Chasing Sunsets {by Karen Kingsbury}

Title: Chasing Sunsets
Author: Karen Kingsbury

Series: Angels Walking #2

Genre: Christian Fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: publisher

 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes the second novel in a brand-new series about divine intervention and the trials and triumphs of life; the dramatic story of a woman desperate to find deeper meaning in her life.
Growing up in a comfortable home, Mary Catherine wanted for nothing. Though she loves her wealthy parents, their lifestyle never appealed to her. Instead, Mary Catherine pursues meaning through charity work, giving away a part of herself but never giving away her heart.
Mary Catherine lives in Los Angeles with her roommate, Sami, and volunteers at a local youth center with coach Tyler Ames and LA Dodger Marcus Dillinger. Despite Mary Catherine's intention to stay single, she finds herself drawing close to Marcus, and their budding romance offers an exciting life she never dreamed of. That is, until she receives devastating news from her doctor. News that alters her future and forces her to make a rash decision.
Inspirational and moving, Chasing Sunsets is the story of one woman's deep longings of the soul, and the sacrifices she's willing to make in search of healing. 

 

I loved this one even more than the first book. Although the main characters from Angels Walking, Tyler and Sami, appear in this one, this book focuses more on Sami's roommate Mary Catherine, and Tyler's best friend, Marcus.

We also get a different set of angels this time, Jag and Aspyn. I liked how this story explored some different aspects of the angels, such as how human emotions could affect them, and how they overcame that. I mentioned before that the angels were my favorite part, and that was true for this book too. I think we got to see more of them, and I loved that.

I also loved these characters. Something about Mary Catherine just stuck with me, and I loved her. Not going to lie, she insured me. She believes in living life to the fullest, and is adventurous in a way that I am not. But her full life philosophy doesn't just extend to jumping out of planes. She also believes living life includes making connections with people, and does a lot of charity work and churn
work. Although I did also like Marcus, there were some things that still held me back (like the whole Shelly thing). But still, I liked the two as a pair (or, the pair they could become).

Again, this book wasn't wholly focused on the romance as it was on the other things going on. The gang wars, Marcus's community center, and Mary Catherine's secret of her health. There were many different aspects of this story that kept it interesting, fast-paced, and moving.

This definitely has Kingsbury's signature inspiration and faith-based style, in a new and unique way. I would definitely recommend this series, and will be continuing. I need the next book, like, now.

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Karen Kingsbury:

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Angel's Walking {by Karen Kingsbury}

Title: Angels Walking

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Series: Angels Walking #1

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Received from publisher

From New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes the first in a brand-new series about second chances: a dramatic story about a washed up baseball player, the love he left behind, and the miracles that might save them both. When former national baseball star Tyler Ames suffers a career-ending injury, all he can think about is putting his life back together the way it was before. He has lost everyone he loves on his way to the big leagues. Then just when things seem to be turning around, Tyler hits rock bottom.Across the country, Tyler's one true love Sami Dawson has moved on. A series of small miracles leads Tyler to a maintenance job at a retirement home and a friendship with Virginia Hutcheson, an old woman with Alzheimer's who strangely might have the answers he so desperately seeks. A team of Angels Walking take on the mission to restore hope for Tyler, Sami, and Virginia. Can such small and seemingly insignificant actions of the unseen bring healing and redemption? And can the words of a stranger rekindle lost love? Every journey begins with a step. It is time for the mission to begin.

Karen Kingsbury has done it again. Angels Walking was a unique story that captivated. I know I said previously that I had felt her stories were becoming formulaic, even becoming boring. But this one was unique and piqued my interest.

Two angels, Beck and Ember, have been sent to Earth. The whole group of angels have a mission, and these two have been chosen to complete the first part of it: Tyler Ames. A former baseball star, who ruined his career and is trying to make his comeback. Until he cant. His first love, Sami, lives across the country, supposedly moved on.

My favorite part would have to be the angels. I actually wish there were more scenes from Beck and Ember's point of view. It was interesting to see the way they worked, the way they walked among the humans, watching, listening, and helping.

I also like how this was not really romance based. I mean, yes, Tyler was focused on his first love, Sami. And Sami was focused on first her boyfriend, and then Tyler. But the story focused more on Tyler, and his growth as a person.

I also loved Virginia and her part of the story. She was so sweet, and just lent a wonderful side to the story and to Tyler's growth and discovery.

Does this still have the everything-works-out perfectly in an almost unrealistic way? Yes. But it is a book about miracles. And this was a great, invested read. It definitely kept me interested the entire time. I already need the next one!

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 Karen Kingsbury:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads