56743

56743

Brad Cutler has it all, bright future, girl of his dreams, but not until he returns to the shores of Holden Beach to see his first love. Both remembering decisions they made long ago. Paperback and CD

I really did used to like reading Karen Kingsbury's fiction, and I can't really put my finger on why I don't seem to like it as much now.

I put this book on a "to read" list a while ago (possibly around the time it first came out, but I can't be sure) and at that time, I am fairly sure I liked reading Karen Kingsbury.

This appears to be a non-Baxter family book--a true rarity in the Kingsbury world--but I still struggled to read it, often preferring to pick up something else to read rather than this book.

Does Brad Cutler really think he can "get right" without at least trying to find Emma and talk to her? Does he really think confessing to his dad is going to make all his misgivings go away? Though I do appreciate that the situation makes him turn to God for forgiveness and redemption. ( )

This was a tear-jerker read for me. It really tugged at my heart strings. The tears were flowing when Emma was telling her story. It was a quick read, I did not want to put it down.
Karen has a way of presenting the characters so I feel I know them personally. That is with every book I have read from her.
Emma and Brad had an unplanned pregnancy 10 years prior, and choose to have an abortion. Emma describes her thoughts and feelings before, during, and after her abortion. A very traumatic experience, but in the end, they ask for forgiveness, get right with God, and are able to go on with their lives.
The book is filled with scripture, which I absolutely loved.
I am the librarian at my church, and I am featuring this as our Book Of The Month for the month of August.
***Note***
This book deals with the effects of Post Abortion Syndrome. It might be a trigger for anyone who has gone through an abortion and is suffering the life long effects. ( )

In between a checkered past and a fairy-tail future, Brad has to make a decision.

This is a moving book dealing with a struggle a lot of young Christians go through and the consequences of sin. Karen Kingsbury handles this subject very well and in her letter at the end tells us that it was based on a song I didn't know, but she changed it a bit to have the people be Christian. Although the book is seven years old, I pray more people read it and are either discouraged from falling into sin or healed of past mistakes. ( )

Parting is such sweet sorrow.... especially when there are unresolved issues. Before the next chapter of life can be written, the previous one(s) have to be closed -- hurts have to be mended, forgiveness has to be sought / given, etc. This is one such story... a love story, but it is also a life story. As with all of Kingsbury's books, this one is also a sniffler. ( )

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury
Brad Culler has it all, a fairytale life ahead of him. but the ad campaign he hopes to win for the company sets him to his past.
He recalls his past and thinks of Holden Beach, NC and know he needs to talk to Emma Landon before his life can go forward.
He is to be married as the days get closer to his life with Lauren James.
He has much faith in God in helping direct him to do the right thing.
The story also follows Emma and her daughter, now 9 year old as she is the teacher.
Frankie is a girl that she teaches that has a rare blood disease and she tolerates the pain it causes.
Lots of scriptures that lead to the answers they need.
Love how the book got it's title. ( )

A story of lost innocence that brought tears to my eyes. I found myself crying with these two people who had alot of issues to deal with and a need to find forgiveness. It is a story that touches on the heartache that abortion can bring in the lives of people, long after the act is done. I was moved by the heartache and the love that was lost by two people who in a moment of weakness, made some wrong decisions. Years later they need to "finish that chapter" of their lives, so they can move on and fnd peace and happiness. A story very well written, a story with a real good message for those thinking of aborting a child and a story I highly recommend you read with a box of tissues at your side. ( )

A compassionate look at the pain many people experience after an abortion, and the forgiveness and reconciliation possible. ( )

Two young people are best of friends since childhood. Emma becomes pregnant and has an abortion. Brad runs away. Later when he is engaged to Laura his past starts to haunt him. He goes back & finds Emma to say he is sorry. ( )

I enjoyed this book. It is about a once couple's decision to have an abortion and the effects that came after. It was a quick read with good insight into the topic. Glad I read it. ( )

This is another very good Karen Kingsbury book. It seemed a little more realistic than the other books that she's written, though I have loved them all. This one seemed a bit predictable from the minute the characters and plot were introduced... especially for being a Christian novel. Althought it was another tear-jerker, it wasn't my favorite Kingsbury book. ( )

Brad Cutler lives in New York and has a dream job. A dream life! He is engaged to the love of his life who also happens to be the boss’s daughter. Brad is a Christian man and the relationship between him and Laura seems perfect. But, a past sin comes back to haunt Brad and before he can marry Laura and start his new life with her he has to go back home to North Carolina and right a wrong. Unfortunately that means seeing his old high school sweetheart. Brad only makes matters worse when he doesn’t confide in Laura about Emma and what happened many years ago.

The book is thought provoking and sincere. Regardless of whether or not you read Christian fiction, this book transcends the boundaries of genre and will appeal to anyone searching for a well-written story about redemption, forgiveness and love.
I enjoyed it very much. 5-stars!

Touching story of two people dealing with the choices they made as young people and their road to forgiveness.
Kingsbury continues her record of excellent Christian Fiction. ( )