)"Sunset" is a beautifully written novel by an incredible author. Karen Kingsbury brings the Baxter Family saga to a close in this fourth novel in the series. Although it is sad to say goodbye to these beloved characters, I have read that they will make up part of the background cast in another of Kingsbury's book serieses. In this novel, Dayne and Katy are building their family - not without complications. John Baxter is moving on with his life after the death of his beloved wife - again, not without complications.

This novel reads okay as a standalone, but is so much better if you are already invested in the characters from previous stories in this series. There are some wonderful discussion questions in the back of the book for the reader to ponder or share with a reading group.

I have to admit, this book was the first Karen Kingsbury book I've ever read. And BOY, now I know why she's a bestselling author!

She writes with so much emotion, with so many emotionally vibrant pictures, with such exquisite word choices! I was crying left and right--and I enjoyed it!

Very uplifting, hopeful book. It shows God's grace and love practiced by fallen Christians during trying periods of life, through hard choices.

There are a LOT of characters in this book, and since I haven't followed the Baxter series, I was a bit confused at times and couldn't always remember who was who. But she does a good job giving subtle hints so I could figure it out within a few paragraphs.

People who have followed the Baxters will find it a very satisfying ending, pulling lots of story threads full circle. I thought she did a good job, considering how many characters and stories were involved in the series.

Overall, a very entertaining book, hard to put down. Kingsbury fans will love it, and it made a new Kingsbury fan out of me!

Dayne and Katy Matthews leave the bright lights of Hollywood to begin anew their life in Bloomington, Indiana where they plan to raise a family and to run the local Christian Kid's Theater; their first production is coming soon. While Cody Coleman fights in Iraq, Bailey Flanagan tries out for a role at the CKT while struggling with her feelings for the deployed soldier.

The family patriarch widower John Baxter and Elaine Denning are getting married. He knows he must sell the family home that ahs meant so much to everyone. However as endings occur with new beginnings, faith, love and friendship guide everyone through the dramatic upheavals of radical change.

As with the previous books in the Baxter family saga (see SOMEDAY, SUMMER and SUNRISE), redemption and faith are recurring themes inside an engaging character driven tale. The Baxters are moving on but it is not easy to leave behind the evidence of their memories though they each know the time is right to do so. Sub-genre fans will want to read Karen Kingsbury's Baxter family tales as love and faith are powerful twin engines in the hands of this superb author.

Harriet Klausner

Sunset by Karen Kingsbury is the final book in the Baxter series, tying up ongoing story lines and giving a kick-off for a new series in which the Baxters will be in the background. There are many storylines in this book, but most of them revolve around the family patriarch, John, selling the family home and remarrying. I was thoroughly impressed with how Kingbury manages to give just enough character history to make new readers feel comfortable without overwhelming previous readers. I was a new reader to this series, but after reading Sunset, even knowing how everything turns out, I absolutely can't wait to read the rest of the series. Kingsbury puts Christians into tough situations to show how God can work even in the darkest nights. One couple is struggling through adultery, another is facing a possibly dangerous pregnancy, another is still working through past trauma. In each, the love of and for God is shown beautifully. This is a family you want to be part of for life!

With the support of their faith and family, Sunset details the trails and tribulations of a family who has lost their mother/wife. With a heavy heart John Baxter realizes that he must sell the family home. The home where with his wife they raised their children and had many happy memories. John asks each of his children if they would like to buy the house but they all decline the offer for various reasons. I don't want to say too much and give away any parts of the story. But I will say that there are a lot of twists and turns in the story to keep it interesting.
My regret is that this is the first book of the Baxter family series that I have read. Now I need to go back to the very first story. I look forward to it.

This is the 14th book that Karen Kingsbury has written in which have the Baxter clan in them. I suggest starting with the first novel reading them all. If I could title this book any other name it would be Forgiveness. Kari has to deal with forgiving someone from her past and helping that person heal. To fully understand Kari's story you have to start reading from the beginning although Karen does offer a Cliff notes version of what happened. Also, Luke and Reagon have to deal with forgiving her other from the incident that started all their problems.

There are some nice unexpected surprises that happen to one of the Baxter siblings at the end of the book. Often I am tempted to flip to the back of the book and read the last few pages. Don't do that. It will ruin the twists and surprises. You will not regret reading this book. I am thrilled to hear that this is not the last we will hear from the Baxters. She is writing a new series of books about a different family who will be moving to Bloomington, the town where the Baxters live which means we will get updates on what is happening in thier lives. You won't regret reading this novel if you have come to love the Baxters like they were real people.