Teens

Welcome to Shelly M, who has stopped by today to share some book reviews.

Title: Paperdoll

Author: Natalie Lloyd

Genre: Non fiction

Blurb: What happens when an ordinary girl finds the extraordinary love of God? By the well in Samaria, one girl found out when she came face to face with Jesus. Today young women may be in a different culture, but they have something in common with that girl by the well: Sometimes they go looking for love in all the wrong places. Just as the Samaritan woman carried an empty jar to the well, they carry their empty hearts, looking for one person, one more award, one glowing accolade, to fill it up and make it whole. True love is waiting at the well. In the eyes of the One, the woman at the well had infinite worth, meaning and purpose, and there’s a secret waiting for girls who take the time to listen to what Jesus had to say to her that day. When an extraordinary girl fills up on the love of an extraordinary God, unforgettable things happen.

Opinion: Paperdoll is a non-fiction book that is a wonderful read for preteens and teens alike. It helps shed some new light on the story of the woman at the well and how we can be just like her. This book showed me the amazing and powerful love of God towards us. Don’t worry, it is not like reading a textbook for school; it is a fun and easy read.

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Title: Submerged

Author: Dani Pettrey

Genre: fiction (mystery)

Blurb: A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-sea divers.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation—and Yancey’s a small town. She’s returned to bury a loved one killed in a plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer has settled in his town and doesn’t appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he’s not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?

Opinion: This is a great book for preteens and teens who love a good mystery. This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat holding my breath till the very end. Yet it gets a little romance in there to balance it out. As soon as you read the first book, you will want to run to the book store to get the rest of the books in this series. That’s what I did. Submerged is the first book in a series of four.

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Title: Fools Rush In

Author: Janice Thompson

Genre: fiction (romance)

Blurb: Bella Rossi’s life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin’ wedding that would make any Texan proud. There’s only one catch-she doesn’t know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

Opinion: Trust me, if you love a funny romance, this is your kind of book. Fools Rush In is the first book in the Weddings by Bella series and is sure to tickle your funny bone. I laughed till I cried reading this book. The main character, Bella, is in her twenties but this is still a great read for preteens and teens. In fact, I read this series in my tweens. Once you read the first chapter you will be hooked!

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Title: Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

Author: Betsy St. Amant

Genre: fiction

Blurb: Addison Blakely has never had much trouble pleasing her widowed, overprotective father. After all, he’s a pastor, and she knows her reputation is closely linked to his. But when the bad boy next door, the cute but arrogant quarterback, and a charming new guy all vie for Addison’s attention, she begins to doubt her resolve. To make matters worse, Addison’s best friend suddenly seems to hate her, a talent show has the entire school at odds, and an exotic foreign exchange student from Germany is shaking everyone up.

Join Addison as she attempts to separate love form lust, facts from faith, and keep her head above water in her murky, fishbowl existence.

Opinion: This is a great book for preteens and teens. If you are a pk (preachers kid) like me, you will understand and enjoy the things that happen in Addison’s story. If you do not have the pleasure of being a pk, you will still understand what this girl goes through and maybe even see some of what your pastor’s kids go through on a day to day basis. I have personally put this at the top of my favorite books to read list. Of course, you know I do that with all the books I read.

About Me! My name is Shelly and I am a big fan of books. If you came to my house, you would probably think it was a library. My dad is a pastor and my mom is a writer/editor/blogger/teacher’s assistant. I am very close to my family and love them very much. My other hobby I enjoy besides reading as much as I can is taking pictures of nature. When I grow up (finish college) I want to be a children’s minister. I love Mountain Dew and old movies; I know that is not important, but I just thought I would share.

I would love to know if you read these books and liked them or if you have a favorite book! So my friend, I bid you farewell until next time; my book is calling me!