Reading Challenge Book Reviews Week Ending April 10, 2010

Remember, by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley
100+ Books, Support Your Local Library, Chunkster (593 pages Large Print)

This is the second book in the Redemption series, which is the first of three series of the Baxter family. This book takes place during the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Both Ashley and Kari find themselves falling in love with men who are in New York in the days following.

Meanwhile, their brother Luke, heartbroken and confused over his girlfriend's sudden silence after the loss of her father in the fall of the World Trade Center, begins to question everything he ever knew. Before long he becomes a person NONE of his family recognizes. It doesn't even seem that HE recognizes himself.

As with all the Baxter books, I loved it, and I can't wait to pour myself into the next one! :)

Return, by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley
100+ Books, Support Your Local Library

This is the third book in the Redemption series. Have I mentioned how much I absolutely LOVE this series?? :)

In this book, Ashley and Landon grow closer together, and Ashley makes her break taking her paintings to New York. Until she receives some difficult news about her health, news that may change her life.

Kari and Ryan grow ever closer, until Ryan at last proposes, something they have been destined for most of their lives.

The most exciting part of all though is that Luke finds out about Regean and their son, and has to decide what he wants to do.

Moving on to book #4 now :)

Rejoice, by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley
100+ Books, Support Your Local Library, Chunkster (530 pages Large Print)

This is book number 4 in the Redemption Series, the first of 3 series based on the Baxter family.

The main focus of this book is on the eldest daughter of the Baxter family, Brooke, and her daughter Hayley's drowning. No aspect of it is left unturned. Her medical concerns and conditions, and how it effects Brooke and Peter's marriage.

Also at play is the ongoing relationship between Ashley and Landon, and Ashley's medical status. She continues to push Landon away from her in the interest of protecting him. But no matter how hard she pushes him away, he insists on loving her, and being a part of her life. Gradually he breaks down her walls, just in time for an incredible revelation!

And I've already begun book #5! LOL

Reunion, by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley
100+ Books, Support Your Local Library, Chunkster (575 pages Large Print)

This is the fifth and final book in the Redemption Series, the first of three series about the Baxter family.

In this book the family matriarch, Elizabeth discovers that her cancer has come back, and is very aggressive. Will this be the end for her? She also continues to ponder the question of what happened to her firstborn, the son born to her and John, out of wedlock, that she was forced to give up for adoption. For thirty-five years she has wondered about him. And he has wondered about her.

One of the biggest events for the Baxter family occurs in the midst of all this though. Ashley and Landon are FINALLY getting married, the last Baxter sister!

It is a bittersweet ending to a series that has been incredible. As you can see from my week's reviews, I was so drawn to these books I plowed through just over 2000 pages in less than a week!!! I will be reading a couple other books this week before I order in the first couple of books in Karen Kingsbury's second Baxter series, the Firstborn Series. It's been an amazing ride even to THIS point!!