Vital Signs

Baxter #3

by Kathy Herman

Furious that his girlfriend chose to bring twin babies to term, Dennis walks out of Jennifer's life. And now the Centers for Disease Control have quarantined Jennifer, along with 200 others who attended the reception for a missionary couple bearing a deadly virus. Is Jennifer at risk? Does Dennis even care what will happen to the twins, separated from their mother at birth? Fear takes hold in the town as violence erupts, and Baxter experiences an outbreak deadlier than any virus. Still, woven through the tale of violence and victims is another one of divine love and purpose.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Mystery, Fiction, Contemporary

330 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Best-selling suspense novelist Kathy Herman has written twenty novels—including the Secrets or Roux River Bayou Series, Sophie Trace Series, the Seaport Suspense Series, and the Phantom Hollow Series—since retiring from her family’s Christian bookstore business. She and her late husband Paul have a blended family of three grown children. Kathy lives in the Northwest.

Reviews

[Ramona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars as this is not a series I will be reading. The writing needed more editing to make it more concise and allow for more characterization. I can recommend it as an excellent choice for mainstream Christians. A missionary couple returns from the Amazon basin, to their hometown of Baxter, unknowingly infected with an unidentified VHE. It is not Ebola. The entire town becomes involved, along with the doctors, religious organizations and the CDC. This story is very similar to a movie called "Outbreak" that was filmed in 1995! The characters experience unexplained events that change their lives for the good. This is book 3 of the Baxter series.

[ML Couch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I really enjoy this author. She always has great character development and keeps the characters human, with flaws. This is the third in the town of Baxter series and I think my favorite so far.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glued to the book all the way to the end

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vital Signs was a gripping story of a virus brought into town by a missionary couple that were in the Amazon. I have never read any of Kathy Herman's books and I am so happy I got this book into my hands. The story line is about this horrible virus and all the people that were quarantined. Then, there are a few people that think they know the "real" truth and take matters into their own hands.

I have to say all the above is true of this book. Mostly, it is about how the law abiding people and families of those in isolation handled this scary time in their life. Would any one else become infected. Would those infected die? Would there be an end to this tragedy? It all came back to trusting the L-rd. This book really helped me when it came to truly trusting the L-rd in all situations. I 100% suggest this book. It will make your walk with the L-rd so much stronger. Besides being a great story line that is! Couldn't put the book down.

I also have to say there was a special part in this book when a nurse may have gotten infected and she was a Rabbi's daughter. She had gone to Temple only she felt an emptiness inside her. Near the end of the book, she asked the Christian that was talking to her that they probably don't like the Jewish people. He told her, no, that he loves the Jewish people and his Messiah is Jewish. This is only the beginning of an amazing transformation this woman goes through. I am so thankful to see a Christian book actually have someone Jewish as a character and go into that story line. I am a Jewish Believer and I felt so touched and blessed by Ms. Herman. You made a difference in even more peoples lives than before by having this character in your book. Thank you....

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

VITAL SIGNS is the third book in The Baxter Series by Kathy Herman. A deadly epidemic has come to Baxter, threatening the lives of those who’ve come in contact with a visiting missionary couple. Jennifer has just delivered twin boys and struggles with the thought of adoption. When the babies are taken away due to the risk of the virus, she realizes being separated from them is more than she can handle. While the local hospital takes every precaution to insure the unknown virus does not infect others, an extremist group decides to take matters into their own hands, causing the National Guard to be called in to restore order.
The interesting storyline of VITAL SIGNS explores how people react to a situation that could prove to be deadly. My favorite part of the story was watching the change in Dennis (Jennifer’s non-committal boyfriend) as he struggles with the idea of being a father. Your non-attachment for this character in the past is quickly put aside as you pull for him to make right decisions. VITAL SIGNS in an enjoyable read. With two more books to go in the series, I feel as if I have a stool reserved for me at Monty’s Diner as I pick up HIGH STAKES, the fourth book in the series.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in a Christian fiction series set in the fictional town of Baxter. There are at least two more and I have them on request from the library. If you like Christian fiction then I thoroughly recommend this series. This particular story involves a missionary couple home on furlough and with a life-threatening virus that affects the entire town and the CDC. A reception was held for them at the church just the night previously so everyone who was there has to be quarantined in their homes. Another young woman has just given birth to twins and must be quarantined with the couple while her babies are cared for elsewhere. A paranoid militia group incites violence and terror amongst the townspeople, attacking the hospital and several quarantined homes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one is my favorite of the Baxter series so far.

I had never read a story about an epidemic before until this book. I thought the author did a good job of showing the panic that would ensue if anything like this ever happened in a small town.

I loved the story of Jennifer and Dennis and felt that the character of Dennis was a great addition to the story line. He was believable and I think easy to relate to if you are someone who was abandoned or did not feel the love of a parent in their early years.

I look forward to reading the rest in the series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting story about the efforts to stop the spread of a deadly mysterious virus that are hampered by panic and the actions of a "hate group". Book three in the Baxter series, "Vital Signs" is another page-turner and includes the introduction of some interesting characters.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Judy Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good. Virus hits the town of Baxter and some are dieing. Some lives become better and this is the story of them all.

Well worth the time to read all about it.

[Jessica Zelkovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another success! Love her entwining plots!

[Tee Mcdaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very real book about an outbreak of an unknown disease in a small town and the people affected by it.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book by Kathy Herman. I'm really enjoying the Baxter series and can't wait for my library to get the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book and series.

[Pamela Leinenweaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book loved it can't wait to start book 4 such wonderful story lines..

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual great, great, great!

[JanetW · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm really enjoying Kathy Herman books ... they have strong character plot lines as well as strong christian growing pains for those characters. highly recommended :)

[Isabella]

This book will keep you turning the pages and will open your eyes to what happens when people take things into their own hands.