Greetings! Time again for my quarterly update.

There are just a few items to share.

Award for Where You Lead

I’m very excited that my newest story is connecting with readers. I hope this recognition will bring this story about answering God’s call, to new readers.

Anniversary

This spring is the 10^th anniversary of when the idea for The Perfect Blindside first popped into my head. If you are unfamiliar with this story, you can find it here.

Gift

As a gift to all my wonderful, supportive subscribers I am again offering my novelette, Unlikely Witnesses to enjoy.

Unlikely Witnesses – Leslea Wahl

New Work

I am busy working with my publisher Pauline Books and Media on the second Jake and Sophie adventure. I don’t have a release date as of yet, but will keep you posted.

In this new book, Sophie gets a chance to experience Jake’s world while at an extreme sporting event.

As always, I’m so thankful for any reader who is willing to post a review on Amazon. Even a few sentences helps to get my stories to new readers. I’m super close to the magic number of 50 for The Perfect Blindside.

Did you know that I am also part of a joint website with other authors who write faith-based novels – CatholicTeenBooks?

CatholicTeenBooks has some new exciting features, including our Faith Through Fiction video series and a new member.

You can find my reviews of Andrea’s fun adventures here.

Besides our regular CatholicTeenBooks newsletter, we also are starting a newsletter specifically for teachers and librarians. If you know of an educator that might be interested in faith-based books, please share this link with them. Educators Newsletter

 

That’s it for my spring update. Happy Reading!

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

March is always a time of spiritual reflection as we journey through Lent. So, it seems like an appropriate time to highlight some books about spiritual gifts. I truly believe we all have gifts from God, unique talents that our creator has blessed us with. In fact, this is a topic that I include in all my books. But this month’s featured novels explore the possibility of God using people in very extraordinary ways. These fictional books, which include a mystery, a contemporary romance, and a dystopian adventure, are about teens that have been given unique gifts that they must figure out how to use.

 

Where You Lead by Leslea Wahl

Where You Lead is my newest novel that was released in September. The story begins with Eve, an average teenager living in New Mexico. Her life is far from exciting, but when she has an odd vision of a teen boy named Nick, everything changes. Although she has never met this boy and has no idea where he lives, Eve feels God is calling her to find him.

This search leads to a grand adventure set in Washington DC. Nick and Eve, who both have the courage to say yes to God’s calling, find themselves entangled in a mystery involving international trade agreements, foreign political affairs, and missing Confederate Gold.

The opening scene of this book is based on a thought that flashed into my mind over 25 years ago when my husband and I were newly married and had just moved to Washington DC. I always thought it would make a great beginning to a book. Years later, after I began my writing career, I thought back on this idea and tried to figure out how I could make it work in a YA novel. Finally, inspiration struck, and that little idea grew into my latest adventurous mystery.

 

The Healer by Susan Miura

This Christian YA novel is the story of Shilo Gianelli who has been granted an unusual gift from God – the ability to heal.

Shilo is a high school soccer player with a cute boyfriend, an annoying sister, and a best friend who seems too busy for her. But an unusual encounter with a teen mom and her injured son suddenly sends Shilo’s life spiraling out of control.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Miura and thoroughly enjoyed her writing – especially the voice of Shilo. Miura captured the sass and sarcasm of a teen girl perfectly. While some of Shilo’s actions were frustrating, they totally made sense for a teen girl’s emotional mind.

I really thought this was a fascinating idea and concept. I loved the fact that Shilo must learn that this power is a gift from God. She is the vessel for His healing power and cannot pick and choose whom to heal. I appreciated the message that God has a divine plan, and we don’t always know the reason that some prayers are answered and others are not. The Healer is an enjoyable book with wonderful characters, exciting scenes, and a thought-provoking message.

 

The Gifting by K.E. Ganshert

Looking for a hard-to-put-down Dystopian novel? The Gifting might be the book for you. This Christian novel is the first book in a series and, be forewarned – it will be hard to stop reading after the first book. This novel grabbed my attention, and the idea of a prophetic gift was intriguing.

This YA novel, while very modern day-ish, is set in a future where religion is all but banned. Science is the answer and has proven faith to be false and irrelevant. To ensure only healthy babies are born, this “advanced” society tests all pregnant women for any imperfections in order to cleanse people of any abnormalities. When teenager Tess begins seeing things that others do not, the only reasonable conclusion is that she has some sort of psychosis – which would be extremely dangerous and life-threatening to admit.

Dystopian stories are always interesting and make you think about where we are headed as a society and how our actions today could alter things in the future. While this book’s futuristic concepts are fascinating and terrifying – the author also brings up some serious issues that teens today can relate to – cliques, bullying, drugs and even the dangers of exploring the occult. Great book for older teens.

 

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

February is the shortest month of the year so what better time to showcase some entertaining short stories. All these tales are companions of full-length novels, and will provide readers with a taste of different books and authors. If you are intrigued by the stories you can check out the related novels. As an extra bonus, since these are all 130 pages or less, I am highlighting four stories this month.

 

Drive! By Corinna Turner

Corinna Turner has an uncanny ability to create unique worlds in her dystopian and fantasy novels. In Drive!, she takes the reader into a Jurassic Park type of society where dinosaurs, and the danger they pose, are quite real. This story is the first in her unSPARKed series, where we meet, Darryl, her brother Harry, their father, and his fiancé. Though the story is brief, it is jam-packed with intense action. The main character, Darryl, is one tough teen who can take care of herself. Unfortunately, the rest of this series is not yet available. I, for one, can’t wait to read more.

 

Unlikely Witnesses By Leslea Wahl

This story is the longest of this month’s recommendations and is technically a novella. It was so much fun to write because it combines the characters from two of my YA novels, The Perfect Blindside and An Unexpected Role. When Sophie, Jake, Ryan, and Josie spend a week together on a family vacation in the Colorado Rockies, they become involved in an all-new mystery. (Sophie and Ryan are cousins – surprise!) This story is told from each of their perspectives, giving each chapter a unique voice. Intrigue, adventure, and the message of being an unlikely witness for Christ fuel this fun adventure. You can get this ebook for less than a dollar.

 

The Monk’s Castle by AJ Cattapan

This short story from AJ Cattapan takes the characters from her middle-grade novel, 7 Riddles to Nowhere, on a new adventure. One of my favorite parts of 7 Riddles to Nowhere was the tour of Chicago that Cattapan provides the reader through her incredible descriptions. She has done that again in The Monk’s Castle which is based on an actual mansion in Chicago. Expect the unexpected when Kam and his friends attend an event at the haunted castle, and one of them goes missing. The Monk’s Castle is available as a free download.

 

Bound to Find Freedom by Theresa Linden

Bound to Find Freedom is a short story featuring characters from Theresa Linden’s Liberty dystopian trilogy. When young teen Andy sneaks off to help with his older brother Dedrick’s mission to rescue people from the government-run city of Aldonia, things don’t go as planned. This story gives reader an introduction to this dystopian world that the author has envisioned. As always, Linden has created some memorable characters and powerful messages in this exciting story. Bound to Find Freedom is available as a free download.

 

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grand-kids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

The three featured books this month are all familiar stories that have been redone in unique ways. They include:

a reworked fairytale with a surprise twist,

a futuristic version of a well-known classic,

and a modern day telling of a beloved children’s story.

These fresh perspectives are perfect for the fresh new year. Enjoy!

 

Cinder Allia by Karen Ullo

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, but it probably won’t be the last. This retelling of the famous fairytale was such a delight. There were so many fantastic twists to this new version that made this story engaging and fast-moving.

What happens when our heroine’s prince is killed in battle before he can rescue her from her cruel life? What any strong female would do, of course, solve the problem herself.

Armed with faith, a sword, and some unlikely allies she ventures out to find her new path in life. But will Allia be able to find love and happiness when faced with overwhelming odds including deception at the palace, betrayal amid the noblemen, wicked lies, tragic heartache, and unfathomable cruelty?

I would recommend this book for older or mature teens. The language was stunning but quite ornate. A great read to expand a vocabulary but could be difficult for younger readers to follow. It was a clean read but there were some innuendos of mature situations. However, because of the more ornamental language those aren’t extremely obvious. Overall, a very enjoyable teen novel.

 

Unclaimed by Erin Cupp

This book is a retelling of the classic novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This YA version adds an exciting twist – it’s told from a futuristic viewpoint. Unclaimed is the second book that I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoy her writing style.

Before we get started, I have a confession to make. I’ve actually never read Jane Eyre. I know. How did I possibly miss that beloved classic? I’m not sure but it is indeed true.

Brace yourselves. I have another confession to make. Instead of now reading Jane Eyre in order to determine how similar this modern novel compares to the Bronte original, I actually just read the Wikipedia summary. I probably lose some street-cred as a book reviewer but for the sake of saving time, so I can get to more books on my way-too-long “To Read” list, I went with the less time-consuming option.

Thanks to Wikipedia, from what I can tell, this story follows the storyline of Jane Eyre even as a clever futuristic remake. But don’t worry, if you are like me and have not read the original, there is no need to panic – this book, the first in a trilogy about Jane E., is a standalone delight.

I really liked the future details the author has imagined. The main character, Jane E, who is technically classified as an unclaimed embryo, is fabulous. This character who has no family and is alone in the world was so wonderful. I was rooting for her from the very first page and cared more and more for her through each challenge she faced. Great book!

 

The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman

The Shadow of the Bear is a modern retelling of the Grimm fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red. This book is the first of the author’s Fairy Tale Novels where she takes an old story and creates a fresh and entertaining tale for modern teens. This exciting novel – part mystery, adventure, and fairy tale, is about sisters Blanche and Rose and how their lives are forever changed when a mysterious stranger named Bear happens upon their door, in the “wilderness” of New York City.

There are many things I enjoyed about this book including the very different personalities of the sisters and the incorporation of faith. I especially liked how the innocent sisters found themselves in several precarious situations, a mixture of unlikely predicaments and some very real and relevant dangers of today’s teens. This book is loaded with fantastic topics for discussion – being taken advantage of, stealing, drinking, bullying, drugs, hazards of dating. I will offer a bit of a warning though – if you value your sleep, don’t read this book close to bedtime because the second half of the novel is a real page-turner and you won’t be able to put it down. You’ve been forewarned.

 

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Today is the last in my Tuesday Treats series of blogs. And it just so happens that this is the only book of these new releases that I have not had the chance to read yet. However, it is on my to-read stack. I have read the first book in this series, I am Margaret as well as two of the related short stories – Brothers and Margo’s Diary. In fact, I am Margaret is one of my all-time favorite YA books. I have also recently enjoyed three of Corinna Turner’s other books – Elfling, Mandy Lamb and the Full Moon, and her short story Drive. So, even though I have not read this particular book yet, I was happy to take a turn on this very talented author’s new blog tour.

If you are unfamiliar with Corinna Turner, you may want to check out one of her many novels. I honestly feel that few authors are as blessed with creativity as Corinna Turner. She is a master at creating new, unique worlds in all her dystopian and fantasy books. The details she includes, such as new words, complex technologies, and realistic histories, is truly impressive.

I look forward to reading this new chapter in her I am Margaret series and am sure this book will be a huge success.

The Siege or Reginald Hill

An odd surge filled my heart as I looked at him, sitting there in that chair: so old; so evil; so broken; so… alone. A warmth. A caring. A… love. I loved him. Just another poor sinner who need my care…

SAFETY IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF DANGER, BUT THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

Fr Kyle Verrall is living a quiet life as a parish priest in Africa when he’s snatched from his church one night by armed assailants. He’s in big trouble—his sister’s worst enemy is hell-bent on taking revenge on the famous Margaret Verrall by killing her brother, just as slowly and horribly as he can.

What could possibly save him? The humble young priest is defenseless—or so Reginald Hill believes.

But Kyle has a powerful weapon Hill knows nothing about. And he’s not afraid to use it.

Is Reginald Hill really the hunter?

Or is he the hunted?

This Quarterly Update contains information of an exclusive sale, some exciting news, and a gift for you!

I hope this newsletter finds everyone enjoying the beauty and joy of the Christmas season. I feel truly blessed to be able to use my creativity to hopefully inspire others, and I’m am so thankful for each one of my followers.

There are a few updates I’d like to share with everyone.

First, a little something to get you in the holiday spirit.

SALE!

I’m offering a special discount on my three books – all 3 for $30. Please send me a message if you are interested. We can arrange payment via check or pay pal. This might be the perfect gift for the reader on your list or a special treat for yourself if you’re still curious about my books.

Book Updates:

Unlikely Witnesses is my newest release. This short story is only available as an ebook. It is an adventurous tale with my characters from The Perfect Blindside and An Unexpected Role. I’m hoping to use this to garner the interest of new readers as well as giving a little treat to anyone who has enjoyed my previous books.

As a Christmas gift, I’m sharing this novella to my subscribers – just click on the link below. I hope you enjoy this fun story.

Unlikely Witnesses – Leslea Wahl

 

This fall, The Perfect Blindside was awarded a Gold Medal Reader’s Favorite Book Award. I’m so thrilled that this book that started my writing journey is still touching those who read it.

Also, I have created a study guide for The Perfect Blindside. This guide is intended to help students analyze the story by providing comprehension questions. This might be a great supplement for a homeschooling curriculum.

Study guide

 

Where You Lead

My publisher, Vinspire Publishing, has created a new video for this fun adventure that came out this fall. VIDEO

 

eXtreme Deception – aka Perfect Blindside 2

I’m thrilled to announce that edits and rewrites have finally begun for this long-awaited sequel.  I will keep you updated on the progress and possible release date.

 

Just a reminder! If you have read and enjoyed any of my books and have an Amazon membership, please consider leaving a review. It doesn’t have to be detailed – a single sentence will do. The number of reviews does help the books to get more exposure, and I’d love to reach more readers with the positive messages of these books. Thank you!

 

A few new updates from my CatholicTeenBooks friends.

Our Secrets Anthology would make a fantastic present. This collection of short stories gives readers a taste of 7 different authors.

Susan Peek has a new children’s Christmas book – Saint Rudolph and the Reindeer. This delightful little Christmas gem will surely be a new family treasure for many.

In case you have missed my recent Tuesday Treats blogs, my fellow CTB author have some great new releases:

3 Things to Forget by Cynthia T. Toney

Roland West, Outcast by Theresa Linden

Guarding Aaron by T.M. Gaouette

The Siege of Reginald Hill by Corinna Turner 

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grand-kids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

December seems like a great time to review a few books about saints. During Advent, as we contemplate and celebrate the birth of Christ, we can also learn some incredible lessons from His most faithful servants.

Treachery and Truth by Katy Huth Jones

Are you familiar with the well-known Christmas carol, Good King Wenceslas? Have you ever wondered about the inspiration for this classic song? If you’re like me, the answer is probably, no, you never gave a thought to the words you were singing. Well, lucky for us, Katy Huth Jones was curious about this character.

Treachery and Truth is the fascinating true story of Good King Wenceslas. This is an exciting and wonderfully written story about this beloved Czech duke, who was a faithful Christian during a time filled with pagan gods, betrayal, and war.

The book is cleverly written through the eyes of the Duke’s faithful servant. This was an intriguing way to tell this story. Though this novel is a work of fiction, the story is based on the facts known about this historical figure and draws the reader into his fascinating life. It was inspiring to see how this young hero’s faith and goodness affected so many around him.

Treachery and Truth would make a wonderful addition to your December reading.

 

The King’s Prey: St. Dymphna of Ireland by Susan Peek

Susan Peek has a series of books about saints titled God’s Forgotten Friends – Stories of Little Known Saints.  One of the taglines she uses is – the saints weren’t boring why should their stories be? And that sums up her novels perfectly. She uses the historical facts and incorporates them into exciting adventures about some saints you might not have heard of.

I have loved all of Susan Peek’s novels, but I think The King’s Prey is her best book yet! She has taken this story about a little-known saint and created a heart-pounding adventure. For those who don’t know, Saint Dymphna was an Irish Princess in 628 who had to escape from her deranged father. There are not a lot of facts about St. Dymphna, but it is known that she fled across Ireland from her father with the help of several people from her father’s court and a local priest.

While this book is about a Princess, don’t let that fool you – it’s a great book for boys as well. Since not much information is available about those who helped Dymphna, the author has used her incredible story-telling skills to create an unforgettable tale about two estranged brothers with a heart-breaking past to add even more excitement to this fascinating story. The combination of perfectly timed humor, riveting chase scenes, and swashbuckling fights make for a must-read book.

One note – St. Dymphna is the patron saint of those afflicted with mental and emotional disorders. Her story makes for great discussions but also might not be appropriate for younger children.

 

To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati by Brian Kennelly

What an incredible look into the life of an incredible man. Pier Giorgio Frassati is a somewhat newer saint, having lived in the early part of the 20^th Century. Because of this, there is a lot known and documented about this saint. I thought the writer did a good job of keeping to the facts but making it feel more like a story than a dry biography. The reader is able to get a wonderful sense of Pier Giorgio through this book, which at times almost felt like a collection of inspiring short stories.

Frassati was an Italian man, born into a wealthy family. He was well educated and is now the Patron Saint of Catholic teens. This young man loved his faith and spent his short life caring for others. I had known just a little about Frassati through my son and his youth group. But there were so many things I learned and was touched by:

His incredible faith and devotion to the poor. Even at an early age, Pier Giorgio went out of his way to assist others and make them feel special.

His family’s indifference to these things. I was amazed at the constant struggle he had in focusing on his faith without his family’s support.

His strong friendships, especially with this sister. This was a young man who had many friends and loved their comradery. And the special relationship he had with his sister was touching.

He touched so many people in very powerful yet simple ways. This is the big lesson from this book. We all have this ability to help those in need, pray for others, and be kind to everyone we meet. Often saints seem to be people who did really incredible things, but this book is a great example of how everyone can really make a difference.

 

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

I recently had the great privilege to read advanced copies of six Catholic teen novels. All the books happen to be new installments in series written by the authors. I eagerly agreed to support my fellow authors and host blog stops on their book release tours. So, for the next six weeks, I will have a new weekly post – Tuesday Treats: New Releases. I hope you’ll be able to find some new adventures to cozy up with.

Today’s new release actually comes out today! Happy Book Birthday!

Guarding Aaron by T.M. Gaouette

Guarding Aaron is the third book in T.M. Gaouette’s Faith & Kung Fu series. The series centers around Gabriel, a handsome teen who is dedicated to his faith, his mother, and his martial arts. In the first book of the series, Freeing Tanner Rose, Gabriel meets Tanner Rose, a Hollywood starlet and the daughter of his mother’s friend. 

Saving Faith, the second book in this series, and now Guarding Aaron continue the story of Gabriel, Tanner, and their friends. Gaouette does a wonderful job of creating relatable characters that you care about. Through the series, I have admired Gabriel, enjoyed the growth of Tanner and Christian, wanted to scream at Faith, and now wish I could hug Aaron.

Aaron is new to the series. His story, which runs parallel to what is happening with Tanner and Gabriel, is incredibly touching. Aaron is being bullied at school. Tired of being the victim, he has decided to take kung fu classes. This is where he meets older teens Gabriel and Christian who are his instructors. The two storylines are woven together perfectly to make for a thoroughly engaging novel. There are even a few shocking twists that will keep you turning the pages. (One, in particular, had me gasping out loud.)

You don’t need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this book, but I’m sure you will want to eventually so you can spend more time with these characters.

For more information on all of T.M. Gaouette’s books, please visit her website.

I recently had the great privilege to read advanced copies of six Catholic teen novels. All the books happen to be new installments in series written by the authors. I eagerly agreed to support my fellow authors and host blog stops on their book release tours. So, for the next six weeks, I will have a new weekly post – Tuesday Treats: New Releases. I hope you’ll be able to find some new adventures to cozy up with.

Today I’m actually sharing about two books – a middle-grade adventure and a darling children’s Christmas story.

Saving The Statue of Liberty by Andrea Jo Rodgers

The kids from St. Michael the Archangel Academy are on their next mission – saving The Statue of Liberty. These books by Andrea Jo Rodgers are such a delight and are perfect for older elementary students. I love the adventure, the friendships, the patriotism, and all the history that surround these fun stories. This series of books reminds me of The Magic Treehouse books my children used to read.

Through some fantastical unknown ways, the kids of Team Liberty are able to transport to historical monuments and save them from the mischievous and villainous ways of Team Mischief. In this newest adventure, the four friends are in a race against time as they must decipher clues in order to protect The Statue of Liberty from being vandalized. These books are such a fun way to learn about history and national monuments and would make a great supplement to American history lessons.

 

Saint Rudolph and the Reindeer by Susan Peek

Saint Rudolph and the Reindeer is a delightful new Christmas story that the whole family will adore.

The brilliantly creative Susan Peek has written a heartwarming tale that is destined to become a new family favorite. Taking her vast knowledge of saints, she has added a beautifully religious twist to transform a favorite children’s Christmas story into a holiday treasure.

I have always loved Christmas. I, of course, treasure the true meaning of Christmas, the amazing story of our saviors’ birth. But I admit, I also adore the secular aspects of the holiday. The lights, the trees, the music, the movies, and children’s animated shows. When my kids were little, and I would read Christmas stories to them, I wanted them to understand the real meaning of Christmas. But with the worldly aspects of the holiday everywhere we went, I found it difficult to explain what the birth of Jesus and Santa had in common. One day, I came across an adorable little book that combined these two aspects. It told a tale of how Santa wanted to celebrate the birth of Jesus by giving gifts to others as the Wise Men did so long ago. This story became one of our family’s favorites.

Well, I wish I had small children again because this book by Susan Peek captures that same idea using an incredible Saint and a little lost reindeer. This is such a sweet story. If you are unfamiliar with Susan Peek’s books you really should check them out. She is an incredibly talented author who writes about the lives of Saints for children and teens. She takes little know saints and using their true-life experiences, creates exciting stories around them. I am so excited about this little Christmas gem and am sure it will be a new family treasure for many.

I recently had the great privilege to read advanced copies of six Catholic teen novels. All the books happen to be new installments in series written by the authors. I eagerly agreed to support my fellow authors and host blog stops on their book release tours. So, for the next six weeks, I will have a new weekly post – Tuesday Treats: New Releases. I hope you’ll be able to find some new adventures to cozy up with.

Today you are really in for an extra treat because Theresa Linden has created a fun game to play for chances to win a copy of her new book: Roland West, Outcast! Make sure you scroll to the end of this post to find the Saints Game!

Story Summary for Roland West, Outcast

He’s searching for the truth but is he ready to proclaim it?

Shy Roland West, who fears speaking up, attends high school with gossips and troublemakers. After panicking in speech class and becoming the subject of gossip, his best friend, Peter Brant, pushes him to uncover the vandals of an outcast’s house before they strike again. With the Catholic youth group, he helps repair the damage to the outcast’s house and questions fellow students, but he draws more negative attention to himself. In his search, Roland finds himself ridiculed and challenged about his beliefs, becoming more of a target. As he draws closer to uncovering the perpetrator, his friend Caitlyn is threatened. Once Roland discovers the sinister reason behind the vandalism, he must overcome his fear of speaking out to confront and expose the perpetrators.

My Review:

I think I can sum up this book in one word – Wow!

Theresa Linden’s West Brothers series of books is absolutely incredible, every book a treasured gift. There are several things that I particularly love about this series. I appreciate how the author adds unique Catholic themes to the books. I admire how she is unafraid to tackle difficult topics. And I enjoy how she changes up the point of view. These stories have unfolded through many different viewpoints – Roland, Jarret, Keefe, Caitlyn, Peter, and even demons and angels!

Roland West, Outcast is told from Roland and Peter’s perspectives. It is actually set during the same time period as Linden’s novel, Standing Strong. This made for an extremely enjoyable read, to see the same scenes but from a different viewpoint. I’m always fascinated by how much a story can change depending on who is telling the tale.

This book also provides some incredible insight into saints and martyrs. One line about a particular martyr sums it up perfectly – “…had a lot of courage. All the way to the stake. I admire that. Makes me think there must be something to what she believed.” So true. There are many things we can learn from these incredible faithful servants.

But, my favorite part of this particular book is the subject matter. This is one of the most powerful and impactful books for teens regarding morals that I’ve ever read. Roland West, Outcast is about how to befriend and love people who are living in a way that goes against your beliefs. In our society, certain lifestyles that are in contrast to biblical teaching have become widely accepted. This book tackles this topic in a beautiful, faithful way.

There are so many incredible truths in this novel that everyone should hear and be reminded of – especially teens. In this world where we are told to accept everyone and everyone’s choices, it’s so refreshing to have a book that addresses this from a scriptural perspective. We can be kind and caring but still stand by our beliefs and the church’s teachings, which do not change just because the world wants it to. The church is here to change the world not be changed by the world.

People are so afraid of offending someone that we often don’t share the message that needs to be heard. When you truly care for someone as a friend, the truth and the fate of their soul is more important than if you offend them. By having the courage to speak the truth you can lead people to Christ and to understand the Catholic church and its teachings, which come directly from Christ through Peter and the popes.

One last thing, I have to include this quote from Theresa Linden because I think it is so beautiful and powerful. “Sometimes you can’t stay silent. No matter what others think. No matter who hates you for speaking. No matter the label they give you. No matter what friends you lose. Because the truth is important. The truth is a person. Jesus Christ.”

 

SAINTS GAME created by Theresa Linden

I love the saints! God has raised up men, women, and children through the years to show us how to live in the fullness of charity even while here on earth.

They are the heroes of our faith! They show us that heroic virtue is possible. It is possible to overcome sin and follow the straight and narrow path that leads directly to heaven. They show us that true joy and utter happiness can only be found only in a deep relationship with Our Lord. And they make us want that for ourselves.

Play this “Saints Game” for several entries in the second giveaway of Roland West, Loner.

5 chances to enter to win!

Can you identify the saints shown here? If you can, list the names next to the appropriate numbers, email your answers to theresalinden@oh.rr.com. If you get 5 or more correct answers, you will be entered to win a copy of Roland West, Outcast!

Here are a few clues:

1. This saint is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and those are not juggling balls but stones in the picture.
2. This Mexican saint did not make it to his fifteenth birthday. He is one of the characters portrayed in the movie For Greater Glory.
3. This little-known Franciscan saint lived in Holland from 1534-1572.
4. This French saint heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret when she was a teen.
5. This saint became a king in England at the age of fourteen in the year 855.
6. This saint is mentioned in the New Testament. A lot. Take a good look at what he’s got in his hand.
7. This modern-day saint had a vision of the Virgin Mary when he was 12. She offered him 2 crowns, one white and the other red.
8. This saint thought about joining a monastery but ended up becoming a lawyer and getting married. He also wrote a book about a fictional, idealistic island society.
9. This Franciscan saint was a porter, answering the door at a friary in Altoetting for 41 years. The children sometimes teased him but soon came to love him.

Get a 2nd entry if you know what all these saints except for one have in common.

Get a 3rd entry if you can name the one saint who does not have the same thing in common with the others.

Get a 4th entry if you can name which West Brothers book the above-mentioned saint plays a role in.

Get a 5th entry if you can guess which of one of these saints inspires Roland in Roland West, Outcast.

Note: On the last day of the Blog Tour, the winner will be chosen using an online “winner picker.” Winner will receive a paperback of Roland West, Outcast if they live within the continental US and an ebook (mobi, EPUB, or PDF) for everywhere else (unless the author feels that the shipping cost is not too bad). You will find more ways to enter on every blog stop during the tour. Winner will be announced here: http://www.theresalinden.com/outcast-blog-stops

Connect with author Theresa Linden:

website: www.theresalinden.com

blog: Things Visible & Invisible

​Facebook author page

Twitter: @LindenTheresa

Author Bio:

Theresa Linden is the author of award-winning faith-filled fiction that weaves the natural with the supernatural. She has eight published novels, including a dystopian trilogy, contemporary young adult fiction, a short story in the anthology Secrets: Visible & Invisible and two short stories in Image and Likeness: Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body. She holds a Catechetical Diploma from Catholic Distance University and is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild. Her books are featured on CatholicTeenBooks.com, Catholic Reads, and Virtue Works Media. A wife, homeschooling mom, and Secular Franciscan, she resides in Elyria with her husband and three teenage boys.