May 17

A Light in the Window
By Jan Karon

In book #2 in the Mitford series, a new neighbor has rented the house next to Father Tim.  Cynthia is a writer of children's books which feature her cat, Violet.   She is single, and around Father Tim's age, but has suffered from a broken relationship (a divorce following a childless marriage).  Although it is clear that Timothy and Cynthia are destined to end up together, life goes on in the small town of Mitford and there is no straight line to the altar.  During their courtship, Father Tim barely tolerates a lengthy visit from his Cousin Meg from "across the pond", he befriends the gruff construction foreman Buck Leeper, and he helps Miss Sadie and Olivia Harper make an important discovery.  Meanwhile he continues to acclimate to becoming a father to young Dooley, the oldest of five children who had been deserted by their parents.

The characters are realistic and their characterizations are warmly presented and developed.