Book: A Thousand Tomorrows

About the book:

Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury’s A Thousand Tomorrows Media Tie-In is releasing alongside the new streaming series on Sony Affirm. Karen weaves a powerful story of a young couple whose love must face the ultimate challenge.

Cody Gunner has no use for real love. Abandoned as a child by the person he needed the most, he swears he will never allow himself to love again. Ali Daniels denies love as well. Carrying a terrible secret, she lives life to the fullest, taking risks and refusing relationships. When Cody and Ali meet, their first instincts are to hide behind their emotional walls, seemingly doomed to repeat the patterns they have established for the rest of their lives. But their attraction is too strong, and soon they're doomed in another way, for neither can avoid falling in love, regardless of the consequences. Only after three years—a thousand tomorrows later—do they realize at what cost their relationship comes. In the end, they must decide if love is worth the ultimate price.

My thoughts:
I have read Karen Kingsbury for years now.  I'm not sure how I have never read this one.  I enjoyed this book and didn't want it to come to an end like so many of the others I have read of hers.  

Cody holds a lot of hurt from the rejection he has felt since he was a little boy and his father left the family.  Ali battles CF.  The two form a beautiful relationship and help each other through their very different struggles. 

I enjoyed this book and am glad I finally read it.  

I received a copy of this book from Hachette Group for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

2010 Book #31: Take Four

I have been listening to the audio version of Take Four, the final book in Karen Kingsbury's "Above the Line" series, which I borrowed from our local library. I'm so glad they carry the audio versions of these because I enjoy listening as I'm driving.

In this book, producers Keith Ellison and Dayne Matthews have made a deal to have Brandon Paul star in one of their movies. There are some problems though that Brandon's reputation could negatively impact the film. Can Brandon straighten up or should the producers just look for another leading character?

Another aspect of this story is the pregnancy of Andi, Keith's daughter. She has decided against having an abortion and is leaning towards giving her baby up for adoption, but she has doubts about this.

As with all of the books by Karen Kingsbury that I have read thus far, I have found that these stories are about real life. I think there is something in her stories that can touch and bless everyone.

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #28 : Shades of Blue

Looks like this week will be the week of book reviews on my blog!

I borrowed the audio version of Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury from our library and finished it last week.

Brad Cutler and Laura James are about to be married. They are weeks away from their dream wedding actually. Brad begins to have some unsettling feelings though....not about his love for Laura or his decision to marry her but rather about some things he has carried with him from his past. He decides he has to go back and deal with his past and seek forgiveness from his high school love, Emma Landon.

Since I listened to the audio version, I would also like to add that the narrator did a wonderful job with this book. I enjoyed listening to her as she used many different voices for the various characters.

I was touched by this book as I always am when I read a book by Karen Kingsbury. I always appreciate the life lessons that any reader can take away from her books. In this particular book she takes a very difficult topic and addresses it so well from both the woman and man's perspectives. I am happy to recommend this book to you. If you have never read a book by this author, you really should!

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #22: Take Three

I have finished listening to Take Three from the Above the Line series by Karen Kingsbury. I borrowed this audio book from our local library.

Keith Ellison and Chase Ryan are working on making films that will change lives. They are at their prime for Jeremiah Productions. They've had a popular actor sign with their newest movie. Things change quickly though when Chase Ryan has to make a decision to leave Jeremiah Productions. At the same time Keith's college-aged daughter Andi faces a life-changing crisis. What price will Keith and Chase have to pay to see their dreams come true?

I enjoyed the continuation of this series and look forward to the final book Take Four that is coming out June 22.

Have a day of blessings!

2010 Book #11: Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury

I finished listening to the audio version of a book I borrowed from the library. It's called Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury. This is one of the books in the 9/11 series.

Alex Brady is determined to rid the world of evil as much as he can, one "bad guy" at a time. He works as a sheriff's deputy along with Bo, his canine partner, in Los Angeles. He holds onto much hurt from losing his father on 9/11 and is no longer the Alex he was before that day. A radical environmental group has started setting fires in LA. Alex is determined to do whatever it takes to stop them.

I enjoyed this story. It was hard to stop listening to it once I started! Another wonderful book from Karen Kingsbury. She always has characters that are real with real problems that don't always get answers the way we'd hope or like.

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #47: Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

After I listened to Take One, I saw the second book in the "Above the Line" series was available at our library. I checked it out, but it was due before I had time to finish listening to all of the CD's. I turned it back in and then put a "hold" on it so I would be next in line to check it out. I was excited to be able to finish listening to another great book by Karen Kingsbury.

In Take Two filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison have seen the completion of the independent film they struggled to produce. Now they are moving on to their next project, which they see as an amazing opportunity--turning an award-winning book into a movie. This project puts a strain on Chase's marriage. His wife is depressed while her husband is away and she tries to keep the house and take care of their girls. Keith's daughter, Andi, is moving further away from God as she tries to experience things of the world.

This is another excellent book from Karen Kingsbury with many lessons to be gained by the reader. A big part of this book is the depression faced by Chase's wife. I think this is a real problem that is too often ignored or not addressed. I was glad to see it in this book. I would recommend this book!

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #45 + GIVEAWAY: Miracles by Karen Kingsbury

Are you looking for a nice book for a Christmas gift? Let me recommend Karen Kingsbury's book Miracles.

This is a book of 52 different stories of miracles compiled from five of Karen Kingsbury's other books. Each miracle also includes a scripture passage and two other verses related to the miracle.

I enjoyed reading these miracles. There were all different types of miracles. Many involved unexplainable visits from angels. There were stories of healing, safety, and answer to prayers. It really did encourage me to read this book and see how God is at work all the time around us.

Would you like to win a copy of this book? Hachette Book Group is giving away five copies of this book! Please leave a comment on this post for an entry. Here are the rules: 5 winners, no PO Boxes, US and Canada only.

This would make a great book for you to read or to give as a gift (The publisher is not guaranteeing shipment to receive by Christmas but possibly.) Five winners will be chosen this Friday, December 5.

Have a day of blessings!

Book #39: Take One by Karen Kingsbury

This is my first audio book. I've checked movies out from the library that I thought I'd watch when Caleb was in school as I did laundry, ironing, etc. But it hasn't happened yet! When I saw my favorite author Karen Kingsbury's Take One from the Above the Line series, I thought I could try the audio version.

Friends and former missionaries, Chase and Keith are in Bloomington, Indiana working on a new movie. These producers are Christians and want a movie that is set apart from other trash of Hollywood, a movie that will change the world Because of this they are an independent film therefore they are on a low budget. They have worked to raise enough funds for the filming and as they begin to shoot, troubles come from all directions. Will they be able to continue until their dream is fulfilled?

If you are familiar with Karen Kingsbury's series, you'll know the Baxter family. They are in this series as minor characters, which is nice since they feel like "real people" after reading so much about them in the other books.

I highly recommend this book and already have listened to part of Take Two!

Have a day of blessings!

Unexpected delays

I'm sitting in traffic as I type. I have been here over an hour now, trying to get the few hundred yards to my exit to get home. I wonder what those in the vehicles around me are thinking and feeling. Are they mad? Are they late for an important meeting? Is anyone sick and needing to get home to rest? Probably someone was going to have lunch with a friend and they won't make it. I'm so glad I didn't tell Caleb I'd eat lunch with him today as I'd considered.

I have talked to my husband. He found out there was an accident claiming the lives of three people, plus others with injuries.

Why am I sitting here? I had the thought as I headed towards home that I'd be home by 11 today. It's now 12:37. I made a stop at the grocery store for my husband. I'd gone to the store yesterday, but I'd missed Grapenuts that he'd written on my list. Since I was in town I stopped by to pick them up for him. I can't help but think maybe I didn't see it on my list yesterday so I wouldn't be involved in the accident today. (Later I found out it was up the interstate a bit more than I would have traveled. Still I know God had a reason for me to be sitting there. That hasn't happened to me in a long time and I don't think ever when I've been by myself.)

What attitude do you have when you face unexpected delays in life? This goes back to the idea that we have a choice about our attitudes. So I sit and wait. I've listened to my audio CD of Karen Kingsbury's Take One, balanced the checkbook, and read some from another book.

Join me in saying a prayer for the families of those who lost their lives.

PS: I got home and it's 12:55. I did get home by 1. Thank you God.

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book #7: This Side of Heaven

I finished another book on Tuesday. I am a huge fan of Karen Kingsbury so I was excited to see her newest book on the list at our library and quickly put my name on the waiting list for it. It is called This Side of Heaven. (Don't you just love the sweet picture on the cover of this book!)

Josh Warren is waiting for the settlement from a terrible accident that caused injuries to his back. As he waits he holds on to the hope that he will someday meet the little girl he feels is his daughter although most people, even his family, don't believe him.

After a terrible tragedy, Annie and Nate (Josh's parents) learn more about their son and his true character.

I don't want to say too much to give away too many details. Let me just say this is a wonderful book! As always with Karen Kingsbury books, I learned some valuable lessons. Appreciate the people in your life for who they are. Don't try to make them someone or some thing they are not. Just accept and love them as they are. Look for the good in people and let them know you love them always.

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"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (This is one of the verses referenced in the book.)

Book #39 Sunset

I finished reading the final book of the Sunrise series by Karen Kingsbury. Let me say if you have never read anything by this author, I highly recommend her. The characters are real with real problems and struggles. After reading these three sets of books about the Baxter family, I feel like I know the whole family! You get to know the Baxters in 14 books starting with the Redemption Series, then the Firstborn Series and finally the Sunrise series. All are excellent "life-changing fiction."

Sunset is the final book of the series. In this book the author really ties up all the "loose ends" for all the characters. There is a little something about each of the Baxter children. I could really relate to Ashley in this book. In a previous book she was pregnant with a baby with a defect, Sarah. Ashley and her husband Landon make the choice for life for their baby even though the doctor's prognosis isn't good. In the beginning of this book she finds out she is once again pregnant. She faces many fears and worries once she finally takes a test to confirm her suspicions.

The theme of the book is God's redemption. The Baxters are a family with real problems just like normal families have. The answers don't come easily and sometimes things seem bleak. Time and again though God is faithful and He is with them though their hard times.

Have you read any of Karen Kingsbury's books? Which ones are your favorite?
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"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " Jeremiah 29:11

Book #27: Between Sundays

Yesterday I finished another book by Karen Kingsbury called Between Sundays. As with every book I read by this author, I totally enjoyed reading it and also had my eyes open to a real life problem.

Between Sundays is the story of a young boy named Cory who is a foster child living with Megan, who was one of Cory's Mom's coworkers. He is convinced that Aaron Hill, the quarterback of the 49ers is his Dad. No one believes him though.

This book showed me the real needs and problems in the foster care system, especially for the older children. The statistics showing what happens when these kids turn 18 really surprised me (unemployed, homeless, incarcerated, etc). The author worked with Alex Smith as she was writing the book. He started the Alex Smith Foundation to help these foster kids "transition to become successful adults."

I would recommend this book. This was one I thought men would enjoy as well with much of the story involving the NFL.









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"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' " 2 Corinthians 12:9

Book # 13 Someday

I finished another book today! It was one of those that I couldn't put down and had to finish. It is the third in Karen Kingsbury's Sunrise series called Someday. (I see from my book list that I finished the other two back in February.) I won't go into too many details here so I won't give away anything for those readers who haven't read it yet.

Something that did touch my heart though was the idea of praising God. Singing is an important part of life for the Baxter family members. One of the characters realized that when she was praising God she was freed from the battles she was going through.

It is always a blessing to us if we will take our hearts off our problems and bring our focus on the greatness of our God through praise. Do you often have praise on your lips or a song in your heart? What songs of praise do you sing?

Some songs that come to find for me include: How Great Thou Art, Thank You, I Need You More, and How Great is Our God.
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"Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts." Psalm 105:2

Book #8 and #9 Sunrise and Summer

I finished two books. The past week has been a blur so I don't really know when I finished the first one.

Both of these are by Karen Kingsbury, one of my favorite authors. Sunrise and Summer are the first two books in the third series about the Baxter family. If you haven't ready any of these books, I'd recommend starting with the first series about the family, which is the Redemption series. The third book Someday was released this month and already on order at our local library. Hooray!!

After reading through all of these books about the Baxter family, I feel as if the characters are real. The stories present real problems in the lives of all the Baxter children. And there isn't always a happy ending.

I think if you read one, you may just be hooked on Karen Kingsbury like I am!
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"The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." Psalm 33:5

Book #6: Ever After

I finished another book today. I totally love every book by Karen Kingsbury that I've ever read. I think this may be moving to the top of my favorite list of her books I've read. Ever After is the sequel to another wonderful book Even Now. You can read about both books on the Karen Kingsbury website (which is linked by clicking the book title above).

This book really opened my eyes to the reality of the war in Iraq and the sacrifices made by our soldiers as well as their families. The theme of the book is summed up well in this line: "Love is not possible without sacrifice, and sacrifice is not possible without love." This ties in so perfectly to what Jesus has done for us. I would highly recommend this book. Read Even Now first though!

I guess I'm a total book nerd for finishing two books in one day! ;)