One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury

I had requested these books from the library because I was given the 3rd book in the series and of course I wanted to read them in order.

I have such a sensitive side to me, I am easily moved and can cry at the drop of the hat. When tragedy strikes people I sympathize putting myself in their shoes. September 11th is a day that everyone is touched by. I had no idea what the twin towers were until that day but since then I am always moved by stories from that day. I have watched videos and listened to many stories online and it always brings me to tears.

I knew this story would probably do the same and of course, it did! It's a great story, very touching and yet Karen Kingsbury is able to also show how much we need to love those around us and not worry so much about the things of this world, time is short.

One Tuesday morning introduces you to two separate families. Eric and Laura Michaels and Jamie and Jake Bryan. Eric is a man climbing the corporate ladder, spending more time at work and less time with his wife and son, who barely knows him anymore. Jake is a fireman working in NY and is a devoted father to his little girl. He loves the Lord and is praying for his wife to come to God as well.

An unexpected crossing between the two changes all their lives forever when the towers fall and everyone is clinging to hope that their loved ones are still alive, including Laura Michael's and Jamie Bryan.

I just love Karen Kingsbury's books. She has a way of writing in a way that gets you hooked to the story and the characters that when your done you have to remind yourself that they are not real people! I recommend this book and many more by Karen!

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

I read this book about 8/9 years ago! I have often thought of reading the series again since I don't remember all of the details. I am now going to a Revelations bible study and thought now would be a good time to pick it up again.

Rayford Steele is a flying his plane when Hattie Durham, the stewardess tells him that they have missing people from their flight. Everyone is panicking.

Buck Williams, a journalist, is on this flight as well and is determined to get to find the truth to the disappearances.

When Rayford gets home he knows what he is going to find. He knows his wife believed in the rapture and that she is now in heaven with their son. When he looks in their beds he finds their clothes left behind even his wife's wedding ring.

Rayford turns to his wife's church, well his church as well. He knew the truth and yet he missed it. Now desperate he wants his daughter Chloe, who was left behind with him to turn to God too.

Having read this book before I knew much of the storyline but had forgotten some of the details. It was interesting that I am in the Revelations bible study and then with this story line to compare to was kind of fun. I know that it's not to the -t- accurate but I know that the authors did go off of bible accounts to create the story.

I am not sure I was sucked into the storyline as I would have my first time around but it's still a very good read. 

Promises to Keep by Ann Tatlock

I was looking for something new to read and saw on my Goodreads site that one of the book clubs was reading this. Now that I've read it I can't figure out what group that was! Maybe I was just meant to find a new author to read!

This story is kind of like The Help to me. Not the story line in anyway but the style of writing. Something about the setting and the characters just made me get that feeling. Though I can't say if you read The Help that you would love this book, just that the style was like it.

In Promises to Keep; Roz and her family move to a new town, to get away from her father, who is an alcoholic. Roz is 11 years old and has a brother, Wally, who is 18 and a little sister, Valerie, who is under a year. Roz's grandfather helped them to get a house not far from him so that they can start over.

One morning an older woman is sitting on their porch. Her name is Mrs. Monroe and who knew that she would end up being the biggest blessing to their family! She believed she was the rightful owner of the home that her husband and her built together but it had been sold when she fell and her son's took over.

The story follows Roz through her life in a new place. When surprising her daddy shows up! Roz makes friends with another girl at school, Mara. They both have a secret about their daddy's and it becomes a promise for them to keep between each other. 

I could see this book being a movie. It's not that it's fast paced but I got involved with the characters. It definitely isn't one to read if you like suspense. I did think at the end there was a huge shock and then the last chapter finished everything up really fast. Which seemed so quick to end. But it was something different than I have been reading lately and I liked it.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury

Warning! This is a spoiler alert! If you haven't read any of the Baxter series books, you may want to find my first blog on the Redemption series and start there!

Sunrise is the 1st book in the 3rd series following the Baxter's. This story continues on to follow where Forever leaves off. You continue on with Dayne and Katy as they start preparing for their wedding. They want to keep it a secret so that it is something special with those that love. Meanwhile Dayne asks Katy to try out for the supporting role in the next film that he is going to be in.

You also get to follow on with other families. Katy used to live with the Flanigan family and Cody, who they have living with them, ends up drinking too much. It affects the whole family, including their oldest daughter. Bailey has always done the right thing but she is pushing the limits now that her parents are consumed with Cody.

And John Baxter is becoming closer friends with Elaine. Is something brewing between them? Is it time to move on from the death of his wife? How will his children feel?

Once again I love these books. I get so caught up in them I have to put them down and read something else to reboot and start again! I am excited to continue on in this series to see what becomes of Katy and Dayne!

Forever by Karen Kingsbury

This is the last book in the Firstborn series BUT excited to know that it doesn't end here with the Baxter family! The next series continues on with the Sunrise series!

In Forever it was up and down as is usual with these books. I think it was a little less exciting for me just because I had already read another book a few series down and already knew the outcome of what happened before I read this book. If I had not read that one, I would have been sucked in to the story line a little more. Having said that the story is just as good and I am still in love with these books! And I still did my share of tearing up!

In Forever, there is a huge accident that occurs that shakes the Katy and the Baxter's to the core. The future that they saw could be taken away from them before it even starts. Mean while the Baxter son, Luke, is having a hard time coping with news that changed his family as it was and now this accident adds more guilt. His emotions are getting the best of him and it's affecting his relationships including his marriage.

The Baxter's have to lean on God and trust that the future of their family is in his hands. To show that they walk in faith to finish a project that shows their hope is in God!

In some ways I think the story always ends on a good note, so by now I kind of assume that no matter what happens the Baxter family wins in the end. Not sure I would want tragedy to happen and it to end sadly but after reading so many of these stories it's harder to be swayed when you know in the end what will happen.

I am hoping that the author can keep the story going and I can't wait to continue on it the Baxter story in Sunrise!

Harbinger by John's Cahn

This book is fiction written in the form of a non-fiction. But having said that it IS a true story. The facts in this book actually happened and it's a commission to realize the times we are in as people as the country of America! It's a wake up call!!!

This book takes you through Isaiah 9:8-10

"The bricks have fallen,
But we will rebuild with hewn stone;
The sycamores have been cut down,
But we will plant cedars in their place."

The Isrealites were warned by God to turn away from their sinful ways and they did not listen so God took away his hand of protection and they were attacked by the enemy. Instead of turning to God they took a stand of defiance as it says in Isaiah 9:8-10. They said they would rebuild on their own. They would replace what fell with things that are stronger to defend themselves, never realizing it was God's hand that had been taken off. They did not turn back to God.

Now in America, we are the Isrealites. God has warned us to turn back to him and we are not listening. In this book the author takes you through the facts that have happened. From the fall of the stock market to 9/11. The dates, months, events line up with Isrealite's calendars and all fall into place. The same thing that happened to the Isrealites is happening to America, including how we as a country declared those same exact words over our people! The government spoke them!!!

In the end of the book you are basically challenged, what will you do? We see the warnings! If you knew the end was coming what would you do? Would you tell people? Would you shout it to the world no matter the cost?

The book was amazing. Amazing in the way that I had no idea the events that have taken place to the extent that they have. I looked up events that were mentioned and was shocked at how America is walking in the steps of the Isrealites! It's scary! Should bring us to the feet of God!

I would recommend to read this book! Be challenged!

Family by Karen Kingsbury

Family is the 4th book in the Firstborn series. I have been reading the last three books straight through, that is why the only reviews I have been doing are on this series. They are just too good to put down. I am bummed I cannot borrow the next book on the Kindle like I had hoped and I cannot find it at the library! AGH! I'm going to go through Baxter withdrawls!

In Family, it continues just months after book three, Found ends. In the first book, Fame of this series Katy and Dayne found themselves being attacked by a crazy fan! Now in book four they are brought back together once again in court with their attacker. Dayne and Katy's feelings are always growing stronger but when they try to spend time together they are chased by paparazzi. In the end they have to decide if going any further in a relationship is worth it.

In the mean time Dayne is continuing to struggle with his faith, the faith of the roots as well as his birth family and what he should do. His fame status is so public he wants to protect those he cares about, even if it's at the loss of his happiness.

The Baxter family learns about a family secret that is thirty years old. How will they take the news?

This book was really good. It had so much going on and I wanted to keep reading. The only hard part with me was Katy's back and forth. She would change her mind so many times. It's easy to say what you would do if you were in the same situation but you can understand what she is going through.

I am so exited to read book five, if I can find it!