Review of Finally and Forever

Title:  Finally and Forever

 Author:  Robin Jones Gunn

Series: Katie Weldon

Chapters: 21

Pages: 259

Genre:  Christian Teen Fiction

Rating:  5 Stars

          Growing up I loved the Christy Miller series. However Christy wasn’t my character, her best friend Katie Weldon was my favorite. I felt like I related to Katie more than I did to Christy.  Katie likes to do things without thinking things through.

          In Finally and Forever the fourth book in the Katie Weldon and possibly the last book. Though I would love to see more of Katie’s story to find out what happens with her an Eli.  Katie has graduated from college she prayed for a sign of what to do with the whole Eli and Africa thing. She has gotten plenty of signs that point towards going to Africa.

          Katie takes the plunge and follows Eli to Africa. Finally and Forever is pretty much about Katie’s life adjusting to life in Africa and the Adventures in Africa. One of my favorite quotes from the whole series is in this book and it is a quote that Eli says to Katie.

 “I told them that when you were born, God was so delighted that He sent a hundred angels to kiss you while you were in your mother's arms. Every place where the angels kissed you, they left a tiny dot. That way, if you ever forget how greatly you are loved by God, all you have to do is look at your skin, and you will remember.” Robin Jones Gunn

          Even though I don’t want the Katie Weldon series to end, Finally and Forever does give a conclusion to the series.

Review of What Where I Belong

Title: Right Where I Belong

Author: Krista McGee

Genre: Christian Teen fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: 320

     Krista McGee has done it again. Right Where I Belong is the third book that I have read by Krista McGee and I was not disappointed.  I enjoyed the fact that characters from her first two books, First Date, and Staring Me.  Right Where I Belong in many ways parallels the Biblical account of Ruth. Natalia follows her step-mother Maureen home to Florida. Maureen was the one that lead her to a relationship with Christ.

     Krista’s books are Christian coming of age story, of teens finding out who they are in Christ. Her novels remind me a little of Robin Jones Gunn’s Christy Miller and Katie Weldon series.  Krista McGee has become one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait till her next book.  

Thanks to Booksneeze and the publisher for a e book review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Review of Addison Blakely: Confessions of A PK

Title: Addison Blakely: Confessions of A PK

Author: Betsy St. Amant

Series: no

 

Chapters: 36

Pages: 362

Genre: Teen Christian fiction

Rating: 5 stars

                Addison Blakely: Confessions of A PK, is a laugh out, cry out loud, relating to what you’re going through as a teenage or remembering your teenage years.  Addison is a preacher’s or Pastor’s daughter in some circles known as a PK. The book goes through the ups and downs of teenage life.

     Addison Blakely: Confessions of A PK, is the first young adult novel that Betsy St. Amant. I have loved every book that she has written for Love Inspired, and Addison Blakely was also a favorite. Even though it was a book written for teens I found I could relate to some of what Addison was going through.

     For me it was a walk down memory lane. Without the PK part, however one of my best friends growing up was a PK. Some of what Addison did reminded me of what I did in high school.

      Addison Blakely: Confessions of A PK is the perfect book for teens and even their moms. As a college student I have to say I loved it as well.

I won the book from a contest on the Author’s website I was not required to write a review. The thoughts and reactions were my own.

Book Review of First Date

Title: First Date

Author: Krista McGee

Series:   no

Chapters: 53

Pages: 325

Genre: Christian Teen fiction

Rating: 5 stars

     First Date is a modern day retiling of the Esther story Addy Davidson is an orphan child of missionary parents who were killed in the mission field when Addy was a small child.

     Her Uncle Mike gave up his career in active duty military in order for Addy to be able to stay in one place. Addy’s chosen to go on reality TV show that is a contest for the President’s son. Similar to the Biblical story of Esther, there are twists and turns throughout the book. First Date had an ending that I didn’t expect. I really enjoyed First Date, and I looking forward to Krista’s next book.   

Review of Boyfriends, Burritos, and an ocean of trouble

Title: Boyfriends, Burritos, and an Ocean of Trouble

Author: Nancy Rue

Series:   real life

Chapters: 22

Pages:

Genre: Christian teen fiction

Rating: 4 ½ stars

     Bryn Christopher has been abused by her boyfriend Preston. After a nasty car accident the truth is reveled. Her father presses charges against Preston. That is just the beginning of the trouble that Bryn has to face. Her so called friends don’t believe that Preston was the one that abused her. Bryn becomes a target. She finds a leather book that presents the Bible in a whole new way that brings it to life for teens.

     Her grandmother comes to visit in order to help Bryn deal with everything that’s happened. Her grandma gets her to learn to surf, and it’s while learning to surf that she meets Shaun. Can Bryn learn to trust God again? Can she face everything she has to face? Will she be willing to let Shaun in?

     I enjoyed reading the book, it is a great book for teens to read. This series tackles the tough stuff that teens go through everyday. I guess that’s why the series is called real life. 

Review of Road Side Assistance

Title: Roadside Assistance

Author: Melody Carlson

Series:   no

Chapters: 21

Pages: 278

Genre: Christian teen fiction

Rating:  5 stars

     Emily Curtis feels like she’s lost everything including her faith. She has recently lost her mother to cancer. She and her father have to sell everything including the car she was rebuilding to move in with her aunt and uncle. Emily feels that she doesn’t fit in with her cousin Whitney, that they are just too different.

     It’s when she meets Alexander (Zander) Stewart the boy next door and fellow motor head that things start looking up. Zander’s faith is strong; Emily’s has gone past hanging by a thread. Even though she’s falling for him she doesn’t want to lose his friendship. Then Emily goes and does something that cause’s her to lose Zander’s friendship, and she’s tested even more with her faith is  shaken even more.

     Will Emily reconnect with God? Will she rekindle the close relationship she once had? Will hers and Zander’s friendship mend and will they become more than friends?

     My favorite scene in the book is when Zander shows up for their “date” in Emily’s dream car. I thought it was cute that he went out of his way to find her dream card. When I was a teenage I would have that. Zander is a strong Christian who truly loves Emily for who she is, and doesn’t want to change her.

     Even though this is a book for teenage girls any teenager guy or girl will enjoy reading Emily and Zander’s story. Adults would even enjoy this book. With her love of cars Emily is not your typical teenage girl.

     All Christians can relate to having a time when their own faith was hanging by a thread. I could relate to what Emily was going through in the since that when I lost my grandpa as a sophomore in high school I felt like I had lost my faith, but thinks to  a good friend like Zander and others praying for me I ran back to my Heavenly Father’s arms.

     Roadside Assistance is a book for everybody. Amy Clipston’s Amish novels are great, but she also speaks to teens with this book. I hope she writes more teen fiction books in the future.