The fourth book in Karen Kingsbury's "Sunrise" series and the fourteenth and final book chronicling the Baxter family is a book of beginnings as well as endings. Woven throughout its pages are the recurring themes of the redeeming love and the unending faithfulness of God. Memories of times gone by meet with the changes of today in a story that proves that only the support of faith and family can take a person into the sunset years of life.
Sunset, the fourth book in Karen Kingsbury’s Sunrise Series, and the fourteenth and final book chronicling the Baxter family, is a book of beginnings as well as endings. Woven throughout the pages are the constant recurring themes of the redeeming love and the unending faithfulness of God.
John Baxter is facing new beginnings in his sunset years as he finds love again after the unexpected loss of his beloved wife to cancer. John’s son Luke, whose marriage is in shambles due to poor choices and pride, finds that unforgiveness is blocking not only his relationship with his wife, but his relationship with God as well. Ashley, John’s daughter, fears that another pregnancy will end up in heartache after the devastating loss of her daughter, Sarah.
I enjoyed this book, as well as the entire series. The character portrayal was real enough to make me feel like I knew this family, and Sunset tied up the ongoing story lines nicely. Kingsbury did a good job of incorporating Scripture into the story lines: Psalm 130 was a recurring theme, as well as Philippians 4:6, and Jeremiah 29:11. God’s ways aren’t always our ways, and hurt and loss are a part of life. But this book shows how God can redeem any situation to His glory.
Sunset gives snippets from past story lines to give the reader a sense of what has happened previously, so in that way, this could be read as a stand-alone book. But don’t cheat yourself. Begin with the Redemption Series, then on to Firstborn, and finish with the Sunrise Series. You will enjoy the ongoing saga of the Baxters, and the redemptive power of the cross in their lives.-- Tracey Bonsell, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
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3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Reston, VA), September 20, 2009
All good things must come to an end and it's time to finally bring to a close the Baxter Family Drama series. It's interesting enough that the word drama is used because that's pretty much has been happening throughout the series. It seems that anything and everything that could happen to the family does happen to them. It's quite a roller coaster ride with lots of dips, turns and loops from the first book all the way to this last one. In this book, we finally see the Baxters bring everything to a close. John has decided he wants to finally move on with his life and this includes a life with Elaine. Ashley has to deal with fears of another pregnancy. Luke and his wife must come to terms with their relationship. The family comes together to help out each other in times of need.
While I enjoyed the book, there just seems to be a little too much soap opera action for me. Affairs are discussed, marriages take place, pregnancies are happening, past relationships get brought up. Like I said, there's a lot of drama that happens to this family. It felt like all stories had to have happy and tidy ending but not without tear inducing moments. Now I myself never felt compelled to cry at all but I can see how some of these scenarios can force a few misty eyes while reading. I did feel though that everyone going into labor at the same time felt too coincidental to me.
Overall it's a satisfying read if you've been following the family since the original series. Everything you want to happen happens, and everyone is together again for the finale However don't fear that you'll never hear from the Baxters again. Kingsbury has already released another series, The Above the Line series, where the Baxters can be seen in the background. It's like a spin off of your favorite show with cameos from the characters. The Baxters will forever live on.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Gail Totzke (Meriden, CT), June 01, 2009
I loved this good as did I love the last 13 books, I was in tears as I finished this book knowing it's the end of the Baxter era. I enjoy reading all Karen's book. Please keep up the wonderful work. Every book has given me hope in some aspect of my life. Thank You!!!
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by nicole (kazoo, michigan), December 21, 2008
This was a wonderful way to end the series. It tied up loose ends and had great surprises along the way. It was hard to put down yet I did not want the story to end. I thought it was great how Luke and Regan asked forgiveness of each other and how John had Elizabeth and God's blessing to marry Elaine.
1.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Diane Frost (Westland, MI), November 30, 2008
In true Karen Kingsbury fashion it was an excellent book. I hated to put the book down. I am looking forward to her new series this Spring. It was heart harming to see how Ashley handled her pregnancy and the surprise when she gave birth. It warmed my heart how she focused on what was pure and excellent. And how John and Reagan fought to save their marriage.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Theresa (Santa Clarita, CA), November 17, 2008
This was my least favorite book by Karen Kingsbury. It did not hold my interest. I usually finish her books in less than a week, this one took me over three weeks. It didn't hold my interest. I felt it was a recap of all the books before it with very little of anything new. It was a total let down.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sally (Pembroke Pines, FL), November 09, 2008
The Baxter family saga concludes with this fourth book of the Sunrise Series although the author promises to use them as background characters in future novels. This is a stand-alone novel, but if the reader has kept up through the Redemption Series and then the Firstborn Series, this book brings back all of the characters and ties up all loose ends in a satisfying conclusion. There's a good bit of repeating, but perhaps this comes with the fourteenth book in a series.
Kingsbury has a way of telling a good story while allowing her readers to know the people who live in her books. Though varied personalities, they all are believable. Children's voices are especially well written such that I can see his head nod as he explains about dinosaurs or hear her plaintive wail when she wants her pacifier.
Warning: read it with tissues close at hand. Any Kingsbury fan will love this one. Discussion questions are included.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patricia Wilson (Newberry, SC), November 02, 2008
I am a big fan of Karen Kingsbury, so her books are always awesome and heart-warming. I can feel myself being apart or around this family and growing in ways I never thought possible.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Carrie Keel (Alexander City, AL), October 30, 2008
Loved it, it was a great way to end the series, how sad it is though (ending series) I just love Karen Kingsbury, what a GODLY woman!!!! I look forward to reading each and everybook she has, and I really look forward to seeing the next series, when we get a "window" to the Baxters!!!
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