Tell me it gets better than this...

I enjoy reading but don't do it as much as I wish I did. So, last week I picked up the first book in a series I bought a year or two ago. It's the Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury. She's a Christian author and by the reviews I read on Amazon I was thinking I was in for a real treat. But boy this book may have been the most pathetic excuse for a "Christian" novel I have ever read. Perhaps my expectations were set too high. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Francine Rivers (who primarily writes historical/Biblical fiction) and I thought maybe (or hopefully) these would be equally as intriguing... unfortunately not the case.

Anyone read it? Anyone continued on and read the rest? Does it get better from here? Honestly, I was so upset with this book I considered throwing the rest in the fire. The only word I can think of to explain this book is CONTRIVED. It's so pathetic. Here's a brief summary of how it goes, and if you are interested in reading it let me know and I'll give it to you.

The main character, Kari, is married to Tim. Tim, a college professor, has an affair with Angela, a student. Kari goes home to her family to recover from the blow, all while remaining determined to forgive Tim and work on their marriage. And she finds out she's pregnant. But, she runs into her high school boyfriend, Ryan, and rekindles an old flame. Tim starts to drink. But eventually decides to leave Angela and come back to Kari. So, Kari and Tim are working on their marriage and things are going great. They are 2 months from the birth of their child and Angela (the student mistress) calls Tim and tells him that she's also pregnant with his child. So, Tim leaves one night to take Angela a letter explaining that while he is terribly sorry that she is pregnant, he is going to remain faithful to his wife, Kari. While delivering the letter he is shot and killed by Angela's deranged ex-boyfriend. Kari is left alone pregnant and for a short time at the hospital was left thinking that he was still involved with Angela because he was shot at her apartment. Then they bring her the letter which states he wants to remain faithful to her, but she learns Angela is pregnant. Then Angela comes in and tells Kari that she's not really pregnant she just told Tim that to get him back. Then life moves on, she buries her husband and has her baby. And guess who shows up in the hospital room after the baby is born, the high school boyfriend, Ryan. The end!

Sounds like a trashy soap opera if you ask me. It's supposed to be a series on relationships; building them, growing them, redeeming them, all while focusing on Christ. I couldn't get past the plot to actually take something from the book and apply it to my life, much less my marriage.

Anyone else read it??