Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all - a ...
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Dec 14, 2010
Alice
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I didn't really have any high expectations for this book. I'm kind of getting over Christian fiction, as much as I used to love it- most Christian books are getting too shallow and happy-ending and everyone's rich and life is perfect because of Jesus like. This book had an element of that to it- stunning good looks, big houses, really blah names (I mean, Brad and Laura and Emma? They were cool... 50 years ago) you know the deal. But it had a surprising amount of depth to it as well.
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Mar 17, 2010
Rhonda
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Karen Kingsbury doesn't shy away from the tough topics in her novels. In "Shades of Blue," it's abortion.
Brad Cutler is a young advertising executive in New York, preparing to marry Laura James, the boss's daughter, in what looks to be a storybook wedding. But there's a problem - Brad's haunted by a relationship that ended a decade before.
The relationship was with Emma Landon, a childhood friend who became the high school sweetheart and love of Brad's life. Em More...
Brad Cutler is a young advertising executive in New York, preparing to marry Laura James, the boss's daughter, in what looks to be a storybook wedding. But there's a problem - Brad's haunted by a relationship that ended a decade before.
The relationship was with Emma Landon, a childhood friend who became the high school sweetheart and love of Brad's life. Em More...
Jan 22, 2010
Keiki
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“Simply a must read for fiction lovers who would dare engage into the Truth about the Sanctity of Life, the consequences of bad choices, and God’s power to heal and reconcile us after the most atrocious of sins.”
Those who are pro-choice (better named parent’s choice as the child has no choice at all) would most likely not read this novel.
Planned Parenthood supporters would ridicule it (the last act of vestige of someone without a defensible position.)
And, thos More...
Those who are pro-choice (better named parent’s choice as the child has no choice at all) would most likely not read this novel.
Planned Parenthood supporters would ridicule it (the last act of vestige of someone without a defensible position.)
And, thos More...
Nov 30, 2009
Kathryn
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Mar 13, 2010
Molly
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Karen Kingsbury is one of my FAVORITE authors! She truly has the gift of writing that comes from God. He speaks through her hands. So, I am excited about getting to review this book. It's not only by my favorite author, it partially takes place in my home state of North Carolina! A double bonus!
In Shades of Blue, Karen really touches hearts with this story of secrets, unresolved past issues, loss and forgiveness. Karen really packs this book full of lessons to be learned. Emma and B More...
In Shades of Blue, Karen really touches hearts with this story of secrets, unresolved past issues, loss and forgiveness. Karen really packs this book full of lessons to be learned. Emma and B More...
Oct 31, 2010
Laura
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Brad Cutler is a handsome, successful ad executive who is on the brink of marrying the perfect woman, Laura James. He finds himself suddenly at a loss to promote his latest campaign, Kotton Kids, and instead finds himself thinking of his high school girlfriend Emma Landon.
Emma and Brad grew up together on the North Carolina coast. They were friends since childhood and became a couple in high school. Their relationship had a complicated and heart breaking ending, and both Brad an More...
Emma and Brad grew up together on the North Carolina coast. They were friends since childhood and became a couple in high school. Their relationship had a complicated and heart breaking ending, and both Brad an More...
Oct 20, 2010
Micah
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In the book Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury, Brad has a wretched past. He and his girlfriend Emma had been best friends since elementary school. They had loved each other until one day their love went too far, on the banks of Holden Beach. Emma gets pregnant. They were both Christians and regretted their decision right after they did it. But did it stop them from doing it again? No. They continued to “express their love” to one another. When Emma found out she was pregnant she wanted to ke
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Dec 16, 2009
Readersentertainment
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Brad Cutler lives in New York and has a dream job. A dream life! He is engaged to the love of his life who also happens to be the boss’s daughter. Brad is a Christian man and the relationship between him and Laura seems perfect. But, a past sin comes back to haunt Brad and before he can marry Laura and start his new life with her he has to go back home to North Carolina and right a wrong. Unfortunately that means seeing his old high school sweetheart. Brad only makes matters worse when he doesn’
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Nov 12, 2009
Heather
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I received this book free from the author. It wasn't a promotional thing, rather I won it via a Twitter contest. I recently discovered Karen Kingsbury, and wasn't sure what to expect. I enjoyed her 9/11 series, and figured I'd enjoy this one, too. I had little idea what was coming when I began. But, pretty early on I was kinda able to guess what was coming. And, oh, the pain. Karen Kingsbury handles a very difficult subject very well. I am impressed. This is a heart-wrenching story - in a MUCH d
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Mar 30, 2011
Beth
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I did enjoy reading this novel. Kingsbury isn't afraid to talk about the tough issues of today. The characters in the story seemed to reflect sincere emotions of a real person who had gone through the same type of thing.
Some of the writing was a bit on the nose--sometimes there was just a bit too much telling for my taste, but I can be quite picky about that at times. I also thought some of the dialog and interaction between the characters was a bit unrealistic at times. I also thoug More...
Some of the writing was a bit on the nose--sometimes there was just a bit too much telling for my taste, but I can be quite picky about that at times. I also thought some of the dialog and interaction between the characters was a bit unrealistic at times. I also thoug More...
Dec 13, 2009
Michele
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This book deals with the issue of abortion and how both the male and female still have guilt after aborting their baby. A few weeks before his wedding to Laura, Brad starts to remember his old high school girlfriend and the abortion that he had encouraged to have when they had gotten pregnant. He seeks forgiveness from Emma, his old high school girlfriend who is still having a hard time to forgive herself even though she did go to college, has a career and a house she is still stuck in that da
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Mar 21, 2011
Trinity
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Another Karen Kingsbury book that I absolutely love. Shades of blue is so full of true life situations and drama that there is never a boring part. Karen deals with many hard issues and the outcome isn’t always as we thought they would be. In this book you will find bad decisions, heartache, loss, loneliness, forgiveness, peace, happiness and finally joy. Shades of Blue deals with the abortion issue, which is very real in our world.
Ten years ago Brad and Emma made a horrible decision that More...
Ten years ago Brad and Emma made a horrible decision that More...
Dec 02, 2009
Mandy
rated it:
It won't be until the end of the book that you understand the title of this book - Shade Of Blue - but in normal Karen Kingsbury fashion, you will quickly be swept up into this story of struggle.
Brad, Emma, and Laura, the main characters, face betrayal, hurt, and forgiveness in a depth that will touch your heart and move you to action in your own life and in your own circumstances.
The focus of this book is on abortion. Karen has written in a way that will bring compassio More...
Brad, Emma, and Laura, the main characters, face betrayal, hurt, and forgiveness in a depth that will touch your heart and move you to action in your own life and in your own circumstances.
The focus of this book is on abortion. Karen has written in a way that will bring compassio More...
Aug 10, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
Regardless or whether you are Pro Life, Pro Choice, or haven't thought about it this Christian fiction book will make you think about God's forgiveness and put a totally different light on the subject.
I picked up this book because of the cover, it was going to be a beach read, but I got something more. In the end I had tears streaming down my face as I thought of those I judged and conversations I couldn't have more than twenty years ago.
This book also is part of the People More...
I picked up this book because of the cover, it was going to be a beach read, but I got something more. In the end I had tears streaming down my face as I thought of those I judged and conversations I couldn't have more than twenty years ago.
This book also is part of the People More...
Jul 23, 2010
Linda
rated it:
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is that I am tired of reading books by Christian authors who glamorize the characters - "she" is always young and extremely beautiful and "he" his always young and terribly handsome. Not everyone who falls in love in the real world are beautiful and handsome nor young. I expect this from secular authors but don't understand why it has to be prevalent in Christian books.
Otherwise, I liked this book very much. The subject of More...
Otherwise, I liked this book very much. The subject of More...
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Feb 03, 2010
Jennifer
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Great book! So glad I got it from the library (yet had to wait a bit for one to become available).
I think I will be looking into more of Kingsbury's books to read.
The story was a quick read, and I enjoyed the Christian standpoint. Some references to the bible made me want to go run and get my bible out too.
The story revolves around Brad with a past that he has kept hidden from his fiance (very soon to be wife) Laura. Also the story involves Emma a teacher (love it!) who shared More...
I think I will be looking into more of Kingsbury's books to read.
The story was a quick read, and I enjoyed the Christian standpoint. Some references to the bible made me want to go run and get my bible out too.
The story revolves around Brad with a past that he has kept hidden from his fiance (very soon to be wife) Laura. Also the story involves Emma a teacher (love it!) who shared More...
Feb 16, 2011
Kristy
rated it:
This is not my type of book. At all. It was religious. It made no false pretense of what the book was about. But I still had to read it.
And it wasn't as bad as I thought considering it was religious. I just skipped the bible verses (thank you new paragraph) and continued on.
As I am pregnant now, reading about the abortion was so weird to me. I am against abortions for myself, but believe women should be able to choose. However, I remember how excited I was at 3 months More...
And it wasn't as bad as I thought considering it was religious. I just skipped the bible verses (thank you new paragraph) and continued on.
As I am pregnant now, reading about the abortion was so weird to me. I am against abortions for myself, but believe women should be able to choose. However, I remember how excited I was at 3 months More...
Oct 20, 2011
Jeanie
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Abortion is probably the most divisive social law that we have and will continue to have. The fictional story is about the 3 that abortion affects. The mother, the father and the baby. I liked the Kingsbury gave this baby a name. Just like the holocaust, it was a mass of people without names and abortion in our society has become that. However, there are names, with likes and dislikes, with gifts, and worth. The story is not about judgement, but about forgiveness and healing. The healing
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Jan 30, 2010
Jan
rated it:
This was another great book by Karen Kingsbury. I love her books. She touched on a subject that most authors would run screaming from. It takes a great writer with a lot of compassion to write this story and get it right. It may be that she has some "experience" from the situation (you will find the explantion at the end of the book in her letter to the reader). With that she made it very realistic. I could very well see this situation and its effects quite truly. It is a story
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Nov 05, 2009
Laura
rated it: 
The topic of dealing with an abortion 10 years after the fact was too emotionally draining for me. I can not imagine being in that situation, living with the grief and those emotions and also trying to move one. That's a loaded plot, for sure!
The book was well written like all of this author's but it was by far not my favorite. It took me a while to read, but knowing it's due back to the library on Saturday was the push I needed to finish it.
Oh yes, I did appreciate th More...
The book was well written like all of this author's but it was by far not my favorite. It took me a while to read, but knowing it's due back to the library on Saturday was the push I needed to finish it.
Oh yes, I did appreciate th More...
Jun 27, 2011
Rebeca
rated it:
I really am glad she wrote this book. I enjoyed reading her letter to readers at the end, which elaborates on her reason for writing this book. The topic of abortion is addressed, and although it was pretty predictable from the beginning, it was handled well. It is a difficult topic to handle and to wrap up that kind of emotional baggage and end a novel successfully without making it a heavy read. I was very pleased by the redemption that came after the highly emotional struggles of the two main
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Nov 09, 2010
Kristy (DreamingByDay)
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I love how Karen Kingsbury tells a story! I felt overwhelmed at times while reading this, feeling sympathy for the characters - and you really feel compassion for them as you travel through their story: heartbreak, sorrow, confusion, and finally, hope.
This story follows a young executive, Brad, who moved away from his hometown in North Carolina and left his high school sweetheart, Emma, after a devastating decision drove them apart. Years later, both realize that their wounds were More...
This story follows a young executive, Brad, who moved away from his hometown in North Carolina and left his high school sweetheart, Emma, after a devastating decision drove them apart. Years later, both realize that their wounds were More...
Jun 06, 2010
Heather M.
rated it:
I read this just to get away from the vampires for a little while and have some light beach reading. It was a nice story, but did leave tears in my eyes towards the end. A young couple have an abortion many many years ago and are now finding it very hard to cope. They come together 10 years later to finally deal w/their heartbreak in order to move on w/the rest of their lives. It has strong religious references in the book as well. Anyway, I just picked it up b/c of the cover and it turned out t
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Jan 30, 2010
Erin
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It was their choice. They were young and decided to go ahead with a decision that covered up their mistake... and drove them far, far apart from each other. Ten years later, Brad is weeks away from his wedding when he realizes he must seek forgiveness from the girl he harmed before he can move on. The story went slowly for me but I soon realized that perhaps what I was expecting was not going to be the outcome... and I was hooked! There is nothing so wrong that God cannot forgive, and nothing fr
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Mar 26, 2010
Jenny
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This is a powerful story that reveals what happens after an abortion. Ms. Kingsbury definitely does not gloss over the fact that abortion is essentially murder (thank you!), thereby having a lasting effect on women (and men) who make this "choice". Brad & Emma's story was powerfully written and I especially appreciated reading about how we as Christians SHOULD respond toward others in crisis. As always, her writing ability pulled me into the story early on, making me feel like I was a
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Nov 10, 2009
Lorrie
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For some, this book might not be that exciting or inspiring; for me it was deep and thought provoking, because it was personal. I don't think I have ever cried so much while reading a book, as I did reading this one. I don't mean a tear or two, I mean tears streaming crying. Unfortunately, I could relate all too well with the young female character in this book, with the pain, the shame, the self-condemnation; I could also relate to the healing, the cleansing and the forgiveness that only God ca
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Aug 26, 2011
Kate
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A Karen Kingsbury novel. What can I say except that sometimes I WISH her characters weren't so real. This book deals with a very difficult subject (abortion) and at a particularly sad part of the book, I felt my heart breaking for the book's characters and had to remind myself that they're not real people!
Of course, that's probably why Kingsbury has been one of my favourite novelists for years . . . excellently real characters, and an unflinching way of dealing with hard topics in a godly m More...
Of course, that's probably why Kingsbury has been one of my favourite novelists for years . . . excellently real characters, and an unflinching way of dealing with hard topics in a godly m More...
Jul 12, 2010
Jeanne
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Had to read this book, since I was including it in my comparisons to my own novel. It took a while for me to care about the characters. I was curious to see how Kingsbury dealt with such a tender topic. I enjoyed her Biblical inclusions, but the women who were supposed to be such a part of the fiancee's life seemed so briefly sketched and weren't really part of it. I felt the characters came and went as it was convenient for the author, not as it might actually happen.
Jun 08, 2011
Katie
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Karen Kingsbury does a great job of talking about a very sad, yet serious modern issue in today's world. She has a way of telling a story that really draws a reader in.
Brad is an up and coming NYC ad guy who is engaged to marry his boss's daughter. But a secret from his past haunts him and he finally comes clean to Laura. Doing what he feels he has to do, he makes amends and finishes writing that chapter of his life.
Brad shows great faith and courage in approaching his f More...
Brad is an up and coming NYC ad guy who is engaged to marry his boss's daughter. But a secret from his past haunts him and he finally comes clean to Laura. Doing what he feels he has to do, he makes amends and finishes writing that chapter of his life.
Brad shows great faith and courage in approaching his f More...
Aug 31, 2010
Katrina
rated it:
This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I enjoyed how she wrote each chapter from a different characters point of view. It really gave me something to consider, the thougths and feelings of each person and they worked through the "reckless summer" of two characters youth which lead them to an abortion clinic, and the after effects that their decisions caused to everyone involved. It made me cry! Karen is an excellent writer- I give her credit!
