"Longing" by Karen Kingsbury

Every new Kingsbury release is a much-anticipated event. I was able to review a pre-release of the last book of the Bailey Flanigan series, "Learning", and was so excited to see the adventures of Bailey, Cody and Brandon continue in "Longing".

In this book Bailey has more time than ever with Brandon, as he is filming right there in New York City where she is still performing on Broadway. Brandon is brimming with confidence that his relationship with Bailey is unshakeable and headed towards happily ever after. It is in "Longing", though, that Bailey finally gets the chance to see Cody Coleman again, to sit with him and share their hearts. Who will she choose?

There's only one choice, in my opinion. :-) But I won't tell you where the relationships stand at the end of this book -- if you want to know, you'll have to read it yourself! :-)

While Bailey is seeing God work in her castmates in NYC, Cody is back in Indiana still coaching Lyle high. It's a time for him to make many decisions in his life, including how to react when his friend Cheyenne receives a devastating medical diagnosis. You'll cry and cheer your way with Cody, while Bailey's half of the story will keep you turning pages to see where her heart will land in the end.

One of my favorite scenes in the whole book was the very last one, where Jenny Flanigan (modeled after our author herself!) gives a confession to her husband. It was a glimpse into Karen's own heart on how she views the Bailey-Cody-Brandon situation. By the end of "Longing" it seems almost certain who the groom on the cover of "Loving" will be... but we'll have to wait until March to see exactly how it all plays out!

This book is special to me because I am in it. I am in a Karen Kingsbury book! She held a contest a few months ago for fans to submit endorsement blurbs which would appear at the front of the book, and mine was one of 30 selected. Hurray! Be sure to check it out and find my name and my review. :-)