Sometimes we’re placed in the strangest of circumstances for the most important reasons.
After her carefully constructed life crumbles, Liz Carlisle finds herself back on Nantucket, picking up the pieces. With the family estate under renovations, the solitude she craves seems out of reach.
Matthew Stone intends to steer clear of his new tenant. She’s carrying a load of baggage, but as long as she pays the rent, he’ll let her be. He’s got enough to deal with caring for his wayward niece, Mia.
Liz doesn’t have time for teenagers and her track record with men is abysmal, but an unlikely friendship forms between the three.
When her former boyfriend is charged with assault, Liz is called to testify against him. But he knows the darkest secrets of her life — secrets she’d hoped to keep buried forever, and he’s ready to reveal them. Telling the truth is the right thing to do, but it may cost her everything she’s worked so hard for, and all she’s come to love.
Catherine West is an award-winning author of contemporary (upmarket) fiction. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband reside in Bermuda, and have two adult children and one beautiful granddaughter. Catherine is the winner of the 2015 Grace Award (Bridge of Faith) and the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award (The Things We Knew). Where Hope Begins released May 2018, and her latest novel, As the Light Fades, releases September 2019.
My Impressions:
If you have read the blurb for Catherine West’s latest novel, As The Light Fades, you get only part of the picture of this multi-layered novel. Yes this is Liz’s story, but it is also Mia’s and Drake’s and . . . . You get the picture. And yet I never felt the complex plot was anything but natural. As The Light Fades is about life in all of its messiness, sorrow, and hope. A story to be savored, I highly recommend it!
As The Light Fades is told through third person points of view, the first person thoughts of Drake Carlisle, an Alzheimer victim, and teenaged Mia’s diary entries. This nuanced style gives the reader a unique perspective on all that is happening within the lives of the characters. And what characters they are — Mia, a traumatized teenager who reacts with anger and fear; Liz, hiding from a violent ex and the mistakes of her past; Drake, a once brilliant artist now locked within a mind that can’t quite grasp his current reality; and Matthew, a tremendously good guy who brings stability and security to more than one character. Along with the wonderful Nantucket setting, this book has all the elements for a good story. It is West’s deft handling that brings it up to great status. There is a lot going on in As The Light Fades, and I cannot begin to relate it without telling you the whole story. Story lines tangle themselves together, just like the stories of real life. And that is one of its many strengths. So what was my favorite part of this novel? Matthew. Realistically portrayed, Matthew has a deep faith that withstands doubts and trials. He is strong and dependable, loving and accepting, a person you would want as son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is not superman, but close enough! 😉 He also exemplifies what a home should look like. I found the concept of home to be a strong theme — what it really means to belong to a place and people. The only negative about As The Light Fades is that I want to know more! But isn’t that what a lot of great books do? It’s keeping this reader thinking and wondering.
For women’s fiction with heart and soul, you cannot go wrong with As The Light Fades.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase, click HERE. (Free for Kindle Unlimited!)
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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