Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxters #31) - Karen Kingsbury Page 0,94

movies, visit my website, www.KarenKingsbury.com. There you can enter your email address to sign up for my free weekly newsletter. I make my big announcements on my newsletter first! These emails come straight to you and with my blogs and devotions, event updates and a little something to encourage you.

Like I said, the biggest news will always be on my newsletter first, so sign up today!

At my website, you can also find out how to stay encouraged with me on social media or at one of my events.

Finally, if you are seeking a faith like that of the Baxter family, find a Bible-believing church and get connected. There is a reason you came across this book. Remember, the Baxters are not just my family. They are yours. And because of that, we are all connected. Until next time… I’m praying for you.

Thanks for being part of the family.

Love you all!

THE BAXTER FAMILY: YESTERDAY AND TODAY

For some of you, this is your first time with the Baxter family. Please know you don’t have to read any other Baxter books to read this one. Like my other recent titles, Truly, Madly, Deeply stands alone! But if you read this and want to start at the beginning, the starting place is my book Redemption.

That’s where the adventure of the Baxters begins.

Whether you’ve known the Baxters for years or are just meeting them now, here’s a quick summary of the family, their kids and their ages. Also, because these characters are fictional, I’ve taken some liberty with their ages. Let’s just assume these are their current ages.

Now, let me introduce you to—or remind you of—the Baxter family:

* * *

THE BAXTERS BEGAN in Bloomington, Indiana, and most of the family still lives there today.

The Baxter house is on ten acres outside of town, with a winding creek that runs through the backyard. It has a wraparound porch, a pretty view and memories of a lifetime of love and laughter. John and Elizabeth Baxter moved into when their children were young. They raised their family here. Today it is owned by one of their daughters—Ashley—and her husband, Landon Blake. It is still the place where the extended Baxter family gathers for special celebrations.

* * *

DR. JOHN BAXTER: John is the patriarch of the Baxter family. Formerly an emergency room doctor and professor of medicine at Indiana University, he’s now retired. John’s first wife, Elizabeth, died long ago from a recurrence of cancer. Years later, John married Elaine, and the two live in Bloomington.

* * *

DAYNE MATTHEWS: Dayne is the oldest son of John and Elizabeth. Dayne was born out of wedlock and given up for adoption at birth. His adoptive parents died in a small plane crash when he was 18. Years later, Dayne became a very visible and popular movie star. At age 30, he hired an attorney to find his birth parents—John and Elizabeth Baxter. He had a moment with Elizabeth in the hospital before she died, and years later he connected with the rest of his biological family. Dayne is married to Katy. The couple has three children: Sophie, 10; Egan, 8; and Blaise, 6. They are very much part of the Baxter family, and they split time between Los Angeles and Bloomington.

* * *

DR. BROOKE BAXTER WEST: Brooke is a pediatrician in Bloomington, married to Peter West, also a doctor. The couple has two daughters: Maddie, 22, and Hayley, 19. The family experienced a tragedy when Hayley suffered a near-drowning at age 3. She recovered miraculously, but still has disabilities caused by the incident.

* * *

KARI BAXTER TAYLOR: Kari is a designer, married to Ryan Taylor, football coach at Clear Creek High School. The couple has three children: Jessie, 19; RJ, 13; and Annie, 10. Kari had a crush on Ryan when the two were in middle school. They dated through college, and then broke up over a misunderstanding. Kari married a man she met in college, Tim Jacobs, but some years into their marriage he had an affair. The infidelity resulted in his murder at the hands of a stalker. The tragedy devastated Kari, who was pregnant at the time with their first child, Jessie. Ryan came back into her life around the same time, and years later he and Kari married. They live in Bloomington.

* * *

ASHLEY BAXTER BLAKE: Ashley is the former black sheep of the Baxter family, married to Landon Blake, who works for the Bloomington Fire Department. The couple has four children: Cole, 19; Amy, 14; Devin,