Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (2011), Edition: Reprint, 368 pages
Description
A fresh new look for the bestselling Firstborn series--the second installment in the continuing Baxter Family Drama from America's number one inspirational novelist, Karen Kingsbury. Revisit the Baxter family in all their life-changing events, or share the series with someone who hasn't discovered it yet.In this first book, Hollywood A-lister Dayne Matthews returns to LA after his shocking discovery in Karen's bestselling novel Reunion. Though his life is filled with fame, fortune, and paparazzi, his heart is pulling him toward a woman and a family who have no idea how their lives are tied to his. Meanwhile, Katy Hart has finally found contentment as the director of Christian Kids Theater in Bloomington, Indiana. But that changes in an instant when she meets Dayne Matthews and he promises a future she left in her past.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Razorgirl
When a young drama teacher gets a chance to star in a movie, a dream she's always cherished, will she take it? Katy Hart is torn between her world, and the world she's always dreamed of. She is trying to figure out what God wants for her life, whether she should stay and become famous, or return to
Karen Kingsbury did a great job in this book, really showing the harsh side of fame, and Katy's reaction to it. I realy enjoyed this book, though I almost freaked out when that crazy lady attacked Katy and Dayne. This was one of the best books I've ever read.
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the life she loves. She meets the famous movie star, Dayne Matthews, and he pulls her to the new life she's being offered. Then, a crazy stalker attacks Dayne and Katy, and shows Katy what the future might hold for her. Karen Kingsbury did a great job in this book, really showing the harsh side of fame, and Katy's reaction to it. I realy enjoyed this book, though I almost freaked out when that crazy lady attacked Katy and Dayne. This was one of the best books I've ever read.
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LibraryThing member debs4jc
Kingsbury once again tackles some of life's issues within the lives of her popular Baxter family characters. The unknown member of the family, actor Dayne Matthews, continues his quest for meaning. He is also excited by the prospect of bringing Katy Hart to Hollywood for a chance to star in his new
Kingsbury does an excellent job of sucking the reader in to this family saga. There is a suspense element that adds extra drama, a wacko who is stalking Dayne and who may want to do him harm. Kingsbury knows how to lay on the melodrama, and the plot is somewhat predictable. The characters at times seem like foils to explore the issues. But the story is compelling enough and ends on enough of a cliffhanger to make you want to read more.
How Good is it?
Nice for a quick escape or a light "beach read", plan to get sucked into the series.
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movie. Katy, busy with her life as the director of a Christian Children's Theater group, is puzzled by the invite but accepts and is soon blown away by the glitz and romance of Hollywood. But does God really want her to chase after fame? Will Dayne figure out how to find meaning and purpose despite his Hollywood image? And will the long held Baxter family secret of Dayne's existance finally come out?Kingsbury does an excellent job of sucking the reader in to this family saga. There is a suspense element that adds extra drama, a wacko who is stalking Dayne and who may want to do him harm. Kingsbury knows how to lay on the melodrama, and the plot is somewhat predictable. The characters at times seem like foils to explore the issues. But the story is compelling enough and ends on enough of a cliffhanger to make you want to read more.
How Good is it?
Nice for a quick escape or a light "beach read", plan to get sucked into the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member judyg54
This story gives you a glimpse of what the inside life of a movie star might be like. Dayne Matthews is the "star" (who has a past that is linked to the Baxter family) and is looking for a "leading lady" for his new movie. Enter Katy Hart from Bloomington, Indiana, an "innocent" girl who would be
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perfect for the part. Watch her struggle to make the right decision and see the beginning of the series of books start to unfold. Show Less
LibraryThing member kimreadthis
Plot
Dane Matthews is a Hollywood playboy looking to help cast the perfect female lead in his next blockbuster. He remembers having seen Katy Hart, a young Christian theatre director in the midwest, who he thinks would be perfect for the part. It turns out that she is an actress who has stopped
Setting
Bloomington, IN and Hollywood.
Characters
The main characters Dane and Katy are likable, and the book does show that they are not perfect and deal with everyday troubles.
Pacing
A little long. Spends a lot of time rehashing the dilemma - should she or shouldn't she take the part? Can she handle the celebrity scrutiny?
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Language - G
Sex - none
Homosexuality - none
Violence - pretend fighting, self-inflicted injuries for Stalker, knife violence
Dane Matthews is a Hollywood playboy looking to help cast the perfect female lead in his next blockbuster. He remembers having seen Katy Hart, a young Christian theatre director in the midwest, who he thinks would be perfect for the part. It turns out that she is an actress who has stopped
Show More
trying out for parts after seeing what the celebrity life did to her boyfriend. Will Katy take the part? Will she be able to handle life in Hollywood? Meanwhile, Dane is still reeling from discovering the Baxters, his birth family (in a previous Kingsbury novel). His birth mother has just died, leaving the father, numerous adult children, and grandchildren. Dane met his birth mother before her death, but did not meet the rest of his family -- he does not want to expose them to any publicity due to his celebrity. The book traces the Baxter children and their families. In another side story, a stalker is targeting Dane.Setting
Bloomington, IN and Hollywood.
Characters
The main characters Dane and Katy are likable, and the book does show that they are not perfect and deal with everyday troubles.
Pacing
A little long. Spends a lot of time rehashing the dilemma - should she or shouldn't she take the part? Can she handle the celebrity scrutiny?
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Language - G
Sex - none
Homosexuality - none
Violence - pretend fighting, self-inflicted injuries for Stalker, knife violence
Show Less
LibraryThing member cubsfan3410
5/08: tried to read this but I don't think I'm in the mood right now - maybe at a later date...
LibraryThing member sparkleandchico
This was my first Karen Kingsbury book and honestly it was just okay. I probably wouldn't bother to read the rest of this series as it just didn't hold my interest.
The main character is offered a big break in a Hollywood film. She is living in a quiet rural community and was apparently headhunted
The storyline was a little unrealistic especially due to the fact that the main character had been involved in film in the past but had walked away due to a personal crisis. What are the chances that she would be headhunted by this man who knew nothing of her background?
I liked the way the author tried to demonstrate the dangers of power/money/fame within Hollywood and how this can corrupt a person. But, I would have liked to read more references to the faith of the main character. She felt God checking her on a number of occasions but proceeded anyway due to being caught up in the excitement. This was a more realistic scenario and something we all need to be aware of--just because it seems to be right, doesn't mean it is. We should proceed with caution and take advice from others.
There was no bad language in this book but there were some bedroom scenes that had a little too much detail and there is a violent scene which is quite graphic.
I wouldn't really recommend this book--it was too predictable with not enough of a Christian message.
The main character is offered a big break in a Hollywood film. She is living in a quiet rural community and was apparently headhunted
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by a male movie star due to her appearance of innocence. She auditions and perhaps not surprisingly is offered the part...I won't spoil the rest of the story but it revolves around faith vs fame choices.The storyline was a little unrealistic especially due to the fact that the main character had been involved in film in the past but had walked away due to a personal crisis. What are the chances that she would be headhunted by this man who knew nothing of her background?
I liked the way the author tried to demonstrate the dangers of power/money/fame within Hollywood and how this can corrupt a person. But, I would have liked to read more references to the faith of the main character. She felt God checking her on a number of occasions but proceeded anyway due to being caught up in the excitement. This was a more realistic scenario and something we all need to be aware of--just because it seems to be right, doesn't mean it is. We should proceed with caution and take advice from others.
There was no bad language in this book but there were some bedroom scenes that had a little too much detail and there is a violent scene which is quite graphic.
I wouldn't really recommend this book--it was too predictable with not enough of a Christian message.
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
8.1 inches
ISBN
9781414349763