The Redemption Collection: Redemption / Remember / Return / Rejoice / Reunion (Baxter Family Drama—Redemption Series) By Karen Kingsbury

 

These are the books that launched the Baxter family series and are now portrayed in the Baxters a tv show on Prime. I read these books as they were released in the early 2000s. After watching the Baxters I decided to reread these books. They are even better than I remembered. I highly recommend these books if you want a gritty, family series that covers real life situations. I among many others love the Baxter family and enjoyed this trip back to the beginning.

From Amazon:

The complete 5-book bestselling Christian fiction series that has sold nearly 2 million copies!

These original Baxter Family books have captivated millions of readers and are currently being made into an original television series produced by Roma Downey and Will Packer.

This collection bundles the five-book Redemption series 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, which centers around the Baxter family. As readers follow the hopes and struggles of the family, they will explore key relationship themes as well as the larger theme of redemption, both in characters’ spiritual lives and in their relationships. In each book, fans will enjoy a personal note from Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley as well as discussion questions for book group use. Revisit the Baxter family in all their life-changing events, or share the series with someone who hasn’t discovered it yet.

Share the Baxter family’s joys and struggles, triumphs and pain.

#1 Redemption:
When Kari Baxter Jacobs finds out that her husband is involved in an adulterous relationship and wants a divorce, she decides she will love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This book shows how God can redeem seemingly hopeless relationships, and it illustrates one of Gary Smalley’s key messages: Love is a decision.

#2 Remember:
Convinced she could make it on her own, Ashley Baxter has kept the most important people in her life at a distance—her family, the man who loves her, and the God she is sure can never forgive her. Now, just as she begins to open her heart, the events of September 11 rip into Ashley’s world and she is led to heartbreaking and hope-filled decisions that will forever change her life. This story vividly illustrates that we must value others more than ourselves, and it drives home one of Gary Smalley’s key messages: Honor one another.

#3 Return:
This touching novel 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.

#4 Rejoice:
In the continuing saga of the Baxter family, Brooke Baxter has achieved everything this world has to offer—a prestigious career, a beautiful home, and two wonderful children. Her recent return to her faith is an encouragement to her family. But if she faces tremendous loss, can her fledgling faith and her rocky marriage survive?

#5 Reunion:
Plans are being made for a family reunion. Nearly all the adult Baxter children have a reason to celebrate—except one. As the preparations get underway, a deadly diagnosis sends shockwaves through the Baxter family and threatens to tear them apart.

Winner of Christian Retailing’s Retailer’s Choice Award for Best Series

About the author:

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty-nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham available April 2025

 

Recently I had the honor of reading an ARC copy of Pepper Basham's Some Like It Scot. I loved the way Pepper created beautiful word pictures of a country I would love to visit someday. The book takes place on a small Scottish Isle as Katie Campbell, a travel writer, shares her Misadventures with her blog followers. She is taken in by a wonderful group of people who live on the island. Graeme MacKerrow has lived there all his life and doesn't trust outsiders, especially red headed women who like to travel. 

I found the story to be delightful and the scenery magnificent. I adore the way Pepper weaves faith throughout the story as easy as breathing. I highly recommend Some Like It Scot. The only downside is you will have to wait until April 0f 2025 to enjoy it.

So be sure to pre-order your copy today.

https://www.amazon.com/Some-Like-Scot-Pepper-Basham-ebook/dp/B0D8VP99G9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XNTS6KRVJB84&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.j2YbTQOP4K3s4vU2h-gniA.7t3thGcNN3VX_CSnaYyyrMwKVcdYzJtjc90WAsylaxs&dib_tag=se&keywords=some+like+it+scot+pepper+basham&qid=1730159620&sprefix=some+like+it+sc%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1

I was given a copy of Some Like it Scot with no expectations All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people's stories. She's built a career as "Miss Adventure," known for saying yes to anything new--country, food, or experience--and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn't venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme's comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister's death, he's even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what's familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life's story when "home" is in two very different places? But maybe home--and the future--isn't quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

About the author:

Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her twentieth book, The Cairo Curse, came out in February. Next up is Positively, Penelope, the sequel to her bestselling novel, Authentically, Izzy. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com

Here are some photos of Scottish Islands from Google Images.

Mistletoe Season : Three Christmas Stories by Sheila Roberts; Kathleen Fuller; Pepper Basham

I loved all 3 stories in Mistletoe Season! Sweet romances set at Christmas time. All 3 are standalone and quite delightful, just the type of book to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket!
I highly recommend Mistletoe Season for pure enjoyment!

I was given a copy of Mistletoe Season with no expectations. All thoughts are my own!

From Amazon: 

Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts

Mistletoe is Hailey Fairchild’s kryptonite. Every time she’s kissed someone under the mistletoe it’s led to love disaster. Not a good thing for a romance writer! When she was a gawky high school girl, her hunky neighbor, Carwyn Davies, star of the basketball team (and her dreams), kissed her under the mistletoe on a dare. But the kiss wasn’t a dream come true. It was a mortifying moment she’s never forgotten, and now she’s about to go home for the holidays, unengaged and . . . determined to say no to mistletoe. Especially if Carwyn is anywhere around.

Return to Mistletoe by Kathleen Fuller

Emmy Banks has always loved Christmas. How could she not when she lives in Mistletoe, Missouri? Kieran O’Neill has spent years abroad, renovating an old Irish castle, but returns to Mistletoe for his mother’s seventieth birthday. He reconnects with Emmy, his sister’s close friend, and spends time with her in her charming antique shop. When the weather turns colder, things start to warm up between Emmy and Kieran. But can Emmy risk her heart when she knows he’ll never stay in Mistletoe, and she will never leave?

The Mistletoe Prince by Pepper Basham

Prince Arran St. Clare has lost his freedom and fairytale life in exchange for a three-month “punishment” in the small town of Ransom, North Carolina. To prove he is ready for the royal life for which he was born, Arran must engage in the Christmas charity fundraiser, The Mistletoe Wish. But when kindness, authenticity, and hard work prove more appreciated in Appalachia than a royal pedigree, Arran must face the mirror and find out who he is beyond the crown. Add a beautiful and intelligent woman who doesn’t recognize her own worth, some mistletoe, and a little Christmas magic and it all might be enough to help the rebel-prince understand what truly matters most.

• Three stand-alone romantic holiday novellas
• Book length: 84,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

 

Across The Ages (Timeless Book 4) by Gabrielle Meyer

 

Gabrielle Meyer's Timeless books are on my all time favorite list. As every book is announced I automatically pre order it. This time I was fortunate enough to score an Advance Reader Copy through NetGalley! Across The Ages is fantastic. I loved Caroline in both of her lives and really struggled with which life I thought she should choose! I loved the fact that Caroline was a woman of faith in both timelines, but still struggled.  She was very real. Caroline had two swoon-worthy guys to choose from, which complicated which life she wanted. My only problem with the story is that it is over...

So pre order Across The Ages and be prepared to take PTO, hire a babysitter, meal prep, you know just  set aside time to read it as you won't want to put it down! 

I was given a copy of Across The Ages with no expectations. all thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Caroline holds a deep secret. Existing in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. Searching for answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother that hints at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, chasing the mysteries of her mother's past, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location. Amid treacherous waters, she crosses paths with Marcus Zale, a ruthless but handsome pirate, and finds herself caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

Meanwhile, in 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have strayed from their upbringing into the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to protect her parents from the truth that could shatter her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous speakeasies of St. Paul, Caroline enlists the help of police officer Lewis Cager, a childhood friend. But when her family's future is put at risk and loyalties are tested, Caroline is faced with a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

About the author:

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Find Gabrielle on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer, Pinterest at www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/, Twitter at www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle, Goodreads, and her Website at www.gabriellemeyer.co

Target Acquired by Lynette Eason

I really enjoyed Target Acquired from the first page to the last. I was rooting for Kenzie and Cole from the beginning. Both were very likeable characters who struggled with how much of themselves they were willing to risk. I liked the fact that Kenzie never backed away from a challenge and being the only woman on a SWAT team was not easy. It never ceases to amaze me that Lynette Eason can continually get better with each tale she tells!

So grab a large sweet tea and curl up under a tree for a fabulous book!

I was given a copy of Target Acquired  for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Tough-as-nails Kenzie King has finally earned her place as a tactical medic on a SWAT team. But not everyone on the all-male team accepts her. Rumor is, she didn't get the position because of what she could do but because of who she knew. Which means she has to work harder and longer than anyone else to prove herself.

  

Cole Garrison is a man with deep faith who is finally ready to settle down and build a family of his own--if he can find the right person, that is. Kenzie sure has set off his interest meter, but trouble seems to follow in her wake. Since she joined the team, someone has begun to ambush and pick off team members, one by one.

  

It's all hands on deck to discover the culprit and end the killing. Can Kenzie and Cole put aside their differences and work together as a team? Or will their budding attraction be snuffed out by a sniper's bullet?

  

As you've come to expect from bestselling author Lynette Eason's stories, this tightly wound plot unfurls at breakneck speed and will leave you breathless.

About the author:

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the Publisher's Weekly, CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.

Power City by John Galt Robinson

 

I recently discovered John Galt Robinson's books. Power City is the second book about Christy and Joe. I was hoping it would be as good as Forces Of Redemption, and it was. I really enjoyed the setting of Niagara Falls as I have been there several times. The story kept me on the edge of my sea! I love Christy, Joe, and all of their friends and family. I am looking forward to reading the next book Lost Angels. Robinson is rapidly becoming a must read author for me.

So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a fantastic adventure!

I borrowed this book through Kindle Unlimited. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

A man is mysteriously swept over Niagara Falls. The city of Niagara Falls, nicknamed The Power City, 

finds itself in the shadow of a new power broker, the Catalano organization. This resurgent mafia family’s rise

 to power leaves a trail of death and corruption in its wake. Navy SEAL Joe O’Shanick is their next target for

 execution, but the sinister reach of the Catalano organization extends beyond O’Shanick to his family and

 physician friend, Dr. Christy Tabrizi; however, this criminal organization forgot one thing: Navy SEALs leave

 no man behind. Power City explores the dark world of organized crime while weaving a story of faith and

 the selfless love of one’s family and friends in a roller coaster ride of crime, medicine, military action, and

 suspense.

Forces Of Redemption by John Galt Robinson

 

Forces of Redemption is the first book I have read by John Galt Robinson. I enjoyed reading this book for the most part, however some scenes were not for the faint of heart. I expected it would be a tough at times read as the subject matter is human trafficking and drug cartels. The descriptions throughout were quite vivid. I loved the characters, especially Christy and Joe.  The two of them have some very deep conversations on faith that are quite intriguing. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next installment Power City!

I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

During a hectic Emergency Department shift, Dr. Christine “Christy” Tabrizi rescues a young Honduran girl from the gang that has been prostituting her and discovers the horrors of human trafficking tracing all the way back to the cartels in Central America. Christy volunteers for a mission in Honduras, to help rescue as many young girls as possible from the Cartels that control them. Joe O’Shanick is part of a Navy SEAL platoon deployed in Central America and finds himself in the midst of hostile territory when the President of the United States, a man of Mexican-American heritage who sympathizes with the human condition in Central America, declares war on the Cartels. In the middle of a tense hostage scenario, Christy and Joe’s paths collide, and they must rely on each other and their respective skills to escape with their lives.

About the author:

I grew up on Grand Island, New York, just a few miles upstream from the majestic Niagara Falls. My love of reading was handed down from my father who named me after the hero of Ayn Rand’s Epic, Atlas Shrugged. Growing up, I enjoyed sailing with my family. Additionally, I raced my own sailboat and crewed for other sailors on Lake Erie and the Niagara River. I graduated from Grand Island Senior High School, where I competed in football, swimming and lacrosse.

I began attending college at Georgia Tech as part of the Navy ROTC program. An untimely ankle fracture disqualified me from military service which led me to pursue a career as an athletic trainer. After graduate school in Buffalo, NY, my wife and I moved to Middle Tennessee where I was employed as an athletic trainer providing care for several high school athletic programs. A few years and three children later, we took a big risk, and I enrolled in medical school at East Tennessee State University. After earning my medical degree, we moved to Columbia, South Carolina where I began residency in Emergency Medicine. We continue to live here today where I practice in a large regional hospital emergency department.

I still sail with my family and I am also an avid fitness enthusiast having competed in triathlons of all lengths including Ironman and Half Ironman. Reading remains a passion and I am happy to say that my wife and younger daughter are avid readers as well. With their encouragement, I began the process of writing and I am now hooked. I signed with KCM Publishing in December of 2020 and we published my first novel, Forces of Redemption, in March of 2021. Since then the next two novels in the O’Shanick/Tabrizi series, Power City and, most recently, Lost Angels, have been published with more to come! I have previously been published as a co-author in a medical journal but fiction is my true passion. I enjoy reading thriller/suspense novels along with historical fiction and biographies. My favorite authors are Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, Clive Cussler, Ben Coes, Mark Dawson and Brad Thor.