Check out these romantic reads:
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill
Flirting with Disaster by Sandra Byrd
Yikes! What do I buy for (insert a name)?
Interesting title, no? Bet it grabbed your attention! For all of us, there are teens and those who love a good teen read on our Christmas list. But what do we buy for who?
Today, I’m giving you a list of personality types and the book or books they might love.
Ready? Here we go.
The quiet, dreamy teen who needs a cozy, curl up by the fire love story. Buy THE HEALER’S APPRENTICE.
The cool girl who likes to read about fashion, fun, and friends. Buy the ALL ABOUT US series from Shelley Adina.
The teen boy who loves graphic novels. Buy the CIRCLE TRILOGY by Ted Dekker. Beautifully illustrated!
The teen who loves a mystery! Buy the RAYNE TOUR books by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins.
The Sci-fi/fantasy junkie, boy or girl. Buy Jill Williamson’s BLOOD OF KINGS series.
The teen girl who needs a deep level read. Buy SECRETS UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN.
Books are such a great Christmas gift. The holidays are hectic. And when the presents have been opened, the tummy is full of tasty yumminess, and the snow is piling up outside…well, what better thing to do than crack open a new book and settle in? I’ve always had a special place in my heart for relatives who buy me books for Christmas. Better than fuzzy socks or a sweater–although I love fuzzy socks–books transport us to another world, another life. They force us to think and create scenarios in our imaginations.
Have fun shopping and I hope these gave you a few ideas.
Be blessed and enjoy the season!
Heather Burch
Review: Flirting With Disaster by Sandra Byrd
Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.
Review by Jill Williamson
Savvy is almost a full-on member of the Aristocrats. Well, not really, since she doesn’t live on an estate or get rides to school from her butler. But she has several of the Aristocrats cell numbers and they’re texting her! Savvy gets so caught up in all the texting and forwards that she starts to forget who she really is. And then one of her forwards causes a major disaster that makes Savvy put down the phone and think. Is there any way to fix what she’s done?
A great end to the series. Savvy gets into her biggest disaster yet. All because she’s trying to do good—by her own standards. When she slows down and takes her own advice, she starts to realize she got caught up in something she didn’t believe in. Boy can I relate to that one! I loved how Sandra Byrd tied up all the loose ends with youth group, the clothing ministry, the Aristocrats, the paper, and the cute guy. Two thumbs up for this series. It’s brilliant, to say the least!
Age Range: 12-16
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: London Confidential, book 4
Pages: 244
Publisher: Tyndale
Released: 2010
Review: Don’t Kiss Him Goodbye by Sandra Byrd
Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.
Review by Jill Williamson
Just when Savvy thought she was getting the hang of things. She has two pseudo friends, a column for the paper, and a secret admirer. But guess what? London’s version of the prom is coming up and Savvy doesn’t have a dress or a date. She makes a quick list of possible candidates, but it dwindles quickly, leaving her with one choice. A guy with a reputation for trouble. He’s cute. So can’t they go as friends? Savvy has to decide if she’ll follow her heart, the crowd, or her own advice.
Loved this one! I read it in an hour. These books are fun, quick reads that pack a punch of entertainment. In this volume, Savvy struggles with every girl’s dream: having a date to the ball. She finds the perfect dress, but Prince Charming is MIA. Her only option is a guy who’s a player. But when she tells him she just wants to be friends, he doesn’t seem to be listening. The story has a fabulous ending, but you’ll have to read it to find out what happens. This is the third book in the London Confidential series, which is about an all-American girl who’s learning to juggle fashion, friendships, and guys in her new home in Great Britain. Highly recommended.
Age Range: 12-16
Genre: contemporary
Part of a Series: London Confidential, book 3
Pages: 243
Publisher: Tyndale
Released: 2010
Review: The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
Click on the cover to view on Amazon.com.
Review by Jill Williamson
Rose has begun her training as the healer’s apprentice. She hopes to learn the job well so that someday she can be the healer of Hagenheim Castle and not have to marry any aging bachelors. But the mere sight of blood makes Rose swoon. Still, she is determined to make this life work for herself.
One day, when the master healer is away, Lord Hamlin, heir to Hagenheim Castle, is brought in with a grievous wound. Rose is the only one who can help. As she struggles to do a good job, she cannot help but notice how handsome and kind Lord Hamlin is. But she is a mere peasant, and Lord Hamlin is betrothed to another. Rose must fight against her attraction and focus on becoming a healer. For that is her destiny, is it not?
Melanie Dickerson writes a wonderful fairy tale romance. Her characters are noble and good, yet struggle with doing the right thing and sometimes fail. She paints a realistic medieval world from the beauty of Hagenheim Castle to the laws that governed society then. I was drawn in from page one and read the whole book in one day. If you love medieval stories, fairy tales, and romance, you must read this book. I’m so excited about Melanie Dickerson’s writing. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.
Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Historical romance
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 257
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2010
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Review: The Christy Miller Collection, Volume 2 by Robin Jones Gunn
Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com.
Review by Jill Williamson
This book is a three-books-in-one volume that includes books 4, 5, and 6 of the Christy Miller series. I’ve given an overview of each story below.
Book 4
Surprise Endings
Christy is practicing hard for the upcoming cheerleading tryouts and some of the girls are ruthless. Prom is also coming up. Christy hopes that her parents will make an exception and let her attend the prom with Todd, but Todd has already invited someone else! Can Christy respond with grace to all the surprises in her life?
I liked how this story ended. Despite all she goes through, and how strict her parents are, Christy is really starting to figure out who she is. It’s exciting to see her make choices that show selfless love for others, even though Christy doesn’t always feel it. My favorite part was when she stood up to Rick. Go, Christy! You tell him!
Book 5
Island Dreamer
The luckiest girl in the world, Christy gets to spend her sixteenth birthday on Maui, with Paula, her old best friend from Wisconsin and Todd! But Paula isn’t the same friend she used to be. She’s boy crazy and has set her eyes on stealing Todd! Christy struggles to know how to be a friend to Paula and not worry about her relationship with Todd, but it’s really hard to do!
I love Todd. If only there were more guys like him. Christy gets more practice learning to love others in this book, and Paula sure does make that hard. Todd confuses her more than ever and there are a few conversations left unfinished that make you want to go buy the whole series to know what will happen later.
Book 6
A Heart Full of Hope
Now that Christy is sixteen, she can finally date! And Rick has been waiting a long time. He not only has a long list of dates for them to go on, he wants Christy to be his girlfriend. Rick is in college now and had a busy schedule. He doesn’t like having to share Christy with her parents or her job. Christy has a hard time keeping up with his demands. Why are relationships so hard?
I don’t like Rick! The dude is controlling. Grrr. Yet he keeps coming back. It was entertaining and a little sad to see Christy try to please everyone in her life to the point of not having a life of her own. And I was so sad for Todd! Ack! I have to get the rest of these books soon so I know how Christy’s story ends.
I highly recommend this series for girls ages 12 and up. It is a joy to read about Christy’s life and friends and struggles. There are four, three-book volumes in the re-released series, and a college years volume. Check out Robin Jones Gunn’s author Web site to find more at http://www.robingunn.com/.
Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Contemporary
Part of a Series: Volume two in the Christy Miller Collection
Pages: 496
Publisher: Multnomah
Released: (1988, 1989, 1990) Re-released three-volume book: 2005
Sneak Peek: It’s Not About Him by Michelle Sutton
Michelle Sutton’s second novel comes out this fall. I really enjoyed her first book, It’s Not About Me, so I was thrilled to be able to read a review copy of the next book in the Second Glances series, It’s Not About Him. Here is my review:
Review by Jill Williamson
Susie wakes up after a party knowing something isn’t right. When she discovers she is pregnant but has no idea who the father is, she decides to place her baby for adoption with an infertile couple from church. Following through ends up being more challenging than she’d imagined. But she wants to do the right thing. If only Jeff would quit trying to marry her so she’ll keep her baby! Why doesn’t he understand? It’s not about him; it’s about what’s best for her child. Meanwhile, a man shows up in her life that looks irritatingly familiar. Could he be the father?
The thing that’s so great about Michelle Sutton is that she isn’t afraid to be real. It’s Not About Him is a gripping story about two people struggling to make right choices despite their past mistakes. The plot is filled with tough topics of rape, drinking, premarital sex, and murder, but Michelle deals with each scenario in a realistic way that proclaims Christ as the answer to all sin and reminds readers that He can work through any tragedy. Michelle weaves a series of plots that both break and warm the heart. It’s Not About Him is the perfect sequel. Michelle has written another honest look into the world young Christians struggle to live in every day. I praise God for the way she shows her readers that they can stay pure if they lean on Christ and make good choices. I pray these books will change lives. I’m so looking forward to book three.
Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Romance
Part of a Series: Book two in the Second Glances series
Publisher: Sheaf House
Releases: September 2009
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