Where Yesterday Lives

This story was the most challenging for me to engage with among the three. Perhaps it was due to the numerous different perspectives we encounter. Generally, I don't mind this, but in this case, it made it difficult to envision the characters as fully three-dimensional. I didn't have sufficient details to truly understand any of them or feel as emotionally invested as I did with the characters in the other two stories.

When Joy Comes to Stay and On Every Side

Both of these stories maintained my interest and took me on an emotional roller coaster. I specifically found myself wanting to shout at Jordan Riley, even though I could comprehend the source of his anger towards God. I know individuals who have done precisely what he did when they endured a great deal of heartache and pain at a young age. The ending, as far as Rosa was concerned, seemed a bit hasty. I think that aspect could have been incorporated into an epilogue.

Ben's journey to discover the truth while his wife was receiving much-needed help was beautiful and captivating. There were some rather predictable elements in the story, but I constantly wondered when Maggie would uncover all that Ben had done and endured during that time (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). The payoff of waiting was indeed sweet. They needed that period apart to审视 themselves and assess how they could progress together and超越 past lies and regrets. I could envision and empathize with both of their viewpoints.

I was extremely disappointed in this author.

It seems that she has been influenced by a great deal of what might be considered leavening within the context of whatever 501(c)(3) church building she attends.

I can understand to some extent because I myself have been in a similar situation at one point.

I want to make it clear that I am not condemning her.

Rather, my disappointment stems from the fact that I had hoped for a different perspective or approach from her.

Perhaps she has been indoctrinated with certain ideas and beliefs that are preventing her from seeing things more objectively.

Nonetheless, I still believe in giving her the benefit of the doubt and hoping that she may one day come to a more enlightened understanding.

But for now, my disappointment remains.

It was truly an engaging piece that was extremely hard to put down.

From the very beginning, it had me hooked with its captivating storyline and well-developed characters.

The author's writing style was so vivid and descriptive that I could easily picture every scene in my mind.

Each page seemed to turn on its own, pulling me deeper into the narrative.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author had created, forgetting about everything else around me.

Whether it was the thrilling action sequences or the touching moments of character growth, every aspect of the article was masterfully crafted.

It was a literary gem that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

Once I started reading, I simply couldn't stop until I reached the very end.

Even now, after finishing it, I find myself thinking about the story and its characters, longing for more.

It was that kind of unforgettable experience that makes reading such a wonderful and enriching activity.

Three of Ms. Kingsbury's moving tales are all combined in one volume! It's truly a remarkable collection.

This three-in-one volume contains some of the most emotionally heartwrenching stories that I have ever come across from Karen Kingsbury. At this point, I have only read "Unlocked" and "The Bridge," but these tales in this volume have a seriousness and emotional depth that I hadn't experienced before from her works. To be honest, there were moments when I felt the pace was a bit slow. However, upon further reflection, I could see how that slowness actually contributed to the realism of the stories. It allowed for a more detailed exploration of the characters' emotions and the situations they faced.

All of these stories are stand-alone, yet they are linked by the common theme of newspaper reporters. Despite this connection, the stories are diverse, each delving into a different topic. Some of the topics include coming to terms with the past and reconnecting with family, while others involve a high-profile court case debating the supposed "separation of church and state," which was handled extremely well.

Overall, it's very difficult to go into detail and describe each book individually without making this post overly long. So, I will simply say that these are three emotionally deep reads. While they may not always be to everyone's taste, they are definitely great reads regardless. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

Karen Kingsbury's stories are fairly typical, yet they have a unique charm that keeps readers hooked.

Sometimes I can't help but wonder if she has some sort of spies observing my life. It seems as if she inserts small details of my experiences into her stories, making it easier for me to connect with them on a deeper level.

I truly love her books. They have this power to evoke such strong emotions within me that I often find myself reaching for the tissues before I even reach the end.

Each story is like a journey, filled with love, heartbreak, and everything in between. Kingsbury has a remarkable ability to create characters that feel so real, as if they could step out of the pages and into my own life.

Whether it's a story about family, friendship, or romance, she always manages to touch on the most important aspects of our lives and make us reflect on our own relationships.

I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

One thing that I have truly learned is that when it comes to Karen Kingsbury's works, you are simply unable to put a book down. And once it is finished, you have this overwhelming feeling that you just have to pick up another one of her novels right away! It is incredibly easy to fall deeply in love with the characters she creates and be completely captured by the profound truths that she skillfully weaves through each and every one of her novels. Without a doubt, her works are highly inspirational. A Kingsbury Collection is a book that you will read from cover to cover, and by the end, you'll feel as if you have lived through all the experiences described within its pages. The best part is that since this is a collection, once you finish one book, you can seamlessly move on to the next one.

This collection includes three remarkable novels: Where Yesterday Lives, When Joy Came to Stay, and On Every Side.

Where Yesterday Lives is a captivating story about a journalist named Ellen Barrett. After her father's passing, she returns home to her four siblings and is confronted with yesterdays filled with haunting memories that left her scared, the faith she had long forgotten, and the love that she had left behind. However, there were also other yesterdays that she missed, and the happy times that she and her family once shared. Karen weaves this story with such beauty, exploring themes of reconciliation and peace. Where Yesterday Lives will offer you a new perspective on your own past, and even on your present and future.

In When Joy Came to Stay, Maggie Stovall is forced to face her past when the identity she fought so hard to portray fails, and she spirals into a deep depression. As a result, she abandons her faith, her church, her foster kids, and even serves her husband divorce papers. Maggie checks into a mental hospital as she battles to overcome her depression, while her husband begins to search through her past for answers. In the midst of all this turmoil, there is Amanda Joy, who enters the picture with such unwavering faith! This is a truly beautiful story that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.

On Every Side is about a newscaster named Faith Evans. This book really piqued my interest with its unique mix of political issues, such as addressing the separation of church and state, and the conflicts that arise from the history between the characters, all set against a backdrop of social injustice! It really hits the mark! Jordan Riley's character adds an extra layer of depth to the story! Although this may not be my absolute favorite of Karen's books, it still has the power to capture you and draw you in, making you want to read more.

All in all, these are great books to read! I highly recommend getting A Kingsbury Collection. You will be completely captivated by the truths, the engaging characters, and the expert way in which the stories are woven together!

First off, I have to say that this book is truly enormous, consisting of over 750 pages.

It is quite cumbersome to hold while reading, and the print is rather small, which makes looking at it a daunting task.

I found myself wondering how I was going to get through it and how I could hold it without exhausting my arms and hands.

Well, it took me a considerable amount of time, and I have to admit that the stories progressed slowly.

As a result, putting the book down was due to both arm and hand strain and boredom.

The writing in this book is of top-notch quality, but the stories are rather sad and left me in a sour mood.

I really prefer happy endings with lots of wonderful things happening to the characters.

I understand that this may not be reality, but I read to escape reality, not to relive some of its worst aspects.

I think the ending was flat and lacked imagination.

I know that God works miracles in my life, and I witness new ones every day in the small mercies that occur, but... to each his own.

Now, I know that lots of people loved this set of books, so I encourage you to go out and give it a try yourself.

Sometimes things are not for me, and sometimes I love things that others hate.

To each its own. This was not one of my favorite books or sets of stories, and I wish I could get back the time I spent on this huge volume.

This is a truly great book.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every single story within its pages.

Karen Kingsberry is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite authors.

Her writing has a unique charm and ability to draw readers in and make them feel deeply connected to the characters and their stories.

With each book she releases, I know that I am in for a treat.

She has an amazing talent for creating engaging plots and developing complex and relatable characters.

And this book is no exception.

It is filled with heartwarming tales that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.

You will not be disappointed.

I truly love it when they are all together. It creates a wonderful and harmonious atmosphere that makes my heart full of joy.

However, I find myself being too impatient when waiting for the next installment in a series. The anticipation builds up inside me, and I can't help but eagerly await the next chapter or episode.

I often find myself constantly checking for updates, refreshing the page, or looking for any news or announcements related to the series. The wait can seem endless at times, and it tests my patience to the limit.

But despite my impatience, I know that the wait will be worth it. Each new installment brings new excitement, new adventures, and new characters to love. It's like opening a door to a whole new world, and I can't wait to step in and explore.

So, while I may struggle with impatience, I will continue to wait for the next in the series, knowing that it will be an experience that I will cherish.

It has been quite some time since I last posted. However, this particular book demanded a significant amount of my time to read.

It consisted of three novels within a single volume, and each one was masterfully written, captivating my attention from start to finish.

The first story centered around Ellen and her family. After the death of their father, they faced numerous challenges. There were conflicts among the family members, and two sisters who could hardly bear to be in the same room together. The week was filled with difficulties as one sister had to deal with issues from years ago, another considered having an affair with a former boyfriend, and the rest of the family grappled with their own problems as well as those of others. Towards the end, there was a climactic moment that might require a tissue. My advice? Don't finish reading it during a lunch break!

The second story, "When Joy Came to Stay," was equally engaging. A young woman was consumed by grief over a decision she made years ago. She felt guilty for her choices and wrongly believed that her husband was the cause of her long-ago decision. As a result, she checked herself into a mental institution. Her husband, unsure of what was happening, began to research her life to understand what in her past had caused such a traumatic reaction. The end result was both wonderful and sad.

The third story, "On Every Side," was different from the previous two but just as good in its own way. The town of Bethany was facing a lawsuit over a statue that had been in their town center for years. An association that liked to sue people or places for having religious artifacts in areas where church and state should be separated targeted the town. However, a lawyer from the firm had a personal vendetta against the statue. This story focused not only on one or two individuals but also on a collection of characters that brought the story together.

These stories did not necessarily revolve around a central figure. Instead, the people who took center stage were all essential elements in telling the story. Overall, if you have the time, I highly recommend reading each of these stories, but give yourself a break in between. It's well worth your time!

The one thing I disagree with is the blurbs on the back of the book, which provide a synopsis of each story. I'm not sure if the person who wrote the blurbs actually read the book, but I think they are completely off. There is some truth to them, but the book has so much more depth. The blurbs feel more like "fluff." When I finish reading the stories and compare them to the back cover, I can't help but shake my head.

A complimentary review copy was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for me to give an honest opinion of the book I read. Any opinions expressed are my own.

In the first book, 'When Yesterday Lives', we are introduced to Ellen.

Ellen returns to her childhood home upon the passing of her father. Her return serves another purpose as well - to make peace with the people from her past who still reside in her hometown.

In the second book, 'When Joy Came to Stay', we meet Maggie. This book delves into a woman's descent into depression and all that accompanies it. Then, faith in God intervenes, and things start to change for everyone.

Finally, in the third book, 'On Every Side', we encounter Faith. Faith is a young woman who must take a stand for the truth of God against a man she never expected to be her enemy.

Kingsbury crafts interesting stories that deal with real-life problems and offer a way to solve them by following God's will for one's life. I truly relished the ending of each book as they include discussion questions, which would be excellent for all types of reading groups. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone. Yes, it may be a bit lengthy, but it is definitely worth reading. Trust me.

I was fortunate enough to receive a free copy of this book for review from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, and I have provided my honest and unbiased opinion.

Where Yesterday Lives
Of the three books, this one holds a special place in my heart as it was my favorite yet the hardest to read. Ellen Barrett, a journalist married to a sports announcer, is the eldest among her three sisters and a brother. When her father succumbs to a sudden heart attack, she is called back home. Her marriage is already on the rocks, and she makes the journey alone. And who should still be living in her hometown but her ex-boyfriend Jake? Upon her arrival, she is immediately plunged into the chaos of her family. The siblings have not been getting along for a long time. Ellen yearns for the happy family she once knew before they drifted apart. Amidst the hatred, fighting, love, and laughter at home, there is also the process of healing.

When Joy Came to Stay
Maggie appears to be the epitome of a perfect wife and mother, with a seemingly perfect job. But one day, everything comes crashing down. Maggie has been living a false life, trying to walk away from her past and create a new one. Her husband, Ben, is completely unaware of the turmoil until she checks into a psychiatric hospital. Ben then begins to search for answers in Maggie's past. Meanwhile, Amanda, a little girl, is slipping through the cracks of the foster system, with only God as her friend.

On Every Side
Faith Evans, a nightly news anchor, has to take a firm stand for her beliefs regarding a statue of Jesus in a small park. Jordan Riley, a human rights lawyer, is deeply troubled and grappling with his faith in God. Together, they engage in a fierce battle over the issue of Jesus. Faith and Jordan have been friends for years. Faith risks her career by taking her battle of Jericho Park to the airwaves, while Jordan does everything in his power to have the statue removed. Then, when a teacher loses his job because of Jordan for wanting to pray with a student, the outcome is truly意想不到.

All three of these books are outstanding. They do not feature perfect Christians, nor are they overly preachy or lofty. The characters in the books are all "ordinary" Christians who face daily struggles with their faith. They are all confronted with challenges, have to resist temptation, and rely on God to make the right choices. As I previously mentioned, the first book, Where Yesterday Lives, was my favorite and the most difficult to read. The family had their share of problems, and when the father passed away suddenly, they had to confront their issues with life, God, each other, and their father directly. It was the only way for them to heal from their personal struggles. This book really hit home for me, not because of the family strife, but because my own father also died suddenly, presumably from a heart attack. It's astonishing how many things we take for granted and never take the time to say to our loved ones. All three of these stories will evoke a range of emotions, making you laugh and cry. They all depict characters facing difficult times, but with their unwavering belief and strength in God, they overcome their problems and strengthen their faith and relationships. I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.