Sunrise: The Baxter Family, Sunrise Series (Book 1) Clean, Contemporary Christian Fiction

It was wonderful to see their dream coming together and then seeing it all fall into place! The wedding was like seeing a fairy tale come to life! I could feel their fears and anticipation throughout the book. I wish there could have been more details about Katy's parents.I looked to see who she would have as bridesmaids but there were none, only the mention of those she was close to as Katy dresses for the wedding. Seeing Bailey Flanagan coming to the surface as a main character for future books? Good read! Onto SUMMER, book 2.

I enjoyed Sunrise immensely, probably because I became familiar with Dayne and Katy in Kingsbury's book Fame. While Kingsbury does a great job slipping in the back story a little bit at a time, sometimes it's just not as good as reading it for yourself. I loved Fame and I loved Sunrise. (Nothing like going straight to the wedding.) Actually, there were four books after Fame that led up to this point, so if you like soap opera drama in the sense that every book makes you crave the next "episode" then you'll love Sunrise as a prelude to the exciting things yet to come. The wedding scene was also the most beautiful and romantic that I've ever read. You can't help but love Dayne and Katy and want great things to happen in their lives. Especially after getting a feel for all that they went through even without reading the previous books. Their love is rich and deep and based on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Kingsbury is unabashedly Christian in that respect. She always emphasizes the importance of salvation in the lives of her characters. I love that. The subplot regarding the perils of drinking and driving was well done as was the budding romance between the senior Baxter, John, and his long-time friend, Elaine. Kingsbury is also the queen of secondary characters and subplots. Just like in the soaps, there are always several stories going at once. Of course that makes me crave the next book in the series--which I thankfully have--so I can immediately continue on. Kingsbury writes fast enough to make it possible to go from one story to the next. I've probably done myself a disservice by not reading everything in order (I plan to jump back to read Forgiven (which comes after Fame) and I still need to read Redemption, which was the book that started the last two series. But no matter which way you slice it, each series containing the Baxter family is addicting. I'm glad to be getting my next fix.

Karen Kingsbury has done it again. I read Sunrise in about 3 days, and now I'm lost without knowing what is going on with the Baxter clan and friends. I've followed them from the beginning (the Redemption Series), and am anxiously awaiting the release (next month!) of the next book. Karen's books are perfect for anyone wishing to read about the trials and triumphs of a Christian family...we all have them, and sometimes it helps to "escape" through Christian fiction! I love it!

I finished this book the day I got it. This whole sreies "Firstborn" and now "Sunrise" are incredible; so compelling, you live all of the experiences. I mean I laugh, I cry, I get what to me, is a private joke between frenz and I chuckle... Everytime I pick up any book from the series to read, I am transported to Bloomington, or wherever it is that this incredible family is at the moment. They are people I want to be;people who love God and lean on him. Their lives are just open for me to learn from and I do learn. Karen Kingsbury is a master. I truly hope she experiences God in her life the way she writes about Him. My only regret is that the other books are so far in comin'. I mean 2008!!! Come on have mercy on us!

I have loved all of Karen's books and Sunrise was wonderful - uplifting, true to life, moving - all the things we have to expect from her. I wish that this was not the beginning of the last books about the Baxters - I am praying that God really lays on Karen's heart at least one more series about a family that has become so beloved and real to not only her, but to all of her grateful readers. I love all of Karen's work - her stand alone ones, her 9/11 ones but the REDEMPTION series, the first of the Baxter family novels came into my life at a time I most needed it. I praise and thank God for the ministry that Karen is doing so well. You will not be disappointed with any of her novels, but SUNRISE is a sure winner. Not to mention, finally, Katie and Dayne get married!!!!!!

I don't get tired of reading Karens' books. They are very inspiring and hit home to me. I don't believe Raingirl has read any of the books at all if she thinks the Baxter family is "perfect". Reread them Raingirl, every one in that family is flawed. Two kids born out of wedlock, addiction to drugs, adultery and murder, infertility, handicapped kids, etc... These are everyday people struggling with life's problems that only God can help!