A Baxter Family Christmas

A Baxter Family Christmas
Karen Kingsbury
(Simon & Schuster/Howard Books)
ISBN: 978-1451687569
272 pages/October 2016/$19.99 Hardcover
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes A Baxter Family Christmas, a life-changing story of love and hope featuring the Baxter family.

Whether you’re meeting the Baxter family for the first time, or finding them all over again...A Baxter Family Christmas will leave fingerprints on your heart forever.

Two years have passed since the terrible car accident that took the life of John Baxter’s daughter, Erin, her husband and three of their four daughters. Prompted by grief, and missing his daughter, John has invited a stranger for Christmas Eve dinner—Kendra Bryant, the transplant recipient who now has Erin’s heart.

In light of their father’s idea, Ashley and her brother Luke don’t think it’s right. They want to protect their ten-year-old niece, Amy—the only surviving member of the accident. But John is determined and believes meeting this woman is something his deceased daughter would want.

At the same time, Maddie West, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. Could she find it in a newfound friendship with a boy she never expected to see again? Maddie believes in miracles, especially at Christmastime, but this is a stretch even she can’t imagine.

Meanwhile, Kendra Bryant has been struggling these past few years to find purpose in the tragedy that gave her a second chance. She believes the invitation to see the Baxters and witness their unwavering faith in God can instill peace and happiness back into her life.

Heartwarming and touching, filled with love and redemption, A Baxter Family Christmas brings together two families in the aftermath of loss and in the midst of an unfolding love story, all with the help of one very special child.





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. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Don, and their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their actress daughter, Kelsey, lives nearby and is married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The couple recently welcomed their first child, Hudson.

MY THOUGHTS

I have only read one of Karen Kingsbury's books in the past but since I love Christmas novellas, I decided to give this one a try when it landed in my mailbox. Kingsbury has written a heart-wrenching tale that will delight fans of her Baxter Family series who eager to catch up with these much-loved characters. The grief that the family has experienced will resonate with many who dread facing the holidays due to an empty chair at the table. This novella is a quick and easy read but personally, I was a bit disappointed as I found parts of it unrealistic and simplistic in regards to grief. Many of her long-time fans rave about it, however, so check it out and decide for yourself!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced digital copy of this book free from Simon and Schuster/Howard Books. 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.”

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