Josie's Bookshelf

Someday

I read Someday (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 3). This is a series that is best read in order and focuses on the Baxter family. There are 3 sets of books about the Baxters. The first set is called the Redemption Series. Karen Kingsbury co-wrote it with Gary Smalley. The next set is the Firstborn Series, and Karen wrote these on her own. Then, she wrote the Sunrise Series. The book I’m reading now is the 3rd book in the Sunrise Series. It’s unusual to have so many books about the same family (14 books).

I find this family is easy to love, and I feel compelled to read to the last book to find out what happens to them. Some of the story lines throughout the series took a little while to grow on me especially in the Firstborn Series. The story line with Dayne and Katy is the only one that seems to drag at times. I think Karen is an extremely talented writer. When I worked at the library, we couldn’t keep her books on the shelf. This is one of the few authors that writes books that make me cry. Her stories are so realistic that it’s easy to transport yourself to her world. All the books in this series are hard to put down after you start reading.

Karen Kingsbury does something unique. She raises funds for charity by including characters in her book based on real people. The winner of the bid at the charity gives Karen the name and details about a person they want to honor. She creates a character in her book to honor the person. In Someday (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 3), Karen creates 3 characters based on the life of three people. To read more about it go to Karen’s website and click on the ‘Forever in Fiction and Karen’s Trademark’ link.

The current book, Someday (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 3), follows Ashley, John, Brooke, Luke, Katy, and Dayne. I am enjoying it so far. I can’t give too many details as I don’t want to spoil it for those of you who haven’t read it yet and possibly not read any of this series. Usually when a book has too many story lines in one book, I don’t like it. It doesn’t bother me in this book, probably partially because I know the characters from the other books and partially because of Karen’s gifted writing. I like the fact that Ashley takes the lead in keeping the family connected. She has a big heart and a strong faith in God. She has her flaws, but she cares deeply about her family. Ashley is my favorite character in the whole series.

If you have read some of this series, please comment on if you are hooked or not in reading this series.

Baxter Series:

Redemption (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 1)
Remember (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 2)
Return (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 3)
Rejoice (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 4)
Reunion (Redemption Series-Baxter 1, Book 5)
Fame (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 1)
Forgiven (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 2)
Found (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 3)
Family (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 4)
Forever (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 5)
Sunrise (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 1)
Summer (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 2)
Someday (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 3)
Sunset (Sunrise Series-Baxter 3, Book 4)

Christian Fiction books made into movies

This week I have been reading, but not reading Christian fiction. I thought I would share some thoughts on the movies that are based on Christian fiction books. I watched the newest movie of the Love Comes Softly series by Michael Landon Jr., Love’s Unfolding Dream. I appreciate the fact that the first movie, Love Comes Softly, did stick with Janette Oke’s story line. The other 4 movies have not been as faithful, but are still enjoyable movies. Love’s Unfolding Dream focuses on Missy’s adopted daughter, Belinda, as she follows her dream to be a doctor. The acting isn’t the best, but if you are a fan of the movies, you will enjoy the story.

The other movies have been fair, but I wish someone would try to keep the story closer to the book, like Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I did enjoy The Nativity Story, but the book by Angela Hunt was written based on the movie screenplay. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth watching. I didn’t expect to like it, but the acting was excellent and so was the story.

I am waiting for the 3 movies based on Karen Kingsbury’s books to come out – Like Dandelion Dust, A Thousand Tomorrows, and Gideon’s Gift. Here’s a list of movies based on Christian fiction books that I have seen with a rating (A – D).

Love Comes Softly (A-)
Love’s Enduring Promise (A-)
Love’s Long Journey(A)
Love’s Abiding Joy(B)
Love’s Unending Legacy(B-)
Love’s Unfolding Dream(A-)

I enjoyed these movies:

Amish Grace

The Convenient Groom

Denise Hunter’s book turned into a movie.

Audiobooks

Love Comes Softly

Love’s Enduring Promise

Love’s Long Journey

Sisterchicks in Gondolas

In honor of the new Sisterchicks book coming out on May 20, I am reviewing one of the Sisterchicks sagas. I will review Sisterchicks Go Brit! (Sisterchicks Series #7 as soon as I read it. I love this series! All the books in this series are a fun, fast read. Each book has different characters, so they can be read in any order.

Here’s the author’s definition of a Sisterchick: “a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and gives you a reality check when you’re being a brat.”

Sisterchicks in Gondolas (Sisterchicks Series #6) by Robin Jones Gunn focuses on Jenna and Sue. Jenna is invited to cook for a Christian group on a retreat in Italy, so she quickly invites her sister-in-law Sue, who is a talented cook. The place where they stay is a 15th century restored palace. The women have time to relax and become closer. Jenna was left by her husband to raise her daughter alone. Sue’s husband has been in a terrible accident and relies on Sue to help him recover. Jenna moved closer to help her brother and Sue. Both women discuss how God has helped them with the struggles of life.

Robin has a talent for making you feel like you are traveling. I enjoyed learning more about Venice and its way of life. I could get used to trying a new gelato flavor every day. I’m not sure I would feel comfortable sleeping on the roof, but it would be a nice way to view the city.

The characters are genuine and lovable in this exciting adventure story. Don’t wait another minute, start reading and travel to Venice with Jenna and Sue!

Sisterchicks series:

Take Flight!: A Sisterchicks Devotional

Audiobooks:

Sisterchicks on the Loose!

Sisterchicks Do the Hula

Sisterchicks in Sombreros

Sisterchicks Down Under

Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!

Sisterchicks in Gondolas

Sisterchicks Go Brit!

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes

Million Dollar Mystery Series

All five books in Mindy Starns Clark’s Million Dollar Mysteries are well written. This series main character, Callie, investigates nonprofit organizations to verify that the grant application reflects the truth. The grant money comes from her rich boss, Tom, whom Callie has never met. In each book Callie stumbles across a mystery while fulfilling her assignment.

The characters are easy to love. Learning about Tom only by his phone conversations with Callie keeps the story interesting (though they do meet in person before the series ends). Callie struggles with grief over her husband’s death are realistic and her courage in handling her emotions connects readers to her immediately. Tom helps Callie solve the mysteries and supports her in her activities.

The fast-paced plots of each book entertain. It’s refreshing to read a suspenseful book that tells the events from a Christian point of view. Callie approaches all of her assignments with integrity and honestly reports her findings. These books can be read numerous times, so don’t hesitate to purchase them.

Audiobooks:

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

A Dime a Dozen

A Quarter for a Kiss

The Buck Stops Here

Whispers of the Bayou

Whispers of the Bayou is Mindy Starns Clark’s first standalone mystery. Her other series are worth reading, too. They are the Million Dollar Mysteries and The Smart Chick Mysteries.

Miranda Miller is raised by her aunt. She thinks that her family in Louisiana is not interested in her. Miranda doesn’t have that many memories of her childhood before living with her aunt. The past comes alive for her when she returns to Louisiana at the request of the caretaker of her grandparent’s estate, Willy Pedreaux. Miranda’s career in art restoration works its way nicely into the story. She is able to preserve most of the artwork her grandmother painted on walls in the family home. Miranda does find out about her family and the reason behind decisions that were made for her when she was a child.

I enjoyed this book. It had many twists and surprises. I didn’t want to write too much about the story and give away the ending. The characters are vivid and the conversations between characters are interesting. The author does list the parts of the story that are based on fact on her website, www.mindystarnsclark.com. If you haven’t read any books by this author, you should give this one a read. In my opinion, she writes as well as other Christian fiction authors like Melody Carlson, Robin Jones Gunn, Dee Henderson, Susan May Warren, and Terri Blackstock.

Audiobook:

Whispers of the Bayou