There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Review by Jill Williamson

When Finley Sinclair leaves home to study abroad in Ireland, her goal is to follow in her brother Will’s footsteps, using his journal as a guide. She wants to see the places Will saw, feel what he felt when he traveled through Ireland before he died. She’s hoping for closure, and an ending to the song she is composing.

But she meets Hollywood heartthrob Beckett Rush on the airplane—the last thing she needs, another guy who’s full of himself and drawn to trouble. But her lack of interest intrigues Beckett, and he makes her his assistant in exchange for his help as a tour guide in finding all the places in Will’s journal. But the pressure is too much on Finley. Why won’t God help her heal? Isn’t Ireland the place where she should find him?

Ah… very well done. Jenny B. Jones is a wonderful authors. I say it every time I read one of her books, but it’s true. This book hooked me in with its characters and its country (Ireland). It made me want to visit Ireland. It reminded me that everyone was young once, and we all have a past. I loved Finley and Beckett’s characters. But as this was a Jenny B. Jones book, I wasn’t surprised to find that I loved just about every character. This is a wonderful book. Highly recommended for all girl readers, no matter how old you are.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: A spin off novel from Jenny’s adult romance novel Save the Date
Pages: 320 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: 2011

The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O’ Dell

Review by Jill Williamson

Olivia Mansfield has everything a girl could want. She lives in a mansion, has a rich stepfather, a mother who spoils her, and a wonderful big brother. But it’s all a mirage. Her stepfather’s abuse, her mother’s indifference, and nightmares of her real father’s death make Olivia’s live something she wants to get away from.

So when her friend introduces Olivia to the party scene, Olivia is only too happy to indulge in this means of escape. But one too many parties and the death of her friend lead Olivia to a girls’ home called Diamond Estates, her last hope at getting her life on track before she loses it.

Talk about your coming of age novel! Wow. This book sucked me in and didn’t let go. And when it was done, I was sad. I wanted to keep reading about Olivia’s life, all the way until she was a grandmother. Alas, the book stopped WAY before then. Ah well, it was worth it. Olivia’s story and her journey to find herself enthralled me. I was rooting for the truth to be revealed every step of the way. This is a wonderful book for young girls. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: Book one in the Diamond Estates series
Pages: 368 pages
Publisher: Barbour
Released: 2011

Replication [The Jason Experiment] by Jill Williamson

Review by J.R. Parker

Martyr, or Jason 3:3, is one of fifty-five clones living in an underground lab in Alaska. The clones are closely supervised and forbidden from entering the outside world because of the “toxic air.” And, well, the guards and locks and cameras. Expiration on their eighteenth birthday is something the Jasons have come to accept. But Martyr wants to see the sky before he dies. And when he steals a card key and makes it past security, the adventure begins.

Abby Goyer, one of the lab scientist’s daughters, is Martyr’s first contact and fiercest defender. Together, she and Martyr attempt to elude those so desperate to get him back, facing down not only their pursuers, but the uncertain allegiance of her father. And the shear outlandishness of Martyr’s story makes finding allies difficult. In their flight, they piece together a trail of clues that could explain more of the secrets buried in Jason Farms and in Martyr’s genetic code. Slowly, Martyr drifts from the embrace of his expiration, toward a new purpose . . .

The mesmerizing depth of character Williamson’s readers have come to expect is woven deftly into Replication, with extra layers of gripping suspense and twisting mystery. I did not intend to stay up reading this book until the early morning hours, but that was the result. And on a computer screen, no less, making this the first time I’ve ever convinced my eyes to read a novel in its entirety on a backlit surface. They did not complain.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: science fiction/suspense
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 304 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2011

Team Novel Teen Blog Tour: Lost in Dreams by Roger Bruner

Click to read reviews on Amazon.

Time for another Team Novel Teen blog tour! Today we are talking about the second Altered Hearts novel Lost in Dreams by Roger Bruner. See the end of this post for links to the other reviewers.

About Team Novel Teen: We are a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Lost in Dreams by Roger Bruner by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

The Librarian’s Bookshelf • Rachelle Rea • The Book Fae  • My Life with a Mission  • Katie McCurdy • Reviews by Jane  • Jill Williamson

 

Review: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

Review by Jill Williamson

Michael Hosea is a simple farmer. But when he sees a prostitute in the city one day and hears God’s voice telling him to marry her, Michael knows he has to obey. But Angel has lived a hard life. Sold into prostitution as a little girl, she has no trust for any man, especially one who says God told him to marry her. But each time she sees Michael, he wears her down, chipping away at the hard shell she has put around her heart. But Angel doesn’t think she deserves anything good. Her guilt and shame are overwhelming. And she runs away.

Wowzers. This is such an amazing book! I knew that the story was inspired by the book of Hosea, so I knew a little about how things would play out. And I suspected a happy ending eventually. But it was still so wonderful and agonizing and entertaining to read it. My heart was broken for Angel, then broken for Michael when he starts to love Angel, then broken for them both when Angel runs away time and again!

I thought I knew how it was going to end. I thought I had it all figured out, but I didn’t see the final plot twist coming. I admit that I was a bit disappointed that my predicted plot twist didn’t happen, but that’s okay. The book was still wonderful. This is a book every girl should read. It’s a hair dark in the beginning and later with some of Angel’s memories of what happened to her as a child and later a prostitute, but none of those memories are shown on the pages. The book is clean, despite the heroine being a prostitute. Such a good book. Very highly recommended.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: historical romance
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 464
Publisher: Multnomah
Released: 1997—rerelease, 2010

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.com where she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Listen to the first chapter of Replication: The Jason Experiment on YouTube

As I prepare for the release of my next book, and since I have been podcasting my novel By Darkness Hid for free through my website, I thought it might be fun to podcast the first chapter of Replication, to give readers a sneak peek at my new book.

So I recorded it last week. But I don’t want to post the podcasted version until I finish reading By Darkness Hid, which won’t happen until mid-November. So I put together a YouTube video of the audio so readers could listen to the chapter that way.

Here is the first chapter of Replication: The Jason Experiment, which is now on pre-order sale in ebook and hardcover forms.

Enjoy!

 

Review: Spooky by Crystal Mazzuca

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.

Review by Jill Williamson

After her parents’ deaths, Stephanie is forced to enroll at Chambers Boarding School. But she can’t change who she is, and Stephanie worked undercover with her CIA parents all her life. So when some strange things start happening at Chambers, Stephanie can’t help but take a closer look. What’s harder for Stephanie, though, it just trying to be a normal teenage girl.

I enjoyed this book. The mystery was engaging, as were the subplots and characters. Stephanie was a spunky heroine with a strong voice that was easy to relate to. If you like reading books like Alex Rider and Gallagher Girls, you’ll enjoy this story. I can’t wait to see if there is a book two!

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: mystery/suspense
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 231
Publisher: WinePress Publishing
Released: 2011

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.com where she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Secrets of the Heart by Jillian Kent

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.

Review by Jill Williamson

Madeline Whittington is still mourning the death of her father, even though the prescribed period of mourning has passed. She meets the Earl of Ravensmoore by chance, and recognizes him as one of the doctors responsible for her father’s death. He tried to tell her how it happened, but she will not hear him. Still, their friendship grows. Madeline’s mother remarries Lord Vale, a man Madeline does not trust. Madeline goes to Ravensmoore for assistance, which leads them both into great danger.

If you love romance stories in the Regency era, you’ll love this one. Kent pens a group of wonderfully complex characters and a plot so surprising and eerie that I couldn’t put the book down. I loved Ravensmoore’s character, and his desire to be a doctor despite his having the title of “earl.” I can’t wait to read whatever Jillian Kent writes next. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: historical romance
Part of a Series: Book one of the Ravensmoore Chronicles
Pages: 289
Publisher: Realms
Released: 2011

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers atwww.teenageauthor.com where she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website atwww.jillwilliamson.com.

Team Novel Teen Blog Tour: Found in Translation by Roger Bruner

Today is a special day! It’s the first ever Team Novel Teenblog tour! A few members of our Team Novel Teen crew of teen fiction lovers have read the book Found in Translation by Roger Bruner and are reviewing it on several different blogs today.

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction from a Christian world view. Check out other posts about Found in Translation by Roger Bruner by clicking on the links below, and check out the Team Novel Teen tab for more information about what Team Novel Teen is all about.

The Librarian’s Bookshelf • Rachelle Rea • Meditations of His Love • The Book Fae  • My Life with a Mission  • Katie McCurdy  • Katy’s Reviews • Reviews by Jane  • Jill Williamson

What About Cimmaron? by Lauraine Snelling

Review by Jill Williamson

Sarah lives on a farm in the Toutle Valley of Washington state. She desires one thing in her life: riding her horse, Cimmaron. And Sarah will do anything she can to spend time with that horse, even if that means shirking her chores and disobeying her father. Then Mount Saint Helens blows and Sarah and her family is forced to evacuate. Sarah can think of nothing about Cimmaron, though. Will her horse survive this natural disaster?

I enjoyed reading about a family that lived so near Mount Saint Helens during the eruption in 1980. I found the whole thing very interesting. And I can totally relate to a girl worrying over her horse in such a situation. But it was difficult to like Sarah. She was so set in her ways and rude to her father… even to the point of putting another’s life in danger. She came around in the end, and I think some great dialogue could be raised if you are using this book in a homeschool curriculum way for both history and relationships.

Age Range: 8 and up
Genre: contemporary/historical
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 84
Publisher: BJU Press
Released: 2008

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Jill Williamson is the author of the medieval fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find clean and entertaining books to read and is excited with the new direction the site has taken. Jill also runs an online website for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.comwhere she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with teens in the youth pastor role for the past eleven years. You can learn more about Jill on her website at www.jillwilliamson.com.