http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/01/Ret...A Special Note: Redemption series is Christian Fiction. I am not Christian and I have not read the Bible. So, I am not in a position to agree or disagree with the religious side of the book and my review will be solely focus on this series as a work of fiction and my point of views on the characters/situations as a third person. I do not mean to criticize or applaud any of the religious views presented through the stories.Luke Baxter is the ‘baby’ of the family. He has been in a relationship with Reagan and though they had decided not to ‘do the deed’ before their wedding night, they end up sleeping together. The next day is 9/11 and as the attack on the twin towers devastates the nation, things get personal for Luke and Reagan. Reagan having ignored her father’s call the previous night realizes that she had missed her chance at the ‘last conversation’ with her dad because the attack had claimed his life. She moves to spend some time with her mother and break her contact with Luke. Luke on the other hand not only loses his love, but unknown to him, Reagan gets pregnant from their night together. Now as Luke questions everything as he knew it, it is up to his family to have patience with him and hope that he would find his way back to them and to God. Ashley’s story continues in this book and reached new heights and lows making her too question a few things. Erin on the other hand has a secret that the family doesn’t know about.Luke hadn’t really made a good first impression with his appearance in the last novel and I was hoping to see a better version of him in this book. But my, did he test my patience or what?! Well, I am glad he did because I realized one major thing about this series. The author has drawn up some major flawed characters… and that is kind of a good thing because that is what people are in real lives. We are all flawed and we often get on people’s nerves whether we realize it or not. All the characters in this series have some major flaws and that is exactly what makes them human and real. The ‘issues’ that are brought up are also issues that people really face outside the world of fiction. And though the way Ms.Karen resolves the issues and ties-up the loose ends in the plot isn’t something I always agree with, I am happy that she at least tries to address these things. The plot remains constant with each book and so does the author’s riveting story-telling.Another couple of hours well spent in reading this third installment. I will read the other two novels if I can get my hands on them. I will not be going out of my way to procure them, however.
This book, the third in the Redemption series, is about forgiving personal mistakes and returning to those you love and the faith you belong to. In this book, the only son, Luke Baxter struggles from losing the love of his life, Reagan and along with his faith and his family. After the tragic accident of September 11th, it changes Luke's whole entire life. On the day before the attacks, Luke and Reagan were watching t.v. when the phone rang and Reagan ignored the call. If only Reagan had picked up the phone, her dad would've died with no tied strings and Luke and Reagan would've not made the biggest mistake of their lives. After this all happens, Luke loses touch with Reagan and thinks he falls in love with this free thinkers woman who believes in open relationships. He lives with her. He loses contact with everthing he ever knew. After Luke's sister, Ashley finds out that Luke has a baby that he doesn't know about with Reagan, she tells him. The ending is amazing and it shows the reader's what life is really about and how everything eventually works out.I lovedddddd this book. It really did teach me so much. It taught me how someone who is so far out of the loop, can still pull themselves back together by being whipped back into reality. The book is so realistic it made me believe that I was part of the Baxter family. I would recommend this book to anyone who believes in love, faith, and self-forgiveness.
What do You think about Return (2003)?
The baby of the Baxter family, Luke, has left his family and all he has ever believed. Can and will the 'prodigal son' return? One thing that I found to be 'painted' so clearly in this book was the fact that Luke has become a "free thinker"- think outside the box, do whatever feels right at the moment, if you want to be involved with more than one person at a time that's okay, let go of those 'archaic-religious-strangling' morals that you've been raised with. etc... Luke is adamant that his family should accept the new him and his lifestyle; but, he is totally unaccepting of them. He wants to say whatever he wants, but they are to keep their opinions to themselves. I have seen this in so many situations in life and society. Those who break away from the norm so that they can be 'free and accepting of new ideas', but are in fact very closed-minded toward anyone who doesn't agree with them. I am very curious now to finish the series. Many changes have come over the various members of the family. The underlying question stays the same, "How strong is our faith when tested?" Is our faith like a deep lake that can withstand rain and drought alike? or is it more like the temporary lake that shows up after a hard rain has overloaded the drain system- and just as quickly disappears after the storm?
—Cydnie
What a wonderful book about secound chances. Luke and his girlfriend Reagen had intended to stay pure until married. One night they went to far. Reagans father had called her and she did not answer. The next morning was September 11. It changed both of them forever. Reagan and Luke hardly spoke and were akward the next day. Reagan flew to New York to be close to her mother while they waited for word on her father. Luke turned away from his family and religion. He met a girl that did not believe in relgion and he moved in with her. She was into free love and the idea that you could have multiple lovers and never be committed to one person. Luke bought into it for almost a year. Ashley started to sell her paintings in New York. Things were going well with Landon until Ashley's past came back to haunt her. Luke finally came to his senses and went back to his family. They took him back with open arms. It was a great story that at some parts was hard to read, but wonderfully told.
—Jodi
Return is the story of Luke Baxter, the youngest of the family and also the only son of John and Elizabeth Baxter. 9/11 truly changed Luke's life forever. Now he's certain that God doesn't even exist, and if He does, He doesn't care. After attending several "free-thinking" meetings based on humanism, Luke decides that there's nothing more to this life than random coincidences. I really enjoyed this story. Luke Baxter's faith had never been tried by fire before and he firmly believed that if a person was obeying the Lord and doing everything God asks of him, then God will give him everything he wants. What he doesn't understand is that sometimes God says no.Reagan lost her father in 9/11 and she lives with regret and guilt that she didn't answer her father's phone call the night before. After hearing of Luke's bad decisions, she decides not to tell him that she's pregnant with their son. After nearly losing her life and her baby's, she struggles with deciding whether or not to tell Luke about the baby. I really liked Reagan. Even though she and Luke had made a bad decision and through the pain of losing her father, her faith held strong.I was really content with the end of this story when Luke realizes that there is a God in heaven and even if he might not completely understand why God allowed 9/11, he realizes that He does care and that there is a last day on earth for everybody.
—Bekah
