Happy birthday to Karen Kingsbury!!
As you may know, Karen is one of my favorite authors. When a new book by Karen comes out, I am usually at the front of the line to get it. I’ve read every one of her books that the local library has in circulation, and I am actively working to purchase the titles I don’t have. Her stories are that inspirational to me.
From Karen, I have learned to not listen to others and just write from the heart, just write the story that God has given me. Once upon a time, I was told that if I didn’t include sex scenes in my books, no one would read my work and I’d be wasting my time. The fear that the one who said that to me was right—not to mention the fear of just what God might be asking me to do!—kept my pen quite for a long time. And then I started to read Karen’s Redemption series. The members of the Baxter Family, all raised in a loving, God-fearing home, are human. They may love God, but that doesn’t keep them from making mistakes. One of them is even an unwed mother. Karen shows the effects of sex, without a graphic love scene. I love that! Reading about the Baxter Family gave me the courage to follow my dream and God’s leading. I will forever be grateful to Karen Kingsbury for that.
My favorite of her books is Shades of Blue. It’s a story of love, healing, and forgiveness for a man and a woman who believe they have done the unforgiveable. If you haven’t read that one, I highly recommend that you do so. But you will need to have tissues handy! My least favorite of her books is her latest one, Take Four, the final book in her Above the Line series. Oh, the characters are very well developed and they all feel like close friends. And the storyline is engaging, following nicely from the first three books in the series. What I don’t like about it is what she did to Bailey Flannigan! Sure, she says she is working on a series that revolves around Bailey. Problem is, I don’t like how she left things and I don’t want to wait to find out what happens next!
SIGH.
Oh well. Patience is a virtue, right? Maybe god is using Karen and her books to help me learn more about being patient!
To celebrate Karen’s birthday, I am giving away a birthday gift to one lucky blog reader! The gift is a birthday box of goodies from Kat’s Coffees and More. The box contains a Crème Brulee one pot (enough flavored coffee to make one 12 cup pot), a Cookies n Cream sugar cookie mix, an assortment of flavored lemonades and limeades, and one chicken coating mix (available in your choice of garlic herb, garlic pepper, Italian herb, lime pepper, smoky mesquite, southwest chipotle or pecan). To win, simply leave a comment on this blog post. Tell me what your favorite Karen Kingsbury book is, or just tell Karen happy birthday! One winner will be chosen from all responses received by midnight eastern time on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.
Good luck to all.
And to Karen, I pray for God’s continued blessings on you and your family.
Find out more about Karen Kingsbury and her books at http://www.karenkingsbury.com
You can see the entire line of goodies from Kat’s Coffees and More here http://www.katscoffees.com
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Lynn, I am excited for you about the whole weight loss thing. I am trying to loss weight myself and
Thanks for the great review of Darien's book. So many bloggers have enjoyed this one. I hope your re
Thank you so much for the wonderful comments about People of the Book. I would love to hear from som
Lynn, thanks for reviewing my book on your website. I appreciate it.
Thanks for taking the time to review Margaret's latest. I'm curious if you've read books about Eliza
Thanks for this lovely review of Kathi's latest. I'm in the middle of reading this one now. Love it!
Lynn, Thank you for reading Contingency and for the great review!
What a wonderful tribute to a fellow author, Lynn. I have not read any of Karen’t books, but you have me curious enough that I will definitely seek them out. Thanks for the steer in her direction. I would love to win your gift; it sounds deliciously delightful.
Janet
I have read EVERY Karen Kingsbury book and attended the Baxter Family Reunion recently in Bloomington Indiana. Karen is a true gift from God!! She inspires so many people with her writing. She has made her fans feel like they are truly a part of her life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!!!
Oh, I so wanted to go to that reunion, Janet! Unfortunately, surgery earlier this summer has kept me home. So glad you had a great time there.
Lynn
Hey, I’ll play! I love all her books, (and I have every single one but the latest, Take Four- but I’ll be getting that one soon!) but if I have to narrow it down to just one, I think that my all time favorite book by Karen is Waiting for Morning. It’s the first ever book by Karen that I read…and it was an amazing story of a life changed by a tragic accident, and a mother who is dealing with feelings of anger, seeking revenge…feelings any mother would feel when her world was shattered by a drunk driver! I love Karen Kingsbury’s books because she writes about real world issues and real emotions. Her characters are so real that by the end of the books, you feel like you know them…you cry with them, laugh with them, and like you Lynn, with Take Four, which I haven’t yet read, you feel impatient to find out the rest of the story.
Happy birthday, Karen!!! Lynn, I’m commented to wish Karen a happy birthday and because I wanted to read your great post. Please don’t include me in the drawing. I’m here just because
I just read remembrance- I loved it! I can’t wait to read the next one. Right now I have my daughter reading it. She writes kind of books you can’t put down. Happy Birthday to her. I’d love to be included in the drawing.
Happy birthday Karen!
Nice blog by the way!
Erin
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