Chasing Jupiter

"When the World Around You Falls Apart,

Dreams are all You Have."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - It is the 1960s, man has launched into space and walked on the moon and Scarlett is having trouble fitting in with her strange brother, Cliff, and awkward grandfather which causes people to stair and whisper. A loner at school and stressed from her parents fights and her sister lies, Scarlett does what she can to take care of the house and her brother. But when he brother requests her help in building a rocket to Jupiter, she can't disappoint him. Making her specialty, peach pies, and with the help of the perch farmer's son, Frank, Scarlett and Cliff sell the pies to earn money for their rocket. As the summer progresses, Scarlett's family is falling more and more apart. And then a tragedy shakes her world. Seeing no hope, Scarlett will have to make the decide if she will trust the God she has ignored and find peace.

Author - Rachel Coker

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Scarlett's sister goes out all night with a hippie boy friend and is clear that she is not making good decisions but the book doesn't go into detail on what she is doing. Scarlett is taught about God and His love and faithfulness. Scarlett tries to do the best by her family and on occasion stumbles.  

Personal Opinion - Chasing Jupiter is one of the most moving books I have ever read. I might not be completely fond of the ending but it speaks on a level of trusting in God's love and His purpose, even when you can't see it. It also speaks on loving others, not judging someone just because they are different, and helping your family. I think a lot of people can identify with the broken family aspect even if the novel is placed in the 1960s. There were several points where this book had me bawling but it ends with hope and trusting in God. Even though I felt that the novel could have gone deeper with some of the side characters by spending more time with them and the ending isn't my favorite, I will be looking into more books by this author who is incredibly talented in story telling and character creation.

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Blog Tour -

ADD Librarian

Becoming More Like You

Book Nook 4 You

Blooming with Books

Christian Book Review Blog

CTF Devourer

Gillian Adams

Jessica Laurie

Jill Williamson

Labor Not in Vain

Rachelle Rea

The Ramblings of a Young Author

A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm

Shadow Writer World

Surrendering All of Me

Worthy2Read

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

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Links - Rachel's Website
            Talking about Chasing Jupiter

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.

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2 Blog Tours this Week

Welcome to Bookworm!

I know you are probably looking for today's review. Well I have good news and bad news. Bad news, there wont be a review today. Good news, there will be a review tomorrow AND Tuesday. Yup, two reviews this week. The first is for Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker with the Novel Teen blog tour group and the second is for So Shines the Night by Tracy L. Higley with the Caravan blog tour group. Hope you enjoy both and come back to check out these two books and great authors. Enjoy and chew on a good book today!

The Fairest Beauty

"A Daring Rescue.

A Difficult Choice."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

Storyline - Sophie has always lived a simple but tortured life, working as a scullery maid, for Duchess Ermengarde. When a strange young man, Gabe, arrives, telling her she is truly the dead Duke's daughter and betrothed to his older brother, she can't help but want to believe it. But the Duchess has plans for Sophie's death. Soon, Sophie and Gabe are on the run and hiding at the Cottage of the Seven. As they hide, they can't help but fall in love with each other. Can Sophie and Gabe find a way to be together despite her being promised to another? Can they both find the plans God has for them?

Author - Melanie Dickerson

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Sophie is kind and giving and is learning to trust after being betrayed and lied to all her life. Gabe is rebellious but an event in his past that causes him guilt which contributes. He is also learning to be responsible and learning what his actions cost him. Both are going against their betrothals. Duchess Ermengarde is just a bit creepy, wanting to kill Sophie and happy about the idea of her dying. The Seven are open but one doesn't mind facing the issue at hand and trying to have Sophie and Gabe see it the problems of their relationship.

Personal Opinion - The Fairest Beauty was a story of love, adventure, and overcoming obstacles. The action scenes were really good and exciting. Sophie was sweet and helped others however she could and Gabe's rebelliousness reminded me of Han Solo in the original Star Wars film. I also liked how each of the Seven had a distinct thing about him that made him easy to remember and spot. But there were a couple of things I was not very fond of. Gabe was very rebellious in the beginning but then had a quick change of heart, almost too quick for me but I think it would have been a bit more believable if some information about his past had been hinted at earlier. I had also thought there would be more information on the personal stories of the Seven but there wasn't much of that. Most of the time, Sophie or Gabe was wondering about their feelings or how they were going to be together which was fine but I felt it happened a little too much (then again, it might just be my action side talking). All in all, The Fairest Beauty was good but not my favorite. If someone really wants to read it, they should because they might really like it.

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Special Notes - The Healer's Apprentice - Review
                         The Merchant's Daughter - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher.

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

Chokepoint: Mini Mission 1.5 and GIVEAWAY

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

 

Storyline - Spencer is home and back in school but danger seems to have followed. While earning a place on the basketball team, learning LCT with Beth, and trying to find a homecoming date, strange men are coming after Spencer which is making the agents consider moving him and his grandma to a new location with new aliases. Spencer won't let that happen, even if it means agreeing to new precautions by the agents. When a chance comes up to catch the men, Spencer is willing to take it but he could end up in their hands instead.

Author - Jill Williamson

Publisher - CreatSpace

Age Group - 14 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Choices are made on weather to fight or avoid danger and weather to return to old habits or continue with his new ones. One crazy party were people are kissing, drinking, and smoking pot (the description is about as detailed as what I just wrote). Spencer is a little clueless about girls and their feelings but starts to learn a little bit more by the end. A boy is very protective of his sister.

Personal Opinion - This book lives up to the usual Jill Williamson standard of writing. It hits you off with a great adventure and builds to a fabulous, thrilling conclusion all the while creating realistic characters with their own concerns and subplots. And checkout that cover. The only thing I'm wondering about was how close to the climax the ending came. It wasn't bad, it was actually a great ending that still contained mystery and some great advice to Spencer, but I think it could run the risk of being a little abrupt for some readers. But it is a perfect story for those who read book 1 and are anxiously awaiting book 2. Another plus is that all the money from this book, bought either as an ebook or paperback, goes to help friends of the author to adopt a girl named Sydney! So read this because it is a great story AND a good donation. :)

You can also donate directly to Sydney's fund or go to the blog.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

GIVEAWAY -

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links - Jill's Website
            By Darkness Hid - Review
            To Darkness Fled - Review
            From Darkness Won - Review
            Replication: The Jason Experiment - Review
            The Mission League: The New Recruit - Review
            The Mission League: Project Gemini - Review (Coming Soon)
            Captives - Review (Coming Soon)

Special Notes - This novel happens between book 1 and 2.

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Halfling Series: 2 Enovellas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 - 4.5 Worms

Storyline -

11:15 The Making of a Hafling - As Raven and Mace wait for their next assingment, they train Vine for when he will come into his gift. When a mission comes up, Vine goes with his Halfling brothers to stop a deadly fire just to watch but soon Vine get in trouble and he might not make it out alive.

A Halfling Rescue - The Halfling group go on a mission to rescue a movie star and her friends who have been taken hostage by gunmen. Under constant threat of being discovered, the Halflings work to subdue the captors but they might also get caught.

Author - Heather Burch

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group -  15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Raven is his usually rebellous self and Mace is just as frustrated with him. The Halflings put themselves in danger to save others, even at the risk of their own lives.

Personal Opinion - 11:15 is the story of Vine I've been waiting for! It fits perfectly with the beginning of the series. A Halfling Rescue is a fun adventure that takes place between books 1 and 2. It was a bit slow but was a great story about sacrifice. Both were not as serious as the main series but cool adventures and were separate from the rest of the books so don't feel like you might have missed something if you haven't read them. I loved the comic like pictures sprinkled within the text (somehow, it fit but I don't know what I would think of them if there were in the main series. Then again it might be fun). If you are planning on reading the Halfling series, or already have, read these too. They will just add a bit more fun to the series.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, Publisher (all the novellas are free at each of these places)

Links - Halflings - Review
            Guardian - Review
            Avenger - Review (Coming Soon)

Special Notes - 11:15 The Making of a Halfling takes place before Haflings and A Halfling Rescue takes place between books 1 and 2.

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

Lesson of the White Eagle

"Being a Friend Should Never

Mean Having to Hate Another"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Dusty is a typical teen, concerned with school, finding time away from his dad's shop, and hanging with his friends. But when one of those friends attacks an Indian and turns on him, Dusty is visited by the spirit of the Ponca Indian Chief White Eagle, learning lessons of the past and the trials the his people have suffered. As the lessons get tougher and Dusty has to face what has happened, he will have to decide if he will betray his friend or let an innocent person be punished for crimes he didn't commit.

Author - Barbara Hay

Publisher - The Road Runner Press

Age Group - 13 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* One swear word and the boys do some irresponsible and dangerous things. Dusty stands for the rights of Native Americans. Forgiving others after a great wrong is also a theme in the book.

Personal Opinion - Wow. I almost cried at the end of this book. It was a beautiful depiction of overcoming racism and being a true friend. Dusty's struggle and the conflicts he faces were realistic and believable. He doesn't know what to do at first but finds a way to do what is right and stand for what he believes in. Loved how some Native American spirituality came into play. The beginning was a bit long but, as soon as it got to the main conflict of the story, it picked right up and held me to the end, which was just lovely. Will be holding onto and sharing this book for a long time.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Special Notes - This is the debut novel of Barbara Hay

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway program.

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Starring Me

"Kara McKormick is Told She's Auditioning
to Star in a New Teen Variety Show.
It's What She isn't Told
that Could Change Her Life."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Kara gets the chance to finally chase her dreams when she's invited to audition for a new TV show. But as she gets to know her competition, she wonders if she has what it takes to make it in the world of acting. When tragedy strikes her family, she will have to choose how much she really wants to live her dreams and see if the God she has always denied is truly there.

Author - Krista McGee

Publisher - Thomas Nelson

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Catish girls willing to claw , lie, and back-stab others to get the part they are auditioning for. Kara is unwilling to stoop to that level but also wonders how she will make it in the acting world then. Chad is willing to listen to God and his parents even thought it might mean disrupting his dreams. Addy and Flora wants to share God and are kind and gracious as they do.

Personal Opinion - Another completely engaging book by Krista McGee. Had a hard time putting this down and enjoyed it the whole time. The characters were real and I liked how the author had Kara come to know God, which wasn't rushed and was pretty believable. Chad was a pretty cool guy and I appreciated seeing the story from his point of view too. God's complete love, no matter what, was a favorite message to me in this particular book and loved how Addy told Kara about it (Yes, we get to see how Addy and Jonathan are doing after First Date). The only thing I would have liked differently was having Kara and Chad interact more in the story. This is seriously a new favorite author and can't wait until I can get my hands on her next book.

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Special Notes - First Date - Review
                         Anomaly - Review

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