly enjoyed, so I thought I’d try this one. Of course, it is quite different from the previous one, but I did enjoy this first book. The story is set in a Maine beach town. Since I love the beach, cozy mysteries and lighthouses, I found this first book quite appealing. The main character, Diane, is interesting and I think it will be fun to follow her and see if she actually gets her novel written.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read the next book in this series. This book is a bit slower-paced than most first installments of a series, but it was a nice change of pace. Instead of being led from one part of the mystery to another, we follow the characters through their everyday lives, watch as they form friendships, and experience the mystery together. I also love the descriptive writing style that Melody Carlson uses in this book. It brings the story to life and firmly places you on the coast of Maine.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very comfortable, mellow read. I like the by-the-shore backdrop, and it has a good premise. Because this is the 1st in a new series, you'll be enticed to continue on to get some more info not answered in the first book. Characters are likeable, altho the plot is a little "utopian", not everything in real life is quite so neat. But it's well written & kept me going. Great beach read!

[Kristi Becknell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow but sweet book. It’s a book really about nothing. I call these books busybody books... where the character shares their daily tasks with us and gossip of their neighbors lol I’m hoping the rest of the books in this series get a bit more spice added in.

[Vintage Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I loved the coastal setting and sense of community.

[John Dufresne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job of the author of providing 3-dimensional lead characters and experiencing how their friendships build and how they are each there for each other in the challenges of life.

[Bobbie Kite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but super low key and very little going on :)

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very nice, easy read, but it will miss one star for not completing the story. Hopefully book two answers some of my questions.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun series by 3 different authors

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hit

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a few of the Guidepost series and this is one of my favorites. I can't wait to hear from the friends I found in this book again.

[Daisymarybeth]

Couldn't wait to read next book in series. A delightful easy read. Marble cove is a great retreat from Covid

[Susan Hoose]

I really enjoy this book. A friend of mine gave me the series. All but two. Here are the two I don't Have. Seaside Summer and New Horizons.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read….looking forward to the next book in the series. A chick book….for sure.

[Jessica Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first book in this series. Love the setting and the introduction of characters

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough, but a little slow and dry. A slow beach read.

[Marjorie Dahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the setting. (Maine, a cottage, a lighthouse)
Enjoyed the friendship between the women.
Enjoyed the role God plays in the women's lives.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love these Miracle of Marble Cove books. They are a clean and fun mystery and I love the women characters. I got the set at a book fair and I am really enjoying them

[Karen Riesett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melody Carlson is my new favorite author. I love her writing style. I am totally invested in the characters and cannot wait to read the other books and authors in the series.

[Teresa Orlandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!