Found

I am not entirely certain as to why I periodically pick up a book of this kind. On one hand, I am extremely critical in my analysis, yet on the other, I secretly relish the more indulgent aspects of it. It's almost like a plant-based vegan who indulges in junk food and then proceeds to complain about it. Based on that, I really have no legitimate right to complain. And tonight, during my break, I will return to my studies of Biochemistry.

This book can be likened to Twinkies for the soul. You can interpret that however you wish.

I have noticed that I don't particularly enjoy it when authors create a novel that evolves into a series and all the characters get married, have kids, grandkids, and a detailed backstory. All the names of everyone's children just become a jumble in my mind. It might be a better approach to do what they do in The Umbrella School and simply number the children.

"Number five, your breakfast is getting cold. Get in here and eat your French toast." How absurd. No one prepares French toast for their kids' breakfast anymore, except perhaps in novels. And not in this particular novel. I was merely speaking hypothetically.

So there you have it.

Number your children.

Let them prepare their own breakfasts.

Don't read novels that are part of a series if the characters start having children.

Occasionally, treat yourself to a visit to a really nice restaurant, like one in downtown Seattle, and order French toast for breakfast without any kids in tow.

Just to clarify, the novel is set in Indiana and L.A., and there is no French toast to be found anywhere within its pages.

Found is the third book in the Firstborn series and also the eighth book in the Baxter series.

Dayne Matthews still has deep feelings for Katy Hart, but Kelly Parker has different intentions for him. Kelly makes a phone call and drops a bombshell on Dayne that he wasn't anticipating. Meanwhile, Katy, who is still in love with Dayne, knows that their being together seems impossible.

Ashley keeps asking her Dad if he has located their older brother. John had hired a private investigator to find him, and the PI was successful. However, they never expected to discover that their son is a well-known celebrity.

The Baxters are busy planning their summer family reunion, and all the siblings are coming. On the night when John Baxter is about to reveal to them that they have an older brother, a massive tornado strikes Bloomington. All the Baxters take refuge in the basement, and Ashley goes into labor. By the time the tornado passes, Ashley is in a critical condition.

Katy and the Flanigans are also in the basement during the tornado. Afterward, they learn that the Reed family is missing and their house has been flattened.

One of the most memorable parts of the book for me is when Dayne travels to Mexico to meet an old friend from his boarding school days. Bob is speaking on the street, and Dayne hears every word. It touches him so deeply that he steps forward and accepts God into his heart. Later, Bob's wife, Rosa, tells Dayne that she is surprised he understood what Bob was saying as she didn't think he could speak Spanish. Dayne is shocked because he heard every word in English. It truly shows that God is the God of miracles!

In the end, Dayne discovers that his biological father does want to be a part of his life. His agent had been lying to John Baxter every time he called. Fortunately, God intervened and moved things according to His plan, allowing John and Dayne to finally meet.

I am thoroughly enjoying the Baxter series and can't wait to continue with the next book. Karen is indeed a talented writer, and God has blessed her with a wonderful gift of writing.

I continued reading the Karen Kingsbury firstborn novel, and it's by far a 5-star series for me. It focuses on John and Elizabeth Baxter's firstborn famous son, Dayne Matthew.

This book delves into his faith journey and his ultimate search for his biological family. It brought me to tears, and I loved reconnecting with the beloved Baxter family. The romance in it is pure and a delight. Among the 5 books so far, this one is my absolute favorite.

If you're considering taking on the Baxter books, go for it. This family is amazingly flawed yet wonderful. They face various challenges and struggles, but their love and faith hold them together.

The characters are well-developed, and their stories are engaging and emotional. Karen Kingsbury does an excellent job of creating a world that readers can easily get lost in. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good family drama with a touch of romance and faith.

Another great one in the series.

It truly stands out as a remarkable addition. The story unfolds with such grace and charm, captivating the reader from the very beginning.

The characters are well-developed and their relationships add depth and complexity to the narrative.

As the plot progresses, there are twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

And then, comes the ending. Oh, what a beautiful ending it is!

It ties up all the loose ends perfectly, leaving you with a sense of satisfaction and a longing for more.

This installment of the series is definitely a must-read for fans and newcomers alike.

It will transport you to a world of adventure, romance, and excitement, and leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Don't miss out on this amazing story!

John Baxter has finally managed to reunite with his firstborn son, Dayne Matthews. It has been an arduous journey to reach this point. John made the decision to hire a private investigator to locate his firstborn. He knew that Elizabeth would have wanted him to do so. Since Ashley discovered “the secret”, John felt compelled to try.

The investigator uncovered some astonishing news. Not only did he find out that Dayne was a big movie star, but also that he had visited Bloomington twice before. The first visit was when Elizabeth passed away, and the second was to film the movie Dream On. The investigator provided John with the phone number of Dayne’s agent, whom John promptly called. However, the agent was unhelpful. He informed John that Dayne had never visited Elizabeth in the hospital, had no time to reconnect with his biological family, and did not wish to meet them. Moreover, it seemed that John was only contacting Dayne for his money. John was heartbroken.

He decided to make one last attempt to contact Dayne. He sent a letter and a photo album of family pictures to Dayne’s director from the Dream On movie. Unfortunately, the director would be away for a few weeks, and Dayne went to Mexico City to visit his friend from boarding school, Bob Asher, who was now a missionary. During the visit, through numerous conversations and a street mission miracle, Dayne found God.

Weeks later, when Dayne’s director called him about the package he had received, Dayne rushed to his office. He then found a quiet place on Pepperdine University to open and read the contents. Dayne was shocked by what his agent had told John Baxter. He immediately arranged a flight to Bloomington to meet John and fired his agent. The next day, Dayne and John met. Dayne explained how he had begun to search for his biological family, starting from the moment he saw the picture of the Baxter family on Luke Baxter’s desk in the law office. The meeting was truly miraculous.

Dayne and Katy Hart remained friends. It was a tumultuous time when Dayne discovered, during the start of the crazed fan trial with Katy, that his ex-live-in girlfriend, Kelly Parker, was pregnant. Dayne made a special trip to Bloomington to inform Katy in person about the pregnancy and that he intended to do the right thing by getting back with Kelly and being a good father. Katy was devastated, but she understood that Dayne was doing the right thing. Katy continued to think about Dayne and even attempted to go on a blind date. Let’s just say she would be laughing about the date for a long time! Meanwhile, Dayne saw Kelly for the first time in a while at the movie premiere. She had apparently reunited with another actor from the movie, and curiously, did not appear to be pregnant. When Kelly and Dayne were alone, Kelly revealed to him that she had had an abortion. Dayne was devastated and made another special trip to Bloomington to tell Katy. Katy wanted Dayne to find God, which he eventually did.

Ashley and Landon welcomed their baby, Devin, under life-threatening circumstances. Ashley went into labor during a tornado that damaged the Baxter home and destroyed others, including the home of a CKT family, the Reeds. The birth also coincided with the Baxter family reunion, allowing the entire family to meet the newest member.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is the kids' theater angle. It really hits close to home for me.

However, what is not as relatable is the Flanagan family. They just seem a little too perfect. With perfectly talented kids, a perfectly loving marriage, and a perfect house. I understand that they are based on Karen's family, but I'm really curious about how much of it is true.

Dayne and Katy's story is like a roller coaster, filled with ups and downs. And the saga of his birth family also adds another layer of complexity. There is a lot going on in this one, but there are also many positive messages to be found. It makes me think about the importance of family, love, and following your dreams.

Overall, this series has its strengths and weaknesses, but it still manages to engage and entertain me. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Another remarkable Firstborn book that elaborately describes how John Baxter and Dayne ultimately establish a connection. Dayne, in a quest for inner tranquility, initially believed he could find it through Kabbalah. However, Katy advises him to look deeper.

This is also the continuation of the captivating Dayne and Katy story.

Set in the Midwest, a massive tornado plays a significant role.

I refrain from revealing more details, but I must say it is truly refreshing to read a series that is devoid of foul language and vulgarity. It offers a clean and engaging reading experience that allows the story and the characters to shine through without the distraction of inappropriate content.

Readers will surely be hooked from the first page as they follow the journey of Dayne and Katy, and witness the various twists and turns that unfold in this exciting installment of the series.

Whether you are a long-time fan of the Firstborn series or new to it, this book is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

There are many ways to be discovered.

This is yet another installment in the series that I simply cannot put down. I find myself having a really hard time waiting for our library to send the next one.

The reading experience is fast-paced, clean, and highly emotional.

It grabs your attention from the very beginning and keeps you engaged throughout.

The story unfolds in a way that makes you feel as if you are right there with the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

Each page turn brings new excitement and anticipation.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good read that will leave them feeling satisfied and eager for more.