"A Baxter Family Christmas"

by Karen Kingsbury

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Karen Kingsbury’s most beloved characters are back!
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes A Baxter Family Christmas, a life-changing story of love and hope featuring the Baxter family.
Whether you’re meeting the Baxter family for the first time, or finding them all over again…A Baxter Family Christmas will leave fingerprints on your heart forever.

Two years have passed since the terrible car accident that took the life of John Baxter’s daughter, Erin, her husband and three of their four daughters. Prompted by grief, and missing his daughter, John has invited a stranger for Christmas Eve dinner—Kendra Bryant, the transplant recipient who now has Erin’s heart.
In light of their father’s idea, Ashley and her brother Luke don’t think it’s right. They want to protect their ten-year-old niece, Amy—the only surviving member of the accident. But John is determined and believes meeting this woman is something his deceased daughter would want.
At the same time, Maddie West, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. Could she find it in a newfound friendship with a boy she never expected to see again? Maddie believes in miracles, especially at Christmastime, but this is a stretch even she can’t imagine.
Meanwhile, Kendra Bryant has been struggling these past few years to find purpose in the tragedy that gave her a second chance. She believes the invitation to see the Baxters and witness their unwavering faith in God can instill peace and happiness back into her life.
Heartwarming and touching, filled with love and redemption, A Baxter Family Christmas brings together two families in the aftermath of loss and in the midst of an unfolding love story, all with the help of one very special child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biography

 

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Don, and their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their actress daughter, Kelsey, lives nearby and is married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The couple recently welcomed their first child, Hudson. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.  

 

 

 

 

My thoughts ~

 

I've read a number of the Baxter Family's early books, and this particular book still brings back character memories and events from the past. 

 

I found the first half or more of this particular book a bit slow and written for a younger audience in my estimation. I was somewhat surprised at that revelation since the earlier books in this series were very entertaining and a bit faster paced. 

 

Eventually the book reached a pivotal point that was so touching and sensitive that it brought me to tears more than once. This sensitivity continued through to the end of the book, and "wowed" me! The last third of the book is what I remember of Karen Kingsbury's earlier books. Don't give up on this one. There is much to absorb toward the end of this book!

 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and my review contains only my expressed opinions.

 

 

 

"Turbulence"

A Kennedy Stern Christian Suspense Novel 

by Alana Terry

 

 

 

Description

Facing doubts and terror at forty thousand feet. It's been another grueling semester at Harvard, and Kennedy can hardly wait to take a break from her premed studies for some much-needed rest and relaxation at her roommate's homestead in rural Alaska.Unfortunately, Kennedy's great arctic adventure might come to a crashing halt before it even begins.

Note: Turbulence is book 5 in the Kennedy Stern Christian suspense series, but it's a great introduction to the characters and can be read as a standalone. 

 

 

 

 

 

Biography

 

Alana is a pastor's wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers' Favorite, and more. Alana's passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.  

 

 

 

My thoughts ~

 

I've been following the Kennedy Stern series since the first novel released, and each book has been unique and stands on its own merits. Topics vary and Kennedy matures. I love her character and strength in adversity. I found Turbulence to be jaw clenching! Kennedy is flying to Alaska to spend the Christmas holidays with her college friend and family. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.

Kennedy is looking forward to a relaxing flight, with lots of time to read and nap. Her friend, Willow, has made a new friend with whom she's occupied, so Kennedy relaxes and attempts to enjoy the flight. The pace takes off and the suspense is riveting! Kennedy's faith is strong, but she worries about her friend who doesn't share her faith. Kennedy fears that she may not have the opportunity to share her beliefs with Willow. 

 

I think that Turbulence is probably the most exciting and nail biting book in the Kennedy Stern series. I was captivated! This series is not only great for adult readers, but I think that older teens would thoroughly enjoy this suspense series with a component of salvation. I'm hoping there will be a followup to this novel. I look forward to new releases in this series!

 

Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift and was not expected to write a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

 

 

"Forest Child"

Vikings of the New World Saga, #2

by Heather Day Gilbert

 

 

 

Description

Viking warrior. Dauntless leader. Protective mother. Determined to rise above her rank as the illegitimate "forest child" of Eirik the Red, Freydis launches a second voyage to Vinland to solidify her power and to demand the respect she deserves. She will return home with enough plunder to force her brother, Leif, to sell her the family farm in Greenland. But nothing can prepare her for the horrors she must confront in Vinland...and nothing can stand in her way when her family is threatened. In her race to outrun the truths that might destroy her, Freydis ultimately collides with the only enemy she cannot silence—her own heart. Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, Forest Child brings the memorable, conflicted persona of Freydis Eiriksdottir to life. This immersive tale is Book Two in the bestselling Vikings of the New World Saga.

Biography

HEATHER DAY GILBERT, a Grace Award winner and bestselling author, writes novels that capture life in all its messy, bittersweet, hope-filled glory. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, generational story-telling runs in her blood. Heather is a graduate of Bob Jones University, and she and her husband are raising their children in the same home in which Heather grew up.

Heather's Viking historical novels, God's Daughter and Forest Child, are Amazon Norse bestsellers. Heather has also authored the bestselling Murder in the Mountains mystery series, the Hemlock Creek Suspense series, and the Indie Publishing Handbook: Four Key Elements for the Self-Publisher.

Sign up for Heather's newsletter updates on her upcoming releases here: http://eepurl.com/Q6w6X 

 

 

 

My Thoughts ~

 

This genre is quite new to me, but I was captivated by the events throughout this book. A novel about the differences between family, enemies and the struggle for power takes us on journeys to Vinland and Greenland. The fight for power and respect creates both darkness and horror. Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, the daughter of Eirik the Red, Freydis Eiriksdottir is known as the illegitimate Forest Child. 

Unfamiliar with either Vinland or Greenland, I discovered much through Gilbert's descriptive skills of both the terrain and the lifestyles of people throughout these areas during this time period. Freydis demonstrated an immense power and strength that many men couldn't match. Her craving for respect and power nearly consumed her. This obsession for power brought her to experience unknown atrocities and horror.

I found it very difficult to like Freydis through this powerful novel, and was I was repulsed by her actions while in Vinland. I grew to respect her after her return to Greenland when she endured unfairness and cruelty from her brother. Once she returned to Vinland Freydis became a character I grew to respect and favor. 

Forest Child is a powerful and deeply disturbing tale of a woman who fought like a man, but exhibited love for a child. Impressed by "Forest Child," I will be picking up a copy of "God's Daughter." Forest Child has piqued my interest in learning the background for this compelling tale! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review, with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.