IF I TELL, WWW & WOW

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Sourcebooks Fire

Paperback  256 Pages

Expected release date October 1, 2011

I received this book from Net Galley. No compensation was offered or received. A review while appreciated was not mandatory.

Jasmine Evans was born to high schoolers - the princess and the football player. He has his life mapped out with dreams of football and she doesn't have plans to raise a child in hers. So Jaz is lovingly raised by her grandparents, with visits to and from her mother. Jaz is pretty much a loner after being harassed, (and nearly drowning), by her fourth grade classmates, who weren't very accepting of her skin color. Not being accepted by either white or black kids she has had one best friend Lacey and a slightly newer friend Ashley. Lacey is a few years older and the "bad girl" while Ashley is a lesbian. While working at a coffee shop Jaz meets "bad boy" Jackson. Things are not great but not too bad when one night at a party Jaz walks in and sees Lacey kissing her mother's boyfriend. Feeling betrayed by her best friend and the man she considered a step father figure, she is determined to tell her mother. But unknown to her, Jaz's mother has news too - she is pregnant.

This book tackles many issues that could muddy the story or fail it completely. Janet Gurtler, however, writes a beautiful, gripping novel. She handles each issue sensitively. The writing is such a caliber that you are able to feel what Jaz is going through. You are drawn in from the start and, if you are like me, take sides right off. I was confused and indignant when Jaz's mother told Jaz she was pregnant and wanted Jaz to be happy for her. How could she ignore the fact that she did not raise Jaz? I was mad at her mother through much of the book. The issue of being biracial and being raised in a white home was handled intelligently. Jaz's feelings of not knowing very much of her father, his family and being black were explored. (There is a flip side to this but you can read it to find out.) The book makes you think about how far we have come, (or in some areas, not come), in acceptance of various races and mixed races in particular. A lot of value is placed on honesty and being open with those we care about. The consequences that are written in are natural and not watered down. The book has a very real feel to it. Reading it I felt the see-saw emotions that Jaz was going through and I was as confused as she was whether to tell or not.  If you are looking for an excellent YA novel that does not back away or play down issues, misconceptions, deceptions or consequences this is a book I would highly recommend.  I would also recommend it to YA reading groups, and mother-daughter teams. There is a lot of material in this book that would make awesome discussions.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? 
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Just Finished Reading:

    

    

Currently reading (finishing up):

    

Just Started:   

  

What's Next? Well since my Kindle died and I had to wait for the new one I am behind. :( I got the new one though so I should catch up. Amazon customer service is awesome!

    

This is the part that my family had better pay attention to! Yes, those of you that I carried for nine months and then raised for 18 years. And the special guy who needs to pay double attention because the dog cannot pick out anything.

          

Just Tacos by Shelley Wiseman,  and Sugar, Sugar: Every Recipe Has a Story by Kimberly "Momma" Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero, ( both out October 2011) . I know I do not need to tell you who will benefit from these two. * To everyone else there are reviews for these two cook books coming up next week.*

Part Wild: One Woman's Extraordinary Love for a Creature Caught Between the Worlds of Wolves and Dogs by Ceiridwen Terrill, ( out October 2011). This book sounds fascinating and I love both wolves and dogs. 

Extreme Paranormal Investigations by Marcus F. Griffin, ( out October 2011). I love ghost stories. These are located in the Midwest. The book sounds awesome. I found this on Llewellyn Worldwide

Ghost Hunting for Beginners: Everything You Need To Know To Get Started by Rich Newman, (out October 2011).  Doesn't even need an explanation. Just says FUN. Another Llewellyn find.

Death by a Killer Mop Doll by Lois Winston, (out January 2012). Another book that just says FUN to me. *Children that I bore in pain, this book does contain instructions on how to make  Themed Mop Dolls - don't let that frighten you. Remember if I have a happy Christmas your New Year will be happy. * Llewellyn

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser, (out March 2012). This book sounds so intriguing! 

Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose, (out November 2011). I will need a light romantic suspense to get me through the holiday stress.

I hope you find something interesting and/or just had a chuckle or two today. Check out the book If I Tell - it really is a good read. Look for the other reviews soon. Please leave me a comment so we can stalk, err,  check you out and see what your reading or waiting on. 

Introducing author Ami Blackwelder & Teaser Tuesday

Paranormal and SciFi Author Ami Blackwelder will have two new books out soon! 

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

The Invasion of 2020, the first book in the Shifter Evolutions series is scheduled to be released Sept 1st 2011, (Books 1-5 are out now)

The Invasion of 2020 is the prequel to Shifters of 2040. The Shifter Evolutions begins with the middle book, The Shifters of 2040, and gives the reader the choice for the past or future. This release of the first book in the series, The Invasion of 2020, will allow readers to engage the series chronologically also. 

Readers will enjoying finding out more about Uri Petrov and Dr. Samantha Croon as they discover what exactly brought the shifters to Earth and what sparked human fears. Who was the young Marn and young Raul and what molded them into who they became? 

 Very interesting concept isn't it? To start with the third book and then you decide to go forward or go back. This series is set in Alaska. YAY! 

       

The Shifters of 2040

The SCM of 2030

The Hybrids of 2050

The revolution of 2060

Other Series by Ami:

   

The Guardians of the Gate Series is an elfin romance series set in Colorado. Books 1 and 2, (The Gate of Lake Forest and Prisoners of Pride), are out now with book 3, (An Inquisition of Innocence), scheduled for a 2012 release.

      


The Day the Flowers Died, (Volume 1) is set in 1930 in Munich Germany. It is a historical romance novel.


More books by Ami:
        


Rain: Graphic Novella 
Christianity and Sensibility
The Five Other Senses
The Water Jug
Like A Budding Flower (Poetry)
The Ancient Genesis
Glass Tears (Historical)
She Speaks to Angels (Paranormal)
Midnight (Vampire Dystopian)


Children's Books by Ami
  
Sammy and the Magic Genie
The Moorhen Runt

Coming Fall of 2011

The Mers, a new Mermaid Series set in New Jersey.

Also coming in 2012, ( Titles subject to change)
Don't Speak (Psychic Dystopian)
Ghostly
Exotiqa

  Find out more about her and her books at http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com              

  

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB ofShould Be Reading. Anyone can play along! 

I will be taking my teasers from The Shifters of 2040  by Ami Blackwelder

Page 13:

 She wanted to inflict as little harm as she could in this inhumane research. But

then, the shifters didn’t remind her much of anything human, or

of anything living.

Page 14:

Melissa turned her head away and refused to watch the deliberate

pain inflicted, to merely learn how much electricity the

SCM needed to wound, stun and kill shifters. Once the shifter

returned to a still state, the shadow regained what Melissa called

consciousness, and the blackness retreated as yellow lights returned.

Page 15:

The room filled with silence and then the shifter who had

vanished spilled out of the wire and reassembled over the hard

floor. The shadow shape metamorphosed into a large white bear,

thrusting wide paws at the assistant. 

I will be reviewing a few of Ami's books soon. Watch for them.


Please leave me a comment with where to find your teaser. If you don't have a blog then please feel free to leave a sentence or two from a book you are reading !

Follow My Blog Friday - Changing Endings

Follow Friday is sponsored by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. And this week the Featured blogger on Parajunkee is Lisa Loves Literature Over on Alison Can Read the featured blogger is Once Upon a Prologue. This week's question is:

If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

I do not think I really want to change an ending. I like the endings to be as the author sees them. It is not to say I am always happy with them, (for example Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer was settled way too easy peasey for my taste and Loser's Town by Daniel Depp felt like the ending was rushed). I like to write my own endings even when I like the ending just because I like to think about what would happen if it went this way or that way. I think the endings and imagining them in different ways is part of the fun of reading a book. Everyone sees differently - even an awesome book, (or series), is not going to end in a way that pleases everyone who reads it.

   

What is your answer? Leave me a comment with or let me know where to find it! Thanks for playing!


To help with Junior's IPad Challenge CLICK HERE

Seers Review

Seers by Heather Frost

Bonneville

Expected release date October 8, 2011

From Good Reads

For Kate Bennet, surviving the car wreck that killed her parents means big changes and even bigger problems. As she begins to see auras and invisible people, Kate must learn to trust Patrick O'Donnell, a handsome Guardian, or risk her life being overrun with Demons. She soon realizes that both she and her heart are in big-time trouble.

My Review

This was my first time reading a Guardians/Demon story. It made for a nice change. The story was an interesting one. I liked the plot and the realistic dynamic of teenage, “I like two boys”, drama.  

Kate is picking up the pieces of her life, trying to get back to normal, after the accident. Her and her sisters are now living with her grandparents. She is able to see people’s auras and know their feelings by the colors. That is until she meets Patrick, who has a silver aura. She also sees a boy no one else is seeing who has the same color aura. She is attracted to Patrick but has a boyfriend already and does not know what his aura means. Her best friend Lee tries to help her sort it out but is hampered by several factors; she does not see auras, does not know what to make of Kate seeing invisible people and when the invisible boy shows himself, Lee is attracted to him. Kate does not tell Lee that the guy she likes is the invisible boy. While Kate is trying to decide if she can trust Patrick she starts seeing people with black auras. Now Kate must make her choices, of who to trust and which guy will be her boyfriend.

As you can see this book is filled with intrigue, danger and romance. The author understands that the character is in an unbelievable situation and takes pains to give us insight into her thought patterns. I really liked that. It gave the character and the plot more creditability. The characters are likable and you are easily able to care about them. There were openings left at the ending that lead me to suspect Seers is the first book in a series. I found this book enjoyable enough that I look forward to that. I would recommend Seers as a good YA paranormal suspense/romance story.

I received this book from Net Galley. No compensation for review was offered or received. A review while appreciated was not mandatory.


To help with Junior's IPad Challenge CLICK HERE

Meet Susan Case author of Kindergarten

Meet Susan Case author of 

Kindergarten: Tattle-Tales, Tools,Tactics, Triumphs and Tasty Treats for Teachers and Parents 

About the book from the author:

Remember the innocent but goofy things you did as a kindergartner? Reminisce about your early years as you learn how to help your precious child become ready for school and have a successful kindergarten year.

Are you a kindergarten teacher who needs proven ideas and solutions for your classroom? This book is for parents and teachers of preschoolers and kindergartners. It will make you laugh and give you hundreds of ideas to help with behavior, reading, special education, science experiments, holiday celebrations, and recipes for Fun Fridays and for success.

Chapter One: Teacher Tattle Tales
Chapter Two: Celebrate the Holidays--Celebrate Life
Chapter Three: A Smooth Move to School
Chapter Four: Reading--the Greatest Gift of All
Chapter Five: Science--Survival Specials
Chapter Six: Discipline--Combat Duty or Common Sense Tactics?
Chapter Seven: The Special Education Experience
Chapter Eight: Silly Sanity Lists
Chapter Nine: Recipes for Fun Fridays
Chapter Ten: It's a Wonderful World, After All

Hello Susan. It is nice to have you with us today.  I have a few questions for you as I will be reviewing your book Kindergarten in the coming weeks.

First, Where did the idea for this book come from?

I kept a journal of funny things my students did, or teachers told me, but it wasn't enough for a book. My husband kept encouraging me to write about what parents and teachers would like to know. I thought of things that I needed help with such as behavior management, teaching reading, and special education. Of course, I had to include my favorite recipes with at least one for each letter of the alphabet to coincide with Fun Fridays.

The Alphabet Recipes sounds like a fun idea. I cannot wait to see it. I am already thinking of ways to incorporate that at home with Junior. That is a fabulous idea! Speaking of, where do you get your ideas?

I just look around at the things people do. If it makes me laugh, or cry, or inspires me in some way, I write it down. I love to surf the Internet for information, jokes and news. We live in the country and the Internet gives me a way to research and connect with others.

It sounds like you take things from life. Which, to me, makes the book easy for both parents and teachers to enjoy. Who do you believe should read your book?

This book is written for teachers and parents of kindergartners and preschoolers. It can also help homeschoolers because there are many creative ideas as well as resources. I’ve been told it is excellent for grandparents and also for college students who are studying early childhood development or to earn a teaching certificate.

The book sounds like it is going to be both fun and informative. What was your favorite chapter to write?

My favorite writing was adding the personal stories that touched me or other teachers. I hope they touch others as well to know that we live in a fascinating wonderful world full of positive actions. Perhaps the most inspiring chapter is “Everyday Heroes.”

Everyday Heroes sounds very inspiring and heartwarming.Have you considered writing in other genres?

I have been working on a book for pre-teens. I keep a folder of funny things that happen and hope to incorporate our country living into the plot. We have chickens and guineas and are surrounded by neighbors’ cows and horses. 

 A book for  pre-teens sounds very interesting. What about you? Who are your favorite authors? Are there any books you would recommend to either adults or children?

I am an avid reader of mysteries. I love fast-paced who-done-its. My favorite authors are David Baldacci, Lee Child, Brad Thor, and Joan Hess. I would recommend Jackie King’s book The Inconvenient Corpse as a cozy mystery. My favorite children’s authors are Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Numeroff, Jan Brett, David Shannon and Mem Fox. I highly recommend Mem Fox’s book Reading Magic for adults. She is a master teacher of reading.

You sound like a fascinating person with a lot of experience in teaching.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a late bloomer. I studied Psychology as an undergraduate and earned a M.S. in Family and Child Development. I had my daughter when I was forty. She was born prematurely and developmentally delayed. I returned to school to earn certification in Special Education so that I could help her through her educational process. I taught Sp. Ed for several years and earned certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I taught Kindergarten for seven years and. retired early to homeschool Sarah during her last few years of school. She has a seizure disorder and needed more rest than attending public school allowed. She is MR and has autistic tendencies. My grandson was diagnosed as autistic but now PDD-ONS. So my interest in Special Education continues. Now I edit for my husband’s business, AWOC.COM Publishing, as well as write, blog and twitter.

Wow. You may consider yourself a late bloomer but you have had many experiences. Please tell us what you think  is the most important thing people should take with them after reading your book?

There is hope. If children know they love you, they can withstand your mistakes and encourage you to be a better person. Teaching and parenting is a grand adventure. Cherish children while you have the opportunity to help them grow into responsible, creative, happy people.

For those of of us who would like to keep up with you, could you please tell us the best ways to follow you.

Visit my blog http://kindergartenbasics.blogspot.com/ I have many free educational links for children, jokes and parent/teacher tips.

You can also follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/susancasetexas

Your website is a fun place to visit. I love checking in. I'm sure many of us will be stopping by. Thank you so much for stopping by to share with us your book, Kindergarten: Tattle-Tales, Tools, Tactics, Triumphs and Tasty Treats for Teachers and Parents

You may purchase her book at, (click on the link):
Barnes & Noble Print and Nook
Amazon Print and Kindle


Please leave a comment. We love hearing from you

CLICK THIS LINK FOR JUNIOR'S IPAD CHALLENGE

Booking Through Thursday - Stormy Weather

Booking Through Thursdays is hosted by Booking Through Thursdays!

This Week's Question : What’s your book with weather events? Hurricanes? Tornadoes? Blizzards? Real? Fiction? Doesn’t matter … weather comes up a lot in books, so there’s got to be a favorite somewhere, huh?


I love snow. So it should be blizzards but I am really having a hard time choosing. I really love all kinds of weather in a book. They all suggest adventure, suspense maybe terror. Hmm. I guess I will go with blizzards because two books came to mind as I read the question and they both deal with snow.

  

Oh no! I just thought, they both deal with cannibalism. Maybe I should choose tornadoes. 

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Please leave a comment. We love hearing from you.