This is not a book that I myself, got to review, but my mom got to review it, and I knew, because I love the author, that I had to read it myself. I thought, that since I liked it so much, and I didn't have much else to post about- that I would do a review of this wonderful book.
About the book:
Maggie lives life on the edge, seemingly unafraid of anything. But the image she so carefullyconstructed is coming undone.
Maggie's job as a videographer takes her around the world. She tells people's stories, especiallythose of impoverished children. That's when she feels most alive, like she's making the worldbetter.
But when a secret from her past resurfaces, Maggie gets a call that sends her home. Her daddesperately needs her help. Her estranged sister has run off, leaving 8-year-old Riley in his care.She returns reluctantly, hoping to help her neice. There she reconnects with Cooper--a onceawkward and shy, now handsome, veterinarian. Her feelings skyrocket when she's with him, butshe's afraid if she shows him her true self, he'll reject her.
An honest, hilarious journey that will transform Maggie--if she just learns to trust more and fearless.
I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.
When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.
My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.
Okay, that’s not exactly true.
Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:
-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook
-catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture
I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.
MY THOUGHTS: Like I said above, I didn't even get this book to review! My mom got this to review- and because it was by Jenny B. Jones- author of one of my all-time favorite series- The Katie Parker Productions- I knew that I would have to read it when she was done.
It didn't take her very long to finish it- and right when she had finished, I picked up the book, and started reading.
From the minute I picked up that book, I couldn't put it down. Between Maggie's humor, and Connor's wonderfulness (don't know if that's really a word, but he was so wonderful!), and Riley's quirkiness, I knew that this was a book that I was going to love.
Truth be told, I read this book in a day and a half- or maybe not even that much. It has great characters, and Jenny B. Jones' humor in her characters is great!
Pick up this book, I know for a fact that you won't be disappointed. :)
Synopsis:
This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world. During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Where is God at a time like this? Can she find out who the killer is before he strikes again?
Description:
This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world.
The exciting and suspenseful Rayne Tour series features sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor, on tour with her mother’s popular band. Shaley lives in a whirlwind of backstage secrets, hotels, and limos. With beauty and fame of her own, Shaley wants for nothing … except the one thing she can’t have.
During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Is Tom Hutchens’ death connected to her?
Frightening messages arrive. Paparazzi stalk Shaley. Her private nightmare is displayed for all to see. Where is God at a time like this?
As the clock runs out, Shaley must find Tom’s killer—before he strikes again.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California. Brandilyn is a bestselling novelist, known for her trademarked "Seatbelt Suspense". Amberly is a college student in southern California. She and her mom love attending concerts together.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book is SO good! I took it from a box of books that Mom had from Zondervan, and I knew right away that it was something that I wanted to read. Mom told me, that if I did take it, and read it, I had to give it a review! So here goes:
This is not one of those books that I thought that I would like- because I'm not big on scary mysteries and suspense books. But that was where I was wrong. I LOVED this book. Although it gets scary at the end- and there is suspense the whole way though it- for some reason, it didn't bother me at all, because I liked the book SO much!
Shaley O'Connor is a character that I, myself, could relate to in some ways- and I really enjoyed her character, and the life that she lived.
If you would like to know more about the book- you can go to Zondervan
or check out this video about the book:
I feel so bad that I am just now getting around to posting this review.
About a month ago, I got an email from David, from Educator.com, seeing if I could do a review for him, about the site that he works for.
I hadn't heard of the site before, so I thought that I would at least check it out, to see what was on the site, and if it was something that I would like to do a review on.
I checked out the site, and found out that it is like an online classes site, with private professors, that teach you how things about algebra one and two, chemistry, biology and computer science.
I got a free trial, and looked over the site and watched some of the algebra two videos (because, let's face it, algebra just doesn't come easy to me.)
Educator.com is definitely the site that you need, if you're having trouble with math or science. I plan to use it, for algebra two, this year.
There is so much more that I could say about this site- but then that wouldn't give you a wonderful reason to go to it, and check it out for yourself.
Click on the click above, and I promise that you won't be disappointed. Check it out, and let me know what you think of the site!
Here are some easy links to what you might want to check out.
ZOE LUCKY is a mystery book for the young and young in heart. Despite her name, Zoe Lucky isn't feeling very lucky. After the loss of her dad, the Oakland burglar escaped from jail and her mom started working night turn. Zoe was facing her 'home alone' fears. But on Friday the 13th, she celebrates her thirteenth birthday, and red-haired, teeth-in-braces, on-a-diet Zoe is about to encounter an African Gray parrot well versed in Swahili, the boy of her dreams and the man of her worst nightmares.
My Thoughts:
My mom, had gotten an e-mail, to get this book, and review it; and she asked me if I would do it. I read the description for the book (I'm not sure if it's the one that I just gave you above or not), and I thought that it sounded like a Christian mystery. I got it in the mail the other day, and just started it yesterday, and I'm finished with it already. It is definitely an easy book to read, and of course, didn't take me too long to finish.
There were some disappointments, in the book. A lot of grammatical mistakes, and I found a bad word at the end, which I'm not accustomed to. I ended up thinking that it isn't a Christian book, but I don't usually read non-Christian books.
The story-line was good, but I wouldn't say that it was my favorite book in the world. But, if you like a good mystery, and don't mind a few bad words, and non-Christian books, then I would say that you'd probably enjoy this book!!
With six teenage girls living under one roof, things are bound to get interesting.
Mix six teenaged girls and one ’60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add guys and dating, a little high-school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two … and you’ve got The Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson’s new chick lit series for young adults! The Carter House experiences a shake-up as one of its own returns home after an unnerving disappearing act. Then, friction grows as a school Homecoming Queen race heats up, turning friends and housemates against one another. DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey show they have plenty of lessons to learn as the votes roll in. Some grow smarter and closer to God, while others seem to make the same mistakes over again.
Despite all their differences and disagreements, the Carter House girls continue to grow together, forging a bond that strengthens through hardship. Hearts CAN change and friendship paves the way for at least one girl to move closer to God.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Taylor returns from her disappearing act. The girls are still at odds over boyfriends and drama roles, as well as the upcoming event where Taylor, Eliza, and a reluctant DJ compete for homecoming queen. Will the best girl win?
Mrs. Carter takes the girls on a weekend trip to General Harding’s luxurious mountain getaway in Vermont. Naturally, she’s unaware that some girls have invited boys to come up to the ski lodge too. And, distracted by the general, Mrs. Carter leaves the girls to themselves and things get crazy. Only God can help them out of this dilemma.
MY THOUGHTS:
Just like I said, when I reviewed the 2nd book in the series~ I have to say it again! These books are so 'real'. Everything that happens in these books, can happen, and do happen in real life. That's what I like so much about these books. They are so real, and I don't know all this stuff, because I don't go to public school. I learn stuff from these books, and that's one reason why I'm glad that I'm homeschooled.
Like I said in my review of Goodbye Hollywood Nobody, I told you how I liked those books, and the Carter House Girls books are my two favorite series'. And they are, because they are teen fiction, and I love that kind of stuff.
If you like Christian romance, real life issues, and teen fiction, these books are for you! I would definitely recommend them, if you like those kind of books!
Also, don't forget to sign up for my contest to win this book. I have two to give away, so please leave me a comment, saying you want to win a book. You have until Friday night.
Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world; volunteered in teen ministry; taught preschool; raised two sons; worked briefly in interior design and later international adoption. "I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction," she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Carter House girls are just getting to know one another when the subject of boys comes up. Rhiannon’s dating Bradford, the most popular jock in school, Eliza’s seeing Harry, and even DJ has dated Conner, although now he acts as if he doesn’t like her. Boys aren’t always easy to understand, but every girl in the house wants a boyfriend—and will do just about anything to get one. So when Taylor decides to put the moves on Bradford, Rhiannon is shocked and hurt. Mistakes are made and feelings battered … there is forgiveness for some and bitterness for others … but at the end of the day, the girls learn a valuable lesson about what it means to be a family.
MY THOUGHTS:
"Stealing Bradford" is the second book in the Carter House Girls series, by Melody Carlson. I got these books in the mail, and I was so excited to see them, since I had reviewed the first book a while back.
I love these books, because they are so 'real'. All of the things that happen in these books, are things that could most definitely happen in real life. That's what I really like about these books.
I also like the characters in the book. They are all so different, but each are so unique. I prefer DJ, because she reminds me alot of myself. She is a tomboy, who is sometimes forced to dress nicely and wear makeup.
I also like Rhiannon, who is just always so nice to everyone, and never wants to hurt anyone.
Overall, I really liked this book, and I would recommend it to any teen, who likes to read fiction books.
If you want to read a chapter of the book, go here.
If you would like to buy Stealing Bradford, go here.
If you would like to buy the first book in the series, Mixed Bags, go here.
Second day of the blog tour, for "Jimmy's Stars". Today I have an interview I did with the author, Mary Ann Rodman:
1. When did you start writing stories?
There are two answers...I started SELLING stories (books) nine years ago. But...I've been writing or telling stories my whole life. In fact, before I learned to write, I would draw my stories in story panels, like comic books (which, by the way, I was never allowed to read). I come from a family of great storytellers, on both sides of the family, so instead of Cinderella or The Three Little Pigs, I grew up hearing stories of "The Time Mom and Her Brothers and Sisters Dug a Swimming Pool in the Front Yard" or "How My Father Ran Away from Kindergarden Three Times the First Day of School." I learned early to mine my own family and experience for my writing.
I published my first story, in the local newspaper, when I was seven, had my own newspaper column all through high school, and won some state and national writing contests.
2. How long did it take for you to write "Jimmy's Stars"?
Again...two answers. I did the research for this book twenty five years ago when I ran across a cache of letters my mother's siblings wrote each other during WWII. There were eight in the family, and my mother and her three brothers were all in the service (my mom was a WAVE, her brothers were in the Marines and Merchant Marine). Each sibling wrote the other siblings and their mother at least once a week (sometimes more). When you count up weekly letters to and from nine people...that's a lot of letters! Plus there was a shipboard diary kept by one of my uncles. What struck me about the correspondence was that while World Events Took Place Around Them (I think of these things in caps because these are events that shaped history), my aunts and uncles and mother wrote things such as "I guess the war is over. I washed my hair tonight" or "German subs were sighted. I am reading Steinbeck's THE MOON IS DOWN." The common place with the extraordinary.
So I wrote my book...and it was terrible. So terrible I stuck it in a drawer, where it stayed for twenty years. It probably would've been thrown out, except that I had done so much research, I felt I could probably recycle it into something else some day.
Twenty years later, I had the brilliant idea of writing a PICTURE BOOK, based on one of the book's episodes, and called it THE YEAR THE CHRISTMAS TREE STAYED UP. Unfortunately, this was also a terrible picture book. But an editor who saw it at a writer's conference said, "This doesn't work as a picture book, but I love these characters.Why don't you expand this into a middle grade historical fiction?" So, I did. I took the characters (and the Christmas tree!) and gave them a whole new story...and this time it worked. Since I had already done 90 per cent of the research, this book only took me a year and a half to write. But the idea and the characters had been percolating in the back of my head for twenty plus years. Moral of story: Never, never throw out anything you write, no matter how awful you think it might be....there is always something you can salvage from it some day!
3. Have you written any other books?
I hate to use this line again, but...there are two answers! The short answer is "Yes, I've written LOTS of books. And lots of them are awful or just haven't found their focus...and they are in that desk drawer!
The longer answer is that I have SOLD and PUBLISHED two middle grade historical novels(YANKEE GIRL--Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2004--based on my childhood in 1964 Mississippi is the other one. It has been nominated for 9 state book awards, and was named a Best Trade Book by the National Association of Social Studies Teachers), and two picture books (MY BEST FRIEND--Viking, 2005-- which won the Ezra Jack Keats Award for Best New Picture Book Author and the Zolotow Award for Best Picture Book Text, and FIRST GRADE STINKS--Peachtree, 2006). Coming out in April is another picture book (SURPRISE SOUP, Viking, ill. by G. Brian Karas). Another picture book from Peachtree (A TREE FOR EMMY) is coming out next spring as well. I have also sold to Viking another picture book, THE ROLLERCOASTER KID, which has not been scheduled yet for publication. My editor is in the process of looking for an illustrator.
I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie. 
ABOUT THE BOOK:
