Redemption

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I borrowed this book from our local library. And, as you can see, I am looking to purchase it now and the whole series! It is a captivating read with characters brought to life in a real way. I want to find out what happens to the characters not just where the story line will take me in the future books. I highly recommended this series to all readers.

Rating:
Summary: You ain't seen nothing yet!
Review: I was not a fan of christian novels but after reading a few I must admit i like the simple quailties and the outlook on life. I don't read to many but every once in a while it's a pleasure to read something uplifting but i didn't find this novel uplifting in the least. Everything comes together to easily and even when trajedty strikes it strikes in a way that doesn't make you sad at all. Someone else said it on here so i know i won't be recking anything. This novel leaves you to a great decision, will she choose her husband or the love of her life, and in the end she gets both. Life isn't perfect and it erks me to read novels that tend to make life that way. Do we really want the novels we read to reflect life or do we want the perfect happily ever after?> personally this novel had either. It was written very well but the ending was so disapointing and not at all real.

Rating:
Summary: You ain't seen nothing yet!
Review: If you liked this book, just wait until you read Remember & Return, the next two books in the series! The first book, Redemption (named after the series), is very good but it starts out slow then builds to an exciting climax. The next two, however, are really the page turners as the characters become better developed and things start to happen at a much faster pace, making for some exciting reading.

Rating:
Summary: A Few Qualms...
Review: Kari Baxter Jacobs thought she had the perfect life...a seemingly loving husband, a growing relationship with God, and a great modeling job. However, all security is shattered when Kari learns that her university professor husband, Tim, is having an affair with one of his journalism students. Shocked, angry, and heartbroken, Kari decides to go live with her parents while she attempts to sort matters out with Tim, who desperately wants a divorce. Relying on God for strength, Kari is determined to save her marriage. Yet her resolve is threatened and her goal becomes harder when she meets up with former boyfriend Ryan Taylor.

In many ways, I enjoyed "Redemption" and found it to be an insightful look at the devastating effects of adultery. Kingsbury (and Smalley) do a good job of characterization and show many different and compelling views in this novel. However, a few things bothered me as I read "Redemption." First of all, once I found out that the counseling center talked about in this book (the one that Tim and Kari went to) was the one that Smalley directed, I felt that was a cheap advertising trick that did not belong in a novel. More importantly, the wrap-up of "Redemption" made me a little uneasy. It is hard to go into any sort of detail without spoiling the story, yet I felt the ending was quite unrealistic and perhaps not a particularly moral way of resolving the relational issues between Kari, Tim, and Ryan. Since "Redemption" is overall an interesting book, it's unfortunate that an "advertising trick" and a poor resolution spoil it a bit.

Rating:
Summary: Commonality
Review: Redemption is my second experience with Karen Kingsbury's novels and with Christian fiction as a whole. I was reminded that even (or perhaps especially) believers have the same struggles and temptations as the rest of the world. Besides the fact that nearly every character was notably "stunning" or "gorgeous" (thus 1 less star), I was able to relate my own family with the Baxters. I particularly enjoy the series format and the teaser in the end... couldn't wait to get my hands on book #2.

Rating:
Summary: A Christian Perspective on Some of Life's Difficult Issues
Review: This book presents a Christian perspective on dealing with infidelity in a marriage. Kari is a young woman who is faced with the reality that her husband is involved with one of his college students. Although in the eyes of many, she would be justified in grating him a divorce and moving on, she makes the difficult decision to honor her wedding vows and try to save their marriage. The book presents this issue from a Christian perspective and demonstrates that life is not trouble-free if you are a Christian. What I liked about the book is that it honestly addresses struggles that are faced by many people, Christian and non-Christian. I plan to read the other books in the series to find out how God works in the lives of Kari and her family.

Rating:
Summary: Heart Challenging
Review: This book was AMAZING! I couldn't put it down. It is all about the redemption that God brings to your life when you give him the right to do so. It is a challenging book that everyone should read, young or old, married or not.
The book is about the redemption that God brings to a marriage that is without hope and people that have to trust God to take the broken pieces of life to make a beautiful tapestry. It touched the deepest parts of my heart and challenged me to look at how I love others.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see how God works in the lives of the Baxter family - all of them!!
Read it!
I sat down to read for a bit and then before I knew it I was done and hours had passed me by and I joined in the lives of those that were being redeemed, and I myself was redeemed too, just by reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: This book was wonderful, it turned a horrible situation for one young lady into a true learning experience. It gave other options and showed different views to situation which people hope that they never face but often do. A wonderful Christian based novel. I can't wait to read the next book about the Baxter family.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This first book in the Redemption series is just wonderful. It is a page turner. I would recommend any book by Karen Kingsbury, but this one in particular is one of my favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read! I had my doubts when I first read the back, I'd never read anything so intamite before, but it's a wonderfull story. It beautifully illustrates the fact God will always be there for us.
The reason I rate this with a 4 instead of a 5 is I was slightly disapointed with the ending, namely how it ended with Tim. Otherwise I was very happy with it.