Loving by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Loving

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Why I Read It: It's the last book in the Bailey Flanigan series, and I've read the first three.

Where I Got It: Target

Rating:  4 stars



Overview from Barnes and Noble:

The answers Bailey Flanigan once longed and prayed for are finally becoming clear. In Loving, the fourth and final book in the Bailey Flanigan Series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, Bailey is planning a wedding and making decisions that will shape her future. Bailey enjoys the beginning of her new career and time spent with Brandon while Cody faithfully coaches his team on and off the field. Will she spend her life with Brandon Paul in Los Angeles, or will her heart draw her back to Bloomington, Indiana and Cody Coleman, her first love? Bailey has learned much and grown over the years, but the greatest challenges, the richest joys, and the deepest heartaches are still to come. Featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family, Loving completes Bailey and Cody's story --- the finale thousands of fans have been waiting for.

Sadly, I have finished reading the last book in the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. It's a bitter sweet moment. I was very excited to read this final installment. But, I am very saddened that its ended. I have a lot of unanswered questions. Not necessarily because of the way the book was written, but just because I want the story to keep going! 

Through out the series, we've wondered, "Who is Bailey going to choose? Brandon, or Cody?" There has been the ever popular, "Team Cody!" and "Team Brandon!" Like from the Twilight saga with Edward and Jacob. Everyone had who they wanted her to choose, and who they didn't want her to choose. I, for one, had one I was hoping she'd choose. Maybe I was right. ;-) 

I'll be honest though, the story line was sort of disappointing. After reading reviews from others, I found that I agreed with a lot of what people said. We all thought she was going to choose someone else, but at the last second, it was like Karen changed her mind and decided to change the story. The middle to the end of the story just didn't seem to go with the beginning of the story. To me, it kind of felt like it she had the same story, with two separate things going on. If that makes any sense. Characters stayed the same, but I felt like I was reading two different books. 

Karen did teach us something though, like she does in all of the books she writes. In the entire series, shes taught us that we can love again after being hurt. We can be happy again. I, for one, needed to be reminded me of that. She also taught us that God brings us to different seasons in our life. When one season in our life ends, there is always going to be another one soon. 

If you didn't know already, Karen Kingsbury is a Christian/Inspirational writer. All of her books have God and religion in them. Which is why I enjoy them so much! 

All in all, this was a pretty good book. I did enjoy it immensely, I was just disappointed in how it was written, disappointed that Bailey didn't choose who I wanted her to, and who a lot of other dedicated readers that she was going to, and that it seemed like two different books in one. I do recommend this book, but I would read the series from the beginning! That is really the only reason I give it 4 stars out of 5. 

If you've read this book, or will, let me know so we can discuss it! 

Longing by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Longing

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Why I Read It: It's the third book in the Bailey Flangian series. I've read the first two, so of course I needed to read this one.

Where I Got It: Target

Rating: 5/5 stars











Overview from Barnes and Noble:

While Bailey Flanigan wrestles with feelings for Brandon Paul, Cody Coleman's work coaching a small-town football team has brought him and his players national attention. In the midst of the celebration and success, Cody finds himself much closer to a woman who seems to better understand him and his new life. Even so, never does much time go by without Bailey and Cody experiencing deep feelings of longing for each other, longing both for the past and for answers before they can move forward.

Will an unexpected loss be the turning point for Cody? Will Cody and Bailey find a way back together again for the first time in more than a year? And if they do, will their brief time together be enough to help them remember all they've been longing for?

I'm sure that I've mentioned this time and time again about Karen Kingsbury as an author, but I feel like she is the best author to bring her characters to life. She makes you feel like you're best friends with the people she writes about. 

In this book, the third book in the series, Bailey is still in the broadway play in New York. She's working towards her dreams and goals, while still dating Brandon Paul, the famous movie star, and every once in a while, thinking about Cody Coleman and longing for him, wondering the "what if's" that no one ever likes to think about. Bailey struggles with her love for Brandon Paul, and the struggles of knowing what her and Cody had in the past. She continues to ask herself why things happened the way they did between the two of them.

Mean while, Cody is being more and more famous with the Football team he coaches at Lyle High School. The team is going to be featured on ESPN, as well as Sports Illustrated. Cody and Demetri have to fly to New York for both of these amazing accomplishments, while they're there, someone through Espn, has two tickets for them to enjoy dinner, and a Broadway show while in New York. Cody knows in the back of his head that it may or may not be the show Bailey performs in. He constantly thinks about it, and questions whether or not he can stand seeing her. 

The book flips back and forth between Cody and Bailey, and Bailey and Brandon. Brandon wants Bailey to read a script in LA so she may be able to be in a movie with him. While they're in LA, Bailey has to "get used to" all of the Paparazzi that chases Brandon constantly. When they're back in New York, Cody thinks about asking Bailey to marry him. Going as far as making a trip to the jewelry store. 

Cody goes through something intense personal issues with his friend Cheyanne, which leaves him questioning everything hes done in his life, including his faith. 

Again, Karen has the ability to make you feel like you know these characters in real life. She makes them seem so real, and you find yourself routing on each person, wanting to hold their hand during the tough times, and celebrate with them during the good times. Not very many authors can do that, and this is why I love Karen, and her books so much.

All of Karen's books are inspirational/Christian fiction. She has such a strong faith in God and religion, and she shows it in each and every book. I highly recommend this book, as well as the series and all of her other books. I promise you won't be disappointed. 

I enjoyed this book immensely, and cannot wait for the fourth, and final book to be released in a few months! 

Learning by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Learning

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Where I Got It: Karen sent it to me to review

Why I Read It: I've read all of her books and this is the second book in this series!

Rating: 4/5 stars





Overview from Barnes and Noble:

Bailey Flanigan is growing closer to her dream to be an actress and dancer in New York while Cody coaches a small high school football team ... on and off the field. But neither feels complete without the chance to share their dreams with one other.

Can distance truly make the heart grow fonder? Or will Cody learn to turn to others to share in his happiness? And when tragedy strikes? Who will be there to provide comfort in the face of loss?

As Cody's past catches up with him, he must learn to reach out for help or risk withdrawing permanently inside himself. Both Bailey and Cody find themselves learning significant life lessons in this poignant love story, featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family.

This is the second book in the Bailey series. Her first book in the series is called Leaving. You can find that review HERE.

I love all of Karen's books. They're inspirational, motivational, and amazing. She has a talent to make her characters come alive so you feel like you actually KNOW these people. It's like you're apart of their family, and/or a friend of their family.

This particular book/series is about following your dreams no matter what. Bailey and Cody were lovers for many years prior, and life has torn them apart. They are both trying to live with out each other, neither of them knowing if they're able to. They've found comfort in other friends, Cheyenne and Brandon Paul. 

While their lives are taking them down different paths, they've got to figure out if their friendship will hold strong, and if they'll stay together or not.

Let me start off by saying what I did like about the book. 

This book teaches you that when life throws you a curve ball, no matter what happens, you can and will get out of that slump. With friends, family and God, your life will be continuing up hill as long as you let it. It also teaches you that when you lose the love of your life due to a break up, you WILL find love again. The book shows you that you just need to have an open heart, not rush into things, and when that person comes into your life, you'll know why they were there. 

I love this series (and all of Karen's books) because she has a way of making dreams a reality. No matter what your dreams or goals are in life, you can achieve them. In this book, Bailey had always wanted to be a Broadway performer, and she did just that. She never gave up, and she continued to fight until the time was right for her. 

I love books that have lessons in them. I love a book where you can get something out of it. A book that makes you FEEL. All of Karen's books will make you laugh, cry, feel sad, mad, angry, upset. You will find yourself routing for characters in her book. She has a way, especially in this book/series, where she makes every character in her book, special. However, it's not too overwhelming where you don't know what's going on with each character.

Now, as you've noticed, I love every  one of her books. However, for some reason, this book didn't seem AS good as her other ones, or the one before this book. Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing book. It just wasn't as good.

I felt like it didn't have enough "drama" in it. It was all a straight, happy story. Which is a good thing, but I would have enjoyed one or two more surprises. Also, the ending was kind of disappointing. Karen has one or two other books coming out in the series, and I felt like the way the book ended, it could have almost been the end of the series. 

But, with that said, I am excited to read the next book in the series, to see what happens with Bailey, Cody and Brandon Paul! 

Have any of you ever read this book, or any other Karen Kingsbury books? What do you think?

My Rating:

Leaving By Karen Kingsbury

Title: Leaving

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Where I got it: Karen did a contest on her Facebook page where 40 of us out of thousands got to read an Advanced Copy of this book, and I was one of them that was chosen!

Why I Read It: Not only do I love Karen's books, but Bailey is one of my all time favorite characters EVER!

Rating: 5 stars




Summary from Barnes and Noble:

The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City. She's determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive.

In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan.

Love, loneliness, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions highlight the first book in the new Bailey Flanigan series that features members of the popular Baxter family and finally completes the Bailey Flanigan/Cody Coleman story.

~~

So, as was mentioned in the summary, this is the first book in the Bailey Flanigan series. For those of you who don't know who Bailey is, she's a character from other books that Karen has written. Bailey is such a lovable character, that Karen decided to make Bailey her very own series. 

This book was absolutely amazing. It was heart warming, funny, sad, heart breaking, inspiring, and incredible all rolled into one. Karen has a way of making ALL of the characters come to life in your mind when you're reading her books, and this book was no exception. I felt like I was BEST FRIENDS with Bailey, and knew her family in real life. When a book can make you feel this way, you know it's a one of a kind book!

This book is about Bailey finally realizing that her dream is coming true, and in order for her dream to come true, she has to Leave her family and friends in her own state of Indiana, and move to New York to be in a Broadway play. It's not easy for ANYONE to leave loved ones behind to make your own dreams come true, but Bailey shows us that it's okay to do so. And that God has a plan for ALL of us, and that once he opens a door for that plan, we must take it with our heads held high or we'll regret it for the rest of our lives. 

I've been on both sides of this book. I've been the one who has left, when I went to a new city for College and left my Mom, who is my hero, behind. And I've been on the side where I've been the one who has been left behind. My ex boy friend and I split up and went our separate ways because God opened doors for him to follow his dreams, and I didn't, and couldn't, get in the way of that. 

This book teaches us that it's okay to follow our dreams. That it may hurt to follow your dreams because you're leaving your loved ones behind, but in the end, it's what you accomplish that matters the most. 

Anyone who is struggling with finding their way in life, finding out if love is worth fighting for, and WHO is worth fighting for, who is trying to find a relationship with God, or rekindle their relationship for God, or those of us who aren't sure if dreams really DO come true, should read this book. You don't have to necessarily read the books that Bailey is in in the other series outside of this series to understand the back stories, so if you're starting with The Bailey Flanigan series, it's okay. You'll enjoy them just as much as I did and do! 

A cool fact about Bailey, and this series is that it's pretty much based off of the life of Karen. Almost everything that Bailey goes through, Karen's daughter Kelsey has been through too. Not EVERYTHING in Bailey's life reflects Kelsey, but a lot of it does. 

Kelsey plays Bailey on Facebook, so "Bailey" has her own Facebook page, which can be found HERE.

I'm excited for the next book, Learning, to come out on June 22nd! I can't wait to see where Life, and God, takes Bailey next!

As I mentioned, I was picked as a winner in a contest from Karen where I got to read an Advanced Copy of this book and do a review for her. This book will be published and available for everyone to read on MARCH 22ND, 2011!

Find Karen Online:

www.karenkingsbury.com

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenKingsbury

My Rating: