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Baxter Family Reading Order:
- Redemption Series
- Firstborn Series
- Sunrise Series
- Above The Line Series
- Bailey Flanigan Series
- Coming Home Book
(“The Baxter Family” books can be read after that and are all standalone)
Publication Order of Above the Line Books
Publication Order of Angels Walking Books
Publication Order of Bailey Flanigan Books
Publication Order of The Baxter Family Books
Publication Order of Baxter Family Children Books
with Tyler RussellPublication Order of The Bridge Books
Publication Order of Cody Gunner Books
Publication Order of Coming Home Books
Publication Order of Lost Love Books
Publication Order of Firstborn Books
Publication Order of Forever Faithful Books
Publication Order of Heart of the Story Books
Publication Order of Liberty University Short Stories/Novellas
Publication Order of Red Gloves Books
Publication Order of Redemption Books
Publication Order of September 11 Books
Publication Order of Sunrise Books
Publication Order of Timeless Love Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Publication Order of Picture Books
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Novels
Karen Kingsbury was born on June 8 1963 in Fairfax, Virginia in the United States of America. Her parents were Ted and Anne Kingsbury. There were other children in the family with Karen being the eldest. She went to Canoga Park School from where she graduated in 1981. She later joined California State University Northridge which she left with a degree in Journalism in 1986.
During her senior year at the University, she took her internship at the Los Angeles Times as a sports reporter. After graduation she was employed by the Los Angeles Daily News where she continued as a sports writer for two years. Karen was then promoted to the front page of the Sunday paper in which she wrote emotional feature stories.
Marriage and Family
Karen Kingsbury got married to her husband Donald when still in her twenties. They have a total of six children, three biological and three adopted. Their three adopted sons were orphans in Haiti, and she strongly felt that she should bring them up. They have since been one big family, who are easily a great inspiration for her in her writing. The family has a deeply Christian orientation. They are all Christians professing salvation.
This orientation helped greatly in making Karen’s work consist of mainly Christian messages. That is what earned her the title of Queen of Christian writing from the New York Times. Karen says that all the members of her family are very supportive of her writing career. Apart from her immediate family, she says that her big legion of fans constitute a larger family with which she has to communicate every day.
Career
Karen started off as a journalist but became more renowned for the many novels she has written. Her fictional works number over 50 and she is still writing. Ten of her novels have hit number 1 on American national listings. There are over 25 million copies of her books in print, and they are still selling. Her very first novel was Missy’s Murder which came out in 1991. It is based on a true murder story she had covered for the Los Angeles Daily News.
It is about a lady, coincidentally known as Karen, who goes after the killers of her friend Missy. Some of her books are produced in series while others are stand alone novels. Among her renowned series are the Redemption, 9/11, Lost Love, Red Glove, Forever Faithful, Women of Faith, Cody Gunner, Children, First Born, Above the Line, Bailey Flanigan and True Crime. In addition she has over 14 stand alone ones.
Themes and Characters
Due to her Christian orientation, her novels have a strong religious message in them. They cover several themes including love, crime, family relations, faith, romance and success. Her earlier novels were heavily influenced by real life stories she covered for the newspaper, which were later thinly fictionalized.
Her latter stories were influenced by her religion and experiences of her relatives. For instance, Zack Dylan, the lead character in Fifteen Minutes closely resembles Donald, Karen’s Husband. In some cases, the challenges she faced in her life led to books with strong central female characters, who closely resemble her, such as the mother in Whatever you Grow Up to Be.
Famous Characters
Perhaps the most famous characters that Karen Kingsbury ever created are the Baxter Family who transcend from the Redemption series all the way to the Bailey Flanigan series. They also appear in the stand alone novel Coming Home. This makes them almost real. There is also the main character, David Milner, in the Deadly Pretender. Milner is a double life character, who marries two women without disclosing to either, the prescience of the other.
When he is found out, he now plans to carry a murder that can’t be traced to him. Also outstanding is Karen Severson, a friend to the murdered girl, Missy Avila, in Missy’s Murder. Severson vows to unearth Missy’s killers and works heard against all odd to achieve just that. Interestingly, she shares a first name with the author herself.
Movies
Many of Karen’s novels have been scripted into movies and subsequently released, with great reviews. Among these are; Like Dandelion Dust which is a movie and now features in the form of DVDs. Another one is Missy’s’ Murder which has received great levels of success in theatres and home entertainment. Another one is The Deadly Pretender. The novel is so dramatic and has such a strong theme, that it makes a natural movie. It definitely didn’t disappoint when it was released as one.
Plans are underway to release more of her books into movies as well. The outstanding thing about all these movies is the way they deliver their messages without resorting to sexual overtures, undue violence or exaggerated drama which are common features in most contemporary productions. Nevertheless, they still make for intriguing viewing.
Songwriting
Karen has also proven herself in the field of song writing. She has penned a number of tunes which have been sung by reputable musicians. Her songs include Walls co-written with Gary Baker and Richie McDonald. It was later produced as part of the McDonald’s album I Turn to You.
It has strong religious message and was thus featured on Christian radio and sold in Christian stores. It is simply outstanding how the lady successfully combines textual and lyrical prowess with outstanding results in both. However, music is more of a pastime to her, the first love is writing.
Motivational Speaking
Karen is quite an active character. She is a motivational speaker addressing audiences of 100,000 women regularly on life issues. Though her messages are based on her faith, she reaches a wide audience that includes non-Christians.
She also has a wide fan base in the social media with which she communicates regularly. She answers questions about her life emanating from eager followers in the sites. Many women consider her a proper role model and great motivator in their lives. Judging by the millions of followers she has and the many books she has written, Karen Kingsbury is definitely one of the greatest writers today.
Book Series In Order » Authors » Karen Kingsbury
19 Responses to “Karen Kingsbury”
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Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!
As a teenager I read and reread all of Emily Loring and Grace Livingston Hill books. I am now retired at 74 years of age and have just now discovered your books. I first read a few of your stand alone books and absolutely loved them. I just finished the redemption series and I’m almost through the first born series. I was so happy to find the reading list to the Baxter Family reading order! Thank you for your dedication to writing Christian fiction that is so inspirational as well as entertaining. Your gift for writing is amazing!! The way you add scripture into all of your work is so refreshing. It has encouraged me to take my prayer life to a new level. God bless you.
I finished reading the Sunrise Series which they very good, then A Baxter Family Christmas. Boy was I upset when I found out that Erin, Sam, and 3 of their daughters were killed in a car accident. What book or books was that in? I would love to read them, please.
Hi Karen, I have read and own over 50 of your books. I was given them by a senior citizen at a retirement community I worked at. I would read one, return it, and she would give me another. When she could no longer see to read she gave me her entire collection which are the books I now own. I am currently in the process of sharing them with friends. I love your books Karen, and am so blessed to have gotten to read a whole lot of them. Thank you for your continued efforts.
I have read over 30 of your books since latter part of August. The Baxter family books are the best books I’ve ever read. I can’t put them down once I get started reading and so much scripture in them that goes along with our daily living. Will start on the Baily Flanigan series tomorrow after I go to library.
Keep up the writing.
Just finished the Above the Line series and Unlocked(2nd time) and was mesmerized that it was hard to get anything else accomplished. I love to read your books. Have read several others, but always condemned myself for reading. NOT anymore. I love your books and I am just getting started. I am starting on “Leving” right now. I need to pick up a couple I am missing. Thank you for your inspiration to write and give us such wonderful books. May the Lord continue to bless you in your writing.
I am 79yr old & have read 29 of her books in 5 1/2 months & have cried many times. They are addicting & inspirational. I love the constant reminder in everyday life situations that God is in control & that He NEVER leaves us. We just need to remember to talk to Him often. I regret that I was not a better Christian parent when my children were young & taught to love Jesus more like the Baxters & Flannigans did. And “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is one of my favorite songs too.
Love all your books and have now finished all the Baxter Family series, and many of your other books.
Are there other Christian authors that you recommend? I know Jesus as my loving Savior and love how you write of Him. Thanks Karen – have a blessed day.
I’m reading the Chance. but I so wish I had read the Cody Gunner books and the bridge books first
Was the book-The Followers of Jesus published? I can’t find it anywhere.
Hi Elaine – no it was not. Canceled by the publisher.
I would like the order of Karen Kingsbury series
That’s what this is?
I love reading all your books, but I sure would like an order, but they are to be read trying to pick up every book.
Printed the list off, in order. I am hooked on your books. Written beautifully. I wanted to make sure I haven’t missed one. I found a few on Amazon.
Very Appreciated
edna
What order should you read Karen’s books? I read Even Now and Ever After and I am hooked.
The orders listed above. Each series is separate except for the Baxter Family universe which we explain at the top how to read.
I have a question ⁉️ on the Bailey Flanagan series,. I was wondering if To the Moon and Back , connected to this series,. Cause I love Bailey’s story. Would love to know more about her and her family ❤️
chronological order of books written by Karen Kingsley
You can follow the Baxter Family Reading Order listed at the top.