Perfectly Invisible by Kristin Billerbeck Blog Tour

It's Daisy Crispin's final semester of high school, and she plans to make it count. Her long-awaited freedom is mere months away, and her big plans for college loom in the future. Everything is under control.

Or is it?

Her boyfriend is treating her like she's invisible, and her best friend is making her sell bad costume jewelry in the school quad—and hanging out with her boyfriend. To top it off, Daisy's major humiliation of the year will be remembered in the yearbook for all eternity. It's enough to make her wonder if maybe being invisible isn't so bad after all.

Can Daisy get her life back on track? Or is she stuck in this town forever?

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Dripping with humor, drama, and the ups and downs that follow the last couple months of high school, Perfectly Invisible had all the makings of a really great story but alas the plot was...no where to be seen? Daisy's glum outlook on her social life and high school goes from bad to worse when her would-be "boyfriend"and prom date suddenly shys away from her. To top things off things are starting to heat up with her long-time crush Chase, but is he who he appears to be? And what about the constant bullying and attention Daisy has been getting from Amber and her gang? Not to mention her parents over-anxious attitude toward her college plans.

I guess the #1 problem that I had with Perfectly Invisible was that when things started getting really good and interesting...the chapter would end and sometimes it would skip several days into the future without so much as a brief note to wrap-up what important climax had occurred in the chapter before it. It was a bit frustrating. The second thing I disliked was that the story was everywhere: Daisy's high school, Daisy's friend's family dilemma, Daisy's college and job woes, and then of course her continuous–and slightly annoying–struggle between Chase and Max. Also, Daisy's parents were just outrageous at times.
 Perhaps the thing that stands out the most is that even though it fits into the category of a Christian fiction book, I felt that the religious views pushed the characters in certain ways–almost robotically–rather than help them or the story along. Daisy takes her Christianity seriously but at the same time it seemed like she used it as a crutch to get her out of tight spots. Basically that is what the story is all about that the same time–Daisy learns to make her own choices based on her Christian outlook and not to get so wrapped-up in what other people may or may not be thinking.

Since Daisy comes from a pretty conservative Christian household readers who do not normally read religious fiction may very well be "shocked" so to speak by Daisy's dating rules. Not like any of it is at all unheard of of course, but I'm thinking that compared to main-stream "dating" it is different. Too different to be enjoyed is simply a matter of taste NOT a matter of religion.  Even though Daisy goes to a Christian school it is no different than a public high school. Mean girls stalk the hallways, playboys play ball, and the geeks usually go unnoticed...but with Daisy, it's about to change.

Despite Perfectly Invisible having some plot issues, I think Daisy is humorously good example of a slightly geeky only-child finishing high school and trying to find where God is leading her in the world of adulthood.  Daisy must prove everyone wrong–er right–and snag the boy and the college of her dreams.

Recommend? Yes, especially those h.s. seniors who are moving forward in both education and life. Interest would lean more to older teens. Ages 14+

Content: Mild sensuality/kissing. Reference to drugs. (PG)

Other Books By This Author| Perfectly Dateless (Universally Misunderstood 1), Split Ends, What A Girl Wants

|Pages: 266|Release Date: July 2011|Publisher: Revell|

|Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary fiction, chic-lit, relationships, school|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 4/5–faces! Not good|

|Overall Rating: 4/5|

This original review is copyrighted© by Books and Literature for Teens. Blog Tour possible by Revell/Baker House Publishing.

Scones and Sensibility + Interview with Lindsay Eland

Twelve-year-old Polly Madassa is convinced she was born for a more romantic age. A time when Elizabeth Bennett walked along the stone halls of Pemberley, arm in arm with her one true love, Mr. Dracy. A time when Anne Shirley gazed out at the wild seas off Prince Edward Island with her bosom friend, Diana, beside her. A time when a distinguished gentleman called upon a lady of quality, and true love was born in the locked eyes of two young lovers. But alas... Polly was born in the twenty-first century New Jersey. This however, does not hinder our young heroine from finding romance wherever she can conjure it up. So while Polly is burdened with the summer job of delivering baked goods from her parents' bakery to the people in her small beach town (how delightfully quaint!), she finds a way for force... um.... encourage romance to blossom. Indeed, Polly is determined to bring lovers, young and old, together... whether they want to be or not. - book jacket

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Sconces and Sensibility was a fun book to read. It might seem a little juvenile to older teens, but I thought it was a great story for pretty much any age. Polly, the main character, is a true romantic. She brings out the best and the worst in people. During this particular summer, Polly decides to take matters of love into her own hands had find suitable matches for her sister, Mr. Nighquist, Miss Wiskerton, and Mr. Fisk. The results were predicable, but I enjoyed watching Polly’s schemes unfold to her advantage or to her dismay.

The funny–and special thing–about Polly that sets her apart from most girls, is that she enjoys talking and thinking like Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice and often asks herself what Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables, would do. I think  it’s neat that Eland incorporated these two very classic novels into the story. It was also a great way to sort of introduce those book as well to girls who have yet to read or even hear about them. At first, when you start reading Polly’s narrative, it seems silly that she tries to talk in the style of the Regency Era, but if you look past that, you’ll begin to see a character who is much like you and me. Once upon a time, it was every girl’s fantasy to wear pretty dresses, wear bonnets or sunhats, talk and walk like royalty, and be as elegant as possible. In many ways, Polly brings out the romantics in all of us because she is not afraid to be the person she wants to be whether it’s Elizabeth or Jane Bennett or Anne Shirley. The only problem is that Polly has yet to learn the different between reality and fiction. In the end, Polly has to realize her mistakes and the messes she caused from thinking that no matter what she does, everything will have a “happy ending”. I think Eland has very good potential as a children/young adult writer; it’s always nice to see a new voice in children’s literature.

My Recommendation: For kids/teens ages 10-15 (or any age) who have a soft-spot for Jane Austen inspired books, middle grade fiction, or just enjoy a fun story about matchmaking and scones!

Content: None (G)

The Final Straw: "For everyone knows that a girl cannot live on chicken cordon blue alone."

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|Pages: 309|Year Published: December 2009|Publisher: Egmont US|

|Genre: Contemporary fiction|Content: None (G)|

|Age Group: Ages 10+|Buy/Borrow?: Both|

|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content: 5/5|Cover: 4/5|

|Overall: 4/5|

Interview with Lindsay Eland

{Blog Tour}

I'm a Judge for NeardsHeart YA Tournament

Yep! That's right, I'm going to be judging one of the 3rd rounds after Tales of a Conspicuous Reader and Bookalicious. What exactly is NeardsHeart YA Tournament you ask? Simple: we're going to be reviewing/judging a round of books we believe need more publicity and are in the genres of: Persons of Color (POC), GLBT, Disability/Mental Illness, Religious, and Low Socioeconomic Status.


Currently, the NardsHeart YA team are taking nominees, so to go suggest some books that YOU think need a second chance @this page here. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates on this tour :)

Blog Tour + GIVEAWAY: Merlin's Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton

Nivenne never thought she'd be in direct contact with barbaric Humans--let alone help them. She's only heard stories of the evil that occurs outside of the forest. But her dear friend Merlin has brought word that Arthur's kingdom--where Humans dwell--is threatened by the Saxons. If Nivienne doesn't help, it could be the end for her own peaceful home. Nivienne must learn how to trust the Humans and her heart. Even more difficult than going to war alongside your enemies is discovering you are falling in love with them.

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Told from a female perspective, the legend of King Arthur, Merlin, and the infamous Morgan le Faye has never looked more magical. Brimming with fairy [Fey] lore and myths of how Arthur’s misty history unfolds, Merlin’s Harp will satisfy any Arthurian fan or reader--teen or adult--alike.

What I liked most about Merlin’s Harp was the very detailed descriptions of the mythical Fey folk. The author wrote as if a real Fey girl witnessed the story of Avalon [Apple Island]. Nivienne (pronounced similar to Vivienne) is a very passionate and dramatic character. She tells everything as it is and leaves absolutely nothing out. To create such a backdrop with details about legends, history, or Arthurian tales, you would have to do quite a bit of research....... and it really paid off.
The negative things I have to say about Merlin's Harp is that I kept getting the feeling the story was being rushed and it sometimes wandered of the main trail if you will. It was would slow way down, then it would speed up and would lose me completely. I kept having to go back and reread several important passages. The beginning of the book was rushed as well and there was so much stuff to "learn" about the Fey folk, that I felt a little overwhelmed by the details. Sometimes I felt kinda of silly reading about all this fairy stuff, but that is probably a fantasy newbie talking. Things like this may or may not turn off the reader. It just depends. Read a few chapters here.
I had no idea that I would grow use to talk of auras and magic spells. As the story progressed, so did my attraction to the “magical” setting. There is also a modern genuinely about this novel that is unique. Some of the phrases Nivienne and the other characters say are not true to the middles ages, but I didn't notice it all that much and sometimes modern phrases are okay to throw in when it comes to young adults. Again, depends on what style you like. Personally, I could have handled any kind of medieval terminology--that's just me though.

As for key content factors I will mention the references to several sexual situations. Not a flower moon goes by without.......you get the picture. There are also a lot of talk of pagan rituals, witches, mages, and goddesses. Of course it wouldn’t be ancient medieval times without out stuff like that (or Arthurian myths for that matter), but just be sure you feel comfortable about reading things like that. There is a lot symbolism in Arthurian legends as well. Whether the author intends to add them or not, they are still branded in somewhere in the story: the sword, the round table, even Arthur himself.

Overall, Merlin’s Harp was an okay book, a little dark perhaps and rough at some points, but the fantasy theme of the novel was new to me and provided some sort of enjoyment. I think teens and adults would like reading this fictional account of King Arthur from a woman’s point of view. Fans of The Mists of Avalon would enjoy this novel as well. I would recommend to teen ages 15 and up. 

Follow the tour to Today's Adventure!

|Pages: 241|Year Published: March 2010|Publisher: Sourcebooks|
|Genre: Fantasy, Arthurian|Age Group: YA, ages 15 to adult|
|Content: Sexuality (PG-13 level)|Buy or Borrow? Borrow|
|Enjoyed It: 3/5|Content Rating: 2/5|Cover: 4/5|
|Overall|

(Contest Closed)

BLOG TOUR: Medina Hill by Trilby Kent

In the grimy London of 1935, eleven-year-old Dominic Walker has lost his voice. His mother is sick and his father’s unemployed. Rescue comes in the form of his Uncle Roo, who arrives to take him and his young sister, Marlo, to Cornwall. There, in a boarding house populated by eccentric residents, Marlo, who keeps a death grip on her copy of The New Art of Cooking, and Dominic, armed with Incredible Adventures for Boys: Colonel Lawrence and the Revolt in the Desert, find a way of life unlike any they have known. Dominic’s passion for Lawrence of Arabia is tested when he finds himself embroiled in a village uprising against a band of travelers who face expulsion. In defending the vulnerable, Dominic learns what it truly means to have a voice.

******

Medina Hill is a captivating and unforgettable story of friendship, bravery, and justice.

I really loved reading this book because it had a sort of old fashioned yet modern voice to it which I thought gave the book a timeless feel. This chronicle of Dominic’s journey to bravery with the help of his newly found hero, Lawrence of Arabia, is simple but detailed. Everything in Medina Hill is excitingly fresh from the Romany gypsies to the mysterious coves of Zennor, Cornwall. The odd and charming crowd living at Medina Hill is probably the best thing in this novel. Otto, the over zealous thriller writer, is my favorite out the bunch; but all of them are just as lovable.

Though told from a eleven year old boy’s point of view, Medina Hill can target an a “juvenile” as well as older audience because of its coming-of-age themes and seasoned perspective. Combining adventure, history, matchless characters, Kent has done an extraordinary job on creating her first novel. I can only hope she has more stories to share.

Overall, Medina Hill’s ageless narrative of justice and bravery is sure to capture readers of all ages. I highly recommend!

*Trilby Kent was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up cities on both sides of the Atlantic. After completing degrees at Oxford and The London School of Economics, she worked in the rare books department at a promient auction house before turning to writing feature articles for publications in Europe and North America. She now lives in London, England. Medina Hill is her first novel.*

|Pages: 170|Year Published: October 2009|Publisher: Tundra|

|Genre: Historical fiction, 1900s, friendship, coming of age|

|Age Group: YA, ages 11+|Content: None|

|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|

|Overall|

This book trailer was made especially for Medina Hill Blog Tour. Be sure to turn on your computer sound! Enjoy guys.

(PS. I finally got a YouTube account so now my videos will be BIGGER!)

Follow the Tour to the next Blog!