Tag Archives: YA fiction

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Blog Tour for “Shatter”

What the book is about:

When a mysterious explosion kills her sister, Salem Jefferson becomes convinced the death was no accident—it was a conspiracy. But no one else at her high school believes her, and all she has so far is one clue. She knows Carrie hired a gang member to protect orchard workers. Problem is, Salem doesn’t know who.

To find out, Salem pursues the gang-bangers who rule her town, especially classmate Cordero. As her distrust of Cordero heats up, so do the number of suspects in Carrie’s death. Teachers and school officers are orchard owners. They have every reason to stop farm workers from demanding higher wages. With Carrie’s killers still out there, Salem’s not sure who she can trust. Meanwhile, the people who live on orchards and the people who pick them are drawing lines in the sand.

The only way for Salem to learn the truth is to slip behind those enemy lines.

The only way to survive is to find a way back out.

My Review: I loved this book. Salem can’t let anyone know what her gut is telling her. Everything is messed up and she doesn’t know who to trust. This is a good book about forgiveness, finding your identity, and friendship. I give it five stars. I loved it. No sexual content or swearing. There is some violence. I can recommend for teens and up.

About the Author: I live in Utah with five kids, a CrossFit-training husband who writes computer code, and lots of hip hop background music.

The Rest of The Tour:

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A Peak Into My YA Romance: “Counterfeit”

Athena looked around the crowded room filled with the rich and snobby. They were just the kind of people that she hated, fake smiles, fake boobs, fake teeth, fake tans, and real money. That was exactly why she had invited each one. She gave her own fake smile to the elderly man with the orange tan that had just agreed to a large donation and quickly made her escape. Athena hated lying, but what else was she supposed to do? Trying to make it as truthful as possible she said she had something she needed to check on. He doesn’t need to know that the “something” is my aching toes.

She quickly passed through the side door, and found her way to the little room she had found earlier while setting up. There was enough light coming into the storage room that she didn’t bother turning on the light. No reason to let anyone know that the room is occupied. She eased down onto a wooden crate and sighed. Easing one of her ridiculously uncomfortable high heels off, she rubbed her aching toes.

Suddenly she heard a soft “bing” and she tried to figure out what it was. When she notices a soft glow coming from back in the corner of the room, behind some stacked chairs, she stood and limped over that way. Fully prepared to scream bloody murder if she had to, she unconsciously held her shoe with the sharp stiletto heal, like a weapon. As she peaked around the chairs she could just make out the glow of a cell phone between some fingers.

“Who’s there?” she asked in a stage whisper.

“You can put down that shoe, I’m not dangerous, just hiding,” came a manly voice.

“Why are you sitting in the dark?” Athena insisted.

“Why didn’t you turn on the light?”

“Oh, right,” she muttered. “Sorry, I’ll leave.”

“I take it you are hiding too,” he asked as she turned to leave.

“Well just for a minute. My feet are killing me and my head is starting to hurt,” she admitted.

Suddenly the phone came up and she could just make out the face of the person sitting in the corner.

“Landon?” Athena asked in surprise.

“Yep, that’s me. Aren’t you the hostess?”

Athena sighed again, “Yes.”

They both were silent for a minute.

“You don’t have to leave, I can go. I won’t tell a soul I saw you,” offered Landon.

“No! You were here first, I am sorry I intruded,” she stammered.

“Hey, I already wrote a check, you don’t have to worry about offending me.”

“Oh, that isn’t it,” she lied again.

He just looked up at her. Even though there wasn’t a lot of light in the room, she could tell he was calling her bluff.

“Look, I had my few minutes of escape,” he said checking the clock on his phone. “In fact in a few more, I can leave without stepping on any toes.”

“As long as they aren’t my literal toes, feel free to leave the building, after all, you already wrote the check,” she quipped.

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Book Review for “Normal is the Watchword”- YA paranormal

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I was given a copy of “Normal is the Watchword” by the author, Jasmine Tru, in exchange for an honest review. This is a paranormal fiction that I think is suited for teens. The story line is a popular one right now with half-angel’s running around unknown to the population. Some are good and some are evil. If you are looking for biblical fiction, this isn’t it, but if you are looking for plain old make-believe fiction, you’ll enjoy the read. On the positive, I like the two main characters. On the negative, it is a repeated theme. Also, it sort of just ends. It is a series and though I hate cliff hangers, I do like to see some kind of closer at the end of each story. Over all a good read. No sex, and no swearing. There is fighting and violence. I give it a solid 3 stars, I “liked” it. In fact I will probably read the rest of the series.

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Book Review for “External Forces” – YA Dystopian Fiction

This was a great dystopian YA read. The society in this future has shut out those that have deviated from their “norm” and those inside the walls are trained to hate those outside. A mix of military, romance and friendship. I would recommend for high school and up due to some sexual content. Nothing too explicit. This is the first in a series and I will be reading the rest. The book ends in a good place, but doesn’t finish the story. I wouldn’t read it as a stand alone, though I guess you could. My curiosity wants to find out about the rest of the story. Good writing, some of the romance a little predictable, but usually is. Great first book for Deborah Rix! I give it a solid 4 stars.

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Book Review for “Moon Dwellers” YA Dystopian

The Moon Dwellers is a great story of friendship during hard times and also about the importance of family and sacrifice. I loved the humor between the friends and the strong female lead character. I thought it was even better when I found out that the character shares her name with the author’s wife. I will continue on with the series when time is available. A very good author with an understanding into the minds of young people. I give the book 4 stars.

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Book Review for “Fugitives From Northwoods” YA Dystopian

I was given a copy of “Fugitives from Northwoods” by the author, Chris Bostic in exchange for an honest review. The title originally caught my attention because I live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The story contains good teenage characters. Trapped in a world where teenagers are forced to work in labor camp “for the good of all”, and the boundaries of the countries that once were familiar are all changed. Penn leads a group of young people out into the wilds of a fall in the Northwoods of Minnesota. A strong story about loyalty and friendship. I recommend for ages 13 and up due to teen relationships. I give the story 5 stars and would definitely read more from this author.

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Book Review for “Division of the Marked” YA Fantasy

I was given a copy of this book by the author, March McCarron, in exchange for an honest review. I really liked this book! It is great for the audience it was intended for, but also a good adult read as well. With strong lead characters, a good mystery and a lot to say about loyalty and friendship, the story captures your interest right away. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. Great YA Fantasy. I give this book 4 stars.