FAME is the first book in the Firstborn series, which follows the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury.Dayne Matthews, Hollywood heartthrob, whom we briefly met in REUNION, is captivated by Katy Hart. Katy is a director of children’s theater that Dayne stumbled across while he was in Bloomington, Indiana. Though their meeting was brief and one-sided, for whatever reason he can’t seem to get her out of his mind. When he returns to Hollywood and is cast in a new romantic comedy, the only woman he can picture to play his leading lady is Katy. After digging into her background, and finding out she was once an actress before a director of children’s theater, he convinces the casting director to give her a call. Dayne’s infatuation with Katy is of overwhelming proportions. His mind wanders constantly about how it would be if they became more than co-stars. His fear–the Hollywood lifestyle will scare her off, and the down home, wholesome, Katy will never be able to see past his tabloid, playboy image. Katy Hart cannot believe what is happening to her. One day she is casting the roles for her children’s theater, and the next, she is being contacted by a Hollywood casting director wanting her to test for an upcoming movie starring none other than Dayne Matthews, Hollywood’s own Don Juan. Though she is convinced it is some kind of joke or a mistake, Katy follows agrees to fly to Hollywood to do a reading. The electricity she feels with Dayne Matthews is immediate. And soon, Katy feels the struggle of wanting to reach for her dream, and the fear of being drawn into a lifestyle diametrically opposed to her conservative values.I could not wait to read FAME. I’ve had it since its original release in 2005 but never found the time to read it. When the series, starting with the Redemption series from Karen Kingsbury continued to expand, I fell further behind. So, it was with much anticipation I began to read. Sometimes that kind of anticipation leaves you wanting. I would not say I was disappointed, but I did find myself breezing over some of the longer sections written from the authorial view, and would speed through the sections that did not center on Katy and Dayne. Ms. Kingsbury took her time in developing the story between Katy and Dayne, but all too soon, it came to an abrupt end. I was a little disappointed with the ending, feeling as if too many frayed ends were left exposed. I can only hope that FORGIVEN, the second book in the series, ties up some of those ends without it becoming more drawn out. I am all for suspense, and leaving the reader dangling, but not so much when the filler used to extend the story is not as intriguing.
I absolutly love this book. It is my favorite book in the whole world. I read it twice and couldn't put it down! I think that this book has elements for everyone to read about. Its got love, some mystery, and of course action. Fame, by Karen Kingsbury is a story based on two people from opposite worlds, meet, then fall in love. At first it isn't love though. Actor Dayne Matthews might be coming on a little strong for small town girl Katy Hart. Dayne is used to all the ladies wanting to be with him but Katy is standing off a bit. He doesn't get why. Until he finds out that she is a Christian. He finally understands why she isn't wanting to kiss him. While Dayne is falling head over heels for Katy something else is going on. A stalker is following Dayne, this isn't only a threat to Dayne but to Katy to. This makes Katy nerveous, she wants to go home, but she had to stay and finish her work in Los Angeles. Dayne took Katy out for dinner and after their get together they went to a private beach. Dayne thought this was a perfect time to kiss Katy. So they kissed. One thing Dayne didn't know is that the stalker was going to come out and threaten to kill Katy. Well once the kiss was over, she attaked. Panicking, Dayne called 9-1-1. The police arrived in time to stop the crazy person from slitting Katy's throught. Shaken up by all of this Katy leaves to go back to Bloomington. Dayne is upset, he had to follow her back to Blommington. That's where the book ends. I couldn't stop reading it there. So I found out it was a series and finished the whole series. I love this series (especially) this book, and recommend it to people of age 11 and up. This is such a great book and I hope everyone likes it.
What do You think about Fame (2005)?
My mom talked me into reading these books (yes, all of them) because they take place in Bloomington, Indiana. I, however, didn't realize that Bloomington, Indiana was Christian paradise, or at least it was depicted so in these books which more closely resemble an evangelical soap opera. Karen Kingsbury seems to subscribe to rather bipolar theology where terrible things happen to every single character in the books (murder, suicide, terminal illness, abortion, etc.), but luckily they pray about it and live happily ever after. Two women in the books are married to pro football players, and one marries America's favorite movie star, because that's what happens to everyone, right? I think these books have gone way past "fiction enough to be enjoyable" to " Christianized harlequin romance novels for discontent middle aged women."
—Becca Nelson
I have a little something against Karen Kingsbury. Thats my disclaimer! All her book synopsis's just sound like scripts from a bad tv drama. With that said, this series was the first series of hers that I felt interested in reading. The synopsis is great, it's just the execution. It's that way with all her books, for me. They are like soap opera reading. The fame series is not a believable portrayal of a celebrity. Its way to cookie cutter. I almost feel horrible saying this too, because I know how many woman love her stories. I just can't get beyond the fluff, the cheesiness, the unrealistic way the characters spoke + acted. It was just sad.
—Kelli
Karen Kingsbury has a gift for writing stories that make you fall in love with the characters. The Baxter family is real, they have struggles and faith to get them through it, and they are lovable. This particular story focuses on Dayne Matthews, the unknown firstborn of the Baxter family. I enjoyed this book greatly and think it is the start to yet another epic tale.I wanted to give it five stars, but to be honest, it dragged in places. This isn't really a fault because of the type of story. But I just felt I couldn't give it a perfect rating.
—Rachel Carpenter
