Above the Line Series: Take One / Take Two / Take Three / Take Four

Above the Line #1-4

by Karen Kingsbury

Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison set out to do the impossible! They're determined to produce independent films with a world-changing message starring top talents---all without the support of the Hollywood "machine." Will they be able to fulfill their dream---or will it become nothing more than a quest for fame? 352 pages each, four slipcased softcovers from Zondervan.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Inspirational

1056 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2010

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.

See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Reviews

[Jennifer Hemperly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew asked me what this series was about and when I told him he got so excited because he thought it was a true story. It would be 100% better if it was a true story, so maybe it has or will inspire someone to become like the main characters! They lived and served in the jungle in Indo for over a decade together with their families, and then felt God call them to Hollywood to make movies for Jesus. If you know Andrew, you can see why he got so excited.

I enjoyed this series and thought it dealt with really hard topics such as abortion and suicide really well. It was slightly cheesy at some points, but I love the idea of the story too much to be mad at good old Karen. I want Christian’s to read fiction like this and feel inspired to go into their workplaces and share Jesus the way these characters do, and even more and better bc this is fiction and God is so much bigger and greater than we can imagine! It’s the normal Christian life and it’s inspiring to read about, even when it’s fiction

[Lyndee DeBolt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favorite of Karen Kingsbury's work. This must have been a spin-off series, because of the lack of back story on the Baxters. And what confused me before I figured that out was that the Baxters were minor characters until the third book. I'm glad that I read them in this volume, but was still disappointed because I like books in a series to be stand alone, and these are not. But the fourth book did tie up most ends (but not all).

[S.T. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got addicted to this series! I loved it, especially the first few books. *Spoiler* One of the producers ends up not being in the final books which I was a little disappointed about. Other than that, I loved Andi the most and her struggle was interesting to see in these books as well as Bailey Flanighan. I loved her character. Some people might think she’s a little too much of a goody goody but I appreciate her honesty and there’s nothing wrong with being a goody goody!

[Miranda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay I've read 7 Kingsbury books out of the seven, four of them were the Above the Line Series. I personally did not like this series at all because I read The Love Story (The Baxter Family) before this series during Christmas, so it absolutely ruined it for me! It was torture reading through the books when I just wanted the Cody and Andi ship to sail!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what can I say! Karen Kingsbury is one of my favourite authors. When this series went on offer for ebooks I grabbed it!
Wasn't too sure of the first book initially but glad I kept reading, it got better and better. Quite emotional in parts. A great faith building series. Can't wait to read the next books in this Flanagan/Baxter series.

[Margaret Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing series! Did not disappoint

Once again Karen Kingsbury did not disappoint with her series. I laughed and cried with each book! I’m so glad I picked these up. I read all 4 books in 2 days. They were so hard to put down. I stayed up all night reading book 3 (thank goodness I’m retired)!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were heartrending, making you upset and then sad, then happy and crying! These are the best of the Baxter series that I have read so far.
You welcome the Flannigan family in full force, and the making of Christian movies, the turning to God of lives, lots of praying, talking to God, and Bible verses!
Thank you so much Karen Kingsbury for more wonderful, moving books!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is an adventure

Wonderful read! Characters well developed & real. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry but you be sorry you read this series. The heart of life in this book is God; how much He loves us & wants to give us a “future & a hope”.

[Shelly Mortimer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the audio. I am a Christian, but this book took it to the extreme. I've never heard anyone speak to others the way the author had her characters speaking to each other. I mean, I'm glad there was no bad language, but she took it to the extreme the other direction. The story line was ok.

[Barbara Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touch's my heart!

When I started this collection, I was not sure if I wanted to read these, but as I continued reading I would not stop. This a great series and I will keep on going because each story has touched my heart and made my faith stronger!

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I'd read a Karen Kingsbury book, and wasn't impressed at all. I don't even remember the name of it. Another one a few years ago didn't impress me either. However, this set was GREAT! The spiritual content is very well done, I liked the characters, and want to read more!

[Sandra Horstmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series very much. The thing that I loved/hated about it is that it leaves the reader hanging at the end of each book with a question "what happened with.....?" I thought of it as a Christian soap opera.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have been a Kingsbury reader in the past but found this series to be a little light for me at this point in my reading. Actually only made it through one and two. Just couldn't devote the time to finish the other two. Typical Kingsbury style but just not what I needed right now.

[Bonnie N. Frunz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

Loved the people, their struggles, and their victories. Read the 4 Baxter "books" as one because when each stopped didn't seem like a true conclusion. Even with the final of the 4, it left some unresolved issues. That's the reason for the rating of 4.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Karen Kingsburys books. Once I start reading I can't stop!

[Kristen Lutito · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this series. I love the Baxter Family.

[June D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a while to get into this series but once I did, I couldn’t stop. It was easy to get involved in the characters’ lives. A very inspiring, uplifting series.

[Jennifer Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series.

[Joi Heston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

It was an easy read and captivating. I would suggest for everyone. Especially college age girls who could be faciing a similar issue.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good set of books to have.

[Shirley Yuhasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nook box set Take One. Chase Ryan & Keith Ellison, left mission work, started a Christian movie production of "The Last Letter"". Baxter family much involved. Setting Bloomington, IN. Take Two, Kendall Adams & Father much involved in movie adventure, financial difficulty, takes them out of the endeavor. Take Three, Andi Ellison gets pregnant, Bailey Baxter confused about love life, Chase dropped out of movie adventure. Dayne & wife join in production details of movie, "Unlocked" with Keith & young actor Brandon Paul. Much activity! Take Four. Bailey lead in "Unlocked" with Brandon Paul, who is trouble, Cody`s Mom in jail, Benny, drug dealer threatened them. Andi made decision on adopting family. Bailey & Cody broke up, another series on that.

[Julie Brittingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this series of books! You read one and go right into the next!!!

[Dawn lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite writers

[Naomi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series!!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few books by Karen Kingsbury and enjoyed them.

I just finished reading the this series. This series did keep my attention and I confess, a few times the books were moving so slow I did cheat, and look ahead! LOL
I enjoy how she has the L-rd encouraging her characters. Also, Jeremiah 29:11 did suit this book!

I do love books that are in a series. Getting to know each character and how they grow and mistakes they make. I have to say that "Andi," was a cute character only SO predictable. The ending of the 4th book when it came to her character was truly beautiful. I really wanted to give this series a 3.5 only could not do that on the rating stars. This book was enjoyable and a very quick read.

I will recommend this book and this author to others. Really appreciate her books about turning to the L-rd always. Also, her scriptures and the importance of being open to serving the L-rd daily. We never know when someone will cross our path that needs to know the L-rd, or needs encouragement in their situation. True, we are always to point them to our Heavenly Abba.

[Lesia Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kingsbury works are uplifthing. Kingsbury takes you on a journey that you never want to end.
Through her writing, she shares words of encouragement as her characters struggle to overccome obstacle or loss of a love one. Kingsbury reminds us that love in our hearts is stronger than the
evil outside of us. She shows in her works that we cannot prevent tragedies from occuring, but we can control our response or reaction. Kingsbury reminds us that God who is in control has the final word.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself a little bored and annoyed with this series. I felt the storylines bounced around and were a little unbelievable. I think Ms. Kingsbury should have taken a break from the Baxters before starting up with this series. Her stand alone titles that came out around the same time were good but these books failed in comparison.

[Elise Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

They started out nicely, but by the end I was done with some of the characters and their inability to communicate. It just seemed like the author was dragging their story out so she could write more books.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series very good meant to be read one after the other. Story continues through the three books-looking forward to Take Four!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series. I am waiting the next series. Bailey Flangin