Leaving (Bailey Flanigan Series) [Paperback]

Karen Kingsbury (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 13, 2011 | Series: Bailey Flanigan Series (Book 1)

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Characters from Kingsbury's Baxter family epic recur in the first of a new series about young actress Bailey Flanigan. Bailey, who has appeared in a film of Unlocked (a real novel by Kingsbury) and is awaiting a callback about her Broadway audition, has a problem: Hollywood hottie Brandon Paul, reformed bad boy and film co-star, is after her; star NFL rookie Matt Keagan is another potential interest. But Bailey really loves Cody Coleman, the regular-guy Iraq war veteran who abruptly left her. Ex-POW Cody is teaching and coaching at a rural high school, visiting his druggie mom in jail, and trying to forget Bailey, whom he left out of fear of his mother's unsavory connections. A parallel story involves firefighter Landon Blake, whose ground zero experience is affecting his health. Fans won't mind the self-promotional reference to Kingsbury's previous book as they enjoy the treacly confection of Hollywood and heroes the popular novelist offers. (Mar.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Bailey Flanigan leaves Bloomington, IN, to audition for a Broadway musical. She's hesitant to leave home and those she loves, but she's determined to take this amazing opportunity. While she waits for a callback, she is approached by a bevy of suitors, including Brandon Paul, her former movie costar, and NFL newcomer Matt Keagan. Unfortunately for them, Bailey still loves ex-boyfriend Cody Coleman who has disappeared from her life to protect her from his mother's drug-related crimes. VERDICT As with Kingsbury's other novels (Unlocked), her latest is emotionally charged and features well-drawn characters struggling with their faith. The author is a perpetual CF favorite. Characters from her Baxter series appear in this series launch, and fans will be clamoring for it. Readers of Janette Oke may also enjoy. -- Library Journal <br><br> (Library Journal)

After another audition,she waits anxiously to hear if she's made it. Bailey's parents brace themselves for the inevitable day when she leaves the family nest. Meanwhile, Cody, Bailey's once boyfriend, has disappeared without a word, leaving a hole in her heart...and in her family's. Why hasn't he contacted them? Ashley and Landon are friends of the Flanigans, and Ashley worries about Landon's cough. As a firefighter, he volunteered at Ground Zero, and Ashley wonders if he has suffered side effects. Their son, Cole, will soon be aging out of the Little League and is growing up. Leaving is about families and relationships and the different kinds of 'leaving' that occur in life. Well-drawn characters and hometown stories make this another Kingsbury hit. -- CBA Retailers & Resources <br><br> (CBA Retailers & Resources) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; First Edition edition (March 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310266289
• ISBN-13: 978-0310266280
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (478 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

No. 1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's favorite inspirational novelist. There are nearly 20 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 50 novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists.

Karen's newest novel, COMING HOME - The Baxter Family - releases June 26 and is the subject of much buzz on Karen's active Facebook page, where she had more than 250,000 friends. There is also great anticipation over THE BRIDGE, Karen's much-anticipated first hardback release with her new publisher - Simon & Schuster's Howard Books. THE BRIDGE is a love story set against the demise of the American bookstore.

In addition, Karen has ventured into the area of short pieces with her new non-fiction series - KAREN KINGSBURY, THE REST OF THE STORY. Her first piece, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of readers interested in knowing more about Karen's personal life and the motivation behind her Life-Changing Fiction (TM). I CAN ONLY IMAGINE shares the story of Karen's brother, his struggles, and his quest for redemption.

Karen's novel LIKE DANDELION DUST is the subject of a major motion picture currently in theaters. Like Dandelion Dust stars Academy Award winning Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper, along with Cole Hauser and Maxwell Perry Cotton. The film has received more than 30 awards in the Film Festival Circuit including numerous Best Picture awards. Several of Karen's books are currently under theatrical development.

Karen's most recent series - the Bailey Flanigan Series, wrapped up in March. Coming Home - The Baxter Family - is a stand-alone novel about John Baxter's 70th Birthday and the tragedy that happens during June, 2010 with Take Four. The series is about two producers looking to change the world with the power of film. The Above the Line series also includes Karen's popular characters from the fictitious Baxter Family. The Baxters were first introduced to readers through the five-book Redemption series, and then the five-book Firstborn series, and finally the four-book Sunrise series.

Dubbed by Time Magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, Karen has also been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox News, USA Today, and numerous other television programs and magazines. Her fiction has made her one of the country's favorite storytellers. Others of her emotionally gripping titles include the 9-11 Series, Even Now, Ever After, and Between Sundays.

Karen is also a public speaker, reaching more than 100,000 women annually through various national events. Karen and her husband, Don, live in Nashville, TN with their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their daughter Kelsey is an actress who has appeared in several Christian films. She is newly married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The two also live in Nashville.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#3 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#5 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#34 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#94 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#3 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#5 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#34 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#94 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 142 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars I'm tired of this storyline March 28, 2011

By William hayes

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let me begin my review by saying that I am sure my rating and review of this book will be in the minority. I'm trying to be honest here, so please don't overreact and jump all over me. I am an avid Kingsbury reader, and I have read each and every one of her books. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Baxter series. However, this storyline of Cody and Bailey is really old and tiresome. Haven't we done all of this already? Bailey and Tim (check), Baily and Cody (check), Bailey and Brandon (check), Bailey and movies (check), Bailey and New York (check). I also had a strong sense of de jevu with Bailey and Brandon; it is just too much like Dayne and Katy. There's nothing new here folks; just more drama over the same old things. And too much drama over little things, like Cole's last year in little league. Part of the joy of watching your children grow is the excitement of the new; this book focuses too much on the loss of the old.

This Cody/Bailey storyline has been going on for years already. Now, I see that Karen's going to drag it our over four MORE books. Ugh. I'm really struggling to finish and I'm not sure I have it in me to read all four of them.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing ##Spoiler alert! May 5, 2011

By Heidi

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have read all of the books in this series and I really want to finish it but I don't know if I can. These books have just become so sappy and unrealistic. She tries to introduce conflict and challenges into the character's lives but she makes them such unrealistically prefect people that it falls flat. Most problems are resolved within a few chapters, the characters rarely get angry or frustrated, and, if they do, they are over it in a few short paragraphs. Everything works out for these families; of course the Flannigan boys are the stars of their high school football team, of course Cole hits a grand slam home run in his last at bat in Little League, of course Bailey gets the part on Broadway. Mrs. Kingsbury has resorted to writing stories that, in my opinion, epitomize the worst in Christian fiction. She makes it seem as though if you are a Christian everything will come easily to you, problems and conflict, if they even exist, will be resolved in no time, and no one is ever cranky or has a bad day. This type of writing will not draw in non-Christians because they cannot relate to these unrealistic characters and, as a Christian, it makes me feel inadequate because I can't possibly live up to the Baxters and Flannigans. Mrs. Kingsbury needs to step it up and show that Christians aren't perfect and DO face real challenges in this life!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Frustrated *Spoilers April 5, 2011

By EmmaGrey

Format:Paperback

I am a fan of Karen Kingsbury, but lately I've become frustrated with her books, specifically those regarding the Baxters/Flanigans. It has taken way too long for her to wrap up the Bailey/Cody storyline, and because of that she has to add troubles for the other characters (Landon and Ashley, for example). In fact, I'm so tired of the dragged out Bailey/Cody storyline that I almost didn't even read this book. I'm not sure if I want to read the other three in the Bailey series either, for that matter. I'd almost rather imagine what I want to happen than read Karen's version.

Second, I feel that Bailey is too perfect. She's 21 and the only mistake she has made the entire time Karen has been writing about her is that she wasn't completely honest with her parents about her feelings for Cody. That was in high school! Nobody is that perfect.

I respect what Karen is doing by reaching people through her books, but please wrap this up!

33 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LEAVING...a book that will touch your soul...and heal your heart! March 23, 2011

By sonja

Format:Paperback

Just had a visit with the Baxter's and the Flanigans...and loved every second of it!! I wish you could have been there too friends! :) YES! It was that AMAZING!!!

"Leaving" continues to prove that Karen Kingsbury can take us to a place that stirs our emotions. Even ones we didn't know we would have. LOVE, JOY, TRUST, HOPE, DELIGHT, COMPASSION, HURT, PAIN, DESPERATION, FRUSTRATION, ENVY ...And EVEN THOSE SECRET SCARS ARE EXPOSED.

As I reflect on all that I just witnessed going on in the lives of the Baxters and the Flanigans, and in particular Bailey and Cody, I am reminded of one thing. When it comes to love you can't hide the truth. Many people talk with their mouths...but the truth is, people can talk just as loudly with their hearts.

Can't wait for you all to read "Leaving!" And then you will understand why my heart and mind are screaming with anticipation to read the next in the Baily series..."Learning!" So, in the meantime, Karen Kingsbury, reminds us all to keep on cherishing and loving those that are in our lives!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Another Kingsbury novel I couldn't finish..... May 6, 2011

By Patricia Mejia Burke VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

What's going on? I have loved Karen Kingsbury's novels since I first discovered her but the last two (this one plus Unlocked), I haven't been able to finish.

Too saccharine sweet! Too preachy! Please understand that I'm not against God, I truly love and adore Him and share His love with friends and everyone I can, but I think that these last two books just have gone overboard with the preaching and perfection.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING! March 23, 2011

By Mollie M Menard

Format:Paperback

As a long time fan of Karen Kingsbury, I could not wait for this book to come out! I have followed the Baxter family from the beginning and have cried at every single one of Karen's books. Leaving was amazing! I could not put it down from the minute I opened the package! It is so wonderful to see how Karen has developed Bailey Flanigan into a strong, mature young woman. As always it is very inspiring to read about a girl who has such a strong faith in the Lord and is shining for Him in all she does, and knowing that this character is based off a real life person as well gives hope that there are children/young adults out there like this that are fighting the good fight for the Lord. I pray that my daughter (7 months) and I will someday have the same close relationship that Bailey and Jenny have.
Of all the characters from the Baxter family, I am happy that Karen has almost spotlighted Ashley the most. I feel I can relate to her the most and see hope in how her life has turned out after falling away from walking with the Lord. And even though there are struggles along our walk, I find comfort in knowing that no matter what is tossed our way; we can always find comfort in the Father. I love the bits of scripture and the struggles that each character must face and how they learn to lean on God and follow Him in all they do!
From the raw emotion of loosing love to the excitement of a red carpet premier, you are feeling everything! I could almost hear the cameras clicking and the waves crashing while reading Leaving. Karen has an amazing way of capturing every little detail so the reader can see and feel what is happening, not just read it! I can not wait for the next one to come out!