Customer Reviews

A Time to Embrace

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Coach John Reynolds cares deeply about every student he encounters, so it is ironic that one of them is responsible for nearly destroying his life. Although he had been considering retirement, John did not want to be forced to leave his job. First, accrimonious parents begin spreading malicious lies about his moral character, then, one fateful night, he is caught in the middle of a drag race, and paralyzed by a careless student's recklessness.

The months ahead of John will prove a test of both his faith and his newly restored marriage to Abby. As they await the trial to determine the fate of those who harmed him, John struggles to adapt, and his daughter embarks on a difficult, unplanned pregnancy. In the days ahead, choices that will forever alter many lives will have to be made, and more than just a few tears shed. Yet, faith and God are working to see them through each crisis.

*** It is difficult, as always, to sum up Ms. Kingsbury's work in just a few words. There is so much depth and emotion to each of her novels, and the characters are so very real, that you want to tell everything about the book, but still not spoil it for the coming reader. You will come away from this one feeling renewed and touched by the power of faith and forgiveness. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

I have never heard of Karen Kingsbury till I found this book on my bookcase. I know that I got it at the library rummage sale last summer (I get three or four big boxes of books every summer there and I usually just grab the ones I figure would have good story lines even if I have never heard of the author before) and the other day, I needed a break from my other reading ~~ so I picked this up. I read it in one day as I couldn't put it down. It was beautifully written and yes, it made me cry. John and Abby's story is wonderful, sad, poignant and inspiring.

I do have to point out though that while I believe in miracles, and that God has a plan for each of us, this book has a way of having everything work out beautifully and perfectly ~~ just believe in God and it will all work out. Sometimes, in real life though, things just don't work out the way you hope ~~ and this book is a little bit misleading in that regards. Not everything comes up peachy keen. And Kade's story is really irrelevant to this whole novel ~~ it was also glossed over. I hope Kingsbury writes another book focusing on Kade's story more. It really is a good story but not relevant ...

John and Abby have finally gotten back together after struggling for three years of whether or not to stay married. They have rediscovered their love for one another. Nicole, their oldest daughter is happily married and has a secret of her own. John is fighting pressure to remain as the high school's football coach ~~ parents are putting the pressure on him to get their sons out in the fields. Life was getting tense again when tragedy strikes. John and Abby face another difficult challenge in their lives and in their faith.

My personal favorite is the story of the star quarterback on John's team ~~ he really struggled with issues and was becoming close to the coach again when tragedy struck. His story is another one I'd like to see continued in Kingsbury's future works.

I will admit that I really enjoyed this book ~~ cried and laughed and wondered ~~ in spite of the two misgivings I have. Kingsbury really is a talented writer and she really knows how to draw the reader into the story and won't let her go till she has turned the last page. It is a book about life and about faith. Sometimes, faith is all that you have left in life ...

It really is a wonderful book ~~ one that I plan to give to my friends. It just touches the heart in a wonderful way!

5-8-06

Our first "dance" with John and Abby Reynolds in "A Time To Dance" may be the most important book I've ever read. Of course, different stories hit different folks, well, differently.

We continue their story with "A Time To Embrace," and it was worth the time. Inspirational and enlightening, it is solid Kingsbury, but don't expect the same emotional wallop and life-changing characteristic of "Dance." If you haven't read either, please read "A Time To Dance" first.

Although this was the second book in a series, I jumped right into the story without missing a beat. Karen skillfully wrote in such a style that it gave the reader enough background not to be lost in this next installment in the Timeless Love series. I instantly grew attached to John and Abby and their new-found love. Learning about how close they came to ending their marriage - and all the joys that they were experiencing since finding their love again - was beautiful. John and Abby viewed their marriage as something incredibly special and sacred...making everything they did seems so pure and good. Their testimony was beautiful. I enjoyed every moment of reading about their renewed love with each other and Christ.

The side story of Marion's Quarter Back, Jake, was also very moving. From his struggles with his peers and his divorced parents strained relationship, the reader couldn't help put instantly like the guy. Compared to his other peers, he seemed like a nice guy, and as the story progressed it was wonderful to watch him grow and mature. The hardships and sorrow he went through, while at the time seemed unbearably hard, only helped him to grow closer to Christ and build a stronger relationship with Him.

It's been a while since I have read a book that has made me cry, but this one struck me hard. About half way through the book, when the crisis arose in John and Abby's life, Karen wrote in such a personal way that I felt the character's pain and confusion. I couldn't help but connect to them and feel for them as they went through seemingly insurmountable disaster. I found myself hoping for a good outcome right along with the characters! You know you hold a priceless book in your hands when this happens!

There is only one caution that I must give my younger readers. In the book the subject of pornography is discussed between a father and son. I thought the conversation was very edifying in our world with the internet being so close to our fingertips, but depending on the age of the reader, it may be a little much. So I just caution my readers in this area - it's only discussed in one scene. There are also a few intimate scenes between John and Abby that might be a little much for younger readers. After going to a dance class, John leads Abby upstairs for a different kind of dance lesson...things like that. Karen never is explicit, but says enough for the reader to put together the rest.

As this book held my interest and kept me flipping the pages as fast as I could read them (with a box of Kleenex nearby), I knew this book would get 5 big stars from me. It was captivating, had an awesome story plot, was writing to perfection, and had a strong message against divorce, porn, and car racing. This is a book with a powerful story that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.


I reviewed this book for Thomas Nelson/BookSneeze. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Karen Kingsbury is an excellent writer who always pulls on your heartstrings. This book is the sequel to A Time to Dance, and it is just as excellent as the first one was. Kingsbury has a way of getting to the heart of the matter and giving her characters great depth. It is easy to put yourself in each one of the character's shoes and see life through each of their eyes. Always inspiring, Kingsbury is one of the best Christian fiction writers of our day. A Time to Embrace is definitely a book that you will want to embrace!

It's hard to explain......I have read all of Karen's books....and I have always been completely amazed......Amazed by her God given gift to share....every book has the same impact....I feel Gods love speaking through them.......they truly touch me......the only problem i have is.....she cant write the books fast enough!! I am impatiently waiting for the next one to come out!! hehe!!

Karen....thank you for sharing your wonderful gift!!...You truly touch my heart......Thank You!! God Bless

first book read by Karen Kingsbury and absolutely loved it. As soon as I got back into town I just HAD to go and buy, A Time to Dance. will continue all of Karen Kingsbury books.

SPOILER ALERT. I normally love Karen Kingsbury books and was looking forward to revisiting the wonderful characters from "A Time to Dance." Karen is still a great story teller. She can still make me laugh and cry and care about her characters. But I was deeply disappointed in this book. It ended with a miracle accomplished through technology that doesn't exist. I just feel like that is not being honest or real. Christians don't always get miracles. Sometimes the miracle is that we keep our faith and continue to love through painful realities. I really expected better from a Kingsbury book. The cheap/fake miraculous ending takes her out of the class of great writers and puts her into a lower class that touts a feel-good faith and saccharine sweetness that won't weather life's storms. Bring back the Kingsbury who wrote about a young soldier who died on a battlefield. I sobbed and hated that he died. But that's the kind of writing that shows real faith and real life.

I am so glad that Kingsbury decided to continue the saga of the Reynolds family. Although I didn't enjoy this as much as A Time to Dance, I thought it was a great book. The one negative that I will say is that it was predictable. Overall it is another great by Kingsbury.

This book is a classic Karen Kingsbury. It is a tale of life today and how God can overcome anything. It is very faith inspiring.