Title: Forgiven
Author: Karen Kingsbury
First published January 1, 2005
358 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780842387446 (ISBN10: 0842387447)
Rating: 4.37
Overview
A Heartfelt Journey
Katy Hart, the director of Christian Kids Theater, is facing the toughest challenge of her life. After a tragic accident, the theater group is struggling to cope with their grief.
Katy must help the kids find hope and believe in themselves again. But will the darkness of revenge overshadow their future?
Meanwhile, Dayne Matthews, a successful filmmaker, is feeling lost and unfulfilled. He longs for true love and a family of his own.
Can a new teaching center offer him the answers he’s been searching for?
As for the Baxters, a buried secret is unearthed, one that will test their faith and resolve. Can they find grace and redemption in the face of their mistakes?
This is a story of forgiveness and divine guidance, a journey towards peace and a brighter tomorrow.
About the Author
Karen Kingsbury is a beloved storyteller who has captured the hearts of millions of readers across America. Her inspiring novels have sold over 25 million copies, earning her the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list time and time again.
Not only have her last twelve books been chart-toppers, but many of her stories are also in the works to become Hallmark Films or major motion pictures. The Baxter Family series is even being transformed into a TV show set to air on a major network in the coming year.
In addition to writing, Karen also shares her passion for the craft as an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. She has a heart for adoption and in 2001, she and her husband Don welcomed three boys from Haiti into their family, instantly doubling its size.
Today, Karen and Don are empty nesters enjoying life near their five adult children in Tennessee.
Editoral Review
Karen Kingsbury’s Forgiven is a deeply emotional and inspiring novel that explores themes of love, forgiveness, and redemption. First published in 2005, Kingsbury is a New York Times bestselling author with over 25 million copies of her books in print.
Forgiven is a work of Christian fiction, a genre that seeks to communicate Christian values and beliefs through storytelling.
The novel tells the story of Ashley Baxter, a young woman struggling to come to terms with her past mistakes and find forgiveness. Ashley’s journey is set against the backdrop of her family’s struggles, including her father’s battle with cancer and her brother’s search for his birth mother.
Along the way, Ashley meets and falls in love with Landon Blake, a man who shares her faith and helps her to see that forgiveness is possible.
Kingsbury’s writing is powerful and affecting, drawing the reader in from the first page. She creates vivid, three-dimensional characters who are flawed and complex, making them feel real and relatable.
The setting of the novel is also well-crafted, with Kingsbury painting a vivid picture of small-town life and the struggles of everyday people.
The novel’s Christian themes are woven seamlessly into the story, never feeling preachy or heavy-handed. Instead, they are presented through the characters’ experiences, making them feel organic and authentic.
Kingsbury’s message of forgiveness is particularly impactful, reminding readers that no matter how far they may have strayed, they can always find their way back to God’s grace.
One of the strengths of Forgiven is Kingsbury’s ability to balance multiple plot threads without losing focus or momentum. The novel has several interweaving storylines, each with its own set of characters and conflicts.
However, Kingsbury manages to keep all of these threads moving forward, building tension and drama along the way.
That said, the novel is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing slow at times, with certain scenes and conversations feeling repetitive or unnecessary.
Additionally, some of the plot twists and revelations may feel predictable to more seasoned readers of the genre.
Overall, Forgiven is a powerful and moving novel that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Kingsbury’s writing is top-notch, and her message of forgiveness is one that is sorely needed in today’s world.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt and inspiring read.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
