Return (Redemption Series #3)

by Karen Kingsbury, Gary Smalley

Overview

The Baxters is now an original series on Prime Video, starring Roma Downey and Ted McGinley.

A story of tenacious love and longing for a lost son, from Karen Kingsbury, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “heart-tugging and emotional” (Romantic Times) life-changing fiction, co-authored with Gary Smalley.

A Shattered Relationship
Luke, the Baxter family’s golden boy and only son, has walked away from everything that mattered most to him: his faith, his family, and Reagan, his only love. Devastated by the events of September 11, 2001, Luke decides that life is random, faith a fraud, and God a fantasy.

A Secret
A baby is about to be born, but with Reagan a thousand miles away in New York City, Luke has no idea he’s the father. Now, though, someone in his family learns the truth. But she has a secret of her own, one that will change the Baxters’ lives forever.

A Revelation
What will it take for Luke to return to the family who loves and aches for him? And what extremes will a certain young firefighter take to help bring the Baxters together again, and in the process, find his place in the family?

This touching novel in the bestselling Christian fiction series reunites readers with the Baxter family and focuses on the only Baxter son, Luke. He is determined to leave his faith and his past behind and embrace a new, free-thinking future. But what he doesn’t realize is that his past holds a secret even he doesn’t know. When Luke finds out, his comfortable new life is turned upside-down, and he must turn back to his roots.

• Fans will enjoy a personal note from Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley as well as discussion questions for book clubs
• Books featuring the Baxter family include:
  Redemption series: Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, and Reunion
  Firstborn series: Fame, Forgiven, Found, Family, and Forever
  Sunrise series: Sunrise, Summer, Someday, and Sunset

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781414333021
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Series:	Baxter Family Drama: Redemption Series , #3
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	67,530
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Karen Kingsbury is currently America’s best-selling inspirational author. She has written more than 30 of her Life-Changing Fiction titles and has nearly 5 million books in print. Dubbed by Time magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, Karen receives hundreds of letters each week and considers her readers as friends. Her fiction has made her one of the country’s favorite storytellers, and one of her novels - Gideon’s Gift - is under production for an upcoming major motion picture release. Her emotionally gripping titles include the popular Redemption series, the Firstborn series, Divine, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, Oceans Apart, and A Thousand Tomorrows. Karen and her husband, Don, live in the Pacific Northwest and are parents to one girl and five boys, including three adopted from Haiti. You can find out more about Karen, her books, and her appearance schedule at www.KarenKingsbury.com.

Editorial Reviews

Stereotypes and melodrama abound in this third installment of the "Redemption" series (after Redemption and Remember) featuring the Baxter family in Bloomington, Indiana. Luke Baxter and Reagan Decker made a terrible mistake the night of September 10, 2001, one that neither feels can be fixed in the wake of September 11. Meanwhile, Ashley Baxter is trying to reconnect with Landon Blake, who has gone off to become a New York City firefighter in honor of a friend who perished there. Unfortunately, the characters are little more than cardboard cutouts, and the novel reads more like a public service announcement against premarital sex than a contribution to literature. Every time a Baxter errs, he or she is socked with tragic deaths, life-threatening illnesses, or some other monumental disaster. A far better pick on the ups and downs of relationships is Linda Nichols's If I Gained the World (see below). Purchase only where the "Redemption" series is in demand. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

After 9/11, Luke Baxter leaves his faith in the ashes of the twin towers, convinced that life is uncertain, his faith a delusion, and God nonexistent. His fiancée, Reagan, lost her father the same day. Despite their intentions, their passions had consumed them the night before, and when Reagan learns she's pregnant, Luke has already walked out. With narrative skill and a gentle voice that lends itself to vivid characterizations, Sandra Burr captures each personality and gender role with ease in this story of forgiveness and healing. Her mercurial vocalizations adapt to the rising tension of a medical crisis that forces life-changing decisions. The message of hope shines through. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

FEB/MAR 06 - AudioFile