Finally, if you gave your life over to God during the reading of this book, or if you found your way back to faith in Him, please know I’m praying for you. Tell me about your life-change by sending me a letter to
[email protected] Write “New Life” in the subject line. If this is your situation, I encourage you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area, pray for God’s leading, and start reading the Bible. But if you can’t afford one and don’t already have one, write “Bible” in the subject line. Tell me how God used this novel to change your life, and then include your address in your email. If you are financially unable to find a Bible any other way, I will send you one.
One last thing. I will donate a book to any high school or middle school librarian who makes a request. Check out my website for details.
Again, thanks for journeying with me through the pages of this book. I can’t wait to hear your feedback on Loving! Oh, and look for my biggest Baxter Family book to date later this year: The Baxter Family — Coming Home.
Until then, keep your eyes on the cross.
In His light and love,
Karen Kingsbury
www.KarenKingsbury.com
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Did you hope Bailey would end up marrying Brandon or Cody? Explain your feelings.
2. Why do you think Bailey ended up deciding Cody wasn’t the right guy for her?
3. Why do you think Cody ended up deciding Bailey wasn’t the right girl for him?
4. How do you feel about Cody finding a relationship with Andi?
5. Andi has a broken past, same as Cody. Why is their story so important for people reading this story? Explain what you know about God’s grace and forgiveness in your own life?
6. Did you have a Cody or Bailey type character in your teenage years? What happened to that person?
7. How has God led you to the place where you are today?
8. True love makes sacrifices for each other. How did Bailey and Brandon sacrifice for each other?
9. How did Bailey sacrifice for her friendship with Andi?
10. Talk about a time in your life when someone hurt you, and when forgiveness brought healing to the situation.
11. What did you think about the reconciliation between Brandon and his parents? Have you ever seen something like that in your own life or the lives of one of your friends or family members? Discuss that situation and how it turned out.
12. Read Colossians 3:13. Jesus tells us to bear with each other and forgive each other. When have you seen this truth work in your life or the lives of others? Discuss this.
13. People refer to 1 Corinthians 13 in the Bible as the “love chapter.” Read it now. What stands out to you about the idea of loving the people in your life?
14. How have you seen the idea that love always hopes at work in your life?
15. How about the idea that love always perseveres? Give specific examples.
16. And finally, talk about how love never fails and how you have seen that at work in your life or the lives of those around you.
17. The song “Forever Love” speaks of the love God has for us, but also the love we might have for our spouse. What does the idea of Forever Love mean to you?
18. How would you have written the ending to Bailey Flanigan’s story? What do you think the future will look like for Bailey and Brandon?
19. Tell about a special wedding in your life. What were the details you remember and why were they special?
20. If you could give Bailey any advice about married life, what would you tell her? Be specific.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NO BOOK COMES TOGETHER WITHOUT A GREAT AND TALENTED team of people making it happen. For that reason, a special thanks to my friends at Zondervan who combined efforts with a number of people who were passionate about Life-Changing Fiction™ to make Loving all it could be. A special thanks to my dedicated editor, Sue Brower, and to Don Gates and Alicia Mey, my marketing team. Thanks also to the creative staff and the sales force at Zondervan who work tirelessly to put this book in your hands.
A special thanks to my amazing agent, Rick Christian, president of Alive Communications. Rick, you’ve always believed only the best for me. When we talk about the highest possible goals, you see them as doable, reachable. You are a brilliant manager of my career, an incredible agent, and I thank God for you. But even with all you do for my ministry of writing, I am doubly grateful for your encouragement and prayers. Every time I finish a book, you send me a letter worth framing, and when something big happens, yours is the first call I receive. Thank you for that. But even more, the fact that you and Debbie are praying for me and my family keeps me confident every morning that God will continue to breathe life into the stories in my heart. Thank you for being so much more than a brilliant agent.
Also, thanks to my husband, who puts up with me on deadline and doesn’t mind driving through Taco Bell after a football game if I’ve been editing all day. This wild ride wouldn’t be possible without you, Donald. Your love keeps me writing; your prayers keep me believing that God is using this ministry of Life-Changing Fiction™. Also thanks for the hours you put in helping me. It’s a full-time job, and I am grateful for your concern for my reader friends. Of course, thanks to my daughter and sons, who pull together — bringing me iced green tea and understanding my sometimes crazy schedule. I love that you know you’re still first, before any deadline.
Thank you also to my mom, Anne Kingsbury, and to my sisters, Tricia and Sue. Mom, you are amazing as my assistant — working day and night sorting through the email from my readers. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. Traveling with you these past years for Extraordinary Women, Women of Joy, and Women of Faith events has given us times together we will always treasure. The journey gets more exciting all the time!
Tricia, you are the best executive assistant I could ever hope to have. I appreciate your loyalty and honesty, the way you include me in every decision and the daily exciting changes. This ministry of Life-Changing Fiction™ has been so much more effective since you stepped in. Along the way, readers have more to help them in their faith, so much more than a story. Please know that I pray for God’s blessings on you always, for your dedication to helping me in this season of writing, and for your wonderful son, Andrew. And aren’t we having such a good time too? God works all things for good!
Sue, I believe you should’ve been a counselor! From your home far from mine, you get batches of reader letters every day, and you diligently answer them using God’s wisdom and His Word. When readers get a response from “Karen’s sister Susan,” I hope they know how carefully you’ve prayed for them and for the responses you give. Thank you for truly loving what you do, Sue. You’re gifted with people, and I’m blessed to have you aboard.
I also want to thank Kyle Kupecky, the newest addition to the LCF staff. Time and again you exceed my expectations with business and financial matters, and in supervising our many donation programs. Thank you for putting your whole heart into your work at LCF. At the same time, I pray your music ministry becomes so widespread and far-reaching that you can one day step down and do only that. In the meantime, just know that I treasure having you as part of the team.
Kelsey, you also are an enormous part of this ministry, and I thank you for truly loving the reader friends God has brought into our lives. What a special season, when you and Kyle can head into marriage knowing that you also work together doing ministry from our home office. God is so creative, so amazing. Keep working hard and believing in your dreams. Along the way, I love that you are a part of all God is doing through this special team. Tyler, a special thanks to you for running the garage warehouse and making sure our storage needs are met, and that we always have books to give away! You’re a hard worker – God will always reward that.
Thanks also to my forever friends and family, the ones who have been there and continue to be there. Your love has been a tangible source of comfort, pulling us through the tough tim
es and making us know how very blessed we are to have you in our lives.
And the greatest thanks to God. You put a story in my heart, and have a million other hearts in mind — something I could never do. I’m grateful to be a small part of your plan! The gift is yours. I pray I might use it for years to come in a way that will bring you honor and glory.
About the Author
Featuring members of the popular
BAXTER FAMILY
The answers Bailey Flanigan once longed and prayed for are finally clear.
In Loving, the fourth and final book in the Bailey Flanigan Series, Bailey is making decisions that will shape her future, decisions that will ultimately lead to a wedding no one saw coming. Bailey begins a new career and still finds time with Brandon Paul while Cody faithfully coaches his team on and off the field. But has she agreed to marry the right guy? Will she spend her life with Brandon Paul in Los Angeles, or will her heart draw her back to Bloomington, Indiana, and Cody Coleman, her first love?
Bailey has learned much and grown over the years, but the greatest challenges, the richest joys, and the deepest heartaches are still to come.
Featuring members from Karen Kingsbury’s popular Baxter family, Loving completes the stories of Bailey and Cody–the finale readers all over the world are waiting for.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KAREN KINGSBURY is America’s favorite inspirational novelist, with over 20 million books in print. Her Life-Changing Fiction® has produced multiple bestsellers, including Leaving, Take One, Between Sundays, Even Now, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, and Ever After, which was named the 2007 Christian Book of the Year. An award-winning author and newly published songwriter, Karen has several movies optioned for production, and her novel Like Dandelion Dust was made into a major motion picture and is now available on DVD. Karen is also a nationally known speaker with several women’s groups. Karen and her husband, Don, live in Tennessee with their daughter and five sons, three of whom were adopted from Haiti.
Find out more about Karen, her books, and her appearance schedule at
www.KarenKingsbury.com or on Facebook.
Also available in unabridged audio CD edition
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT KAREN KINGSBURY’S BOOKS
Karen Kingsbury’s books inspire me to be a stronger follower of Jesus Christ, to be a better wife, mother, sister, and friend. Thank you, Karen, for your faithfulness to the Lord’s gentle whisper.
Tamara B.
It’s as simple as this: God’s heart comes off these pages — every line, every word. You can feel the love and redemption of Christ through every character’s life in each book. The message is a message of hope, hope in the One who has saved us and reigns victorious!
Brenae D.
Karen’s books are like a personal Bible study — there are so many situations that can be applied directly to the truths found in God’s Word to help strengthen and encourage me …
Laura G.
I have read many of Karen’s books, and I cry with every one. I feel like I actually know the people in the story, and my heart goes out to all of them when something happens!
Kathy N.
Novels are minivacations, and Karen Kingsbury’s novels are my favorite destination.
Rachel S.
Karen Kingsbury’s books are amazing! They are inspirational, encouraging, heart touching, and definitely life changing. Thank you, Karen, for sharing your gift with us.
Lisa M. P.
The best author in the country.
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Karen’s books are like chocolate — very addicting! You can’t just eat one piece at a time; you have to eat the whole thing — you can’t just read one chapter at a time; you have to read the whole book!
Sarah M.
Karen truly has a God-given talent … I have laughed, cried, and rejoiced with your characters as if they were real people! Please keep writing, Karen … I can’t put your books down! God bless you!
Rebekah H.
The stories are fiction; their impact is real.
Debbie L. R.
It was my lucky day when a friend introduced me to Karen Kingsbury’s books! A day without K.K. isn’t complete …
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My daughter and I “fight” to read Karen’s books first. She has even said, “Mom, I’ll do dishes. You go read the latest Karen Kingsbury book!”
Terry S.
Karen Kingsbury books are like my best friends, they make me cry, laugh, and give me encouragement. God bless you, Karen, for using your talent for Him.
Tammy G.
Recently I made an effort to find good Christian writers, and I’ve hit the jackpot with Karen Kingsbury!
Linda
Every time I read one of Karen’s books I think, “It’s the best one yet.” Then the next one comes out and I think, “No, this is the best one.”
April B. M.
Karen Kingbury’s books are fantastic! She always makes me feel like I’m living the story along with the characters!
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Karen’s books speak to the heart. They are timely, entertaining, but more important, they speak God’s love into hungry souls.
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Whenever I pick up a new KK book, two things are consistent: tissues and finishing the whole book in one day.
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When I was in Iraq, Mrs. Kingsbury’s books were like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, and they made the hard days a bit easier to bear. By the end of my tour, all the ladies in my tent were hooked!
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These books are the best! I have bought every one of them. I love getting my friends “hooked” on Karen Kingsbury!
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Not only do Karen Kingsbury books make you laugh and make you cry … they will leave you begging for more … I stay awake all night when a new one comes out reading by flashlight while my family sleeps!
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Reading a Karen Kingsbury book is like watching a really good movie. I just can’t get enough of her books.
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The lady who orders books for our church library shakes her head and laughs when I tell her, “OK, Karen Kingsbury has a new book out! I get first dibs when you get it!”
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Each new Karen Kingsbury book is like a visit home. Nothing beats time with family and friends, which is just what Karen’s characters are!
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As someone who has struggled with health issues over the last two years, Karen’s books have been such an encouragement to me. They remind me that God is with me, and will never leave me. Please keep writing, I need that reminder.
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Pick up a Karen Kingsbury book, and I guarantee you will never be the same again! Karen’s books have a way of reaching the deepest parts of your soul and touching places of your heart that are longing for something more.
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Karen Kingsbury’s books make a way for God to get a hold of your heart and never let go!
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Karen Kingsbury really brings fiction to life, and I’m “longing” to read the next segment. Real men really do read KK!
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God’s love, mercy, and hope shine through every one of Karen Kingsbury’s books. She has a passion for the Lord and it shows in every story she writes. She is amazing!
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It is hard for me to walk out of a bookstore without a Karen Kingsbury book in my possession. I am hooked.
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Karen Kingsbury is changing the world … one reader at a time.
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Karen writes straight from the heart and touches each of her readers with every new story! Love, loss, family, faith, all the struggles we each face every day come to life in the characters she creates.
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Other Life-Changing Fiction™ by Karen Kingsbury
Bailey Flanigan Series
Leaving
Learning
Longing
Loving
9/11 Series
One Tuesday Morning
Beyond Tuesday Morning
Remember Tuesday Morning (formerly Every Now and Then)
Lost Love Series
Even Now
Ever After
Above the Line Series
Above the Line: Take One
Above the Line: Take Two
Above the Line: Take Three
Above the Line: Take Four
Stand-Alone Titles
Oceans Apart
Between Sundays
This Side of Heaven
When Joy Came to Stay
On Every Side
Divine
Like Dandelion Dust
Where Yesterday Lives
Shades of Blue
Unlocked
Redemption Series
Redemption
Remember
Return
Rejoice
Reunion
Firstborn Series
Fame
Forgiven
Found
Family