Another wow! Honestly it feels almost pointless anymore to review a Karen Kingsbury book because of the last few I’ve read I have certainly not been disappointed. That is certainly true for this book as well. It had all the elements I love in a fictional book. The characters felt very real and I could easily read from their various points of view without getting lost. The story made me think of how I make decisions in mine own life and to see how God is at work. And the deeper I got into the book the harder it was to put down. My one caveat would be that I think this book would be better suited to a Christian who has been moving along in their faith for a little while and not necessarily brand new in their journey.

In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury is part of The Baxter Family series. Wendell Quinn is the principal of Hamilton High School and he is tired of what is happening in his school (drugs, violence, high teen pregnancy). Wendell is going to start a controversial after school program that could cost him his job. Wendell is a Christian and has decided to start a voluntary after-school Bible study and prayer group. After one year, Wendell has seen many changes to his school. Test scores are up, teen pregnancies and violence are down along with violence and drug use. The biggest change is in Cami Nelson. She is no longer angry, she believes in God and has discovered a love of writing. Wendell tells the parents about the program and Andy Nelson, Cami’s father, is not pleased. He contacts the local newspaper and files a lawsuit against Wendell. Wendell needs to make a choice. Stand up for what he believes in (what is best for his students) and fight the lawsuit or cave into pressure and disband the group. Wendell decides to fight and hires Luke Baxter to defend him. Can Wendell win the lawsuit, or will he lose everything?

In This Moment has some nice writing and a decent pace. I did not realize In This Moment was part of such a large series until I opened the book. I had trouble reading the sections about Luke Baxter and his extended family. There are numerous family members and I was not aware of their various relationships and backstories (it was confusing). The Baxter family is not heavily featured in this book (fair warning to fans of the series). I found Wendell Quinn courageous for standing up for what he believes in and trying to improve the lives of others. Wendell trusts that God will get him through any situation (which He can) and his vocal about his beliefs. The story, though, is expected. It follows a predictable path with an unoriginal ending. The religious aspect is dominant and comes across as preachy. You can tell where the author stands on the issues presented in the book. I hope that there are people like Wendell Quinn out in the world, but I have never meet a person like him (or any of the people in the book). The characters felt forced (contrived, fake) and many situations seemed unrealistic. I am giving In This Moment 3 out of 5 stars.

Oh, this was good. I loved how the principle, Wendell Quinn, stood up for his beliefs in the world that we live in today and was willing to suffer the consequences. I enjoyed that we see a non-believer, Cami Nelson, begin to attend these Bible Studies and her life turns around ~ that was a nice "show" for how Wendell's plan actually took foot to action.

Wendell started the Bible Study because of a quote from Alexander Hamilton "Those who stand for nothing ... fall for anything," referring to his student body. And then asks himself, "If not me, then who?" That question is a good question for every believer to ask ~ how can they share the gospel in their neighborhood, workplace, family?

The subject matter is so timely. It was a blessing to see Luke Baxter back on the page, love the Baxter's. Nice plot and well-rounded characters. Highly recommend In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury.

Another great book by Karen Kingsbury, she never disappoints! This is a continuation of the Baxter family story but could be read as a stand alone. There is a synopsis of the family in the back of this book for those who want to catch up or refresh their memories. Karen's words are always teaching us life lessons and something in each book speaks to me. It's as if she knows me personally and knows just what I need to hear. Read any of her books and you will be blessed by her uplifting words of faith, hope and love.

In a thought provoking new book, by my friend Karen Kingsbury, comes the story of a high school principal who wants to start a Bible study in the school to help his struggling students.

With a mix of new characters and the beloved Baxter Family, this story takes us on a journey of a man who believes a Bible study can truly help his students and the reality that what he wants to do could cost him his job.

As the story plays out, the principal, Wendell becomes the national focus of a lawsuit. While he has seen the results of his program, the press finds out about it and that’s when the problems begin.

Karen took a relevant topic of religious freedom and added a Baxter spin to it. It was nice getting to connect with the Baxter family again, although they weren’t the main focus of this book. I also enjoyed meeting new characters like Wendell and Alicia.

I love series, the longer the better. Karen Kingsbury has created a saga wither her Baxter Family books. In This Moment is another installment in the Baxter families lives. I enjoyed getting the updates on all of the family members and it was enjoyable to spend time with Luke Baxter. He is an attorney who has left entertainment law to practice Religous Freedom Law.
In This Moment follows Luke as he defends Principal Wendall Quin's right to hold a voluntary after-school Bible study. Despite the fact that the school is seeing great improvement in all areas, Mr. Quin is being told he must not share the Bible with students. A compelling plot straight out of today's headlines.

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Instant New York Times Bestseller

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a brand-new Baxter Family novel about a beloved high school principal who starts a Bible Study to improve the lives of his struggling students, only to become the national focus of a controversial lawsuit.

Hamilton High Principal Wendell Quinn is tired of the violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancies, and low expectations at his Indianapolis school. A single father of four, Quinn is a Christian and a family man. He wants to see change in his community, so he starts a voluntary after-school Bible Study and prayer program. He knows he is risking his job by leading the program, but the high turnout at every meeting encourages him.

A year later, violence and gang activity are down, test scores are up, and drug use and teen pregnancy have plummeted. The program is clearly working—until one parent calls the press. Now Quinn faces a lawsuit that could ruin everything.

With a storm of national attention and criticism, Quinn is at a crossroads—he must choose whether to cave in and shut down the program or stand up for himself and his students. The battle comes with a high cost, and Quinn wants just one attorney on his side for this fight: Luke Baxter. In This Moment is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom and how a group of determined people just might restore the meaning of faith in today’s culture.

About the author:
Biography
Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s 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 with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty-nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

Christian, Romance, clean
This was a different read for me as a reader. I haven't read any of Karen Kingsbury's books before, so a first for me. While this wasn't a perfect fit for me as a reader, I think it would be a good fit for other Christian readers.
Wendell (the principal) takes a chance on helping students with an after school program that is controversial, Bible study, led by the students. This is really a book mainly about winning a court case and taking a stand for using the Bible even in schools as a place (not as an educational component, but after school activity based). Wendell and Alicia's story was a mix for me as a reader, but I did enjoy seeing the 'family' part of it. They integrated well together by the end, and seeing Wendell's family, made the story more real for me. His son and Cami make another story line that is interwoven with the first, very lovely, and tragically beautiful.
This is definitely preaching the faith, and talking about a faith-filled walk that is front and center to the story. I put off my review because of how it began, but in the end, glad to have read it. Walking by faith in the face of strong opposition, praying for guidance, all part of the story.
A good read for me, but mixed as a reader.

Here’s some Christian fiction that really made me think. Quinn is a public school principal, and he is questioned over and over when he decides to host a voluntary Bible study after school in order to provide some structure and direction to his students. His reputation is at stake, his relationships are threatened, and his job is on the line.

I liked the law aspect that made this book a kind of cross between John Grisham and women’s Christian fiction. I also liked the juxtaposition of the different types of dads and their relationships with their children. Kingsbury does a wonderful job writing families, though I wasn’t as impressed with the romance plot line. Quinn was a true protagonist, meeting with conflict throughout the story and accumulating secondary characters along the way who either helped or hindered his cause. Reading about Quinn’s struggles made me question my motivations, my willingness to take risks, and whether my walk in faith is even close to enough of a good example for others on this journey.

I love the quote, “Those who stand for nothing fall for anything,” by Alexander Hamilton and that is the premise of this story based in a school. I felt that Karen did are great job of being very realistic and drawing from so many angles that make a great read. The main character asks himself the question, “if not me, then who.” And he takes the initiative to bring an optional Bible Study to the students after school. The hitch, he’s the principal. I recommend you check this one out and further your journey with the Baxter Family like I did.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In This Moment
A Novel
by Karen Kingsbury
Howard Books
,
Christian
Pub Date 07 Nov 2017
I am reviewing a copy of In This Moment Through Howard Books and Netgalley:
Principal Wendell Quinn starts a Bible Study, because he is tired of the violence, the teen pregnancies and low expectations at his Indianapolis High-School. Quinn is not only a principal but a single Father of four, and a family man. He understands that running this program could cost him his job, but to him the risk is worth it.
After a year of this program, violence and gang activity have dropped, test scores are up, and drug use has drastically dropped. The program is working until a parent calls the press, and faces a law suit that can destroy everything he has worked so hard for.
Will Quinn loose everything he has worked so hard for? Will the students loose their safe place, all because of one parents anger?
Find out in, In This Moment five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!

I normally love Karen's books but for some reason I just couldn't get hooked on this.... so I hate leaving bad reviews. I just couldn't connect for some reason.

"Those who stand for nothing... fall for anything."

A quote used many times in the book, and so true. This book is all about standing up for your beliefs, especially in the world today where so many people are trying to crush freedom of religion when it pertains to Christianity. This is a very inspirational story and bring tears to your eyes (as all Kingsbury books do!)

I love checking back in with the Baxters, y'all. Every time, they're the same devoted family facing challenges hand-in-hand. This time, the challenge was Luke's religious freedom court case with an equally devoted high school principal. Seeing how Luke has grown and matured into his own man since his original story just reinforced why he has always been one of my favorite Baxters!

I have loved the Baxter family since I started reading Karen Kingsbury books. This book captured my heart and soul from page one. You feel as though you are part of the family among the pages of each book. Taking on a life within them. This book gives you a sense of wanting to do more in life instead of merely watching what goes on around you. A great read especially as the holidays approach.

Karen has done it again. Another great read, a Karen Kingsbury version of Gods Not Dead 2. An encouragement for us today to stand up for what we believe in, and not shy away in fear. There is too much at stake!

I’ll be up front, I’ve been a fan of Karen Kingsbury forever. My mom was reading her books for years then when I got older and wanted more than my Teen genre had to offer she began recommending Kingsbury. I fell in love. Her books give you a chance to relax and get away from the stress of the world while believing happily ever afters are possible and your faith can get you through anything.

This is the first time ever I felt like I had to force myself to finish and it was not an enjoyable experience.

I’m extremely sure those who are cheerleading Christians, those who feel victimized by the world for being Christian, very fundamentalists, whatever label you’d fall under are going to LOVE this book. Why do I think that? Because it’s not so much a fictional story as a playbook for how to fight the evil, liberal, American society that is hell bent on ridding itself of the Christian faith. At least that is the picture painted here.

Maybe I’m just burned out and tired over the liberal versus Christian fight that seems to be filling my social media on a daily basis. Maybe it’s being an Irish Catholic in the United States, even worse being an Irish Catholic in the south part of the States where only Protestant faiths are revered, that has created this hard coating to my ability to enjoy this stuff anymore.

Whatever the reason I just had a hard time reading this to the point I kept putting it down and finally had to force myself to read 1-2 chapters at a time just so I could finally finish. I felt she painted the characters in completely unrealistic situations such as when one teacher has her students bring their favorite book to class to talk about. One of the students, whose mother is volunteering in the classroom that day, brought her bible and the teacher immediately tells her she can’t talk about it. The mother proceeds to take the teacher out of the classroom and give her this lecture about how her daughter can talk about the bible and the way the teacher just rolled over and allowed the parent to dictate how her classroom would be handled was unbelievable. I’m not saying the parent was wrong or the teacher was wrong in their belief I’m just saying the dialogue and actions used were completely unrealistic. Through the vast majority of the book though it was like that where liberals were painted as being idiotic and conservatives were painted as being the only intelligent ones.

You also receive more legal language and law history than I thought possible to weave into a fictional story. It very much reads like a history of how the Christian faith has been under attack in the States and comes off like one gigantic middle finger to the liberal viewpoint.

I just felt like Kingsbury is extraordinary pissed at the liberal population in the US and poured forth all her anger into this story. I’m sure those who agree with her position are going to use this as their bible and take notes of all the legal issues and laws she poured into it to help them use their kids to fight their adult war through the next generation.

I just wanted to escape from the bickering for a little while not be dragged through it on the pages of a book.

I have read most of Karen Kingsbury's books and have never been disappointed. This book was fantastic and a slight deviation from her usual material. Our religious freedoms are being threatened and this book really opened my eyes to the realities of our world. I love that the Baxter family are still major characters in the book but the story is not solely about them I enjoyed meeting new people in their world. I had a hard time putting this book down and appreciate the opportunity to read it. I will be recommending this for Christmas gifts!

I don't know why I choose books like this. I must get lured in by the covers. They are so one sided, heavy handed, fear mongering drivel that it's hard to find the story. I'm sure there is an audience for this type of story, but I'm not it.