Mar 072012
 

 Night Sky

Author: Jolene B. Perry     Twitter / Facebook

Publisher: Tribute Books     Twitter / Facebook

Published: March 1, 2012

ISBN: 9780983741862
ISBN: 9781466052338

eBook: 247 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary: “Girl I’ve loved, girl I’m falling for. Now that they’re both in view, the problem is clear.

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums – she’s way more than distraction. Jameson’s falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.”

Jameson is having a bad night. He doesn’t have the courage to tell his best friend Sarah how he feels about her. He loves her, and has for years. Now it’s too late, she’s with Eric now. Jameson leaves the school dance and takes the bus down the Vegas strip to see his parents. They both work at a Casino and work odd hours. Jameson doesn’t mind the hours, though. It works for their family. He finds them, gets a sympathy talk from his mom and she gives him the keys the Porsche to drive home.  Even though he is down and out, there’s nothing like driving his dad’s Porsche.  On his way, he has to pass by his neighborhood to head south, all the while blasting his 90’s grunge music. Then he sees her.  A beautiful girl with a tank top, flip flops and long black hair. Jameson can’t believe his bravery when he asks her if she needs a ride. The girl is lost and Jameson offers to help her, because he lives close. Turns out she’s staying with her grandparents while she attends college, and her house is down from Jameson’s.  They talk and flirt. Her name is Sky, and right away Jameson is hooked.  Sky has a request from Jameson right from the start of their friendship, total honesty.

Jameson is a great character. I liked how the guy in a story this time is “the good kid”. He’s on the swim team, gets good grades, and has his head on straight (about most things). Sky comes in to his life and helps him with his still lingering feelings for Sarah. Other things come up for him and as they are getting to know each other, Jameson finds Sky is holding back some truths. Which is frustrating for him because of the her “honesty” rule.

I really liked this book. 4 out of 5 stars. Jolene is such an amazing author. She has a way of writing so smoothly and effortlessly.  Jolene is also the author of The Next Door Boys which I loved! It was nominated for a 2011 Whitney Award.  Knee Deep is an upcoming book from her as well.

Content

There is language and sexual situations. While the characters don’t have sex, Sky does spend the night, and there are descriptions of Jameson’s thoughts towards Sky.

I was so excited to be a part of this Blog Tour.  Jolene is my friend, and I want to spread the word about her awesome books.  Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

SMASHWORDS / AMAZON / NOOK / PDF

 

Nov 122011
 

Geek Girl

Author: Cindy C. Bennett

Publisher: Cedar Fort

Expected Publish Date: December 2011

ISBN13: 9781453663318

FTC FYI: I got my copy from NetGalley

Reviewed by Mindy

“”Think I could turn that boy bad?”

My two best friends–my only two friends, really–Ella and Beth follow my gaze and laugh.  We’re sitting on the outskirts of the cafeteria, outcasts physcially and socially.  We’re proud of this.  We strive for this.

Trevor Hoffman?” Beth scoffs.  “No way, Jen.”

“I bet I can,” I say, chewing a painted black nail as I gaze at my intended target.

“No way,” they both agree.

I look at Trevor Hoffman and my grin widens.  He is such a nerdy, goody two-shoes.  Kinda cute actually, but with his shirt always buttoned to the top, a straight-A student who all of the teachers adore.  He’s the junior class something or other, not the president but one of the other officers.  He’s a little different than the other geeks in that he’s sort of . . . cool geek, I guess.  No glasses, asthmatic wheezing, or too-short pants for him.  But he’s firmly entrenched with the geek squad, a nerd to the core himself.

“I bet I could,” I say shrugging.  “Might be fun.”” (page 1)

Jen takes on the challenge of turning Trevor bad, if she is successful, Ella and Beth will pay for her lip to be pierced.  Currently Jen is in a foster home that doesn’t allow piercings.  She’s not worried because she expects to be gone from there soon.  The girls go to the school stomp that night and Jen immediately finds Trevor and asks him to dance.  In his geeky ways, he thanks her for the dance and she turns away. Dork.

At school, Jen continues to flirt, always watching and smiling at him.  After a couple weeks of this,  Jen asks Trevor to a party.  He has plans already, but asks Jen if she wants to come over and watch movies with him and some friends.  She agrees.  After, they continue doing things together.  Trevor takes her with him to the senior center where he volunteers, their families meet up at the bowling alley, and even go camping together.

Jen is a great character.  She’s very snarky and snide at times, but after hanging out with Trevor a lot, they start to like each other and she start to slowly change.  I enjoyed the way the author showed their growing relationship, and the subtle changes that Jen takes in her appearance and attitude towards her foster family soften her up.  Jen had a rough start in life, and needs to come to terms with scary things.  My favorite was Trevor, he may have been a geek in her eyes, but I thought he was just a great kid.  I thought the book was well written and I really felt sorry for what awful stuff Jen had to endure growing up.  I loved the many science fiction references.  Lots of my favs were mentioned: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, X Files…

4 out of 5 stars.  Cindy Bennett wrote Heart on a Chain that was released last year.  Read more about the author here. Friend her on Facebook, and Like Geek Girl’s Facebook page.  Follow on Twitter.

Thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to part of this Blog Tour.