REJOICE, the fourth installment in the Reunion series had some definite highs, but also some lulls.Centering on yet another Baxter child, Brooke Baxter West’s once fairytale life is now nothing more than routine and lackluster. Her marriage to Peter has fallen into a dysfunctional pattern. Distance and aloofness seems to be all they have in common. But when every parent’s nightmare strikes, and their daughter, Hayley is fighting for her life, Brooke no longer focuses on her marriage. And for Peter, escapism through a drug addiction is the only way he can cope.I love serial books because characters and plots from previous books continue to play out. And since the Redemption series is based on the Baxter family, we always know what’s going on in the lives of those we’ve already gotten attached to. Ashley Baxter continues to struggle with her condition and her relationship with Landon Blake. Luke Baxter and Reagan Decker take the next step in their relationship. And as always, central to all their lives is John and Elizabeth Baxter, the strongholds of the family.REJOICE is definitely an emotion-filled read. A spectrum of circumstances color the stories surrounding the Baxters. As dramatic as most the book is, there were definite lulls. I found myself breezing through some sections, just so I could get back to the meat of the story. Overall, I am still hooked and moving on to REUNION, the last book in the series.
I love these books, I simply can't get enough of Karen Kingsbury. Doubt has a way of creeping into dark times, many times we all have doubts when things don't always go our way. Sometimes we wonder why that is but I believe it is the enemy. Luke, and Mr. Baxter have been through this and it was encouraging to see that I wasn't the only one. This book was full of great reminders to rejoice and be joyful in times of trials, this doesn't mean we're not sad or can't cry but to go through the pain with him. James 1:1-4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. Philippians 4:4-6 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
What do You think about Rejoice (2004)?
I'm having a love/hate relationship with this series. I've decided it's kind of like a soap opera. I can't help caring about the characters and wondering what's going to happen next. It's not wonderful writing, it's sometimes downright cheesy, and I even skim read a page here and there, but yet I cried my eyes out when the precious little three-year-old was found at the bottom of the pool and the battle for her life began. It's escapist fiction, and I'll be reading the last book in the series to see what happens to the Baxter family next.
—Havebooks Willread
SERIES:
—Amy (Foxy)
When tragedy hits Brooke Baxter West's family, she struggles with blaming her husband, Peter West, for what happened. Their daughter, Hayley, almost drowns at a swim party, and now she has brain damage. But what Brooke comes to find out is that God is not finished with her little girl and that she needs to rejoice in her circumstances, even though she doesn't understand.As Hayley miraculously improves some, Brooke learns to rejoice in these little improvements, believing that someday, God will restore to her the Hayley she once knew.This was such a powerful story. I loved it. I loved reading how Brooke realized that love is a decision and she needed to work at her marriage, even though Peter was unwilling. At the end, Brooke sticks beside her husband who's been struggling with drugs and desires to help him heal. Again, this was a wonderful story of forgiveness, healing, and rejoicing in even the most difficult circumstances.
—Bekah
