If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you have heard me rave about author Karen Kingsbury and her famed Baxter family. A family that I have lived life with through the pages of 22 books.
For those not familiar with this fictitious family, it all started with the Redemption Series
the Baxter family. As readers watch them live their lives they can’t help falling in love with the characters. The author kept the
story going through five series building on the lives of the Baxter family and their friends. Her newest stand- alone book, Coming Home: A Story of Unending Love and Eternal Promise, closes the door on this beloved family and book series.
Heidi’s Thoughts:
I remember reading the first books in the Redemption Series
But, I have to admit that I am happy that the series is closing its door. Being sorely disappointed in the last few books, I didn’t want to pick up a new one and then be let down. You may ask, then why keep reading? Well, I guess I needed some closure to the people in these books. This is also a testament of how good her series begins.
Without giving away any details, Coming Home was more of what I had expected from Karen Kingsbury. In some ways, I felt like it was nice to have her back. During the Bailey Flannigan series it seemed she got caught up in the fantasy world of her real-life daughter. Like all of the previous books, the final one centers around the extremes – extreme joy, extreme sorry, extreme love, extreme apology. But in the author’s defense, real life can be very mundane and she has to keep it interesting, I guess. I found the book very predictable but I still turned the page to read more.
I am thankful to say that for me Coming Home provided the ended that I needed. While the last few books have not been tops on my list, I am reminded that the Baxter Family books are still ones I highly recommend.
Have you gotten hooked on the happenings of the Baxter Family?
Thank you to Zondervan for allowing me to review this book.
I have never read anything by Karen Kingsbury. I may have to start checking out some of her books. I like good christian fiction that keeps you on the edge of your seat and you can't put it down. If you haven't read anything by the following authors, then I suggest them to you: Dee Henderson, Terry Blackstock, Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and I just started reading some of Diane Mills. They are very good authors of christian suspense.
Be blessed.
I have read the Restoration series by Terri Blackstock and loved it! Will have to check out these other authors. Thank you for sharing.
You summed up my feelings almost exactly. I am glad to see one final book to wrap it all up, but I am ready to say goodbye.
Glad to hear you feel the same way!
This book is amazing–you will not be able to put it down! Every page gets better, turn by turn. This book starts out with Ashley planning a surprise birthday party for her dad, and, from the beginning, I felt like I was in the Baxter home hearing all the laughter of friends, kids, and neighbors in the background. I found myself in the living room looking over at the mantle and seeing a number of pictures lined up across the top.
The first one I came to was Dayne and Katy's wedding picture. I remember crying with Dayne the day he found out he was adopted and then again when he met Elizabeth, and later, John. In the picture was Dayne's beautiful wife Katy, and remembered how she almost lost him in the accident; through the ups and downs, God showed them their love could conquer anything.
Glad you enjoyed the book.