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 Merchant’s Daughter by Jill Williamson

Review by Jill Williamson

For years Annabel’s family shirked their duties and now that Lord Ranulf is moving to town, they must pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the responsibility falls to Annabel. She must marry the evil bailiff or become Lord Ranulf’s servant. Choosing the lesser of two evils, she packs her bags and begins three years of indentured servitude.

But life with Lord Ranulf is not as horrible as she feared. Though the man has a horrible temper and is scarred and disfigured, he allows Annabel to read from the bible, something she has always dreamed of doing. But when Annabel is attacked and a man gravely injured, everything good hangs in the balance, including Annabel and Lord Ranulf’s futures.

Oooh, I love a good romance novel! And Melanie Dickerson writes very sweet romance novels. But they’re fairytales, and fairytales always include an evil villain and danger. The Merchant’s Daughter did not disappoint. I loved Annabel and Lord Ranulf’s characters. I loved the initial misunderstandings, and I especially loved how it all worked out in the end. If you love fairytale romances, this one is a must read.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: a fairy tale romance
Part of a Series: The second Melanie Dickerson fairy tale romance
Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2011

 

Review: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

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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.

Secrets of the Heart by Jillian Kent

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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.

The Christy Miller Collection: Volume 4 by Robin Jones Gunn

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Review by Jill Williamson

This is a three-books-in-one volume that includes books 10, 11, and 12 of the Christy Miller series. I’ve given a review of each story below.

Book 10

A Time to Cherish
Christy, her friends, and her aunt and uncle take a houseboat vacation to Lake Shasta. She and Todd finally agree to start dating. And while this seems to make their relationship even better, it ruins everything for Katie and Doug, who now feel like third wheels. How is a girl to behave when she has a boyfriend and her best friend doesn’t? And when Katie does find Michael—a guy who isn’t a Christian—how is Christy supposed to be a good friend? By telling Katie the truth or by giving her the freedom to crash and burn? Christy doesn’t know.

This was a great story. After so much time that Christy had patiently waited for Todd, I was thrilled that they were finally together. But I could feel her pain with the situation with Katie. When our dear friends are in relationships that are destructive, it’s hard to know what to do or say. With Todd’s nearly always perfect advice, Christy learned how to love her friend no matter what.

 

Book 11
Sweet Dreams
In this story, Katie breaks up with Michael, and Christy tries to learn how to cope with someone who is constantly depressed. It seems like everything she does to try and help Katie is the wrong thing to do.

This book was one of my favorites! And it was so bittersweet. Christy learned from Katie’s pain and was obedient to God, and it was beautiful! And sad. I cried, I admit it. But I have hope for the future. J

 

Book 12
A Promise is Forever
This book fast-forwards a year. Christy is halfway through her freshman year in college. She, Doug, Tracy, and Katie travel to London for a mission trip. Christy is searching for a calling, to discover what she should do with her life. What she finds instead is total trust in God.

This book was another one of my favorites, though I have to admit, I was getting pretty grouchy alongside Christy when I realized what was happening with Doug. Still, this book was a beautiful example of how we—with our selfish emotions—need to get out of the way and let God work. I almost cheered out loud when I got to the end. You just have to read these books yourself to see what I mean.

 

I very highly recommend this entire series for girls ages 12 and up. I adore these books. Christy is a lovely example of a Christian teen, who struggles with almost everything you can imagine. There is no better set of books out there to help young girls prepare for life. I will be putting this entire series in the church library. Someday, my little girl will read them. And while I wait for my girl to grow, I will go read Christy and Todd: the College Years. J

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: Volume four in the Christy Miller Collection
Pages: 478
Publisher: Multnomah
Released: (1993-1994) Re-released three-volume book: 2006
Released: 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.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.
 

Review: Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

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Review by Jill Williamson

The funding for Lucy’s non-profit home for girls has completely fallen through. Her plan? Attend a black tie gala, hunt down Sinclair board members, and harass them until they change their minds. It’s all going exactly how one might expect—badly—when Alex Sinclair approaches. Lucy doesn’t have time to be toyed with the Playboy-son of the company’s owner. She continues to bother board members until disaster ensues and a board member is sitting in a pile of shrimp. For reasons Alex can’t quite understand, he goes to comfort Lucy. Little did either of them know, some paparazzi got some pictures of them together that were all over the papers the next day.

This gives Alex and idea. He needs to clean up his image if he is going to win his campaign for congress. And Lucy needs money to save her teen girls home. So Alex proposes a deal: Lucy poses as his fiancé in exchange for the money she needs.

Jenny B. Jones is such a fun author. Her books always reel me in and keep me grinning. The premise of this one was a bit unorthodox. It both made the story fun and made me uncomfortable for Alex and Lucy. I felt bad that these two Christian characters were going on and on with this lie. Still, Jenny B. Jones managed to work it all out, entertain me, and give some great food for thought as to finding your identity in Christ. And as always, her supporting cast was very enjoyable. I loved that Lucy was a science fiction fan. Very fun.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: contemporary romance
Part of a Series: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 307
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
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.

Review: Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

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Review by Jill Williamson

Last year I read the first half of this two-book series. I was very excited to get to read the second half of the story. Book one, Here Burns My Candle, was wonderful, but a hard read because of some of the subject matter. Not so with book two. Here our widowed ladies move to a small town and try to start a new life. They are nearly destitute. Elisabeth Kerr begins sewing shirts for the local tailor to bring in some money. But when the tailor hires an apprentice, he has no further need of Elisabeth’s sewing. So Elisabeth must go to the new admiral and apply to be a dressmaker for her new servants. In this man is hope. Will he be able to help the Kerr women out of their poverty? Or will he want nothing to do with anyone who was once a traitor to the crown?

For a book that is over four hundred pages long, I was surprised how quickly the pages flew and how much I savored the story. I love how authentic the story reads. The historical aspects are marvelous. Liz Curtis Higgs does a wonderful job with the Scottish dialect, the descriptions, and the daily ways of life. Her characters are deep and a joy to read. I just loved this story. Very well done.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: the sequel to Here Burns My Candle
Publisher: Waterbrook
Pages: 442
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.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.

Review: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergen

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Review by Jill Williamson

Sisters Gabi and Lia aren’t home for long before they return to the mysterious cave with their mother—then return to the past. It’s the 1300’s Italy. Gabi seeks out the man of her dreams, Marcello, only to discover that much has happened in the minutes they were gone. It’s been three months for Marcello. The sisters are hailed as heroes, but a war is brewing. Gabi is determined to discover what is going on and who can be trusted, all the while trying not to think too much about what might happen between her and Marcello should the time come for her to go back to the future for good.

Loved it! This book picks up right where book one left off, as if they were the same novel. We are thrown right back into the action, yet now, Mom is along for the ride. Gabi gets herself into much worse danger than she did in book one. But she’s still a tough girl, and we like her all the more for her smarts. The romance is sweet. Though I like Luca best. *smile* And now we all wait a few months for book three. Thankfully the wait won’t be long.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: fantasy/romance
Part of a Series: The River of Time, book two
Pages: 399
Publisher: David C. Cook
Released: 2011
Released: 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.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.

Three Novel Teen Authors Publish with Zonderkidz

Click on the cover to preorder on Amazon.com.

Three of our Novel Teen authors have new books coming out from Zonderkidz–three months in a row! Congrats, ladies!

First, releasing in November of 2011, is Melanie Dickerson’s second fairy tale romance, The Merchant’s Daughter. Loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, Annabel Chapman is forced to work as an indentured servant at the manor house of Lord Ranulf. The new lord is said to be beastly in appearance and temperament, but Annabel’s greater fear is Bailiff Tom, a perverse man who has made unwelcome advances upon her in the past. As she works closely with Ranulf, she begins to feel safe and protected, but will she realize the calling of her heart before it’s too late?

Then in December, just in time for Christmas, is Jill Williamson’s Replication: The Jason Experiment will release. In this book, Abby Goyer is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door. Martyr, one of hundreds of identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday. Abby helps Martyr see God has a purpose for his life, one that may be different than what the scientists originally planned for him.

And to start off the new year with a bang, in January of 2012, the first of Heather Burch’s Halflings trilogy will release. Here is a bit about Halflings, book one: In the first book of the Halfling Trilogy, Nikki Youngblood discovers she’s the central force of a madman’s plan, and turns to three half-angel boys for protection. With the Halflings, she’s completely safe. Everything except her heart. And Mace’s soul. Falling for him could ensure his eternal ruin.

Review: The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble

Review by Jill Williamson

Olivia Stewart, heiress to an empire, is living a lie. Her family’s money is gone, and she must marry a man named Harrison Bennett—a man she’s never met—in order to keep what little they have. But when news of her sister’s death reaches her, Olivia only wants to learn the truth of how her sister died. She sets out to Mercy Falls, California under a different name, hoping to learn more about her sister’s death and the man her mother intends for her to marry.

What she discovers about both surprises her but only gives her more reasons to continue living a lie with her false name. Will Harrison still want to marry her when he learns how she has been deceiving him? And what if the person responsible for her sister’s death decides to come after her next?

I adore novels set around this time period (1910). I found this story fun. Certain parts were a bit predictable, which is often the case with romance novels—though the murder mystery reveal totally surprised me. I liked that Harrison loved airplanes and built one himself. It was fun to peek into the past in such a way, when air transportation was first being discovered. Overall this was a very enjoyable historical romance read. And doesn’t this book have a gorgeous cover?

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: a Mercy Falls novel
Pages: 292
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
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.