Book Review - Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury

I just finished reading Fifteen Minutes - it really makes you think about what happens to young kids who go on the television shows that end up making them famous quickly. 

This story is about a young kid whose family owns a horse farm that they are in danger of losing it to the bank.  Zack is a great singer, leader of a worship at church who decides to go on the show and hopefully win so he can save the farm. 

Zack leaves the farm and his girlfriend to compete on fifteen Minutes a reality television show for singers.  It tells his family that if he makes it he will Not let fame change him at all. He has no idea what he is in for.

Zack does very well in the beginning and attributes it all to God.  He is asked to do some things that are testing his faith as he moves on in the competition. They ask him not to be so vocal about his beliefs on the show, in his tweets and on Facebook.

His girlfriend, Reese starts to notice the changes but tries to convince herself that he is just really busy and doesn't have the time to contact her on a regular basis. She has a job offer come up as a therapeutic horse instructor overseas.  She ponders whether she should go or not - realizing that her relationship with Zack is changing and the future they planned may never happen.

One of the judges, Chandra Olson has a strong feeling that she is there to help someone not get all caught up in the fame.  She has experienced great pain since winning Fifteen Minutes in the past years. She just wants to understand it all. She is very open with Zack about fame and it's costs.

This story is about morals, character, having to compromise beliefs, and what fame costs in the long run.  Is "fame" really worth all you can lose?

I know after reading this book I will have a whole different view of shows like American Idol and reality shows.

One of my Favorite Authors

Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite Christian authors. She has written well over 50 books and I have read most of them.  My favorite books are the ones on the Baxter Family.  There are several series Redemption Series, Firstborn Series, Sunrise Series are the main ones.  There are many things that I liked about the books. These books cover a couple of generations of the Baxter family. As I have read Karen's books over the years each time I come to the end of a book I am a little sad it's over, but know that the next one will be great too!

• The christian aspect of her writing is encouraging and honest.  I am a christian and was when I started reading her books, you know how it is when you enjoy the christian reading and want to share with others but are unsure of what they will think.  Well, with Karen's books you never have to worry.  When she writes she shares God in a very positive, encouraging. and honest way! I am sure many have come to know Jesus as their savior due to her books.

• The story about the Baxter family is so real when you read it.  Sometimes when I was reading about them I would catch myself during the day thinking I wonder how Dane is doing today?  Really?  I was just reading about them I don't know them, but her style of writing makes you feel like they are your friends too!

•   The books covered many situations that are real in our world and they way they got through them.  Karen had obviously done her research on a few of the topics and presented them as they really are. The family goes through medical issues, emotional pain, and physical issues just like you and me.

•   The love stories in these books are awesome and presented in a great way without smut!

     You will want to read the Redemption Series, Firstborn Series, Sunrise Series, Above the Line Series in this ordere and then finish by reading her stand alone book "The Baxter Family Coming Home".



     This book was awesome and I will say it took a direction I really did not expect to happen.  But the love, family values, and hope that is shared in this book will amaze you and bring you to tears as well. I can't tell you a lot or I will ruin it for you. Just read it and enjoy it:)

I loaned it out to a couple of people already and they have returned it with the comment " Didn't see that coming and I cried a ton! "