Baxters--Bailey Flanigan Longing: A Sweet, Contemporary Christian Romance, (Paperback)

Another great treasure! Karen Kingsbury has a creative way of really drawing you into the characters lives. You aren't only reading a book, you feel drawn into the center of everything. You are in NYC as Bailey and Brandon are lost in love and Brandon is LONGING for Bailey to be totally commited to him. You are in Bloomington, IN as Cody struggles with his inner battle of choices he made and now regrets to deal with. The Longing he feels to correct his past. You feel the LONGING in Jenny's heart for Bailey to end up with the guy that Jenny has always dreamed she would be with. Above all, you know the LONGING they all have to know God's will and to simply trust and follow HIM , even when the road is scary and messed up ! It's not what I want, but what you want Lord, is the resounding theme. The only negative to this book, is that I have to wait til March for the sequel Loving to come out :)

This review is from: Longing (Bailey Flanigan Series) (Paperback) Longing, the third book in the Bailey Flanigan Series by Karen Kingsbury, made me LONG for more of Karen's writing! Once Karen's books hit the stores, I am there to buy it. I love the feel of a REAL book in my hand--not an electronic device! As I turn the pages and read Karen's Christian fiction, I feel so close to God! Karen continually quotes scripture throughout her books that apply to the situation and we can also apply those to our lives every day! I have met Karen and her family at several Women's conferences over the years and they are such an inspiration to me! As she writes her books, I love seeing the resemblance of her family with the story line. In the book "Longing", knowing that Bailey Flanigan is Kelsey was so exciting! And to make it more exciting for me, I purchased the book right before making my first trip to New York City. As I read Longing on the airplane, I was right there with Bailey. I got off the plane in New York and could relate to how Bailey felt there! I went to Starbucks and thought of Bailey's Bible studies and how she changed so many lives in New York. As I watched a Broadway play, I imagined Bailey on stage dancing her heart out for God to every beat. I better understood how Bailey had taken the criticism of many of the cast members and the Director of the show because of her beliefs. By being in New York, God showed Bailey why he had brought her there and what her purpose in this season of her life really was! As I watched the craziness of New York on my trip, I thought of Bailey alot, but I also thought of each of us as we face these type of challenges every day. We need to learn from Bailey Flanigan. Shine for God and talk about Jesus to others like Bailey Flanigan did in this book! I did not worry myself about whether Bailey will choose Cody or Brandon Paul! I am going to let God and Karen's inspiration handle that one in the last book! I can't wait to turn the pages of "Loving" in the Spring of 2012! Warning!! Karen Kingsbury books are addictive!!