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.

Maybe it’s because of Halloween but for me October always seems like a great month for mysteries and intrigue, so what a perfect time for some great spy and secret agent book reviews. These YA novels are all fun adventures about kids who are chosen to do some extraordinary things.

Saving Mount Rushmore by Andrea Jo Rodgers

Looking for a fun adventure for your older elementary or middle school student? This book might just be what you’re looking for. Saving Mount Rushmore is about a middle school boy, John, who’s upset to have to spend the summer in South Dakota with an Aunt he barely knows. So much for the fun summer he’d hoped for, spent at the Jersey shore with his friends.

Soon after he arrives at his Aunt’s ranch, he finds out that he’ll be part of a special program at St. Michael the Archangel School. Summer school? Really?

But this is no ordinary school. This is a unique program where the students, who each possess special talents, act as secret agents performing good deeds for the country. But what special talent could John contribute? Maybe they made a mistake.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-moving adventure with some very likable characters that provided lessons in history, as well as positive messages regarding self-confidence, friendships, and faith. I look forward to more exciting stories in this series of books that empower kids and encourage them to think of the special gifts, talents and interests they all possess.

 

Mindwar by Andrew Klavan

Rick Dial once had it all. He was a star athlete with a football scholarship to college, had a loving family and a devoted girlfriend.

Amazing how quickly things can change.

In a few short months, his father has deserted the family and a car accident has left Rick crippled and destroyed his future. Now Rick is stuck at home with an annoying little brother, a depressed mother, and nothing to do but play video games.

But… he possesses a talent the US government needs. He is called upon to enter a virtual world in order to save the real world.

Author Andrew Klavan is a well-known, best-selling, Christian YA author and I can certainly understand why. Mindwar is one fast-paced, adrenaline inducing, action-packed thrill ride. This novel is part secret-agent thriller, part sci-fi adventure, and is the first book in the Mindwar trilogy.

Quick note – the Christian themes are more subtle than in many Christian and Catholic novels, but that could appeal to some readers. I did like that Rick turned to God when he was in need and realized the importance of family.

 

The New Recruit by Jill Williamson

This Christian teen spy novel is the first in a series about fourteen-year-old Spencer Garmon. Spencer’s life is in disarray – he lives with his Grandmother ever since his parents died, and he has no interest in the Christian faith his Grandma is trying to surround him with. All he really wants to do is play basketball and earn a scholarship to escape this life, but his knack for trouble has a way of interfering with his plan. When he’s approached about joining a secret spy organization comprised of Christian’s, he’s not only skeptical of the whole idea but most definitely – not interested.

However, three things help convince Spencer to give the summer spy program in Russia a try.

1 – There are some really cute girls going on the trip.

2 – An ultimatum from his Grandma after he’s been in trouble one too many time – he can either join military school or the Christian spy organization.

3 – Spencer discovers a secret about his deceased parents – they once also belonged to this organization.

This teen spy novel has a great, fun premise – what kid doesn’t dream about being a secret agent? But I must say, this book had me at the lead character’s voice. So fantastic! The author superbly captures a teen boy’s thoughts and words, with the perfect blend of wit, sarcasm, and coolness. Really one of the best voices for a boy that I’ve come across.

One note – this book does have a more evangelical point of view than I’m used to reading but overall, it’s an enjoyable book.

 

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!

Welcome to my quarterly newsletter. This month’s edition is full of exciting news that I can’t wait to share! So, let’s get to it!

It’s finally here!

Yes, my newest book Where You Lead is finally being released – in just a few days. After a few delays, this adventurous mystery should be available starting on September 15^th. This new YA novel explores God’s calling for our lives, in big and small ways. This is a particularly special theme for me since I felt called to become an author and continue to say “yes” to where He leads me. God’s plans for our lives are often unexpected and surprising.

To celebrate the release of this new book, I’m hosting an online treasure hunt to win some great prizes!

Click HERE for all the details!

If you’d like a little bit more information on the story, please click on the links below.

Book Trailer (created by my very talented son)

First Chapter

A little bit about where the idea for this novel came from.

 

A New Award!

I was so excited to recently learn that The Perfect Blindside won another award. It earned a Gold Medal in the recent Readers’ Favorite Awards. I’m so grateful that this special book is still reaching people. I’m especially eager for new readers to meet Jake and Sophie as I begin edits on their next adventure.

 

Oops!

About a month ago I stumbled across the realization that the kindle version of An Unexpected Role was missing the epilogue. I don’t know about you, but I love epilogues to know how the story wraps up. The problem has been corrected but if any of you had read the old version, please let me know and I’ll send you the corrected story.

 

CWG Conference

In August, I had the pleasure of attending the Catholic Writer’s Guild Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This was a special opportunity for me for several reasons. It was such a joy to meet so many of the authors I’ve “known” online. To interact with friends and authors I admire was truly special. I learned a lot from the talented speakers, was able to make some great contacts, and brought home a bunch of fantastic books. And, as an extra special bonus, I have family that live in the area so was able to reconnect with some of them.

The photo is of me with several of my CatholicTeenBooks.com authors – Carolyn Astfalk, Carmela Martino, Amy Cattapan, and Lizette Lantigua. We are surrounding Carmela after her book Playing By Heart was awarded a CALA Award. (Playing By Heart is one of the prizes in my online treasure hunt!)

 

Seal of Approval

The CatholicTeenBooks anthology, Secrets, recently was awarded the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval. This collaboration is a great way to get to know several different authors. (Also one of the prizes you can win if you join my treasure hunt!)

 

New Logo

My friend and fellow author, Theresa Linden, created a logo for me. What do you think?

 

Okay, that’s it for this quarter. Thanks so much for all your continued support!  Happy Reading and God Bless!!

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.

This month’s book review genre is Middle Grade Books. Let’s face it, those middle school years are tough. This stage of life can be difficult as young people are trying to figure out just who they are while dealing with more complex issues, tougher school work, more responsibility, and hormones!

7 Riddles to Nowhere by A.J. Cattapan

Seven Riddles to Nowhere is a wonderfully charming book, perfect for older elementary students and middle schoolers or for anyone who enjoys a beautifully written, hard-to-put-down story. The main character, Kam, who suffers from selective mutism, finds himself on a mission to save his beloved Catholic school from closing. This goal leads him on an adventure through Chicago deciphering riddles at beautiful churches, while avoiding the school’s bully along the way.

The characters of Kam and his supportive friends are so enjoyable that I couldn’t help but root for them as they made their way from church to church. Cattapan did an amazing job of not only bringing her characters to life but also describing Chicago in a way that the city practically became another character in the book. I also loved the element of the faith based riddles the kids had to solve.

This is a fantastic story of self-sacrifice, for the good of others, that delivers a beautiful message – kids can make a difference.

8 Notes to a Nobody by Cynthia T. Toney

This is the first book in Cynthia T. Toney’s Birdface series which follows Wendy, a young Louisiana teen, through her 8^th grade year and into high school. 8 Notes to a Nobody is a beautiful and impactful novel about the difficulties of the middle school years. This story deals honestly with many tough subjects such as low self-esteem, depression and other serious issues. Toney does an incredible job of tackling these hard topics in a hopeful and empowering way.

I love how the main character finds the strength to take charge and change things for herself by following her 5 step plan to making friends. This is such a great, proactive idea that all teens could try. It was wonderful to see how things changed for her over the summer as she prepared for high school. Kids at this age often can’t see past their problems so I thought the message that even though heartache and tragedies occurred, things could change and get better was very powerful and positive. This is a great book for any middle school student.

 a.k.a. Genius by Marilee Haynes

What a delightful middle grade book about finding yourself and fitting in. The story follows Gabe, a middle school student – smack dab in the middle of those difficult awkward years. Oh, and he just found out he’s a genius.

I’ve never read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books but this novel reminded me of the movies. A young boy making his way through the difficult years of middle school, in a humorous story with colorful characters. I was about halfway through the book when I was out of town and unable to read for a few days but I couldn’t get Gabe, his friends and their predicaments out of my mind.

Haynes is a fabulous writer who expertly captures Gabe’s voice. Though this book is fun it also has some powerful moments and inspiring messages. Warning: you many need to keep some tissues nearby to wipe away the tears of laughter and sadness.

 

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.

Ever wonder why dystopian novels and movies are so popular? I think one reason might be because of our natural curiosity and concern about what the future might look like.

When I first started reading Christian books in this genre I admit to being a little skeptical, not understanding how Dystopian and Christian genres could meld together. Combining these together seemed odd to me but as I began reading I realized that if we ever did find ourselves living in an evil, deranged society, people of faith would band together and depend on their belief in God to get them through their ordeals. In the popular dystopian stories such as Divergent or Hunger Games, this element is of course missing, which is a huge flaw in those novels because Christians would delve deeper in their faith knowing that no matter what happens in this world we have the promise of eternal salvation.

Just one quick note – because of the subject matter all these books are recommended for the older or mature teen.

I Am Margaret by Corinna Turner

This is an amazing book, truly one of the best that I’ve recently read. This dystopian story is about a teen named Margaret (Margo) and her boyfriend/fiancé Bane. They live in a world that is full of evil and only the most productive members of society are wanted or needed, the others are basically recycled and used for parts to help the more worthy citizens. When Margo, who has always struggled with math, doesn’t pass her sorting exam, she is sent to a facility where she will ultimately be killed, but not if Bane has anything to say about the matter.

As much as I enjoyed this book, it might not be for everyone. There is some violence, as well as disturbing imagery and subject matter. However, it is so well written with intense action and incredible characters. Margo is strong, smart, fearless and her faith is unshakable. Bane, though a bit reckless is brave, selfless, devoted, and one of my favorite male characters ever. (I may or may not have a bit of a literary crush on him 😊) This couple as well as many of the other characters are fantastic. But the best part of this book is the strong Christian message. The way the author showcases the importance, power, and beauty of a strong faith is incredible.

Chasing Liberty by Theresa Linden

This is another Catholic dystopian YA novel by one of my favorite authors and is the first book in her Liberty series. This novel provides a fascinating look into a future world where religion has been eliminated. What I love about this book is the concept that God would still reach us and communicate with us even if we had never been told about Him.

The main character, Liberty, has grown up in a world void of families and faith. But she has been guided through her life by an inner voice she refers to as her “friend”. Until she is given an opportunity to live outside this controlled environment, she wonders if this inner voice is something she has made up.

Dystopian stories are always an interesting premise to think about. I love the Christian viewpoint that goodness, love, and faith will continue no matter what we might face. This is a wonderful read with plenty of discussion opportunities for older teens.

Pulse by L.R. Burkard

This book is technically not a dystopian novel but since it’s about a possible future scenario, I’m including it. Pulse is actually categorized as a post-apocalyptic book. What is the difference? My understanding is that a dystopian novel is about a damaged society due to corrupt governments. Post-apocalyptic novels are about a damaged society that is caused by a war or devastating natural disaster.

To be completely honest, I’ve had a little trouble reviewing this Christian YA novel. The reason for my hesitation is that there are some biblical and faith ideas/views that I question. However, for older teens these parts can actually add to the fabulous discussion opportunities this book provides. In fact, that is what is so great about this book – it really makes you think, making it a fantastic book to read with your teens or for a book club.

The premise of the story is that there has been a cataclysmic event, an EMP – electromagnetic pulse – that has destroyed all electrical circuits and grids. Basically, nothing works. There is no power, no computers, no phones, no running water, no flushing toilets, even cars won’t run.

The story follows three modern day friends and how each of them and their families deal with this disaster. One lives in the country, one in the city and one in a suburb. Some are more prepared than others. Seeing how they each react really makes you contemplate how dependent we are on technology and if something like this actually did happened what could we do? What would we do? How would others act when food and water became scarce? How would you protect and provide for your family? This is one of those books that keeps you pondering such issues long after the book is finished.

 

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’m excited about this special edition of my newsletter because it is stop #2 on the blog tour for the new anthology that I am blessed to be a part of. In case you missed the news Secrets: Visible and Invisible is now on sale!

You can order your copy now on Amazon!

OR

There are two ways to enter for a chance to win a copy!

Shower of Roses Blog

Catholic Teen Books Giveaway

Yesterday was the release day of this special collection of short stories. Months ago, when the idea for a CatholicTeenBooks anthology was brought up, I knew just what I wanted to write. I had a special story in mind to introduce new readers to my already published books. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m always curious about where authors get their inspirations. So – here are the creative sparks behind the seven stories in this collection.

Leslea Wahl –

When I was writing my second YA novel, An Unexpected Role, my husband gave me the idea of creating some kind of connection between my two books. I liked this idea and decided that some of the characters would be related. It didn’t take long to figure out who they would be. There is a brief mention in The Perfect Blindside about a cousin who convinces a character to try skateboarding. Unfortunately, the incident ends in disaster. I knew this little memory would be a perfect fit with one of my An Unexpected Role characters. I had no idea if I would someday write a full-length novel combining these characters, a short story, or if this idea would ever come to fruition. However, when the idea for the anthology began I decided it was finally time for their joint adventure. It was so much fun combining these stories and I now have two more short stories in mind for this group of characters, one of which I hope to have available later this year.

Susan Peek –

How “On the Brink of Hell” came about:

As a novelist, one of my favorite things to do is experiment with characters’ POVs (which is the term authors use for Point of View = writing everything in a scene through one particular character’s eyes). When my first novel was accepted for publication, way back in the Dark Ages of the 1990’s, POV wasn’t as important to readers, and therefore not to writers, as it is now. (In fact, even the world- famous Lois Duncan head-hopped all over the place in her books for teens). But thankfully, by the time I wrote my second novel, I’d discovered the technique, and it’s become, since then, one of the challenges about writing that I love!

The idea for my short story “On the Brink of Hell” came when I was skimming through that first stone-age novel of mine (I’m purposely not telling which book it is) and it struck me that the “villain” must have had reasons for acting the way he did in my story. After all, no one sees himself as the bad guy in real life! I got to thinking what those scenes might look like if he had been the book’s hero.

Instantly my perception of the guy changed, and I realized that if he was the protagonist, and events were told from his POV, then my book’s real hero would, naturally, become the new bad guy. I was immediately excited to try it out and see what would transpire.

I not only had a blast writing the reversal, but in the end, I realized that “On the Brink of Hell” might actually make my original novel more powerful. I hope this is the case. At any rate, I will leave it to my readers to discover for themselves which old novel of mine this short story is drawn from!

Theresa Linden –

I wrote “The Portrait of the Fire Starters” to introduce the characters in the West Brothers series through a bit of a mystery. As Caitlyn, Peter, Roland, and other members of the Fire Starters, the Catholic youth group, try to solve a mystery, they dig deep inside with self-evaluation. Readers get to know each of them and maybe even look deeper inside themselves in the process. Our faith calls us to re-examine our lives and the daily choices we make. It’s easy to focus on the things we want to do and even things we must do, but we can still overlook important things. Fortunately, God is always working on us, refining us, if we let him. He wants us to become great saints. When we are open to change, open to His will, he provides opportunities for us to grow in holiness.

Carolyn Astfalk –

I knew that I wanted my short story to include the characters from the novel Rightfully Ours. In the novel, there is a throwaway line about something Sean had done to make his and Paul’s dad angry. I built the story around that line: “ . . . the time Sean had taken Dad’s truck for a joy ride without permission – or a license.” What exactly had Sean done? And why would he have done it? We know Sean was good-looking enough to attract girls’ attention. Did it have to do with a girl? Had it been a secret? That’s where the story started, years before Rightfully Ours takes place.

Cynthia T. Toney –

Characters that are diverse in color, culture, and physical abilities live in Cynthia Toney’s novels and in her first published short story, “Recreation,” part of the Secrets anthology. Elijah and his friend Darrell were inspired by teens of African and Vietnamese descent that grew up in Louisiana while the author lived there. Readers unfamiliar with the southern U.S. states may not be aware that the neighborhoods, towns, and cities are quite a mix of interesting cultures, more so than some other areas of the country with which she’s become acquainted. In addition to teens of those origins, readers of Toney’s fiction will find Italian immigrants, Latino characters, deaf teens, and—coming soon—Jewish teens.

T.M. Gaouette –

While Jason and Francesca are not characters in any of my books, I wanted to write a story that encompassed the elements that I try to incorporate in all my novels. Firstly, I introduce characters who are opposite in their virtue and faith spectrum, and allow them each an opportunity to influence the other. Who wins out? Well, even a tiny light can reveal truth in the depths of darkness, and that is such a beautiful thing to witness. Surprise is the other element I include in my stories, and with a theme like, “secrets,” this made the story more fun to write. The final and most important element is a character with a deep, inspiring devotion for God’s truth; devotion that swallows up doubt, making even the coolest vice in an ungodly world look foolish. These are the elements that you find in my Faith & Kung Fu series, through characters like Gabriel, Tanner, and Christian. Through Benedict in The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch, and through Jason and Francesca in my short story, “Sister Francesca.” The first line in and of itself hints all three elements: “My name’s Francesca. I’m going to be a nun, so don’t fall in love with me.” I pray you enjoy it and are inspired by it. God bless.

Corinna Turner –

When I first sat down to write a short story on the theme of ‘Secrets’ the Holy Spirit provided me with a thrilling and moving tale about two boys on the run from an evil superpower, both with secrets, both learning to trust, and give, and choose. ‘K’ and Joe both had secrets, they had secrets in their pasts, in their lives – the story was bursting with the theme.

Alas, the tale was also simply too big to fit in a short story. The first draft came in at twice the required length, the final draft, published under the title ‘Brothers’, almost three times. Delighted as I was with my unexpected, unplanned little novella, I had to go back to the drawing board.

This time I (with the agreement of the Holy Spirit) decided to provide the reader a look into Margo’s and Bane’s past, and tell the full tale of their closest ever shave (prior to ‘I Am Margaret’, anyway!). The story is an exciting and action-packed glimpse at their friendship, age fourteen. And yes, they already each have a secret that they are keeping from the other – though Margo seems to be keeping hers better than Bane his! Read ‘The Unexpected Virtues of Rusty Old Bicycles’ to find out what their secrets are and how their innocent picnic turns so deadly (oh, and what on earth the title is all about!).

 

We hope you enjoy Secrets: Visible & Invisible as much as we enjoyed writing it!

Please visit CatholicTeenBooks.com for more information about these authors and the other 6 amazingly talented authors you will find there.

Welcome to my monthly book review post!

The three books I’m sharing about this month all deal with a specific issue. Fictional books have a unique and sometimes less intimidating way to help people understand problems in a different way than how non-fiction books delve into topics. Seeing characters deal with situations can provide insight in a relatable way and offer a great opening for discussing issues that can be tough to talk about. These three novels cover a wide range of age appropriateness – one is aimed at older elementary readers, one is perfect for the middle school age group, and one is for much older, mature teens. But they have a few things in common. All are beautifully written and each deals with real issues in a powerful, Christ-centered way.

Rosa, Sola by Carmela Martino

Rosa Sola is a beautiful story about an Italian immigrant family in the 1960’s. Rosa is in the fourth grade and wants nothing more than a baby brother. She decides to pray for a brother until God blesses her family. Amazingly, her prayers are answered! All seems perfect when she finds out her mother is expecting a baby. She will no longer be the odd girl at school with no siblings. But when tragedy strikes her family, she has many hard lessons to learn.

Carmela Martino always does an incredible job of pulling the reader into a different time period, surrounding them with memorable characters and historical details. This novel, for older elementary and middle school students, is a lovely story from a young girl’s perspective about the difficulties of life, understanding other people’s problems, and the importance of faith. Young Rosa struggles as she tries to understand the miscarriage that her mother has suffered from. This is a topic that we often don’t discuss openly but is a devastating situation for families. The end of a pregnancy and the grief associated are heart-wrenching realities. My heart ached for this young girl who was forced to grow up quickly and face many tough lessons by herself when her parents were unable to be there for her. But during this difficult time, young Rosa learned much about her family, her faith, as well as her own strength and determination.

The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch by T.M. Gaouette

The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch by T.M. Gaouette is a lovely, heartwarming story. I’ve never read a book that focused on foster families and was extremely moved by this touching novel. This is one of those stories that stays with you long after it’s over.

The author creates an array of interesting characters that are flawed yet understandable and memorable. What a great book for all kids to read, an engaging story showcasing the power of love and family – no matter what that family might look like. As a mother, it was heart-breaking to hear the stories of these fictional children and how they ended up in the foster system. These characters were fortunate though and were placed with a family that loved and encouraged them.

I thought the author did a wonderful job of showing the trust and abandonment issues these children carried with them. This middle-grade novel is full of heart-wrenching realities, faith-filled moments, and a powerful hopeful message. It would be a fantastic book to read as a family. This is a story that kids can learn a lot from and help them understand that there are many children out there that might not be as fortunate as they are.

 

Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk

Rightfully Ours is a novel for older teens about the importance and beauty of chastity. This is the first book I’ve read by Carolyn Astfalk and thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. She is an accomplished Catholic romance writer and has brought her skills to the YA market. This book is full of relatable characters, touching family traumas, teenage passions, and an intriguing mystery.

While an enjoyable story, this book deals with an important subject matter that teens face in our society- purity. Our teens are bombarded with societal messages that pre-marital relations are fine and normal. It is wonderful to have a book that discusses this issue openly in a faith-affirming way. Often, we shy away from discussing this topic but ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Letting teens know that their feelings are normal and showing them the beauty and importance of chastity is such an incredible message.

More information about all these books can be found at CatholicTeenBooks.com.

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!

Welcome to my quarterly newsletter. This month’s edition is full of exciting news that I can’t wait to share! So, let’s get to it!!

First exciting news:

You may have seen the posts on Facebook but some of us authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com, have written short stories centered around one theme – Secrets. This anthology will be available starting July 4^th. That day, besides being the birthday of our country, happens to be the feast day of Pier Giorgio Frassati – the patron saint of Catholic teens. How perfect is that?

My short story, More Precious Than Gold, combines characters from both my previous novels. Not only will you get to join them on a new adventure, you’ll get a taste of six incredible authors that you might not be familiar with – Susan Peek, Theresa Linden, Cynthia Toney, Corinna Turner, TM Gaouette, and Carolyn Astfalk.

 

Second exciting news:

My third book, Where You Lead, finally has a release date! September 15!! I’m thrilled for this book’s release. The opening of this novel was something that popped into my mind over 25 years ago! To have it finally develop into a book is really exciting for me.

A vision from God leads to the adventure of a lifetime.

Sixteen-year-old Eve Donahue’s lonely existence changes in an instant when visions of a mysterious stranger haunt her. Certain God is calling her for a mission, she bravely says yes and begins her quest to meet this young man.

Thousands of miles away, Nick Hammond has been dealing with his own unusual experience, an unwavering certainness to convince his father to run for political office.

When these two unlikely teens finally meet, their belief that God has called them to work together sets them on a journey of faith to untangle a web of deception involving international trade agreements, lost confederate gold, and a blossoming romance. As they follow century old clues, they realize God can call us all in big and small ways. We just need to listen and say, “Yes Lord, I will go where You lead.”

Third exciting news:

Drumroll please….

Pauline Books and Media has agreed to publish the sequel to The Perfect Blindside!! Yes! The long-awaited continuation of Jake and Sophie’s story will be coming your way next year!

Here is a sneak peek at the tentatively titled eXtreme Deception:

When unusual events, at the premiere extreme winter sports competition, threaten the games, teens Jake and Sophie once again find themselves entangled in a web of deception.

In this thrilling sequel to The Perfect Blindside, join Sophie as she travels into Jake’s exciting world of extreme sports. When the premier athletes, at the Mountain Madness games, are plagued with problems, Jake and Sophie become suspicious. As the mystery deepens and danger grows, can this couple unravel the clues before Jake becomes the next victim?  Is their faith strong enough to survive the perils of fame?

Join snowboarding superstar Jake and aspiring journalist Sophie on their next high-flying adventure!

But wait! There is still other news…

An Unexpected Role was chosen by author Erin McCole Cupp to be part of her Sabbath Rest Book Talk. Each month she chooses three books around a common theme and discusses them live on YouTube. An Unexpected Role will be part of August’s discussion along with Brideshead Revisted by Evelyn Waugh and The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. This book talk about belonging will be on Sunday August 5^th at 7pm eastern. More information HERE.

As you know, each month here on my blog I review Christian and Catholic teen books. In an effort to reach even more young people with these great faith-based books, I am now sharing monthly book reviews on several websites and on a podcast. These sites might be great places to find more books and inspirations for your families.

CatholicMom.com

Catholic365

ChristianBookFair

Jedlie’s Reading With Your Kids Podcast

 

And finally…

There is a bit of business to take care of. You may have already seen other blogs send out notices about GDPR. This is a European law that is affecting websites here in the US as well. It is a consumer protection safeguard. To comply, I will be sending out a verification email in a few days. All you need to do is click a button to verify that you would like to continue to be subscribed to my newsletter. Please be assured that I would never sell or give away any email addresses and you are free to unsubscribe at any time.  (Although, I hope you don’t!)

Okay, that’s it for this quarter. Thanks so much for all your continued support!  Happy Reading and God Bless!!

Welcome to my monthly book review post!

June Book Reviews – Adventure

June – the beginning of summer – a perfect time for a little adventure!

An Unexpected Role

This is one of my books. Now, I may be a little biased, but this YA novel really is a perfect summer adventure. Set on a South Carolina Island, this book contains all the elements I love in a story – mystery, adventure, humor, innocent romance, and a touch of faith.

This story holds a special place in my heart. There is just something about these characters that make them extra special to me. When I was writing my first novel, The Perfect Blindside, in order to make my teen characters believable I spent a lot of time listening to and observing my own kids. While I was taking notes of certain teen phrases that I liked, I thought about what would happen if an author wrote too much about her kids and it ended up causing trouble for them. This was the idea that eventually turned into An Unexpected Role. Poor Josie’s life is turned upside down when her mom’s new novel causes turmoil in her life. This book is also about discovering who God wants you to be.

McCracken and the Lost Island by Mark Adderley

This is the first book in the McCracken series by Mark Adderley. I’ve heard this series described as “Indiana Jones with a rosary” and that is a great description. This delightful book is perfect for middle school and high school boys who love adventurous novels. It is set in the 1930’s with an interesting group of international characters including the English engineer/inventor McCracken, the lovely Ariadne – a communications expert with an interesting past relationship with McCracken, a French deep sea diver, a Russian pilot and a rich German Baron who gathers them all for an adventure to find a lost island. I thoroughly enjoyed the exciting plot which reminded me of the movie version of “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. McCracken’s strong faith and engineering genius makes this character a fantastic role model for teens.

The Relic of Perilous Falls by Raymond Arroyo

If your child likes the Percy Jackson series, they’ll probably enjoy Raymond Arroyo’s action-packed Will Wilder books. The Relic of Perilous Falls is the first book in this series about Will Wilder, a young boy with unique gifts. Will doesn’t realize he has special powers but when he accidently unleashes some demons in his hometown during a birthday party, he learns that there is a secret society of believers that all have special powers to keep people safe from the dark side.

There are many unique characters in this book that add a fun element – Will’s Aunt, friends, siblings and parents all help to make this story fast moving and enjoyable.

 

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!

Welcome to my monthly book review post!

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.

This is a genre that I thoroughly enjoy because I always learn so much about another time in history. Seeing these glimpses of the past through the eyes of fictional characters really brings the time periods to life. Today’s books all transport readers through thoroughly engaging stories of young women who must fight for their faith, stand up for their beliefs, and find the path that God has led them to take.

 

A World Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

This is a sweeping love story set during the darkest time of our nation’s history – the Civil War. Ever since I was a little girl and watched “Gone with the Wind”, I’ve had a bit of a fascination with this era. Back then it was the beautiful gowns and huge plantation houses that I found fascinating. But since then I’ve visited several Civil War battlefields and the stories of the horror that unfolded on them, between fellow countrymen is unfathomable.

A World Such as Heaven Intended (such a beautiful title) is about Amara, a young lady living in Atlanta who decides to help her Uncle and the confederate soldiers at his makeshift hospital. One of her patients is a handsome young soldier named Nathan, who was forced into service for his country.

This book does a wonderful job of showing several difficult aspects to the war. Through Amara, we see the tragedy of the injuries and the unthinkable medical conditions at that time. Nathan shows us how the lines of good and bad could easily be blurred. It’s easy now to look back at the Civil War and break it down to a discussion on slavery but it’s not that simple. Seeing the conflict from the perspective of these two individuals highlighted that point.

I also loved the interaction between Amara and Nathan, especially in the second half of the book. Amara’s strong will and Nathan’s sarcasm made for some fantastic scenes that made me laugh out loud. This is a fabulous book that will sweep you away and provide some fantastic discussions.

 

Playing By Heart by Carmela Martino

This beautifully written Young Adult novel centers around the strong faith of two sisters, Emilia and Maria, and their extraordinary talents. The book is set in 18^th Century Milan, Italy and focuses on their relationships with their father, as well as their struggle to follow the paths they believe God wants them to take. Unfortunately, they lived in a time when young women were subject to their father’s wishes. And their father hoped to showcase their incredible gifts to advance himself to nobility and was not interested in their desires.

The beautiful descriptions bring this book to life. I found the passages describing Emilia’s music particularly lovely. The author does a wonderful job of showing society and culture of 18^th century Italy. This time period makes for a very interesting book, especially for young women, to see the choices and educational opportunities available to girls their age at that time in history.

Playing By Heart highlights something that’s near and dear to my heart – that we all have gifts from God and we should find ways to use these gifts to help others. I loved that these young women knew their talents were from God and they longed to use them in a positive way. I also really appreciated the underlying passages of jealousy. This is something we all can relate to, feeling envious of another’s successes. How Emilia deals with this and works through it is a wonderful example for readers to emulate.

This historic fiction, inspired by two real sisters who lived in 18^th Century Italy, would make a fantastic bookclub or classroom choice, full of many great topics for discussion.

 

Erin’s Ring by Laura H. Pearl

This was such an enjoyable book! I really liked how the novel alternated between a modern day story and the history of Irish immigrants that came to America in the 1800’s.

It begins when Molly – a modern day middle school girl, finds an engraved ring at her church. When she discovers it’s a traditional Irish ring, she decides to research the town’s rich Irish history for a school project. As she delves into her research, we are drawn into the world of the Irish immigrants that fled Ireland during the Potato famine to find a better life here in America.

This book is set in Dover, New Hampshire where many young women journeyed to work in the textile industry. The town became a place where Irish Catholics found a home even though there was no Catholic church available. This story provides a fascinating look into the struggles of the Irish Catholic immigrants – many of which were single young men and women who came over to work and sent money back to Ireland to support their families.

The historical parts were quite interesting and thought-provoking and the storyline in the modern-day chapters was quite touching as well. Erin’s Ring is a really wonderful story about the importance of family, friendship, and faith.

 

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!

Welcome to my monthly book review post!

This month’s book reviews are for the younger boys that enjoy teen fiction – late elementary to early high school. Many teen/tween books seem to be geared to girls, so I’ve compiled a list just for the boys, with wonderful male lead characters. Having said that – girls would thoroughly enjoy these books as well.

SORRY….

Before we go any further I would like to take this moment to tell you that last month I was having some technical difficulties with my website. Some posts did not send and others were sent with no information. I apologize and think (hope) all the glitches have been ironed out. Because of this my March book reviews and my quarterly update did not send to my subscriber list. Some of you may have seen these on Facebook but if you missed them and would like to see these blogs, you can click on the links below.

March Book Reviews – Contemporary Religious Books

Quarterly Update and New Book Reveal 

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 posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work every other month.

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.

 

Books for Younger Teen Boys

The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney

This middle grade historic fiction novel is set in the 1920’s and told from the point of view of a middle school age boy – Salvatore. The author effortlessly delved into the mind of a young boy who lived in Louisiana during the tumultuous Prohibition years, weaving together a fascinating tale of hardship, corruption and the importance of family and faith. This intriguing, coming of age story focuses on the difficult choices and decisions one Italian immigrant family must face while desperately trying to keep their family together.

I didn’t know much about this interesting time in our history when Italian/Sicilian gangsters terrorized American communities, but was fascinated by this story and how these crime sprees affected law-abiding families of Italian descent. Besides being a captivating story, this book provides plenty of discussion topics including the repercussions that can arise when trying to do what is right, as well as the issues of: prohibition, segregation and immigration.

Roland West, Loner by Theresa Linden

This is a Catholic YA novel centered around the relationships between brothers and friends. This book is especially great for Middle School and High School boys. Linden knows boys well and writes from this perspective perfectly.

I absolutely loved the development of the friendship between Roland and his neighbor Peter. I also enjoyed the character of Caitlyn and the sweet relationships she had with both boys. Even though it’s titled Roland West, Peter had his own very interesting storyline and issues to overcome. The author fused the two boys’ storylines together brilliantly through an adventure they embark on together.

There is a deeply religious part of the story, about saints and relics that was brought up in a very intriguing way. This is a subject I’ve never seen addressed before in YA fiction and I think the readers will find it as interesting as I did. Linden does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into Roland’s life. At times I wanted to scream in frustration with how he was treated by his manipulative brothers.

The best news is that this is the first in a series of books for teens about Roland and his brothers.

 

Mission Libertad by Lizette Lantigua

Mission Libertad is the story of Luisito, a young teenage boy who escapes Communist Cuba in 1979 with his parents. This is such a wonderful book with so many interesting aspects to it. First of all, it is a fabulous historic fiction for middle school and high school age kids about a time in history that I haven’t seen much written about. There is also an intriguing mystery aspect to the story that keeps the reader engaged and anxious to find out what will happen next. In addition, it has a beautiful religious element about this young Catholic who finally is able to explore and understand his faith.

However, my favorite part of the book is how the very likable main character experiences America for the first time. Lantigua does a masterful job of showing the heartbreak and devastation of a communist society through the eyes of this sweet and caring young man. Hearing about the difficulties of an oppressed society is one thing but seeing it through the eyes of this character is extremely powerful. Not only would this novel make a great tool for a meaningful discussion but it also shows teens how fortunate we are to live in America.

 

I’ve included links for all the books on Amazon, but for more information, they can all also be found at www.CatholicTeenBooks.com.

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 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!