Review: Take One by Karen Kingsbury

Synopsis: Could they change the world before the world changes them? Filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison left the mission field of Indonesia for the mission field of Hollywood with a dream bigger than both of them. Now they have done the impossible: raised enough money to produce a feature film with a message that could change the world. But as Chase and Keith begin shooting, their well-laid plans begin to unravel. With millions of dollars on the line, they make a desperate attempt to keep the film from falling apart even as a temperamental actress, a botched production schedule, and their own insecurities leave little room for the creative and spiritual passion that once motivated them. Was God really behind this movie after all? A chance meeting and friendship with John Baxter could bring the encouragement they need to stay on mission and produce a movie that will actually change people's lives. In the midst of the questions and the cameras, is it possible to keep things above the line and make a movie unlike anything done before or is the risk too great for everyone?

Details: Adult book, Christian fiction, published March 2009, 352 pages.

Karen Kingsbury is one of the best Christian fiction authors I've found yet. (Another good one is Dee Henderson.) Her stories are captivating and completely draws me into her characters' lives. Every book of hers I've found it difficult to put down.

Take One is the start of a new series, but it is also a continuation of several of Kingsbury's series, which I've also read: the Redemption series, Firstborn series, and the Sunrise series, all of which follow the Baxter family. I was thrilled when I heard that Kingsbury was going to continue writing about the Baxters vicariously through new characters. And Take One is yet another Kingsbury accomplishment. I haven't yet read a book of hers that I didn't love!

The first Karen Kingsbury book that I read was Divine, and it is still one of my favorites by her. It's about a girl who was forced into prostitution when she was a girl. If you haven't read any Kingsbury books, I recommend starting with this one. It is a stand-alone novel.

In Take One, I was especially glad to see the Cody/Bailey/Tim storyline continued from the previous series. I have to say that I was more interested in what was happening to Bailey and her roommate Andi, then about Keith and Chase's film production. But that's probably only because I'm college-aged and I relate to Bailey's life better.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series. Take Two is already out, and Take Three is coming March 23. But since I have The Mists of Avalon (which is a mega-book!) to read, plus a ton of books coming in the mail, I will have to add it to my ever-growing TBR pile!