Longing

Longing

by Karen Kingsbury

In Karen Kingsbury's third book in the Bailey Flanigan series, Bailey is still dancing in the musical, Hairspray, on Broadway, and dating Brandon Paul, the hottest actor in Hollywood. When she goes home to Bloomington, Indiana for Thanksgiving and discovers that her first love, Cody Coleman, is in town to coach a game with his high school football team, she goes to the game reluctantly. She hasn't talked to Cody since seeing him at his new girlfriend Cheyenne's side in the hospital. When she goes to the game without Brandon, sparks definitely fly between Bailey and Cody. What will happen to her relationship with Brandon? And will Bailey and Cody be able to rekindle their old flame?

I was very excited to have the chance to get an advanced review copy of this book. Karen Kingsbury is my favorite author, and I have quickly grown to love Bailey Flanigan. 

Karen did an amazing job of writing this story. I found myself staying up later than I normally do, just so I could find out what would happen next. She has a way of pouring such life into each character, that you fall in love with each one of them. I felt torn between Bailey's men - Cody Coleman, her first love, or Brandon Paul, her new love. 

If you like Karen Kingsbury's writing, you will love this one. I recommend reading the first two books in the series (Leaving and Learning) first though, so you have more background. Ultimately, to get the most background, you would need to read her Baxter series, Firstborn series, and Above the Line series. But it isn't absolutely necessary to read those series in order to enjoy this book.

I give this book 5 stars. I can't wait for the last book, Loving, to be released in March 2012!

This book will be available at your favorite bookseller from Zondervan Books, starting November 22, 2011. You can pre-order it here or at your local bookstore.

About the author:

After graduating from college in 1986 with a degree in journalism, Karen became a full-time reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Her first book, Missy’s Murder, was based on a murder story she covered in Los Angeles as a reporter. She sold a version of the story to People magazine in 1989. A New York agent read her People story and asked her for a book proposal. The book hit stores in 1992. She then wrote three more true crime novels. Next she wrote four collections of answered prayers and miracle stories before transitioning to inspirational fiction in 1998.

Her first novel, Where Yesterday Lives, was a real challenge for Karen to get published. Although publishing companies said they liked the story, they were not sure what to do with it since it didn’t contain foul language and had no sex scenes. Finally, the Christian publishing house Multnomah, published her novel and gave her a multi-book contract. Her books made a real connection with contemporary romance fans. Since her first novel, Karen has written more than 40 faith based novels, many of which have hit #1 on national lists. There are more than 15 million copies of her award-winning books in print.

Karen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Don. They were married in June, 1988 and have six children, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. You can read her Adoption story. 

Dubbed by Time magazine as the “queen” of Christian fiction, Karen receives tens of thousands of letters from readers who say that Karen’s fiction has dramatically changed their lives. These letters and e-testimonials of improved marriages, spiritual awakenings and new found hope have enabled her to formally trademark her work Life-Changing Fiction™.

They celebrate their faith daily by laughing, loving and living life to the fullest. You can contact Karen atmoc.yrubsgniKneraK@neraK.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Books through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."