I finally finished the five books in the “Firstborn” series by Karen Kingsbury. I had read the Redemption series a year or two ago, and I loved those books. I think they are still my favorite of all of these Baxter family related books that I have read, but I really did enjoy the Firstborn ones. I had a hard time getting them all at the library. I think I kept running into several other people reading them at the same time I was, as I had to get on the wait list for most of them.
What can I say about these books? They’re really well-written, contemporary Christian fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed them! I like reading series books because I like to see characters developed, I like to see storylines extended and played out. When you combine these books with the Redemption series, you’ve already got a series of 10 books. Now, once she finishes writing all four (or is it five?) of the upcoming Sunrise series, the next books following these same people and families, I will have to read those. I love having storylines that just keep growing and evolving and extending.
I didn’t do individual reviews on each of these books, and this isn’t really meant to be a post on my review of these books. Mostly what I wanted to do was write down one thing that really got me in this last book, “Forever”. In Forever, the author presents (by way of the matriarch of these books, who has since passed away) a list of “Ten Secrets of a Happy Marriage”. Maybe these came from another book. I don’t read much non-fiction so these might be borrowed or paraphrased. In this book and this list, there’s also mention of the “love languages” and I have yet to read that book, although I have a copy (“The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman). Anyway, irregardless of the source or author, these are wonderful guidelines, and something I need to remember. Every single day. Tim and I both try to work hard, every day, to make our marriage stronger, happier, and more fulfilling. Some days he does better and some days I do better, which I guess is normal. Anyway, I thought if I put them here, I’d have them to refer to easily. Especially since this is a library book and I don’t have a copy on my bookshelves. 🙂
As listed in the book… “Ten Secrets to a Happy Marriage“, by Elizabeth Baxter:
1. God has you here to serve one another. Love acted out is serving.
2. Women need respect and nurturing. Love your wife so she knows you’d lay your life down for her. Continue to date her and admire her. Share a hobby – find something you can do to have fun together.
3. Laugh often.
4. Be patient. Love crumbles quickly under the weight of unmet expectations.
5. Spend more time trying to fix yourself than your spouse.
6. Keep short accounts. The Bible says “Do not let the sun go down while you are angry.” Make it a habit to forgive.
7. Determine up front that divorce is not an option.
8. Learn about love languages. Not all people show love or receive it the same way. You want a back rub and your spouse wants a clean kitchen. The love languages are fairly simple: acts of service, time, physical touch, gifts and words of affirmation. Learn them. Love is better received when it’s in the language that a person speaks.
9. Words of affirmation are a love language for all men.
10. Men are born to be leaders. He cannot lead unless she gives him the confidence to do so. If you love your husband, build him up. Confident men do not seek love outside the home.
Happy Reading, everyone!
We have been studying these marriage things in Sunday School. Very good lessons and reminders.
I love Karen Kingsbury. I have three on the shelf right now to be read. I will have to check these out too!
Those 10 secrets are great. Very simple things really.
Thanks for sharing your review and that list. I really need to work on #1 and #5, quite honestly.
I am going to be so sad when the last book is written. I have read them all, including Sunrise and Summer, so I only have two more to go. The Redemption series was my favorite as well, but I just feel like I am a part of the Baxter family!
Every time I go to the library, I can’t remember this author’s name. I need to write it down.
This has been such a wonderful series and cant wait to read the next book. I used these 10 secrets on my blog a few months ago. Great minds think alike!
I can NOT wait to read that series, I’ll have to get them next time I’m out shopping OR on paperbackswap.com
Great list of 10. I so want to read this series. I’ll have to do these as my winter reads.
Thanks for the review! I’ve read the Redemption series and just loved them. I have these Firstborn books in my TBR pile. I also have the 1st book in the Sunrise series. I love most of Karen Kingsbury’s books that I’ve read.
10 simple things- however oh so true
The one we are strongest in is laughter 🙂 which allows us to keep short accounts.
Great list.
Hi Again,
Just wanted to let you know I am giving you the “You lift me up” award due to your fun style of blogging and your encouraging comments. Come over and pick it up 🙂
What a nice post and such true words! I do sometimes wonder when I see this list how such simple things, really, can be so stinkin’ hard sometimes!! 😉
Hope you had a great day–thanks for visiting.
*smiles*
Kim
Oh, I love love love all of these books. I, too, loved the ten secrets and need to work on them!!! 🙂 Because I am inpatient and couldn’t get the first book of the Redemption series for what seemed like forever and I already had the first two books of the firstborn series, I read the firstborn series first. I could’ve kicked myself for that one. It was hard reading through the Redemption series because I was constantly thinking “well, I know that this or that happens so when do we get there”, but I made it through and fell in love with the characters all over again. I can’t say enough wonderful things about these books. I’ve also read Sunrise and it was just as great! I’m looking forward to the rest of the books in this series and will be so sad when that last book is written. 🙁 I also read Ocean’s Apart by Karen Kingsbury and it was a great read too!!!
I’m pretty sure I’ve read the Redemption ones, started this series but don’t remember the one I read so I’m going to get them at the church library and read all 5, I do love the Baxter family though!
The man that married us always had a saying that we liked, “love is action”
I haven’t read any Kingsbury books yet, and I’m glad you shared those reasons. I’ve read the Five Love Languages and did enjoy it, but sometimes I forget to act on it.
I loved these books! This series about the Baxters, and all that goes with them, is wonderful!
I just finished her 2 newest in the Sunrise series. I wished she hurry up and publish the rest 🙂
Thanks Stace. I read this some time ago and want to print onto fabric for a wedding quilt I’m making. I’m so glad you had it posted!
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