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The Baxter Family #2
In This Moment
Luke Baxter--a lawyer specializing in religious freedom cases--takes on the fight of his life when public high school principal Wendell Quinn is sued for starting an after-school Bible study called Raise the Bar. Wendell has already lost the love of his life because of the program, but still he refuses to end it. Thanks to the program, Hamilton High has seen a dramatic decrease in the drug abuse, violence, and teen pregnancies that once plagued the student population. However, this lawsuit threatens to bring everything to a screeching halt.
But God's truth won't be silenced, and Luke Baxter vows to stand up for Wendell Quinn. Because the fight is about more than statistics, improved test scores, and better student life--it's about religious liberty and protecting the very things Wendell and the Baxters hold dear: faith, family, and freedom.
At home, though, Luke struggles to keep his work from taking over his life. His wife, Reagan, worries about his increased hours and time away from the family. She knows his job is crucial, but at what cost?
In This Moment is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom, the cost of the fight, and how a group of determined people just might restore the meaning of faith in today’s culture.
But God's truth won't be silenced, and Luke Baxter vows to stand up for Wendell Quinn. Because the fight is about more than statistics, improved test scores, and better student life--it's about religious liberty and protecting the very things Wendell and the Baxters hold dear: faith, family, and freedom.
At home, though, Luke struggles to keep his work from taking over his life. His wife, Reagan, worries about his increased hours and time away from the family. She knows his job is crucial, but at what cost?
In This Moment is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom, the cost of the fight, and how a group of determined people just might restore the meaning of faith in today’s culture.
379 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2017
1297 people are currently reading
5134 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kingsbury
208 books12k followersKaren 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.
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 453 reviews
June 7, 2024
4 stars
The narration was wonderful, I always love Kirby Heyborne’s voice. The romance was a smaller side plot of this book, which I wasn’t expecting (I thought it was a romance) but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It can be read as a stand-alone even though it’s part of a series.
The narration was wonderful, I always love Kirby Heyborne’s voice. The romance was a smaller side plot of this book, which I wasn’t expecting (I thought it was a romance) but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It can be read as a stand-alone even though it’s part of a series.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Kirby Heyborne & January LeVoy
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 10h 25m
November 13, 2017
I’ll be up front, I’ve been a fan of Karen Kingsbury forever. My mom was reading her books for years then when I got older and wanted more than my Teen genre had to offer she began recommending Kingsbury. I fell in love. Her books give you a chance to relax and get away from the stress of the world while believing happily ever afters are possible and your faith can get you through anything.
This is the first time ever I felt like I had to force myself to finish and it was not an enjoyable experience.
I’m extremely sure those who are cheerleading Christians, those who feel victimized by the world for being Christian, very fundamentalists, whatever label you’d fall under are going to LOVE this book. Why do I think that? Because it’s not so much a fictional story as a playbook for how to fight the evil, liberal, American society that is hell bent on ridding itself of the Christian faith. At least that is the picture painted here.
Maybe I’m just burned out and tired over the liberal versus Christian fight that seems to be filling my social media on a daily basis. Maybe it’s being an Irish Catholic in the United States, even worse being an Irish Catholic in the south part of the States where only Protestant faiths are revered, that has created this hard coating to my ability to enjoy this stuff anymore.
Whatever the reason I just had a hard time reading this to the point I kept putting it down and finally had to force myself to read 1-2 chapters at a time just so I could finally finish. I felt she painted the characters in completely unrealistic situations such as when one teacher has her students bring their favorite book to class to talk about. One of the students, whose mother is volunteering in the classroom that day, brought her bible and the teacher immediately tells her she can’t talk about it. The mother proceeds to take the teacher out of the classroom and give her this lecture about how her daughter can talk about the bible and the way the teacher just rolled over and allowed the parent to dictate how her classroom would be handled was unbelievable. I’m not saying the parent was wrong or the teacher was wrong in their belief I’m just saying the dialogue and actions used were completely unrealistic. Through the vast majority of the book though it was like that where liberals were painted as being idiotic and conservatives were painted as being the only intelligent ones.
You also receive more legal language and law history than I thought possible to weave into a fictional story. It very much reads like a history of how the Christian faith has been under attack in the States and comes off like one gigantic middle finger to the liberal viewpoint.
I just felt like Kingsbury is extraordinary pissed at the liberal population in the US and poured forth all her anger into this story. I’m sure those who agree with her position are going to use this as their bible and take notes of all the legal issues and laws she poured into it to help them use their kids to fight their adult war through the next generation.
I just wanted to escape from the bickering for a little while not be dragged through it on the pages of a book.
This is the first time ever I felt like I had to force myself to finish and it was not an enjoyable experience.
I’m extremely sure those who are cheerleading Christians, those who feel victimized by the world for being Christian, very fundamentalists, whatever label you’d fall under are going to LOVE this book. Why do I think that? Because it’s not so much a fictional story as a playbook for how to fight the evil, liberal, American society that is hell bent on ridding itself of the Christian faith. At least that is the picture painted here.
Maybe I’m just burned out and tired over the liberal versus Christian fight that seems to be filling my social media on a daily basis. Maybe it’s being an Irish Catholic in the United States, even worse being an Irish Catholic in the south part of the States where only Protestant faiths are revered, that has created this hard coating to my ability to enjoy this stuff anymore.
Whatever the reason I just had a hard time reading this to the point I kept putting it down and finally had to force myself to read 1-2 chapters at a time just so I could finally finish. I felt she painted the characters in completely unrealistic situations such as when one teacher has her students bring their favorite book to class to talk about. One of the students, whose mother is volunteering in the classroom that day, brought her bible and the teacher immediately tells her she can’t talk about it. The mother proceeds to take the teacher out of the classroom and give her this lecture about how her daughter can talk about the bible and the way the teacher just rolled over and allowed the parent to dictate how her classroom would be handled was unbelievable. I’m not saying the parent was wrong or the teacher was wrong in their belief I’m just saying the dialogue and actions used were completely unrealistic. Through the vast majority of the book though it was like that where liberals were painted as being idiotic and conservatives were painted as being the only intelligent ones.
You also receive more legal language and law history than I thought possible to weave into a fictional story. It very much reads like a history of how the Christian faith has been under attack in the States and comes off like one gigantic middle finger to the liberal viewpoint.
I just felt like Kingsbury is extraordinary pissed at the liberal population in the US and poured forth all her anger into this story. I’m sure those who agree with her position are going to use this as their bible and take notes of all the legal issues and laws she poured into it to help them use their kids to fight their adult war through the next generation.
I just wanted to escape from the bickering for a little while not be dragged through it on the pages of a book.
January 2, 2018
"In This Moment" is a timely book about a topic frequently in the news. Whether you are a person of faith or not, religious persecution is becoming prevalent in our society.
For Wendell Quinn, a principal at a high school riddled with problems, he decides to offer a voluntary Bible Study group after school called Raise the Bar in an effort to give his students an outlet and a chance to work towards success. When a parent whose daughter has benefited from the program in anger sues Wendell for violating the separation of Church and State, a legal battle ensues. Luke Baxter is the lawyer brought in to defend Wendell, despite his reservations about losing the case.
While at times a bit apocalyptic and"preachy", it is important that we recognize the value of freedom to practice our faith.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
For Wendell Quinn, a principal at a high school riddled with problems, he decides to offer a voluntary Bible Study group after school called Raise the Bar in an effort to give his students an outlet and a chance to work towards success. When a parent whose daughter has benefited from the program in anger sues Wendell for violating the separation of Church and State, a legal battle ensues. Luke Baxter is the lawyer brought in to defend Wendell, despite his reservations about losing the case.
While at times a bit apocalyptic and"preachy", it is important that we recognize the value of freedom to practice our faith.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
July 26, 2020
At its core, Kingsbury's latest is an interesting story about the modern climate of religious freedom in the United States. However, one has to muddle through some factual inaccuracies and heavy-handed preaching of doom and gloom in order to find the key ideas. Although this is a part of the Baxter series, it easily stands alone because the Baxters are only peripheral characters, and the author makes sure to delineate the myriad family ties multiple times, to the point of it becoming tedious to those familiar with the books. The dialogue is unnatural at times and seems like a lecture rather than a real conversation. This novel is worth reading, if only to get a glimpse of where the U.S. is heading with religious freedom.
The principal of Hamilton High School, Wendell Quinn, has been tasked with turning his school from a low-achieving, violent place to a successful one. He has tried everything, and feels God leading him to begin a voluntary after-school Bible study in order to give direction to the students who feel they have no hope. Within a year, things have completely changed, and the influence of the Bible study on the students has been amazing. Yet there are parents and others who feel that Wendell is overstepping his legal boundaries by bringing religion into a public-school setting. One parent sues, and Wendell hires Luke Baxter to defend him in the important battle for his faith and the ultimate positive outcome of the school and its students.
The principal of Hamilton High School, Wendell Quinn, has been tasked with turning his school from a low-achieving, violent place to a successful one. He has tried everything, and feels God leading him to begin a voluntary after-school Bible study in order to give direction to the students who feel they have no hope. Within a year, things have completely changed, and the influence of the Bible study on the students has been amazing. Yet there are parents and others who feel that Wendell is overstepping his legal boundaries by bringing religion into a public-school setting. One parent sues, and Wendell hires Luke Baxter to defend him in the important battle for his faith and the ultimate positive outcome of the school and its students.
July 7, 2020
After having a long hiatus of not reading Christian fiction, I have felt the call to go back and read it and get back into the genre. Karen Kingsbury was always an author I loved and I felt the need to read her later Baxter family books which had been published after I took a break. Like all her books, each one is powerful and very inspiring. In This Moment we meet one of the Baxter Sons - Luke and his family including his wife Reagan and children. We also meet High School Principal Wendell Quinn. These two will cross paths when Wendell finds himself being sued and Luke as his lawyer. Wendell is a Black High School Principal in a low-income area and is trying to get his school roll up and the students out of trouble. He has exhausted all his options and prayed to God. His last choice is to open a voluntary bible study - he hopes that making it voluntary means that he is within the law as he is not forcing religion on those who don't want to be there. Wendell though is about to find out the law is a very thin line as he becomes sued by one of the parents of the school. Can Luke help save Wendell from being thrown into jail as he tries to show the judge and jury the amazing things that have occurred because of the bible? I liked this story as it showed just how powerful religion can be when put in the right hands and done for the right reason and also at the same time, how scared and nervous people can become around the topic of religion and God. I am lucky to have been born in New Zealand as it hasn't been illegal to teach about religion in schools.
I am now looking forward to reading more of Karen Kingsbury and the Baxter Family stories.
I am now looking forward to reading more of Karen Kingsbury and the Baxter Family stories.
June 11, 2024
'In This Moment' is a story that is part of the Baxter Family series. The story centers around Wendell, a high school principal who starts an after-school Bible study program. His goal is to help troubled students.
One of the student's parents is angry when he finds out his daughter is involved in this Bible study and he causes a lawsuit (separation of church and state).
If you've read the Redemption series or watched the new TV series on Prime you'll be pleasantly surprised to see Luke Baxter as Wendell's lawyer.
One of the student's parents is angry when he finds out his daughter is involved in this Bible study and he causes a lawsuit (separation of church and state).
If you've read the Redemption series or watched the new TV series on Prime you'll be pleasantly surprised to see Luke Baxter as Wendell's lawyer.
Audiobook source: Libby
Narrator: Kirby Heyborne & January LeVoy
Length: 10h 25m
December 2, 2017
I love her books, but this one comes across more like a lecture :(
November 6, 2024
In This Moment focuses on the right to express your religious beliefs at school. This story was well written and even taught me a this or two about our rights as a fellow Believer. This is another Baxter book. My goal for this year is to read all of the Baxter books. I’m getting close to being done, whatever will I do without a Baxter book to read??!! I recommend this book even if you haven’t kept up with the other Baxter series! You definitely can read these book out of order.
October 12, 2017
Review to follow.
March 28, 2023
~3.5 out of 5 stars~
Wendell repeated the words to himself- You will not have to fight this battle. The Lord will deliver you. He lowered himself to the floor. Slowly, with the greatest certainty, he took his position, preparing himself for the battle ahead. And he did so from the only place he knew how to fight...on his knees.
This was a really sweet story about the battle of religious freedom and the importance of family!
This was the first of Karen Kingsbury's books I've read, and it was heartfelt in the way I expected. I appreciated how this author took something that happens quite a lot in this day and age and made it into an inspirational story. Nowadays, so many Christians are persecuted because of their faith, and this was a message to all the readers that we need to take our place at right hand of the throne of God and fight.
Though I enjoyed In This Moment, I don't think I enjoyed it to the max. The writing was kind of like the sugar amount in a Starbucks coffee- almost a sickly sweet. I guess if you like this kind of writing that's overflowing with happiness, you would probably give this book 5 stars, but I'm a reader that enjoys complexity and depth. I'm definitely not saying that this book was bad because of it; I just thought it was too simple.
It was also pretty predictable, but that doesn't necessarily take away its message. I feel like those who are more familiar with the Baxter family would have liked this book more than me, since it was annoying in a way when all these other characters kept showing up out of nowhere, and it was like we were supposed to already know them. An author's note in the back said that these books can be read in any order, but if anyone wanted to read this book, I might recommend starting with whichever was the first.
The main characters in this book aren't the Baxters, however. This story revolves around a principal's struggle to save his school- and also to express the freedom of religion. That aspect of this book I really liked- how the principal, Wendell Quinn, was such a great image of God, and how he kept his family together throughout his fight.
If you like these types of stories, I would recommend movies like God's Not Dead, God's Not Dead 2, I Can Only Imagine, War Room, Fireproof, and Courageous.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts." (Psalm 28:7).
Wendell repeated the words to himself- You will not have to fight this battle. The Lord will deliver you. He lowered himself to the floor. Slowly, with the greatest certainty, he took his position, preparing himself for the battle ahead. And he did so from the only place he knew how to fight...on his knees.
This was a really sweet story about the battle of religious freedom and the importance of family!
This was the first of Karen Kingsbury's books I've read, and it was heartfelt in the way I expected. I appreciated how this author took something that happens quite a lot in this day and age and made it into an inspirational story. Nowadays, so many Christians are persecuted because of their faith, and this was a message to all the readers that we need to take our place at right hand of the throne of God and fight.
Though I enjoyed In This Moment, I don't think I enjoyed it to the max. The writing was kind of like the sugar amount in a Starbucks coffee- almost a sickly sweet. I guess if you like this kind of writing that's overflowing with happiness, you would probably give this book 5 stars, but I'm a reader that enjoys complexity and depth. I'm definitely not saying that this book was bad because of it; I just thought it was too simple.
It was also pretty predictable, but that doesn't necessarily take away its message. I feel like those who are more familiar with the Baxter family would have liked this book more than me, since it was annoying in a way when all these other characters kept showing up out of nowhere, and it was like we were supposed to already know them. An author's note in the back said that these books can be read in any order, but if anyone wanted to read this book, I might recommend starting with whichever was the first.
The main characters in this book aren't the Baxters, however. This story revolves around a principal's struggle to save his school- and also to express the freedom of religion. That aspect of this book I really liked- how the principal, Wendell Quinn, was such a great image of God, and how he kept his family together throughout his fight.
If you like these types of stories, I would recommend movies like God's Not Dead, God's Not Dead 2, I Can Only Imagine, War Room, Fireproof, and Courageous.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts." (Psalm 28:7).
December 1, 2018
In this moment
Luke has been one of my favorite Baxters sonce the start so I was excited for this and it did not disappoint.
Wendell starts a bible club at his school and gets sued. He is the principal and needs to be professional and bringing God voluntarily into schools is a no no to nonbelievers. So when all seems lost the name Luke Baxter comes to mind and Luke is determined to help Wendell but this suit will be an uphill battle and one they possibly wont be able to win.
I adored this!
Luke has been one of my favorite Baxters sonce the start so I was excited for this and it did not disappoint.
Wendell starts a bible club at his school and gets sued. He is the principal and needs to be professional and bringing God voluntarily into schools is a no no to nonbelievers. So when all seems lost the name Luke Baxter comes to mind and Luke is determined to help Wendell but this suit will be an uphill battle and one they possibly wont be able to win.
I adored this!
April 29, 2018
"The Constitution guarantees us freedom of religion. Which means the kids at Hamilton High have a choice to pursue the Christian faith...or not."
"You have to stand for something, or you will fall for anything."
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook IN THIS MOMENT authored by Karen Kingsbury and read by January LaVoy and Kirby Heyborne. It is the first book I have read in The BAXTER FAMILY Collection, but not the first one written. Apparently they are all standalone books.
Wendell Quinn, public high school principal, is sued for starting an after-school Bible study called Raise the Bar. Because of Raise the Bar, Wendell lost the love of his life, but he refuses to stop the program. Hamilton High has seen a dramatic decrease in drug abuse, violence, and teen pregnancies since the afternoon Bible Studies began. The lawsuit threatens to put an end to Raise the Bar and all the favourable results.
Luke Baxter, a lawyer specializing in religious freedom cases, takes on the fight of his life when he agrees to be Wendell Quinn's lawyer. The fight is about more than statistics, better student life and improved test scores. It is about religious liberty and protecting faith, family and freedom.
IN THIS MOMENT is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom, the cost of the fight, and how a group of determined people might restore the meaning of faith in today's culture.
4****
"You have to stand for something, or you will fall for anything."
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook IN THIS MOMENT authored by Karen Kingsbury and read by January LaVoy and Kirby Heyborne. It is the first book I have read in The BAXTER FAMILY Collection, but not the first one written. Apparently they are all standalone books.
Wendell Quinn, public high school principal, is sued for starting an after-school Bible study called Raise the Bar. Because of Raise the Bar, Wendell lost the love of his life, but he refuses to stop the program. Hamilton High has seen a dramatic decrease in drug abuse, violence, and teen pregnancies since the afternoon Bible Studies began. The lawsuit threatens to put an end to Raise the Bar and all the favourable results.
Luke Baxter, a lawyer specializing in religious freedom cases, takes on the fight of his life when he agrees to be Wendell Quinn's lawyer. The fight is about more than statistics, better student life and improved test scores. It is about religious liberty and protecting faith, family and freedom.
IN THIS MOMENT is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom, the cost of the fight, and how a group of determined people might restore the meaning of faith in today's culture.
4****
May 8, 2018
I really wanted to enjoy this book but it was mainly me just wanting to finish it and mark it as read. The description piqued my interest but as I kept reading, I felt like it was just a fairy tale, with everything just so sickeningly sweet. I hate to say that because I've enjoyed other Karen Kingsbury books but this one just left a bad taste in my mouth. To begin with most principals and teachers won't date or be allowed to date, of course Alicia transfers to another school but only because she fear repercussions to her career if she stands behind Wendell and his Bible study. When the Bible study starts, student Cami, who hates Christianity goes so she can get facts to use against him, instead she immediately gives her life to Christ. Fast forward, students begin giving their lives to Christ (which I'm not knocking and is fantastic!) and then miracles start happening - parents are cured of cancer, and so on.
As a Christian and reader of the Bible, Christ tells us we're going to have trouble, being a Christian isn't all rainbows and sunshine. Ask me, I'm a Christian and became a widow with three children at 36 years old. This book though just has everything going well for all the Christian characters, well except for the young man who is killed in a gang fight, but of course he's in Heaven because he was baptized a few weeks before. Alicia's anxiety is suddenly cured and she goes off her medication - as a social worker and someone who has worked in the mental health field and also deals with anxiety - anxiety is rarely cured as efficiently and quickly as Alicia's was in the book.
Wendell wins the lawsuit brought against him because the dad who brought it also has a come to Jesus moment and realizes that not all Christians are like his ex-wife who cheats with a man she meets at church and leaves her family - but only after attempting suicide by sleeping pills. Even Luke Baxter who is spending too much time at the office is 'cured' of his workaholic attitude by his wife throwing him a surprise birthday party. I felt this book had a lot that could have been more fleshed out but fell flat and almost like I had walked into a sermon with a lot of politics thrown in.
As a Christian and reader of the Bible, Christ tells us we're going to have trouble, being a Christian isn't all rainbows and sunshine. Ask me, I'm a Christian and became a widow with three children at 36 years old. This book though just has everything going well for all the Christian characters, well except for the young man who is killed in a gang fight, but of course he's in Heaven because he was baptized a few weeks before. Alicia's anxiety is suddenly cured and she goes off her medication - as a social worker and someone who has worked in the mental health field and also deals with anxiety - anxiety is rarely cured as efficiently and quickly as Alicia's was in the book.
Wendell wins the lawsuit brought against him because the dad who brought it also has a come to Jesus moment and realizes that not all Christians are like his ex-wife who cheats with a man she meets at church and leaves her family - but only after attempting suicide by sleeping pills. Even Luke Baxter who is spending too much time at the office is 'cured' of his workaholic attitude by his wife throwing him a surprise birthday party. I felt this book had a lot that could have been more fleshed out but fell flat and almost like I had walked into a sermon with a lot of politics thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2017
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review so...
I honestly loved this book.
"Those who stand for nothing will fall for everything."
I've fallen in love over the Baxter Family in the twenty-some books that I have read. This one was a great new edition addressing a controversial issue in today's society. How should one address God in public? Karen Kingsbury answers that question with a captivating story that fans are going to love.
I really liked this one and will be looking forward to her next book in the Baxter series.
I recommend this book for all readers
I honestly loved this book.
"Those who stand for nothing will fall for everything."
I've fallen in love over the Baxter Family in the twenty-some books that I have read. This one was a great new edition addressing a controversial issue in today's society. How should one address God in public? Karen Kingsbury answers that question with a captivating story that fans are going to love.
I really liked this one and will be looking forward to her next book in the Baxter series.
I recommend this book for all readers
September 30, 2017
I have worked my way through the entire 20-something books in the Baxter series this year with anticipation of getting to this one. Only to be disappointed. The story felt forced and feature too little Baxter family. It seemed like such a let down after enjoying the early years of this series. *I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
December 13, 2018
I loved the story. It took me back to my grammar school days. When I was in the third grade we had after class Bible study, we were lead to one of the volunteers home for 45 minutes we pray and talked about the bible stories. We were returned to the school and our parents would pick us up. I miss those days!!
June 25, 2021
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by this author, but as always, she weaves a story that pulls you in and makes you want to keep reading. A story that reminds you of the importance of always standing for what is right and true, no matter the cost.
January 6, 2019
Hamilton High was at an all time low. Suicide, drugs, gangs, and teenage pregnancy was continuing to grow. Principal Wendell Quinn was desperate to change his student's lives. He formed a voluntary after school club which he named Raising the Bar. There he introduced his students to God, prayer, and the Bible. Within a year the school made miraculous changes for the better. However, one irate parent was furious and decided to sue Quinn. Wendell hired Luke Baxter, a religious freedom fighter, as his lawyer to defend him. This book gave me much to think about. Teens are longing for more than what society today can offer. The world desperately needs Christ. Persecution and intolerance of Christianity is on the rise. It is extremely important to pray so we can continue to have religious freedom. This book was also a terrific reminder that God is always in control no matter how difficult our circumstances are.
August 27, 2017
I enjoyed the characters--both Wendell Quinn and catching up with the Baxters. I've worked in education 16 years, so I found several things unrealistic, but overall, it was a quick read on an interesting topic.
I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
July 19, 2021
~ Audiobook Review ~
I enjoyed this story and my first Baxter family book! I look forward to getting to know more of this family! I enjoyed the story, especially the way the characters aren’t exempt from real life suffering, it made the book very realistic.
Characters: The main character is Wendell Quinn, a principle at a high school who is sued for leading a voluntary Bible club after school.
As far as the Baxter family, this book is mostly focused on Luke & Reagan Baxter, though many other Baxter’s are included in multiple chapters.
Series: This is book two of The Baxter Family series. This series is a collection of stand alone novels and said to be readable in any order. There is a chapter (my audiobook placed it at the end of the book) that brings you upto date with the Baxter family, giving a brief history and ages of each of them so that you don’t have to go back and read all the 20+ other books. But after a glimpse of the Baxters in this book, I actually think I would like to go back and meet them in the original series!
Content: I really loved the strong Christian themes & characters with personal and growing relationships with God. The characters in the book experience very real life, life was not candy coated just because it’s fictional, some of that in this book are: Murder, suicide, drugs, shootings, stalking, anxiety, workaholic.
Audio Performance: 6/10
A dual narration, the female narrator narrated the female characters chapters and the male narrated the male character chapters (though the chapters were written in third person) I wasn’t a fan of the sound of the male narrators voice, I found it slightly distracting when he did female voices. But still found myself enjoying the audiobook. It was a fully voiced performance (meaning the narrators put on different voices for each character)
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Narrators: January LaVoy & Kirby Heyborne
Length: 10hrs 25mins (Unabridged)
Released: 7th November 2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Platform: Scribd
I enjoyed this story and my first Baxter family book! I look forward to getting to know more of this family! I enjoyed the story, especially the way the characters aren’t exempt from real life suffering, it made the book very realistic.
Characters: The main character is Wendell Quinn, a principle at a high school who is sued for leading a voluntary Bible club after school.
As far as the Baxter family, this book is mostly focused on Luke & Reagan Baxter, though many other Baxter’s are included in multiple chapters.
Series: This is book two of The Baxter Family series. This series is a collection of stand alone novels and said to be readable in any order. There is a chapter (my audiobook placed it at the end of the book) that brings you upto date with the Baxter family, giving a brief history and ages of each of them so that you don’t have to go back and read all the 20+ other books. But after a glimpse of the Baxters in this book, I actually think I would like to go back and meet them in the original series!
Content: I really loved the strong Christian themes & characters with personal and growing relationships with God. The characters in the book experience very real life, life was not candy coated just because it’s fictional, some of that in this book are: Murder, suicide, drugs, shootings, stalking, anxiety, workaholic.
Audio Performance: 6/10
A dual narration, the female narrator narrated the female characters chapters and the male narrated the male character chapters (though the chapters were written in third person) I wasn’t a fan of the sound of the male narrators voice, I found it slightly distracting when he did female voices. But still found myself enjoying the audiobook. It was a fully voiced performance (meaning the narrators put on different voices for each character)
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Narrators: January LaVoy & Kirby Heyborne
Length: 10hrs 25mins (Unabridged)
Released: 7th November 2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Platform: Scribd
May 25, 2018
This was yet another fantastic book written by Karen Kingsbury. This book definitely did not disappoint.
What I Liked: This author's characters are always so well developed. I love every single one that I'm supposed to like and I always love the message of redemption that seems to underlie all of her books regardless of what the main message is in the story.
Okay, one my favorite parts of the story was from Reagan's, (Luke's wife) point of view. Her POV wasn't the biggest part of the story by any means, but I can't tell you how refreshing it was for me to read about a wife who chose to love her husband when she had opportunities to justifiably say something when his work schedule became too much and she felt he was neglecting his family. Reagan chose the higher road to love her husband through that season and trusted that God would convict her husband. That was so encouraging to see.
Now, on to the main focus in this story. Wendell Quinn is facing a lawsuit against his leading a voluntary Bible study program in a public school. I really enjoyed how this character always strove to believe and trust in God and choose the positive. He was willing to count the cost of what would happen if he tried to raise the bar for the students in his school and it was quite neat to see his faith in action.
Luke Baxter. I so enjoyed getting to read a story from his POV, as well. He followed what he felt the Lord would have him do. I also appreciate how this author portrayed his tender heart for his family and how he tried to become a better husband and father. So as not to spoil anything in the story, I will just say what bumped this story up to 5 stars for me was how well Luke represented Wendell Quinn in the trial and how Luke kept his focus and trust on the Lord, not himself. He didn't take any glory for any victories he experienced. He was always looking up to the Lord.
Alicia Harris, Jordy, (Wendell's son) and Cami were all very relatable characters and were very well written. I liked how they grew in their faith throughout the story. The story with Cami's father was also very interesting and turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the story toward the end.
What I Didn't Like: I don't think anything major stood out to me that I disliked about this book.
I give this book 5 stars for another excellently told story by Karen Kingsbury with a strong Christian message. I applaud this author for boldly taking a stand on God's Word.
What I Liked: This author's characters are always so well developed. I love every single one that I'm supposed to like and I always love the message of redemption that seems to underlie all of her books regardless of what the main message is in the story.
Okay, one my favorite parts of the story was from Reagan's, (Luke's wife) point of view. Her POV wasn't the biggest part of the story by any means, but I can't tell you how refreshing it was for me to read about a wife who chose to love her husband when she had opportunities to justifiably say something when his work schedule became too much and she felt he was neglecting his family. Reagan chose the higher road to love her husband through that season and trusted that God would convict her husband. That was so encouraging to see.
Now, on to the main focus in this story. Wendell Quinn is facing a lawsuit against his leading a voluntary Bible study program in a public school. I really enjoyed how this character always strove to believe and trust in God and choose the positive. He was willing to count the cost of what would happen if he tried to raise the bar for the students in his school and it was quite neat to see his faith in action.
Luke Baxter. I so enjoyed getting to read a story from his POV, as well. He followed what he felt the Lord would have him do. I also appreciate how this author portrayed his tender heart for his family and how he tried to become a better husband and father. So as not to spoil anything in the story, I will just say what bumped this story up to 5 stars for me was how well Luke represented Wendell Quinn in the trial and how Luke kept his focus and trust on the Lord, not himself. He didn't take any glory for any victories he experienced. He was always looking up to the Lord.
Alicia Harris, Jordy, (Wendell's son) and Cami were all very relatable characters and were very well written. I liked how they grew in their faith throughout the story. The story with Cami's father was also very interesting and turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the story toward the end.
What I Didn't Like: I don't think anything major stood out to me that I disliked about this book.
I give this book 5 stars for another excellently told story by Karen Kingsbury with a strong Christian message. I applaud this author for boldly taking a stand on God's Word.
December 5, 2017
Here’s some Christian fiction that really made me think. Quinn is a public school principal, and he is questioned over and over when he decides to host a voluntary Bible study after school in order to provide some structure and direction to his students. His reputation is at stake, his relationships are threatened, and his job is on the line.
I liked the law aspect that made this book a kind of cross between John Grisham and women’s Christian fiction. I also liked the juxtaposition of the different types of dads and their relationships with their children. Kingsbury does a wonderful job writing families, though I wasn’t as impressed with the romance plot line. Quinn was a true protagonist, meeting with conflict throughout the story and accumulating secondary characters along the way who either helped or hindered his cause. Reading about Quinn’s struggles made me question my motivations, my willingness to take risks, and whether my walk in faith is even close to enough of a good example for others on this journey.
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/12/0...
I liked the law aspect that made this book a kind of cross between John Grisham and women’s Christian fiction. I also liked the juxtaposition of the different types of dads and their relationships with their children. Kingsbury does a wonderful job writing families, though I wasn’t as impressed with the romance plot line. Quinn was a true protagonist, meeting with conflict throughout the story and accumulating secondary characters along the way who either helped or hindered his cause. Reading about Quinn’s struggles made me question my motivations, my willingness to take risks, and whether my walk in faith is even close to enough of a good example for others on this journey.
https://randombookmuses.com/2017/12/0...
April 24, 2018
How far would you go to protect your religious rights and the rights of others? Wendell Quinn is a high school principal in a high school where gang violence, low test scores and teen pregnancy are rampant. He does his research over one summer break and decides to start a voluntary after-school club/program for Bible study. Within a year, statistics show that improvement is being made one student at a time. Until….the father of one student notifies the press and files a lawsuit. Wendell is defended by a young lawyer whose family is well rooted in the Christian faith. Interesting look at the Second Amendment interpretation. Found the motto of the high school very interesting (Hamilton High) from Alexander Hamilton: “If you don’t stand for anything, you fall for everything”. How true!
January 12, 2018
I have been a KK fan ever since I read the first Baxter books 17 years ago. I read the mixed reviews about this book and was concerned if I would enjoy it...I Did! It is more a book about religious freedom than a romance...very thought provoking for me. I loved seeing Luke Baxter as a freedom fighter attorney. The Baxters are not the central characters in this book, they are more support roles. I loved Wendell (H) and loved the diversity KK brought to this book by making the MC African American. Wendell is an amazing, strong and godly man. A widower raising 4 children. I loved reading about his oldest son Jordy. Wendell did have a love interest and there was romance in this book (both Wendell and Jordy) but it was more about the fight for religious freedom. Highly recommend!!
January 5, 2018
another wonderful book written by Karen Kingsbury i seen a lot of mixed reviews and people who didnt like it but i have to tell you readers this book didn't disappoint me. i feel she talks about a few things that are a little more personal and maybe thats why people have issues with this book but i loved it its a must read so glad i did :)
January 11, 2018
This was a fabulous book with themes from racism, religious freedom, and faithfulness of God. I challenge any Christian to read this book, especially those teachers in public school. It was one of best Church vs. State books I have read. If you enjoyed the new God's not Dead 2, this should be your next read.
March 28, 2018
A story about religion in school and how people react to it. The principal
Of Hamilton High is sued because he started an after school Bible study
called Raise the Bar. In one year the school made great strides in all
records to Improve. Luke Baxter takes the case against Wendell Quinn and
together they fight to show people what faith can do in today’s culture.
This book is well written and contains a lot of Christian principles with hope
and faith as its center. You will love the characters and the Baxter Family.
Enjoy!
Of Hamilton High is sued because he started an after school Bible study
called Raise the Bar. In one year the school made great strides in all
records to Improve. Luke Baxter takes the case against Wendell Quinn and
together they fight to show people what faith can do in today’s culture.
This book is well written and contains a lot of Christian principles with hope
and faith as its center. You will love the characters and the Baxter Family.
Enjoy!
September 20, 2021
This book was scary at some parts to read, but also left me with hope. After reading this book, I was left with that verse: My children will perish due to a lack of knowledge.
There was so many characters in this story which thought talking about God and their faith was illegal - which kept them from speaking their faith. And I appreciated people who fight for religious freedom.
I also loved how through the law suit, God worked on the heart of the plaintiff and change them through this process. In this difficult times, we really need to keep trusting that God is in control and nothing is impossible for Him.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it.
There was so many characters in this story which thought talking about God and their faith was illegal - which kept them from speaking their faith. And I appreciated people who fight for religious freedom.
I also loved how through the law suit, God worked on the heart of the plaintiff and change them through this process. In this difficult times, we really need to keep trusting that God is in control and nothing is impossible for Him.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it.
February 17, 2022
Kingsbury’s writing came off very heavy-handed at times and I don’t believe for a minute that everyone thinks it’s illegal to read a Bible at school. (Every heard of National Bring Your Bible to School Day?)
Also, content took quite a turn about 3/4 the way through.
Tropes: N/A
Content: fatal gunshot wound, gang violence, stalker, abusive ex, shooting, suicide attempt
Also, content took quite a turn about 3/4 the way through.
Tropes: N/A
Content: fatal gunshot wound, gang violence, stalker, abusive ex, shooting, suicide attempt
January 7, 2018
Hamilton High School Principal Wendell Quinn starts a Bible Study and sees great results. Then he's hit with a lawsuit.
A national storm rage. Battle or shut down the program?
Luke Baxter, a lawyer, joins the fight.
I love anything to do with the Baxters. Add Wendell Quinn and this makes a great story. I was glued to the book from the beginning to the end. It gave me hope for this nation. Points were raised. The defense was given, nothing less than genius.
Five-stars.
A national storm rage. Battle or shut down the program?
Luke Baxter, a lawyer, joins the fight.
I love anything to do with the Baxters. Add Wendell Quinn and this makes a great story. I was glued to the book from the beginning to the end. It gave me hope for this nation. Points were raised. The defense was given, nothing less than genius.
Five-stars.
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