The Vow by Kim and Krickitt Carpenter

This book is actually really well written. The book is written by Kim, the husband telling the story of how Krickitt, his wife and him met. About them falling in love and getting married.

Kim then tells about the accident that changed their lives. I wasn't sure what their story would be like since I watched the movie, The Vow, but they are nothing alike.

The movie, which Kim talks about a little at the end of his book, is based on their story. The story of a married couple in a accident and the wife doesn't remember her husband. Beyond that nothing is the same. From the family dynamics, to the actual accident, her recovery, etc. They are all different.

The one big thing missing from the movie is also their faith. The carpenters are strong Christians! The amazing thing is that Krickett stayed in the marriage because she knew in her head that she was married despite the fact that she didn't know Kim anymore! She held onto her faith to fall in love with her husband again!

With God all things are possible!!! This story is a very easy read. I read it in one day. Kim's writing is very well done and he keeps you going. I recommend to pick this book up and be inspired. It's encouraging for those of us who struggle in marriage (everyone) how God can help you through the toughest of times!

The Secret Life of Copernicus Stringfellow

This story wasn't what I expected. I had not heard of this book before I was asked to read and was willing to give it a try.

The main character was quite interesting. Super smart, rich and giving. The beginning had me intrigued to find out what Nick or Copernicus Stringfellow was all about. I felt, as the reader, I was in the dark for much of the beginning until one of the characters in the book digs into Nick's past. I kept waiting for there to be a reason behind why Nick's character had the "superhero" powers he did. There was mention of God but no real reason behind it. You never find out if Nick believes in God or not. Nick is a very giving but a mysterious character. Mysterious in that you never truly discover his purpose other than that he does good.

Nicks relationship with some of the characters seem to jump time. There are pieces missing in the growth of relationships that make you wonder how much time lapse there was between events.

I wasn't a fan of all the descriptive parts of some of the storyline. There was so much detail on what was happening in the human body that there were paragraphs that I would skim over because I didn't know medical jargon. There were many large words used through out the book that I found myself using my kindle dictionary quite a bit.

My favorite part in the book was the banter during the car chase between Nick and another character. But then was disappointed in the decision that Nick made with the perpetrator they were chasing after. Another point to wonder if the character believed in God or not. I am not sure this book was written as a Christian fiction as I have not found any classification thus far. But I do think that this book does target more of a young adult age group because of the type of fantasy written.

With all this said I do think there is potential. The end of the book does lead to believe that there may be more stories to come and adventures to follow. Maybe if more books do proceed, more holes will be filled that add to the depth of the story that I feel are still missing. And a series will create a bigger character as you read about Nick's adventures.

I was given a free copy of this book from the author to write a review about this book. I posted this same review on Amazon.com. I was very excited to be able to do this! It's awesome to hear from authors since I would love to be one! :)

Fame by Karen Kingsbury

Fame is the first book in the First Born series. This is the next series you read once you have read the Redemption series. So if you have not read the Redemption series yet, I would highly recommend that you do. Fame continues on with many characters from the Redemption series. It just gives you a better understanding of the story line as it unfolds.

Fame follows Dayne Matthews into Hollywood. He is one of the top actors and is casting for his newest up and coming movie. A year ago he took a trip to Bloomington and saw a girl named Katy Hart. Even after a year, he can't get her out of his mind. And now Dayne wants her for the lead female role, opposite him in this movie.

Katy Hart can't believe she has been offered such a big role! This was once her dream that she has let go of years ago. She has to take the part, right?

This series hasn't started out as exciting as the Redemption series for me. It is nice to have characters continue on through though. You don't have to wonder what became of them. There is a cliff hanger out there since book 5 of the redemption series that I am anxious to get to find out what happens.

This book is good for those that need to listen to God's voice, following Katy Harts character is just for you!

Reunion by Karen Kingsbury

Reunion is the 5th and final book in the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury.

Through out the Redemption series you have followed Elizabeth and John Baxters children; Erin, Kari, Ashley, Brooke and Luke. They have gone through many struggles and moved on in life where God has taken them.

Now in Reunion, Elizabeth is wanting to get all the children back together to celebrate God's faithfulness in their lives. As another secrets, more twists and turns that you don't expect pop up!

I cried in book four and even more in book five, Reunion. Karen Kingbury writes about the Baxter family that gets you involved in their lives. You follow them through the ups and downs and laugh and cry with them! May sound funny but it's true. The struggles this family goes through could be pulled from any family, they are so real.

You will love the Baxter family. You will love this series. If you are a book reader I highly recommend the Redemption series! Now I'm onto the next series, Fame, which continues on with characters from the Redemption series.

Rejoice by Karen Kingsbury

Wow! Rejoice is heart wrenching!  More than any of the other books so far. I cried within the first few chapters and cried all throughout. This one by far affected me the most as a mom!

Brook and her husband are doctors. One weekend Brook is on call and had to leave a birthday party that they are at with their daughters. While she is gone a tragic accident occurs that changes their lives forever. Before the accident their marriage was suffering, now things are even worse.

Meanwhile Ashley who received life altering news in the  third book in the Redemption series, Remember. Ashely has yet to tell the entire family and is forced to wait when the accident occurs. In the meantime she is letting her life slip away.

Will Ashley trust God that He still wants to bless her beyond what she can imagine. That she doesn't have to let things go? Will Brook and ... be able to hold on to God's word and Rejoice even in the midst of the worst tragedy of their lives?

I wanted to shake Ashely, you don't want her to make the choices she is making. And I was heart broken for Brook. I'm so sad to be moving on to the last book of this series...I have loved every minute of it!

Return by Karen Kingbury

I'm not sure how three books into Karen Kingbury's Redemption series they can get any better! Each book is just a great as the last one.

In Return so much is going on in the Baxter family. More twists and turns that you don't expect.

Luke, Elizabeth and John's only son, has wandered away from his faith. Luke and his girlfriend Brooke made a choice that changed their lives on 9/11 and Luke is about to hear news that will change it again.

Ashley is finally living the life that she is always wanted. When she is given life altering news that will changed the future she always wanted and she can see it slipping from her hands.

Brooks daughter seems to be sicker than normal and as a doctor she should be able to know what's wrong. It's taking a toll on her marriage when her daughter is finally admitted to the hospital.

Will Luke return to his first love?
Can Ashley trust God to keep everything together?
Will Brook and her husband find what is wrong in time, will her marriage survive?

Each book seems to get better and you want to keep reading to find out what happens. These books have quickly risen to the top of my all time favorite books that I've read! If you haven't started reading them you need to pick up a copy today!

Remember by Karen Kingbury

Remember is the second book in the Redemption series.

If you haven't read my previous review on the first book Redemption, here is a little recap. John and Elizabeth Baxtor have five children; Kari, Ashley, Luke, Brook and Erin. The first book is about their oldest daughter Kari (you will have to go to my previous post to read a full review on book one).

The second book; Remember is about their daughter Ashley. Though Ashley grew up in a Christian home she has come to believe that the choices she has made in her life will never be forgiven by God. She has kept everyone, even her family out of reach, never revealing what happened in her past to anyone.

In Remember, 9/11 takes place ripping the country apart and even affects the Baxtor family in a personal way. Ashley must say good-bye to someone close and in doing so just may learn to lean on and find her way back to God.

Another must read! Like I said I am addicted! Can't wait to read book three!