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Longing (Bailey Flanigan, Book 3) [Paperback]

Karen Kingsbury
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (379 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 4, 2011
Longing, book three in the Bailey Flanigan Series, picks up where Learning ended. After a long and lonely silence from Cody Coleman, Bailey Flanigan becomes closer to her one-time Hollywood co-star, Brandon Paul. Nights on the town in New York City and long talks on the balcony of Brandon's Malibu Beach home make Bailey dizzy with new feelings and cause her to wonder if her days with Cody are over forever. Meanwhile, Cody'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?

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Longing (Bailey Flanigan, Book 3) + Loving (Bailey Flanigan Series) + Learning (Bailey Flanigan Series)
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's favorite inspirational novelist, with over 20 million books in print. Her Life-Changing Fiction has produced multiple bestsellers, including Unlocked, Leaving, Take One, Between Sundays, Even Now, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, and Ever After, which was named the 2007 Christian Book of the Year. An award-winning author and newly published songwriter, Karen has several movies optioned for production, and her novel Like Dandelion Dust was made into a major motion picture and is now available on DVD. Karen is also a nationally known speaker with several women's groups including Women of Faith. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Don, and their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their daughter Kelsey is married to Christian artist Kyle Kupecky. SPANISH BIO: Karen Kingsbury es autora de mas de treinta titulos, incluyendo algunos EXITOS de venta, uno de los cuales se uso para la pelicula de la semana de CBS. Es una de las atoras favoritas de novelas inspiradoras.Se han impreso mas de dos millones de ejemplares de sus libros. Kingsbury reside en el estado de Washington con Don, su esposo, y sus seis hijos, tres de los cuales los adotatron en Haiti.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Zondervan (December 4, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0310276349
  • ISBN-13: 978-0310276340
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (379 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,390 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.


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
105 of 116 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Longing for this series to end November 28, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Once again Karen Kingsbury delivers a tale that keeps readers guessing as to what happens next. However, as with the first two books in this series, Longing falls short of being a captivating story. This fan just wants to know what happens next so we can move beyond this series. This story is moving slower than the proverbial molasses dripping uphill.

There are many faults with this writing that began with the Dayne Matthews story. The obvious fascination that Kingsbury has with fame and Hollywood is a bit suspect. You should write what you know not who you know. A fictional story should be inspired by and not based on the lives of the people around you. Kingsbury has lost the distinction between her daughter, Kelsey, and the character, Bailey. If you follow her on Facebook at all you'll see all the similarities between the Flanigans and the Kingsburys.

The blinders are certainly on in telling the story of Bailey Flanigan. Bailey is a too perfect to live up to character. Her biggest struggle is choosing between two guys who both worship the ground she walks on. You could say that both of them put her first in their lives although both take the easy way. Cody chose to walk away putting Bailey's perfection above his desire to be with her. Brandon uses his unending money to court her but since his funds are unending it isn't like he sacrifices a lot for her.

There is a line that summarizes my problem with the entire series. "In Bailey's presence Brandon was clearly a new guy." Bailey did not save Brandon nor can she be the reason for his transformation. Brandon, Bailey, and Cody need to have personal relationships with Christ driven by their desire to pursue Him not their need to live up to the expectations of anyone else. If God is their priority there is no time nor need for Facebook stalking your ex, googling your ex, or having thoughts about an ex when you've committed yourself to someone that God placed in your life. They should be praying for their ex and leaving the technology to stalk them alone. It all plays out like a season of One Tree Hill with mentions of God thrown in.

Cheyenne's advice to Cody on her deathbed is wrong. We can make mistakes and chose the wrong person or not chose the right person. Just because we walk away doesn't mean that person wasn't God's will for your life. Just because you choose someone doesn't mean you are following God's will for your life. However, pursuing someone who is in a committed relationship is wrong. Both Cody and Brandon have pushed this boundary.

The compromise continued in Longing. A few well-placed words glossed over situations that should alarm any reader with its message. She justified putting Bailey and Brandon alone together in an apartment because the paparazzi were chasing them. So in the right set of circumstances it is ok to invite temptation?

I'm concerned for the message that this series sends to readers. Be a perfect Christian. To be a perfect Christian you must beautiful, pursued by every guy you meet, amazing at all you do, and of course never make a mistake. Never have an unkind thought. Never say an unkind word. Never say the wrong thing even accidentally. If you are that perfect Christian than your ex can't forget you, Zac Efron will fall in love with your head shot, and a pro NFL QB will be waiting in the wings if neither of the aforementioned guys keeps your interest.

Ladies, if you want to find your prince you don't wait/search/long for a man who pursues you like a dying man pursues water in the desert. You pursue God like a dying man pursues water in the desert. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Don't settle for a man who makes you his whole world. Pray and wait for a man whose whole world is focused on Christ. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." It won't matter if he has everything in the world or nothing at all. "For my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory." With all you do give the glory to God. Don't do things to attract a man's attention. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Give all your attention to God so when He shows you His will you won't miss it. "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."
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51 of 57 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Bailey or Kelsey? December 7, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a Kingsbury fan for many years, but I am honestly considering giving up on this series. When did the lines between a fictional character, Bailey and the author's daughter, Kelsey blur so completely that they became one person. The thing that bothers me most about this book is that the Cody-Bailey relationship has been built over more than 10 books and was suddenly thrown away in one! How does that even happen? I understand the principle of character development, but this was too far a stretch for me.

I'm very disappointed in Bailey for falling for the cliche hollywood prince charming over someone who she has so much history with. It is completely unbelievable that the girl who pined over Cody for years would suddenly become so shallow to say, "I've found a guy who has tons of money and speaks like he's reading from the script of a romantic comedy. That's my true love." Sure...

I have nothing at all against Brandon. I'm glad that by meeting Bailey, Brandon changed his ways from a Hollywood playboy to a respectful young man, but I just don't get that feeling when she is with him as I always had with Cody. What does that have to say for the girls of this generation? That we'll marry the first rich guy who says they've changed for us and shower us with expensive gifts over someone who we have a longtime, deep emotional connection?

Finally, I'm not buying the patchy logic that Kingsbury constructed to justify the ending of Bailey and Cody. Basically Cheyenne tells Cody that if he kept on running away from Bailey it meant that he didn't really love her, but this contradicts Ashley and Landon's relationship (the reason why I started reading Kingsbury books). Ashley ran away from Landon's love for years, but eventually Ashley discovered who she was as a person and realized that she was good enough for Landon. So why couldn't Cody do the same?

If Kingsbury wanted to start a separate series based on her daughter and her fiancee's relationship I would have been completely fine with it and would probably have rooted for them, but since she completely messed up a basically destined love I'm beyond disappointed. Bailey would never have done what she is doing now. Kingsbury should have just changed the main character's name to Kelsey.

I already knew that Bailey was going to pick Brandon since Kingsbury has been advertising her daughter's engagement (congratulations Kelsey and Kyle) but I just hoped that my predictions would, for once, be wrong. I don't even plan on reading the next book because I feel like we left the real Bailey Flanigan at the end of Take Four. This isn't her story.
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44 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By VW
Format:Paperback
The writing of this book is classic Karen Kingsbury. Very well written. Five stars for "page turner" appeal. Twists and turns I TOTALLY didn't expect... and totally didn't like to be honest! I picked up the book last night and couldn't put it down until 1:30 this morning when I finished it. So obviously, I have nothing negative to say about Karen as a writer! She is fantastic, and I love that my Christian life and convictions are always challenged when reading her books! I often feel I have been more purged and refined after the reflections that her books bring about than any non-fiction book has ever brought about in me! I know it's a God-given gift, and I love that she uses it to God's glory!
Now to the book... I strongly disliked the conclusions drawn and was very disappointed that everything seems to make Brandon look more perfect (blah!) and Cody more flawed in the relationship with Bailey. Cheyenne's admonition to Cody was so weird to me. Suggesting that he must not be meant to be with Bailey--and should look for someone else--because he had always run from her in the past (apparently indicating that she couldn't be the "one") was strange. And then when Cheyenne said that he wouldn't be there with her if Bailey was the one for him.... I wanted to scream at her. LOL. Duh... he ran from Bailey because of a fear of getting hurt, and he was staying with her (Cheyenne) because he is a decent, godly man who wouldn't abandon a friend in a time of despair, even if it meant sacrifice on his part. The logical conclusion to me from his past with Bailey is that he has/had issues within himself that he needs to deal with before ANY conclusions can be made about Bailey. I certainly have never thought that this must indicate that his destiny is not to be with her. I thought that was a very odd chapter and turn in the book.
Reading this book was like watching a movie whose release you had been eagerly anticipating... but then every single thing that happens in it is the opposite of what the movie leads you to WANT to happen~!! I finished it very disappointed and trying to figure out how the next book could possibly not be a terrible disappointment as the end to the series on Bailey!! :( Team Cody for sure. If Karen has Cody end up happy and dancing at Bailey's wedding to someone else, I'll puke. :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Karen, what an author
This is one writer that just keeps getting better and better. And I don't even know how that could be. She writes as if you are watching it in the same room. Read more
Published 5 days ago by M. Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars Longing for the next book
Karen Kingsbury does it again!! Quick read, full of every emotion imaginable...and in the end making you "long" for the next book!
Published 7 days ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars Longing
I really enjoyed this book. It has kept me wanting to nothing, but read. I truly love Karen Kingsbury's books.
Published 7 days ago by exbowler
5.0 out of 5 stars More Bailey!
I am a huge Karen Kingsbury fan and her Bailey Flanigan series is among her best books. Don't miss this series!
Published 12 days ago by J. Vanderwilt
5.0 out of 5 stars Made me laugh, made me cry, positively affected my life
I love Karen Kingsbury! Her books are some of the best. They are very well-written. I love the Bailey series, I have been following them for quite awhile. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Kelly Spink
3.0 out of 5 stars A little let down.
Sorry, but this one just didn't do it for me. Some lose ends, like goodbyes with her loving couple in NY and a few other things. Plus, it seems like a rerun of Katy and Dayne. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Renee Nicholson
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully inspirational
As always, Karen Kingsbury delivers. Its so easy to use her inspirational words to apply to many situations in my personal life. Read more
Published 1 month ago by angie
3.0 out of 5 stars Ope's review of Longing
I enjoyed this book more then the first two, so keep reading! The pace was better. I felt like the story kept moving. I am ready read the last one and see what happens. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Margie
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Very encouraging and inspiring! Loved the way Bailey carried herself around Broadway. Cody and the way he lifted his players gave one hope in so many ways. Read more
Published 1 month ago by DS Flynn
5.0 out of 5 stars Great heartwarming story.
It is so nice to sometime read a romance without all the sex scenes. This is a beautiful love story with inspirational thoughts thrown in. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Darlene Schultz
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