Customer Reviews

Sunrise (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 1)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I don't get tired of reading Karens' books. They are very inspiring and hit home to me. I don't believe Raingirl has read any of the books at all if she thinks the Baxter family is "perfect". Reread them Raingirl, every one in that family is flawed. Two kids born out of wedlock, addiction to drugs, adultery and murder, infertility, handicapped kids, etc... These are everyday people struggling with life's problems that only God can help!

Dayne Matthews and Katy Hart are planning their wedding. Trying to keep the wedding of the hottest Hollywood heartthrob a secret from the paparazzi could undo everything they've come to cherish. Can they pull it off? Or will the glaring reality of the differences between life in the spotlight, and life in Bloomington pull them apart?

John Baxter is beginning to see the promise of a future after the death of his wife Elizabeth. He must learn how to take the past with him as he steps into a new phase of his life. Will his family finally accept his friendship with Elaine? Will he?

Alcohol overdose and the ramifications of teen drinking have impacted the Flanigan family, and their young border, Cody Coleman, must make a choice. If he drinks again, he loses their support.

Kingsbury hits another homerun with Sunrise. Characters that are real--flawed and imperfect--make their way through daily uncertainties because God's faithfulness is unending. Her writing is simple and layered and always leaves you with more than you started.

Armchair Interviews says: Kingsbury has written more than 20 books, so if you like her writing, you will not be disappointed in her newest offering.

I enjoyed Sunrise immensely, probably because I became familiar with Dayne and Katy in Kingsbury's book Fame. While Kingsbury does a great job slipping in the back story a little bit at a time, sometimes it's just not as good as reading it for yourself. I loved Fame and I loved Sunrise. (Nothing like going straight to the wedding.) Actually, there were four books after Fame that led up to this point, so if you like soap opera drama in the sense that every book makes you crave the next "episode" then you'll love Sunrise as a prelude to the exciting things yet to come.

The wedding scene was also the most beautiful and romantic that I've ever read. You can't help but love Dayne and Katy and want great things to happen in their lives. Especially after getting a feel for all that they went through even without reading the previous books. Their love is rich and deep and based on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Kingsbury is unabashedly Christian in that respect. She always emphasizes the importance of salvation in the lives of her characters. I love that. The subplot regarding the perils of drinking and driving was well done as was the budding romance between the senior Baxter, John, and his long-time friend, Elaine.

Kingsbury is also the queen of secondary characters and subplots. Just like in the soaps, there are always several stories going at once. Of course that makes me crave the next book in the series--which I thankfully have--so I can immediately continue on. Kingsbury writes fast enough to make it possible to go from one story to the next. I've probably done myself a disservice by not reading everything in order (I plan to jump back to read Forgiven (which comes after Fame) and I still need to read Redemption, which was the book that started the last two series. But no matter which way you slice it, each series containing the Baxter family is addicting. I'm glad to be getting my next fix.

Karen Kingsbury has done it again. I read Sunrise in about 3 days, and now I'm lost without knowing what is going on with the Baxter clan and friends. I've followed them from the beginning (the Redemption Series), and am anxiously awaiting the release (next month!) of the next book.
Karen's books are perfect for anyone wishing to read about the trials and triumphs of a Christian family...we all have them, and sometimes it helps to "escape" through Christian fiction! I love it!

I finished this book the day I got it. This whole sreies "Firstborn" and now "Sunrise" are incredible; so compelling, you live all of the experiences. I mean I laugh, I cry, I get what to me, is a private joke between frenz and I chuckle... Everytime I pick up any book from the series to read, I am transported to Bloomington, or wherever it is that this incredible family is at the moment. They are people I want to be;people who love God and lean on him. Their lives are just open for me to learn from and I do learn. Karen Kingsbury is a master. I truly hope she experiences God in her life the way she writes about Him.

My only regret is that the other books are so far in comin'. I mean 2008!!! Come on have mercy on us!

I have loved all of Karen's books and Sunrise was wonderful - uplifting, true to life, moving - all the things we have to expect from her. I wish that this was not the beginning of the last books about the Baxters - I am praying that God really lays on Karen's heart at least one more series about a family that has become so beloved and real to not only her, but to all of her grateful readers. I love all of Karen's work - her stand alone ones, her 9/11 ones but the REDEMPTION series, the first of the Baxter family novels came into my life at a time I most needed it. I praise and thank God for the ministry that Karen is doing so well. You will not be disappointed with any of her novels, but SUNRISE is a sure winner. Not to mention, finally, Katie and Dayne get married!!!!!!

Hi Karen, Just finished Sunrise and I want to renew my vows at Sunrise, how romantic was that?!!! I love the Baxters. I start out reading your books so fast I can't put them down, then when I realize I am almost done, I slow down because I don't want to say goodbye to the Baxters, am I crazy? When I actually finish the book, I am sad for a few days! I have two teenage daughters, so its so interesting to read about the Flanigans and the teenage issues they are going through with Bailey, Cody and the rest of them. We are praying right now about sending our daughter to a private Christian school because of some of the things she has faced in the public schools, please pray for our decision, we do feel the Lord leading us, but its such a financial issue, but know HE will provide if its meant to be. Anyway, thanks so much for your writing, I absolutely love you and just know we would be friends if we were next door neighbors. Have wonderful summer and relax, but don't quit writing. Can't wait to read Summer in August. Thanks Karen, Barb Wright, Waukee, IA

Review by Roseanna White

Katy Hart and Dayne Matthews are finally approaching their wedding day. The time they spend together in Indiana draws them closer, but Dayne's fears about the paparazzi are always in the back of his mind. What will it take to have the wedding of their dreams without it being crashed by his continual nightmares?

John Baxter is thrilled to have Dayne setting up house so nearby, but even with his oldest son finally a part of the family, questions remain. It's been two and a half years since his wife's death. But is his family ready for the changes in his heart concerning his friend Elaine?

The Flanigan family is working hard to influence the life of their young boarder, Cody Coleman, who nearly dies from alcohol poisoning. Cody seems to be on the mend, but his crisis is an indicator of the bigger problem facing Jim's entire football team. Can he reach them before tragedy strikes again?

Sunrise, the first book in Karen Kingsbury's new Baxter Family Drama Series, is a continuation of her successful Firstborn Series. Kingsbury writes with clarity and heart, unafraid to face down the most pressing issues of the day. She tackles the fears, uncertainties, and weaknesses of her characters with the healing touch of grace but the unmoving conviction of faith.

Kingsbury's faithful readers are going to love this installment that gives a continued look into the lives of the Baxters, Flanigans, and their branches. However, those who haven't read the Firstborn Series will probably be lost, as I was. It took me half the book to figure out who everyone was, how they were related, and keep the multitude of characters straight. By the end I felt like I had become involved in their lives, but I'm still clueless about a big portion of their lives--incentive to pick up her previous books, I admit, but I know I would have enjoyed this one more had I read them first.

Overall, this new series is sure to be devoured by the many readers already invested in the Baxter family, and Sunrise was a stirring beginning that touched my heart with the depth of its characters'. I can't wait to see how the characters continue to develop in later books.

Karen Kingsbury is absolutely addicting! Summer is no different--except I needed about three times as many tissues as I normally do. I think I might start a grief support group for the day that I can't read about the Baxters, the Matthews, and the Flannigans anymore--they truly feel like good friends! Thank you, Karen, for opening my eyes wide open to another issue, for encouraging compassion, and for writing a truly wonderful story. Also, I LOVE the "inside perspective" on what it's like to be a famous person--hardly anything desirable, huh?
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the slow pace of the book at times. The first 2-3 chapters detailed in depth single days without significant relevance or enhancement to the plot, I thought.

Karen Kingsbury is a beautiful Christian Author. She continues to write books that intertwine Faith, Love, and the obstacles of everyday life. She has a way of writing a romantic situations, that give you the warm fuzzies of seeing someone in love, without the explicit sex part, it's all about the Love part!

A part of the story evolves around teenage drinking, even Christian kids! I felt like these kids, this football team could be from my City. I love the continueing story of the "Baxter" series.

Karen Kingsbury reminds me of my own faith, nad that it's always a work in progress!Redemption (Redemption Series, Book 1)Gideon's Gift/Maggie's Miracle/Sarah's Song/Hannah's Hope (The Red Gloves Collection 1-4)