Longing
Volume 3 of The Bailey Flanigan Series
by Karen Kingsbury
Mem. Ed. $15.99
Pub. Ed. $21.99
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Longing
The rich smell of cooked turkey warmed the house, and for a moment Bailey Flanigan stopped at the base of the kitchen stairs and closed her eyes. Just long enough to take it all in — Thanksgiving at the house where she grew up, her boyfriend Brandon Paul in the next room with her brothers, and the sound of the NFL Lions and Cowboys playing football on TV. Everyone she loved gathered around her. Once in a while God presented a slice of time where Bailey’s whole world felt perfect. Or almost perfect. Bailey felt the smile on her lips, the peace and joy in her heart.
This cool, cloudless Thanksgiving afternoon was one of those times.
She leaned against the wall and tried to imagine a year from now. Would Brandon still be in her life? Would she still be part of the Broadway cast of Hairspray in New York City? Or would God lead her through still more changes?
“Bailey?” Her mom’s voice brought her back to the moment.
“Sorry.” She opened her eyes and stifled a laugh. “Just memorizing this, the way it feels right now.” She glanced at the stove.
The potatoes were off the flame, sitting in a pot of hot water near the sink. “I’ll work on these.”
Her mom was putting the finishing touches on a deep dish apple pie — the Flanigan family Thanksgiving favorite. She leaned close and peered toward the TV room. “Looks like it’s going well.”
Bailey smiled and followed her mother’s gaze. Brandon was sitting next to Ricky, the two of them laughing about something.
“I didn’t tell you what happened this morning,” Bailey whispered, making sure only her mom could hear her, “what Brandon said.” “About having Thanksgiving with us?”
“Yes. Actually, first he said you and Dad have made him feel so welcome.” She bit her lip, as the memory from earlier returned. “But he also said he was a little nervous. You know, about whether he would connect with Dad and the boys.”
Her mom’s surprise showed in her eyes. “Why would he worry about that?”
“Because . . .” Bailey allowed a quick look into the family room, “he knew they’d watch a lot of football today. And I guess because football’s not really Brandon’s thing.”
“Hmmm.” Understanding slowly softened her mother’s expression. “And of course, last year Cody was here.”
“Cody, who loves football as much as Dad and the boys.” Bailey pictured Cody in the family room, playing pool with her dad and she felt her heart sink a little. Was that only a year ago? Wherever Cody was this Thanksgiving, he hadn’t contacted her or even wished her family a happy holiday. She dismissed the thought. “Anyway, yeah. Brandon was a little worried. Like he might not fit in.” She gave her mom a crooked smile. “He hasn’t been here in a while.”
For a long moment her mom didn’t say anything. Then she turned her back on the scene in the family room and studied Bailey. “Have you heard from him? From Cody?”
Taken from Longing by Karen Kingsbury. Copyright © 2011 by Karen Kingsbury. Use by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com
Longing
Many of Karen Kingsbury’s fans attest to the fact that reading her bestselling fiction is a life-changing experience. Her newest novel, Longing, follows Leaving and Learning in The Bailey Flanigan Series, and holds true to form.
After a long and lonely silence from Cody Coleman, Bailey Flanigan becomes closer to her one-time Hollywood co-star, Brandon Paul. Nights on the town in New York City and long talks on the balcony of Brandon's Malibu Beach home make Bailey dizzy with new feelings and she wonders if her days with Cody are over.
Meanwhile, Cody’s work coaching a small-town football team has brought him and his players national attention. In the midst of the celebration and success, Cody finds himself much closer to a woman who seems to understand him better than Bailey ever did. Even so, never does much time go by without Bailey and Cody experiencing deep feelings of longing for each other—longing both for the past and for answers before they can move forward.
Will Cody and Bailey find a way back together again for the first time in more than a year? And if they do, will their brief time together be enough to help them remember all they’ve been longing for?
Hardcover : 352 pages
Publisher: Zondervan Pub Hse/Div Of Harper Col ( November 22, 2011 )
Item #: 13-523099
ISBN: 9781617936036
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.813inches
Product Weight: 13.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
I have read all of the Bailey Series and enjoyed all of them 
March 04, 2012
Reviewer: Gayle B
Awesome.....Waiting on volume 4.
February 24, 2012
Reviewer: J.s.
Great
January 23, 2012
I have read all of the books on the Bailey Family and have enjoyed each one. I am looking forward to the next Bailey book.
Reviewer: F, F
Wonderful as usual.
January 19, 2012
I loved every word. Read the whole book one evening. Can't wait til March,
Reviewer: Karen H
Everything you expect and more....
January 17, 2012
I've read every book in this series and I love it! There are a lot of twists I didn't expect but the story just keeps getting better and better. It is easy to relate to and I can't wait for the next one, even though I'm sad that it's going to be the last :(
Reviewer: Anjelia
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