A Baxter Family Christmas

A Baxter Family Christmas is a sweet clean read. A beautiful book to snuggle up with in front of the fireplace, the Christmas lights twinkling in the background, while you sip on a warm mug of hot cocoa (or my favorite… Russian tea). It is like reading a Hallmark movie. FYI… I mean that in the very best sense. I love Hallmark movies! Surprisingly, for as long as I have been reading Christian fiction, I have never read one of the books about the Baxter family. The odds of my having read one seem high since there are 25 books about the Baxters. Yep, 25 books (and it keeps on growing)! Yet somehow I completely missed out. My unfamiliarity with the Baxters didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story at all. What it did was peak my interest in them. Maybe it is time for me to begin delving further into their story. If you want to join me, I have the Baxter family story, told throughout a number of series, listed out in order at the bottom of my post. It should keep you busy for awhile ;). I must send up a snow flurry to mess with this cozy scene. Like many other stories in this genre, Karen Kingsbury’s characters are just a wee bit too perfect. Everything that the characters want to have happened, happens. This Christmas gift is packaged just a bit too perfectly. Even so, I would recommend reading A Baxter Family Christmas (as long as you don't have a tendency to hold yourself up to fictional characters and then find yourself wanting... the author perfected them before placing them on the page... your author is perfecting you day by day). “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” — Hebrews 10:14 NIV “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Phillippians 3:12-14 Merry Christmas! As a reviewer for NetGalley, I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher.

Two years have passed since the car accident that took the lives of Sam and Erin Baxter Hogan and three of their four daughters. Erin’s father, John Baxter has invited a stranger for Christmas Eve dinner—Kendra Bryant, the recipient of Erin’s heart. The family is divided about meeting Kendra and some say they’ll miss Christmas so they don’t have to meet her. At the same time, Maddie West, daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. I’m going to write this review to two different groups of readers. 1 - Readers who have read all of the Baxter books before and 2 - Readers who are being introduced to the Baxter family for the first time. Group 1, you're up first. I’m a member of this group since I’ve read all 23 books that precede this one. What bothered me about this book were actions taken by some of the characters that I found unbelievable. These actions didn’t make the Baxters feel like the characters that I’ve grown to love. Then there were details and portions of the storyline that didn’t match up with previous books. I don’t want to say much more than that for fear of spoilers but as a reader of the Baxter books I was a little disappointed about these elements of the story. It hurts me to say but this book was a 3-star read because of the above-mentioned. If it wasn't for Erin’s surviving daughter, Amy it would have remained a 3-star book. However, each time Amy was involved I sniffled my way through that scene. Her heartbreak became my heartbreak. Amy and the emotions I felt for her made this book for me. Karen always manages to pull at my heart-strings and she did that with Amy. I also enjoyed seeing Maddie at age 18. Group 1, you'll remember Maddie and what happened to her sister, Hayley. At the time of the incident it wasn't explored how Maddie felt back then. I liked seeing Maddie now trying to deal with the trauma of that event. In conclusion Group 1, look for something special at the end of the book. I believe lovers of the Baxters will enjoy it. Group 2, you’re next. The things I mentioned above probably won’t bother you because you won’t have the in-depth background Group 1 has with the Baxter family. I think you’ll enjoy this read and want to go back and read the previous books, which I highly recommend you do. But don’t worry! You can absolutely read this book without reading the others. A Baxter Family Christmas begins with an introduction to the family … Who is who, how old they are, who their kids are etc. You’ll simply want to read the rest of the books to fill in the greater details of storylines mentioned here. In the end reader friends, this is a really quick read (less than 2 hours total reading time according to my Kindle). It's a good way to pass an afternoon snuggled up in your favorite reading spot. While there were instances when I wanted more, ultimately I believe old fans of the Baxters or new will enjoy this book. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.

A Baxter Family Christmas is Karen Kingsbury’s newest addition to the Baxter Family Series and it’s another work of a master author. It’s been two years since a horrible car accident took the lives of Erin Baxter, the youngest daughter of John Baxter, her husband and 3 of their 4 children. As the holidays approach, John Baxter wants to invite Kendra Bryant, the woman who received Erin’s heart following the accident, to Christmas dinner with the Baxter family. The announcement is received by the family with mixed feelings especially Ashley and her brother Luke. They want to protect Erin’s surviving daughter Amy. They also know that Kendra and her husband are atheists and have an unhappy marriage. However, John pushes ahead thinking this is what Erin would want. Kendra is troubled. Her marriage to Moe seems to be on the rocks and she doesn’t know how to save it. But after being in contact with John Baxter, she begins to question her beliefs and why she was given a second chance at life. There is also Maddie West, daughter of Brooke Baxter, who prays for a special Christmas miracle for her sister. Karen Kingsbury tells a beautiful, heart-warming Christmas story of two families coming together after a tragedy to celebrate their strong belief in God, family, and reconciliation. What makes the story so special is Karen Kingsbury’s writing. The Baxter family comes alive and could be anyone’s family complete with hurt feelings and misunderstandings. However, throughout all is the theme of God’s constant love and unwavering faith. It’s a feel good story and a perfect way to celebrate the Birth of Christ without a heavy does of commercialism. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Howard Books

Though this is the first in a new series. It's book 22 about the Baxter's if you're a fan, a family to love and share once again, especially at Christmas time. Been two years since the tragedy that took Erin, and her heart was given to Kendra. This story is about Kendra, a non believer, and John invited her for Christmas.Telling the family he thought it was important for them, but more so for Kendra. How can they turn down Dad's request, a man who loves everybody. Tearful joy as Kendra shares her gifts, she brought.a wooden carving " the heart remembers" will bring a few tears to the readers As will the other gifts, especially for Amy. As well as Kendra saying" what mattered to Erin, now does her. Erin faith in God. A delightful story, continuing on with the Baxter's. Given ARC by Net Galley for my honest opinion.