A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury (English) Paperback Book

Description: A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury Heartwarming and touching, filled with love and redemption, "A Baxter Family Christmas" brings together two families in the aftermath of loss and in the midst of an unfolding love story, all with the help of one very special child. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes A Baxter Family Christmas, an inspiring Christmas story featuring everyones favorite family, the Baxters. Two years have passed since the terrible car accident that took the life of John Baxters daughter, Erin, along with her husband and three of their four daughters. Prompted by grief, and missing his daughter, John has invited a stranger for Christmas Eve dinner--Kendra Bryant, the transplant recipient who now has Erins heart. But Ashley and her brother Luke are worried that this new dinner guest might be not be the best idea. They want to protect their ten-year-old niece, Amy--the only surviving member of the accident. But John is determined and believes meeting Kendra is something his deceased daughter would want Amy to do. At the same time, Maddie West, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. Could she find it in a newfound friendship with a boy she never expected to see again? Maddie believes in miracles, especially at Christmastime, but this is a stretch even she cant imagine. Meanwhile, Kendra Bryant has been struggling these past few years to make sense of the tragedy that gave her a second chance. She believes this invitation to see the Baxters and witness their unwavering faith in God can instill peace and happiness back into her life. Heartwarming and touching, filled with love and redemption, A Baxter Family Christmas brings together two families in the aftermath of loss and in the midst of an unfolding love story, and "will satisfy Kingsbury fans old and new" (Publishers Weekly). Author Biography Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is Americas favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series. Karen has also opened her own production company called Karen Kingsbury Productions. She is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. She and her husband, Donald, live in Tennessee near their children and grandchildren. Excerpt from Book A Baxter Family Christmas CHAPTER ONE Heavy snow clouds hung low over Bloomington, Indiana, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. But the atmosphere was warm and bright in the Clear Creek High School gym, where Ashley Baxter Blake sat next to her husband, Landon. On the floor with the ball was her fifteen-year-old son, Cole, whose freshman team was minutes from beating its crosstown rival. The high-pitched sound of a whistle pierced the gymnasium. "Traveling!" The ref called Cole for the violation and instantly Ashley was on her feet. "Are you se--" She eased herself back down to the bleacher and bit the inside of her lip. Gradually she brought her hands together and clapped. "Here we go. You got this, Cole." Four-year-old Janessa scrambled up onto Ashleys lap. "Coles the best basketball boy in the world, right, Mommy?" "Yes, baby." Ashley kissed her cheek. "And the refs are just human." She met Landons eyes over Janessas head and managed a smile. She mouthed her next words to him. Im trying. Landon chuckled. "Youve come a long way." It was true. Cole was just a little guy when he first started playing basketball here. Part of the park league program. On his first game, Ashley had caught herself getting too enthusiastic, yelling a bit too loud. And yes, maybe a bit too concerned with questionable calls by the referees. Her attitude wasnt that surprising. Lately shed been frustrated with her father and snapping at everyone. Ashley drew a slow breath. She still cared about the calls and the scoreboard. But shed learned a lot. Winning and losing meant nothing compared to the thrill of enjoying the game. Cole played basketball because he loved it. Today. For now. If he scored twenty points and his team won, great. But the joy Ashley felt watching her son play had nothing to do with his points scored or an officials call or whether Cole played next season. Let alone whether he played college ball one day. Even living here in the shadow of Bloomingtons Indiana University. Amy, ten, and Devin, eight, sat on the other side of Landon. Devin tugged Landons sleeve. "That wasnt traveling, right, Dad?" Landon smiled. "If the ref says its traveling . . ." "Oh! I know!" Amys eyes lit up. "If the ref says its traveling, its traveling!" She came up behind Landon and looped her arms around his neck. "Right?" "Right." Landon grinned at Ashley and then he winked at Devin. "You have to play ten points above the refs. Just in case." Thanksgiving was less than a week away, but Ashley Baxter Blakes mind was on Christmas, and the dinner her dad was trying to pull together. Which was the reason she felt so irritated. By halftime Coles team was up six points. The kids were hoping for the first snow of the season, so Landon agreed to take them outside to check. Ashley stood to follow but her phone rang. Her dads name appeared on the screen. She motioned for Landon to go on without her. Then she took the call. "Hey, Dad." She sat down again and tried to sound pleasant. "How are you?" "Good. Beautiful day. Its already snowing here." Ashley pictured it, the way fresh snow looked across Bloomington. The whole town would turn into a Norman Rockwell painting, the way it did every year at this time. "Amy and Devin will be thrilled." "You kids always were when you were little!" Her dad laughed. "Of course, we always needed a big box by the front door for coats and mittens and boots. But that never stopped us!" Ashley smiled at the memory. It seemed like yesterday when she and her siblings were the little ones, clamoring to get outside and play in the first snow. Now all of them were married with kids of their own. Her dad paused for a moment, and Ashley could feel his tone change before he said a word. "Ashley, I think you know why I called . . ." She closed her eyes. Im not ready for this, God. Help me. Please . . . "You and Landon." Her father sighed. "You havent given me an answer about Christmas Eve. About dinner with Kendra Bryant and her husband." Anxiety left an instant wake across the already troubled waters of Ashleys heart. She blinked a few times and stared at the small cross on the wall just above the side entrance to the gym. "Im not trying to be difficult, Dad." "I know." His tone was kind. "And I dont want to force your decision. Its just . . . Id like a plan." Thanksgiving was still days away, but her father had been talking about Christmas Eve since the beginning of November. Ashley and her siblings disagreed about how to handle their dads request. But Ashley was easily the most concerned about the idea. "Landon and I talked. We dont think a family meeting with Kendra on Christmas Eve is a good idea. Maybe not ever." Silence followed before her dad finally spoke. "I understand." "You can still use our house. Landon and the kids and I will have dinner with his parents." Ashley tried to sound upbeat. But her effort didnt seem to be working. "I dont want to get in the way of your plans. But on Christmas Eve? Im not sure how Amy would handle that." "I like the idea of Christmas Eve. Because everyone will be together." Her dad sounded like he was struggling with the idea, also. At least a little. "I keep asking myself what would Erin want us to do?" The mention of her sister made Ashley catch her breath. For a long moment she didnt speak. She closed her eyes again. Erin should be here, God. We shouldnt even be having this conversation. "Ashley?" "Im sorry." She exhaled slowly. "What would I say to her?" What would any of them say? She spotted Landon and the kids entering the gym again, headed toward her. "Can I call you tonight? Im at Coles game. Halftimes almost over." Her dad hesitated, but only slightly. "Sure." He paused. "Tell Cole Im sorry I wasnt there. I had a few things to do around the house this morning. Next time, okay?" "Of course." Ashley smiled. Her dad usually attended every game. Today, though, she was almost glad he wasnt here. She couldnt spend the hour talking about Christmas Eve and meeting the stranger with Erins heart. It was all too sad. Coles team won the game and they drove home to play in the snow. Once the kids were outside, Ashley and Landon stood near the window. "I dont have peace about it. I dont think its good for Amy to meet this Kendra woman." "Honey." He turned to face her. "Youre clearly uncomfortable with this." Landon hugged her and searched her eyes. "So we skip the Christmas Eve dinner this year. Well still see each other the next day." Ashley looked long at her husband. She loved him so much. "Thank you. For understanding." "Always." He shifted gears, grinned and motioned to the snow out front. "Lets go show the kids how to build a real snowman." Ashley didnt call her father back until later that night when the kids were in bed. "Like I said earlier, Dad. Landon and I dont think its a good idea." "Okay." He was quicker to respond this time. "I understand. Really." He paused. "If you change your mind, just let me know." His statement frustrated her. "Meaning . . . you hope well still join you?" "Sure. Yes, thats what Id like." "But Dad . . ." Ashley paced across her bedroom floor. "I just got done telling you we wont be there." Nothing about this was easy. "Just pray about it, okay? Can you do that for me?" Ashley was near tears by the time she hung up. Her dad had never raised his voice, but he seemed unwilling to accept her decision. After the call she found Landon in the kitchen washing the counters. "I talked to my dad." He looked over his shoulder, his handsome face suddenly concerned. "He still wants us to be there?" "Yes." Did she look as weary as she felt? She waited while he dried his hands and the two of them took seats opposite each other at the kitchen table. Landon searched her face. "Tell me, Ash." She nodded and her eyes found a spot on the table. "He wasnt angry or anything. But he wants us there." She looked up at him. "He asked us to pray about it." "Im sorry." "Yeah." Tears filled Ashleys eyes. "I mean . . . of course we can pray. But think about how hard it would be." "We dont have to be here." Landon covered her hand with his. "You can stick to your decision." Ashley stood, paced to the sink, and turned again to face him. "Doesnt my dad get it? Were talking about Christmas!" She kept her voice low so she wouldnt wake the kids. But her tone was strained all the same. "Okay, so the woman has Erins heart. She doesnt believe in God and she needs hope and direction. Her marriage is in trouble." Ashley walked from one side of the kitchen to the other. "I get all that. But why is that our job? Couldnt we pray for her? Call a church in her area and try to get her connected?" Landon shifted in his chair. "I mean, there well all be. Standing around making small talk with this . . . this stranger. And the whole time Details ISBN1451687575 Author Karen Kingsbury Pages 272 Publisher Simon & Schuster Series Baxter Family Year 2018 ISBN-10 1451687575 ISBN-13 9781451687576 Language English Format Paperback Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2018-10-23 NZ Release Date 2018-10-23 US Release Date 2018-10-23 Publication Date 2018-10-23 UK Release Date 2018-10-23 Imprint Simon & Schuster DEWEY 813.54 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:119545575;

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