Family: Firstborn Series #4

I am so in love with Karen Kingsbury's writing that I feel addicted. I don't ever want the Baxter Family to stop living in these books. I had been reading a lot of audio fiction due to my commute to and from work and have heard a lot of narrators and Sandra Burr is my absolute favorite. In fact, I look for books that she reads when I am choosing what to listen to next! So when I found that she was reading these books I was pleasantly surprised. The combination of Sandra Burr and these stories are perfection. I am used to her now, but I used to have to look twice at the cover of a book to see how many actual readers there were, and they are all her!! She sounds like the man and the child, and the young girl and the older guy. I can't explain it. But it is definitely a talent not all readers have. Soooo to find her in this series made me buy almost a dozen of Karen Kingsbury books and that is all I want now!!!!!The way that this author weaves the stories of these families is magical. And so unpredictable. They aren't all happy endings and they all have such redeeming messages that they have transformed the way I look at life. Even if you aren't a Christian, this is the kind of book that is not contrived and makes even the hardened of hearts softer and hopefully think. These stories talk about doubt and totally turning away from God and like I said, there isn't always the happy ending or the miracle we expect. But a miracle that makes you realize how God is in control. Not just in these books but in our own lives as well. I love how God uses scripture verses to speak to each of these characters. I have found myself so moved - wanting that in my own life that it has caused me to read the Bible more. This is not your average Christian Fiction, this is fast paced and very researched and a nice change from the secular fiction I have given up to keep purchasing Karen Kingsbury/Gary Smalley books and more of the Baxter Family I hope! They have not only changed my daily drive but my life!My only problem is... I have bought the 5 disc series twice and paid the price for both because both times the seller on Amazon has sent inaudible discs. At least one in each series that I have purchased from them has been damaged. Luckily not the same in each one that I purchased so I was able to mix and match to make one series that works. But I would really like to notify the seller and I can't figure out how to do that now that it's been a while since I reviewed and don't want to lower the stars because the author is my favorite and my issue is not with the book but the damaged discs! And it's a bummer because I love to listen on MP3s so look for them but if the last part of the story is inaudible, that is very frustrating!

Is Katy really the ideal godly woman?- Whenever tested, her faith isn't even that of a mustard seed. She never trusts God; she whines then wilts with every challenge in life.- She is madly in love with a man for whom she sacrifices nothing. He has to do all of the sacrificing: moving and working remotely. He is the one with the real job; she is the one with a non-profit job that she could get anywhere.- Her mother is sick. Yet she never worries about her mother, never prays for her mother, and never goes to visit her. (Her mother is in her seventies. So, how old was she when Katy was born? Someone didn't do the math.)- When Sarah Jo dies, Katy learns how short life really is. Yet she constantly lives in fear of living and postpones loving her knight in shining amor.- She tells everyone, including Dayne, that she can't be with Dayne because she wants her privacy above all else, including being with the man she loves. Yet she accepts his marriage proposal even though nothing is resolved about privacy -- Dayne will still be famous in Indiana. The books leaps from "we can never ever possibly be together" straight to "we're engaged." <rolling eye emoji>So, no, Katy is not a godly woman. She is totally exasperating.In all of her books, this author sees godly women as those who wait to have sex until marriage. In this book, we find out in the author's notes that her husband waited. The author wanted to share that private information with the world? Not everything should be shared on social media or in print. Or is the author prideful?I agree with the another reviewer that the handsome-prince-saving-the-beautiful-princess storyline in all of this author's books is extremely damaging to young girls and women. If their prince doesn't come, are they failures? What could they possibly have to live for if they don't marry a handsome prince?I bought this series and the last one because a friend recommended. I will not recommend this author to anyone.

So much like real life. Struggles, sorrow, love, faith, questions. Families are all so different and adding the element of adoption to the story put in twists and turns that really made an interesting read.

I found it interesting to read the other reviews both good and bad. The object of this book in the Firstborn series is to show what it's like to merge two different lifestyles if you can. I don't think Mrs. Kingsbury was wrong to harp on the lifestyle of D.Mathews. This is what it's like in Hollywoodland. You give up your freedom. Just look at People or any of the rags as you check out at WalMart. She did a very good job pointing out the loss of freedom.I can't imagine having to run from photographers everytime I go out. If you are an actor and you do not find yourself on the cover of a rag then you find a way to get there. Most of Hollywood, and I am not saying all, remind me of the rich man parable in the bible. It seems Actors gain the whole world but give up salvation for the love of fame and money. Dare an actor profess his love of Christ and they are probably finished. They would be laughed at because they do not profess God's way. I've been reading my book at the fitness center and I already have people waiting to read it when I'm done. The Redemption series introduced people at the gym to Mrs. Kingsbury. For thoes of you who do not like this series and find it boring try reading An Innocent Man by John Grisham. I'm am looking forward to reading the next book in the Fistborn series. Yes, I read the preview.

Each book in this series HAS been a page turner that you don't want to put down. One more to go.

I have been purchasing books for at least seven years. The books are always in excellent condition.

Once again this boo is amazing to read. So hard to put down. I love the characters, the Christian interaction & storyline. Thank you so much!

love this book and pretty much love all the other books by Karen Kingsbury, would recommend reading all the books before reading this one as it helps to know the characters and what they have been through but a really good read :)

Fantastic book in a series - highly recommended and would greatly encourage to get all the series - then pass it on for others to enjoy

Continues well after the third book. It was thrilling and keeps you hooked. I will recommend it to my friends..

great author

These series of books of which Firstborn is one, is an excellent read. I found I couldn't leave them down once I started them.