Welcome to my monthly book review! Besides writing my own YA novels, I love to review them as well.

This month’s books are aimed for older teen girls. The main characters in each of these books are a little older, and some of the subject matter might be more appropriate for older teens. One is a beautiful historical romance, one focuses on the dangerous illusion of fame, and one is a thoroughly enjoyable pro-life story.

Before we begin…

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.

Books for Older Teen Girls

Sydney and Calvin Have a Baby by Adrienne Thorne

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story. This book is listed as a YA novel, but the subject matter might make some readers a little hesitant. I mean, high school students having a baby is not something you expect to find in Christian teen fiction. But this book surprised me. It was such a delight.

The basic premise of the story is traumatic and horrible – a teenage girl, who is a bit of a nerd and doesn’t really fit in with the popular crowd, is date raped which results in a pregnancy. Her attacker, who had been drinking, dies in an accident right after the incident. Don’t worry, I’m not giving anything away, this information is printed on the back of the book. (I should note, there are no graphic scenes at all.)

Knowing all that, you might think “delight” would not really be an appropriate word to describe this novel. But the book is written from the perspective of a teen boy named Calvin. This book has a bit of an unusual style, and might not be for everyone, but it completely worked for me. Calvin’s voice was so wonderful. This teen boy is from England, and his dry, clever comments reminded me of the charm of many of actor Hugh Grant’s characters. I loved the British-isms throughout the book. Through Calvin’s voice, this difficult story is filled with a clever sense of humor and beautiful heartfelt messages.

Poor Calvin has his own tragedy to work through, and my heart broke for this fictional teen boy. Somehow Sydney and Calvin’s traumatic tales turn into a beautiful story with powerful messages. There are some wonderful topics for older teens to explore, the dangers of drinking and driving, the sanctity of life, the hurtfulness of lying and gossiping, and standing up for what is right.

It was so sad, but probably accurate, on how many people thought Sydney would be able to go back to her life by getting rid of the problem. And I was a bit horrified that a character, who should have known better, was willing to help Sydney resolve the issue without her parent’s permission. Again, this might be rather accurate, but was shocking to me. I happened to finish reading this book on the same day that hundreds of thousands of people marched in DC for the Right for Life, the timing was quite fitting. The messages in this story, that babies are a precious gift, that good things can come out of tragedies, and that faith is our stronghold, are so important and sadly are not heard often enough in our society.

 

A Love Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

This is the third book in Lauer’s Heaven Intended series. Due to the number of books I read for reviews, I’m often not able to read all the novels in a series, no matter how much I enjoy them. But I have read all the books in this particular series, and I adore them all.

The Heaven Intended books are all set during the Civil War. Each book is a love story that unfolds amid the horrors of the war. Each book highlights interesting aspects of the war and explores the complexities of both sides of that dark part of our history. My favorite part of the series is how the storylines of these novels all intertwine, and the endings all happen at the same moment in time. You don’t need to have read the other stories to enjoy this latest release, but after reading the last chapter, I have a feeling you’ll want to read the other two books as well.

A Love Such as Heaven Intended is a sweeping adventure about a love so great that even a civil war can’t stop it from happening. Josephine is a spoiled, self-absorbed daughter of a Brigadier General who lives a pampered life in Washington DC. Michael is a handsome West Point graduate, a friend of Josephine’s brother, and a Confederate soldier with some complicated secrets. A chance encounter draws them together, but circumstances beyond their control threaten to end things before any relationship can even begin. However, Josephine is determined to get the man of her dreams despite the circumstances stacked against them. I absolutely adored the character of Josephine. While she was spoiled and privileged, she had a beautiful, giving heart. Her feistiness was so much fun.

I also really enjoyed the historical elements that the author includes in all her novels. Lauer has a knack for bringing history alive through these exciting, adventurous romances. Creating such a story set during one of the most difficult times in our history cannot be an easy thing to accomplish. The author weaves many factual items about the war and the era into the story. For instance, she mentions Josephine had seen a play that featured actor John Wilkes Booth. Josephine also discusses the “new” books that she had recently read, which are now classic pieces of literature. These added elements really brought the time period to life. Because of these historical parts, I think this book would be a fantastic supplement to lessons on the Civil War and would make for some interesting discussions.

 

Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson

The concept of this book is unique. You may remember Grace Unplugged as a recent movie by the same name. Typically, the book comes first, then the movie. In this case, the movie was created first, and the author was then approached and asked to write the book. I thought Melody Carlson did a great job of keeping to the movie, but making it a great book as well. I’m sure it was difficult not being able to create her own unique twist on the story but stay true to the movie.

The story is about teenager Grace Trey, who dreams of making it big in the music industry. Her father was a one-hit-wonder years ago, but left the destructive rocker life he found himself involved in and turned his life around. He now is a worship leader at a church in the south. Trying to keep his daughter safe and her values intact, he becomes a little controlling – in her eyes anyway.

When Grace finds her opportunity to make it big, she jumps at it, leaving behind her family, her church, her friends, and heads to LA. Grace must decide who she is, what her beliefs are, and who she wants to be. This is a good, coming of age story that points out the destructive side of Hollywood. Teens often see fame as appealing and glamourous. This book does a nice job of showing the ugly side.

Overall, it is clean, but there are some scenes of underage drinking, binge drinking, and dating “expectations” that make it more appropriate 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!

July is a great time for exploration and adventure. So that is what this month’s selection of books revolves around – adventures. My three recommendations vary in age-appropriateness, so there should be something for each teen member of the family to enjoy.

Before we begin…

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.

Riddle at the Rodeo (A Camarata Cousins Mystery) by Claudia McAdam

Riddle at the Rodeo is a delightful middle-grade mystery – a Catholic Nancy Drew. This book is the kind of Christian book that I love, where the character’s faith comes out in a completely natural way. I always think these types of “Catholic-light” books are extremely important because they portray the characters as just regular kids, and that faith can be a natural part of their lives. This is a great message for our children to see represented in their entertainment.

In Riddle at the Rodeo, while the main character, Kirsten, is on vacation with her cousins, she is asked to help solve a mystery. The mystery is fun and intriguing, and the sections about the rodeo were quite interesting. I especially appreciated how this character was aware of her own bad behavior. When Kirsten feels bad about the white lies, she has told, and for the way she has treated her brother, she takes a detour during her sleuthing to go to confession. Though her sins were small, this is precisely the kinds of difficulties kids face every day. Having characters that portray a faith-based way to handle problems is such a fantastic example for kids. I look forward to more adventures with the Camarata Cousins.

 

Greyson Gray Camp Legend by B.C. Tweedt

I’ve been curious about this book for quite a while. It is usually at the top of its Amazon categories and often beats out one of my own books, so I’ve wondered what all the fuss was about. I can understand why it is popular because there is a lot to enjoy about this book, but I also have a few concerns.

Greyson Gry Camp Legend is the first is a series of books about a middle school boy named Greyson Gray. Overall, this is a clean, middle-grade adventure. It is fun and fast-paced. I really enjoyed the character of Greyson and loved some of the supporting characters, especially fellow camper Jarryd and the boys’ teen counselor Brandon. The author brilliantly captured the dialogue and friendly jabs of middle school boys.

So, what were my concerns? They aren’t really concerns so much as observations. This book is listed as a Christian novel. It was a clean book and had Christian values throughout but didn’t talk specifically about Christianity or mention bible verses. I don’t remember the main character praying either. The violence in the book also bothered me a bit. Overall, there’s not a lot of violence, and what is there is not gory. I just feel like the author’s descriptions were a little too, well, descriptive. There were also some deaths which, in middle-grade novels, seemed a little surprising. This book is listed on Amazon for 9 -12-year-olds, I personally think it would be better for 7^th and 8^th graders. But it depends on what your children are exposed to, their maturity level, and the kind of books you are searching for. Overall, a very fun read.

 

Show Me A Sign by Susan Miura

Looking for a fun mystery that is a quick read? Look no further than Susan Miura’s Show Me A Sign. This story was such a treat. I’ve read one other book by this author, Healer, so knew she had a knack for writing from a teen perspective, but I was still surprised by how much I loved this main character’s internal thoughts. Nathan is such a quick-witted joy. The interactions he had with his elderly neighbor were hysterical, and the back and forth between him and his best friend was perfection.

High school student Nathan has finally worked up the courage to ask out the girl he likes. Haylie is beautiful, smart, sweet, and happens to be deaf. But when the object of Nathan’s affection is kidnapped, Nathan finds himself being interrogated by the FBI. He immediately jumps headfirst into trying to clear his name and find out what happened to Haylie. Nathan pursues his investigation the only way an infatuated high school boy could – rather recklessly. Besides being a fun story, there was a fantastic message as well. That life is unpredictable, you never know what could happen. If there is someone you feel you need to share your faith with – then don’t wait, do it. Show Me A Sign is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read so far this year.

 

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!

This month’s books are all about friendships. The friendships in our lives help us to become who we are. They help shape us by making a profound difference in our lives. Often when we think of friends, we think of peers, people who are our own age and are similar to us. But sometimes the friends who have the biggest impact in our lives are people that are quite different from us. People of different ages or life experiences can bring new perspectives and change how we see situations and even ourselves. I’m sure many people can think of a friend that came into their life, possibly for only a brief time, that somehow made a huge, life-altering difference.

Before we begin…

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.

 

Friendships

Sunflowers in a Hurricane by Anne M. Faye

This is a multigenerational tale of heartache and forgiveness. I enjoyed this book so much that I kept neglecting the work I needed to get done, telling myself I’d just read one more chapter – over and over again.

Sunflowers in a Hurricane is told through three different characters. George, the elderly neighbor who is still grieving the wife he lost years before. Cheryl, the single mom who returns to the hometown that she fled as a teenager amidst scandal and trauma. And Ruth, the middle-school age daughter who struggles to understand her mother’s anger and overprotectiveness. Circumstances meld the lives of these three characters as they each deal with painful family issues.

This story is mostly told from the young teen’s perspective, which will connect with teen readers. However, I think it’s wonderful for young readers to understand the inner thoughts and personal feelings of the elderly gentleman and the mom as well. To see that adults also struggle with issues and that they don’t have everything figured out is a fabulous lesson. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, with many fantastic discussion opportunities.

 

Spokes by Deanna Klingel

Spokes could be classified as an adventurous mystery, but the real heart of this story is the very special friendship that forms between the lead characters.

In the aftermath of a tragic accident, the lives of two very different teens. Kelsey, a homeschooled Catholic girl and Brendan, a Jewish boy who is dedicated to his faith, are intertwined. Their search for a mysterious sports car and a determination to compete in a triathlon leads these two on a summer adventure that will forever change them both. As the summer progresses and their training and search intensify, their friendship grows.

Besides the compelling storyline, there are several side stories that center around triathlon training, a group of friars, and the Special Olympics – all are quite interesting. I think this story could be the catalyst for some great conversations.

 

Catholic Reluctantly by Christian M. Frank

I’m so glad I stumbled across this book. Not only is the story extremely engaging, but the concept behind the book is equally intriguing. This series of books was written by a collaboration of authors.

The story is about a group of students at John Paul 2 Catholic High School. This is a new, small school. In fact, there are only 7 students. All the characters had unique voices and personalities. The authors did a great job blending together these characters from very different backgrounds. The friendships that blossomed between these teens was wonderful. I also liked how the distinctions between the public school, the large Catholic school, this tiny new school, and the homeschool community were dealt with. And, being a fan of mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the mysteries that were woven throughout the story.

The best part of this book, however, is the message of how hard it is to stand up for and live your faith in our society amid peer-pressure. This is a problem that is very relevant to all 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.

Are you searching for a way to keep your older teens occupied this summer? Maybe something that they will enjoy but will also reflect Christian values? Look no further, I’ve got some fantastic book suggestions for you.

Older teens have many distractions – sports, activities, video games, school, work – the list goes on. And it seems that older teen guys tend not to do a lot of reading. If you look at teen books in general, so many of the novels are aimed at girls. So, this month I’m focusing on some incredible books that older teen guys will enjoy. These three books are all so well written that all teens would enjoy them, but these books all have male lead characters with fantastic, exciting storylines that boys will especially appreciate.

 

Standing Strong by Theresa Linden

Theresa Linden is an amazing talent in Catholic teen fiction. I’m a huge fan of her writing and her ability to completely draw the reader into the moment with her outstanding descriptions. Standing Strong is part of her West Brothers series. These gripping, character-driven books are all extremely powerful.

The books in this series are all written from slightly different perspectives, whether from one of the three West brothers – Roland, Jarret or Keefe, from a friend – as in Life-Changing Love, or, as in Battle for His Soul – the demons and angels that are constantly battling around us. Standing Strong focuses on Jarret and Keefe West, the twin brothers who are struggling with very different aspects of their faith.

Linden has perfectly captured the heart and soul of the tough Jarret West in this novel. During the first book, Roland West, Loner, I couldn’t stand his older brother Jarret, but as the series has continued, Jarret really developed into a fascinating character. This character that I loathed, transformed into one that I found myself rooting for. He’s made lots of mistakes, did many horrible things, treated people badly, but in the end, realized his mistakes and the importance of his faith. Standing Strong finds Jarret struggling to keep his new found faith focused and strong, while his twin brother Keefe searches for answers to his own calling.

When authors write a series, they hope that all the books will be intriguing and connect with their readers. Linden has not only mastered this goal with her West Brothers series but as she continues with this powerful family saga, each book has been better than the last.

 

The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

Wow. If you’re about to read this book – hold on for a wild ride. This was such a fast-paced, edge of your seat, page-turner. In case, you hadn’t figured it out yet – I loved this book. I’ve read one other book by Mr. Klavan and enjoyed it as well, but this one was truly fantastic. If you enjoy mystery adventures, this will be a series that you will get through quickly.

This book has a great main character who tries really hard to always do what is right. But when teen, Charlie West, wakes up strapped to a chair, bloodied and bruised, with no idea how he got there, well, you’re just going to have to read the book to find out more.

While Charlie fights for his life, he thinks back to the last day he remembers. Through this reflection, we learn more about him, his family, the girl he has a crush on, and a troubled friend. The flashbacks work perfectly, and the action keeps the story moving quickly. This is a great Christian teen novel.

 

St. Magnus, The Last Viking by Susan Peek

St. Magnus is one of the books in Susan Peek’s series – Gods forgotten friends. First of all, where were these books when my own kids were learning about saints? This is just such a great idea, sharing the stories of little-known saints in exciting novels based on their lives.

Susan Peek did a masterful job of bringing to life this saint from the early 1100s and giving the reader an exciting look into the Viking way of life. She has woven the facts surrounding St. Magnus into an exciting story that makes this saint real and relatable while dropping the reader in the middle of a dramatic period of history. I especially loved Magnus, his brother Aerling, and their relationship.

This teen book is equal parts geography, history, and theology lessons expertly woven together into a thoroughly engaging fictional story. I found it so compelling and interesting that when I finished the book, I began researching St. Magnus wanting to know even more about this saint that I’d never heard of. I think any teen would enjoy this book, but boys especially will love the adventure, danger, and action that drives this novel.

 

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.

This month’s books all are about characters who are dealing with some serious heart breaks within their families. All are contemporary stories, and all feature a female protagonist who is struggling with deep issues. But they are all very different types of stories so there should be one to fit your personal taste. I’m featuring one middle-grade story with bits of fantasy, one fun romance with a beautiful message, and one more serious southern drama.

 

There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Truth be told, I am a big fan of Christian author Jenny B. Jones. I love her writing style, her engaging characters, and their snappy dialogue. I also have always been a sucker for a great romantic comedy. But what I love the most about this author’s work is the way she includes faith and deeper subject matter within these fun romances.

When Finley Sinclair spends a semester abroad to follow her late brother’s travel journal, she discovers more than she was searching for as she grows close to her host family, the elderly woman she is assigned to visit for a school project, and the egotistical celebrity that is in town filming a movie.

This was such an enjoyable, fast read with a sweet romance and great characters that helped Finley grow throughout the story. (I especially enjoyed the spunky nun.)

While There You’ll Find Me has a lot of fun elements, this book also deals with the loss of a family member and eating disorders, both of which are horribly painful difficulties that some young people face. In addition, there was a very powerful storyline about forgiveness that will stick with the reader long after the book is finished.

 

The Locket’s Secret by K. Kelley Heyne

The Locket’s Secret is a sweet yet powerful story about dealing with tragedy. This wonderful book for middle grade students focuses on the importance of family. The story follows Carrie and her family during their move across the country to a new home. This homeschooled teen struggles to deal with leaving her home and friends, as well as the recent tragic loss of a younger sister. Carrie’s coping mechanism is to withdraw into an imaginary world to help manage the grief. The story alternates between Carrie’s real life and the adventurous fantasy that she imagines for herself.

I thought this was a beautiful story that shows how profoundly difficult it is to handle the loss of a loved one. Carrie struggles but eventually learns that family is her strength. This would be a great book to read as a family as it offers plenty of great discussion opportunities. I also liked that the family homeschools their children. I haven’t seen that included in many books.

 

Turning in Circles by Michelle Buckman

If you love a good family drama, Turning in Circles might be a great book for you. Michelle Buckman is a very talented writer. She fills this novel with beautiful, descriptive prose and a gripping story. At times the dialogue and characters seemed like something from another era, but that is part of the charm of this story.

This is the story of two, extremely close, sisters and the drama that tears them apart. Turning in Circles is powerful, heart-wrenching, and really makes you think about the small decisions we make that can have a lasting impact and can lead us down a path we never thought was possible. It made me want to wrap my arms around my children and not let them out of my sight. There were some unique characters throughout the book that triggered many different emotions. I was so frustrated with the parents in this story. They were both so wrapped up in their own worlds that they did not see what was happening under their own roof. Although, this is probably a very realistic depiction of life. This book would be great for an older teen book club.

 

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.

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!

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!

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.

November’s Reviews – Speculative

This month’s genre might need an explanation. The three books I’m reviewing this month all “speculate” on what is happening around us on a spiritual realm.  The authors’ imaginations all provide interesting possibilities into how angels, and even demons, could possibly be interacting with us each day. To me, that’s an interesting idea, that my guardian angel might be protecting me and keeping me safe through the day. Does she ever have to fend off the demons that are trying to draw me off-track? Does she interact with other angels? These three books delve into this idea and will definitely have you pondering such possibilities as well.

Battle For His Soul by Theresa Linden

Battle for His Soul is the third book in the West Brother’s series by Theresa Linden. This book focuses mostly on Jarret West – the brother who has spent his life bullying his younger brother Roland, controlling his twin brother Keefe, and engaging in many dangerous and self-destructive behaviors.

Not only do we see the story from several different character’s perspectives, but this novel has a very interesting twist that the first two books in the series do not. We get to see this story unfold from a spiritual realm. We actually experience the fight between angels and demons that surround not only Jarret and his decisions but all the characters. It’s a fascinating concept to think about what could be happening around us as we go about our lives.

Though this book is about a teen boy, it would be great for all older teens – there are plenty of great female characters. This intriguing story illustrates the struggles and temptations that teens face and how they can protect themselves from those temptations. One thing I love about Linden’s books are the interesting Catholic topics she includes, and this novel is no different with the idea of being called to a religious vocation. What a fascinating chapter in the West Brothers saga.

Angelhood by AJ Cattapan

Angelhood is a captivating YA novel for older teens that tackles an extremely difficult, yet relevant, subject while putting an intriguing and heartfelt twist to it. Cattapan is a talented writer who has effortlessly created a story about teen suicide which is moving, positive, and uplifting. This hard to put down book encourages readers to think about the good in their lives and how much they’d miss, and be missed if they did the unthinkable and gave it up.

Angelhood has been described as a modern version of “It’s A Wonderful Life” for teens. That’s a pretty good description. The lead character, Nanette, is completely relatable and likable. As readers we empathize with the despair she feels in her life as well as the painful realization of the damage her decisions have on others. As the title suggests, this book deals with angels and the possibility of them trying to protect us and guide our decisions.

The intriguing premise, subplots, and twists fill this award-winning novel with important topics of discussion.

Agnes’ Gift by Kristelle Angelli

I found this book to be quite unique. As a fictional story, there isn’t really a huge plot but this book overflows with deep poignant messages. This young adult novel would be perfect for anyone wanting to deepen their Catholic faith or someone with questions regarding the Rosary. There are so many fantastic discussion points throughout the book that make this a fabulous book for a book club, a youth group, or to read as a family.

The story centers around Jenna, a modern-day teen, who is struggling through some very tough family issues. Unfortunately, the one person in her life who was there for her during those difficult times, her neighbor Agnes, recently died. Now Jenna finds herself in more despair than ever and sitting alone on Christmas Eve.

Before Agnes passed away she left Jenna a Christmas gift. While Jenna contemplates the unopened package her guardian angel appears to her. He leads her on a miraculous journey to experience firsthand all the mysteries of the Rosary.

I thought this was a really beautiful way to explore the Rosary. Experiencing the moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary this way was very unique. Pondering how they and everyone around them might have felt during these mysteries of our faith was quite powerful.

My favorite experience was the second Luminous Mystery, the wedding feast in Cana. The portrayal of this scene made me think about the relationship between Mary and Jesus in a slightly different way and in turn how Mary cares for and understands all of us.

This is not a light read. There are a lot of ideas to ponder and messages to dwell on but it’s a wonderful book to help you grow in your 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!