10 Things For Teen Girls and Enough: 10 Things We Should Be Telling Teenage Girls by Kate Conner {Review & Giveaway}



Kate Conner
Juvenile Nonfiction / Christian Life

You've got 1 future.
Here are 10 ways to change it.

Teen girl, you hear a lot of negative voices out there, voices telling you that you're not beautiful, sexy, smart, or valuable enough. But Kate Conner offers a different voice. 10 Things for Teen Girls is based on her blog post that pulled in more than 2 million views in just two weeks, proving that you and your friends are ready to hear a new message--one that points you away from the world's wisdom and toward God instead.

Using wit and grace, Kate tackles gotta-know topics such as 
  • The dangers of batting eyelashes and playing dumb
  • Navigating social media and avoiding social drama
  • Modesty and the superpower qualities of femininity
  • And the all-time worst advice ever
You and your friends will love Kate's humor, her honesty, and--most of all--her message. When the world's negative voices attack, her voice can be the one to remind you of the truth--You are beautiful. You are valuable. You are enough.


Enough: 10 Things We Should Be Telling Teenage Girls
Kate Conner
Christian Life / Women's Issues

You are beautiful.
You are valuable.
You are enough.

In a book based on her run-away blog post "Ten Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls," which garnered more than 2 million views in two weeks, Kate Conner calls us to action in Enough. We all have teenage girls in our lives who we love, whether it's a sister, friend or daughter. Kate has identified 10 things these girls need to hear today from someone who loves her.

Peppered with wit and laced with grace, Kate's list tackles relevant issues like Facebook, emotions, drama, tanning beds, modesty, and flirtation. Woven into each chapter is a powerful message of worth that transcends age, and will touch the souls of women, young and old alike: You are beautiful. You are valuable. You are enough.

A former youth-worker, wife to a college minister, and a young mom in her twenties, Kate stands squarely in the generational gap, the perfect place from which to bridge it. Kate offers herself as a translator, helpin you to speak your teenager's language and equipping you with a fresh perspective from which to engage your teenage girl--one that may enable her to truly hear your heart (and your wisdom) for the first time since puberty.


My Thoughts:

You are beautiful. You are valuable. You are enough. Those three little phrases are what women, young and old, all long to hear. Yet in this crazy world of hyper-sexualism those words seem to get drowned out by others that begin to erode the very essence of who we were created to be.

In 2012 Kate wrote a spur of the moment blog post entitled Ten Things I Want To Tell Teenage Girls. In a short span of time the post went viral. Why? I would guess that it is because it spoke truth to fables that we have been trying desperately to make into reality. What are the 10 things you ask? I'll give them to you:
  1. If you choose to wear shirts that show off your boobs, you will attract boys.
  2. Don’t go to the tanning bed. 
  3. When you talk about your friends “anonymously” on Facebook, we  know exactly who you’re talking about.  
  4. Newsflash: the number of times you say “I hate drama” is a pretty good indicator of how much you love drama.
  5. “Follow your heart” is probably the worst advice ever. 
  6.  Never let a man make you feel weak or inferior because you are an emotional being. 
  7. Smoking is not cool.
  8. Stop saying things like, “I don’t care what anyone thinks about me.”
  9. Don’t play coy or stupid or helpless to get attention. 
  10. You are beautiful.  You are enough.
If you're a momma you're probably nodding your head and giving a great big hallelujah! If you're a teen girl, it is quite possible you're rolling your eyes. For both of those very reasons you need to get a copy of each of these books. Read them together. Each chapter in each book coincides with the other book. 

I know what you're thinking . . . you've already given us the link to the blog post and the list of the 10 things. Why should we get the books? As I said earlier, Kate wrote the post on a whim. In the books she delves deeper and expounds on each subject. As a momma I'm telling you there is nothing more important than instilling in your girl that she is valued. She is a child of the King. She is royalty and she should learn to act like it. Someone gave His very life for her. She needs to know these truths. You need to know these truths! If you have a little bitty girl, get the books now and read them over and over so you will have a head start on raising her to know that above all things she is enough.

We all know I'm a crazy reader. If it has words, I'm reading it! But I do realize that not everyone is as taken with reading as I am. So hear my heart on this. If you get only one book, get Enough. Then read chapter 10 and absorb it until it is part of your very essence. Then love your daughter enough to share it with her until the truth contained becomes part of who she is as well.

These books would make a fabulous small group study in your youth group. Make a retreat weekend out of it. Get copies of 10 Things For Teen Girls for all the teen girls and copies of Enough for all the adult women leaders. If we could instill these truths into all the girls in our circles of influence we could change a generation. Remember, If God Is For Us . . . Who Can Stand Against Us?!!

Connect with the author:




The Giveaway:

We have partnered with Family Christian and B&H Publishers to offer one of our readers a copy of 10 Things For Teen Girls and Enough: 10 Things We Should Be Telling Teenage Girls. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Saturday, September 13, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.


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A Christ-Centered Wedding: Rejoicing In The Gospel On Your Big Day by Catherine Strode Parks & Linda Strode {Review & Giveaway}



Catherine Strode Parks & Linda Strode
Christian Life / Love & Marriage

Back of the book:

HOW DO I KEEP THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS?

Wedding planning has spawned a major industry. The average cost of the occassion now exceeds $25,000, and societal pressure to create the "perfect day" is so strong that even Christian couples forget what God originally intended for the sacred marriage ceremony.

A Christ-Centered Wedding serves as a guide to believers who want their wedding to portray the relationship of Christ with the church and to reflect the gospel to all in attendance.

There are chapters filled with practical information about everything from premarital counseling and wedding locations to other resources like a planning checklist and time line, music suggestions, guidance on potential issues of conflict, a listing of traditional financial responsibilities, sample vows, and other great ideas from couples who have successfully put together a Christ-centered wedding.



My thoughts:

As Christians we are called the bride of Christ. Even in all of our flawed earthly bodies God has chosen to use the institution of marriage as a glimpse of the perfect marriage with our perfect groom, Christ. With that in mind we often set out to make our wedding ceremonies reflect our longing and desire for a Christ-centered life.

If you are already married or well into the planning process you know first hand how out of control all the planning and preparations can become. What happened to that simple ceremony declaring that we are Christ followers and are now joining as one to honor and serve Him in our home? Sure we want it to be memorable as well as beautiful, but it can also be meaningful and held in check to accomplish what the ceremony is meant to do.

Linda and Catherine have put together a wonderful book full of great suggestions and resources for you to draw upon. They have used their own experiences as well as those of others who have chosen to honor Christ on this very special of days. What sets this book apart from others is that it isn't just a great big to do list. The introduction sets the tone of the whole book by reminding you that there really are only a couple of times in your life that you will have the opportunity to unabashedly share the gospel with your friends and family. Those occasions are weddings and funerals. In the first couple of chapters they go through the "best marriage ever" and discuss the bride of Christ and the gospel. I personally loved this background because it was a gentle yet powerful reminder of what the true purpose of marriage is.

The following chapters will then begin to walk you through everything from engagement, pre-marital counseling, bachelor/bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, reception and everything in between. As I said earlier it isn't a to do list, instead it is more a conversation about what they have heard about that works. One of the most fascinating concepts that they covered was called a reverse ceremony. The description was intriguing and I thought it could be particularly moving.

If you are a soon to be bride, mother of the bride, or even a mother and daughter that assume that you have a wedding in your future, I would recommend this book. It is a beautiful look at how we can honor Christ while committing to the one our heart loves.

About the authors:


Catherine Parks writes from home in Nashville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Erik, and their two young children. She has sung some terribly cheesy songs in weddings over the years, and gave one of the worst rehearsal dinner speeches in history to her college roommate. She blogs at cathparks.com.

Linda Strode is a pastor’s wife and has been involved in multiple aspects of wedding planning over the years. She survived the bridesmaid fashion horrors of the 70’s and 80’s and has quite a few photo souvenirs to prove it. Linda and her husband, Tom, live in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

The Giveaway:

We have partnered with B&H Publishers to offer one of our readers a copy of A Christ-Centered Wedding. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

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The Story For Children by Max Lucado ~ A Storybook Bible Review



Max Lucado, Randy Frazee, and Karen Davis Hill
Illustrated by Fausto Bianchi
Juvenile Nonfiction

About the book:

The Story for Children isn't just another collection of Bible stories--it's The Story--the big picture of God's enormous love for his children!

Presented by bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado with Randy Frazee and Karen Davis Hill, these forty-eight pivotal stories show how God has a great and grand and glorious vision, beginning with creation and ending with the promise that Jesus is coming again.

Each story is personalized with God's Message and accompanied by vibrant illustrations from accomplished artist Fausto Bianchi that help bring the Bible to life for readers young and old.



My thoughts:

It is always a delight to come across a resource that is far above the other offerings in that same category. The Story For Children is in that class. The book is downright hefty simply because it is packed so full of God's messages to His people.

Max Lucado, Randy Frazee, and Karen Davis Hill, have put together a publication that will aid you in teaching your child about the major themes of the Bible. They have chosen forty-eight of the pivotal stories from Scripture. Each chapter unveils an important truth. It is told in the iconic Lucado style, with words that paint pictures and bring about understanding to even the youngest reader or listener. I particularly like how at the end of each segment is a portion called God's Message. It is designed to show the reader that the story that was just covered has everything to do with our modern day lives. 

I must also comment on the artwork. The visions that Fausto Bianchi has put together are stunningly beautiful. They compliment the storyline so well by bringing the central truth being depicted to life. 

If you are looking for a new book to read and teach your children about the timeless message of the Bible, you really shouldn't pass this one up. It would make a great addition to any home and can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Connect with the author: 




Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas ~ A Contemporary Fiction Review



Appalachian Blessings, Book 1
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Contemporary Fiction

Back of the book:

In a Drought, It's the Darkest Cloud 
That Brings Hope

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor...until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.


READ AN EXCERPT

My thoughts:

My first introduction to Sarah Thomas' writing was her novella Appalachian Serenade. That story sets the stage for Miracle in a Dry Season. I was thoroughly enchanted by that tale and the characters. I couldn't wait for the release of Miracle in a Dry Season just to find out where the story was going.

The time frame is the mid '50s and the setting is the rural community of Wise, West Virginia. The main character is Perla Long. She's a young mother that has come to stay with her aunt and uncle to hopefully escape some of the nasty things being said about her in her hometown.

Perla is looking for a chance to start fresh with her daughter and she's hoping that is possible in Wise. Unfortunately small towns are small towns. Tongues begin to wag and speculations abound. The one person that Perla confides in begins to distance himself from her. A never married woman with a child is like a pariah in a pious church congregation.

Through a very dire set of circumstances the townspeople begin to realize that they need the gifts that God has bestowed upon Perla. The journey through the crisis is a heart rending experience for everyone. Casewell Phillips is attracted to Perla, but he just can't seem to get past the idea of her having a child out of wedlock. But as the days go on and he begins to submit to God's leading, he teams up with Perla to help the townspeople.

 Miracle in a Dry Season is a beautiful love story. It reminds you that God's ways are not our ways. Things that seem to be a stumbling block can easily be removed when God is in control. It is also a story about forgiveness. We're reminded that we are called to forgive just as we've been forgiven. That also pertains to forgiving ourselves and continuing on the path that has been set before us.

I look forward to reading more of Sarah Thomas' work in the future. If this debut novel is any indication of what her potential is, I'm betting we're going to be reading her novels for some time to come.


Connect with the author:

Photo Credit: © Kristen Delliveniri









A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson ~ A Weddings By Design Series Review



Weddings By Design, Book 4
Janice Thompson
Contemporary Romance

Back of the book:

She didn't expect to fall in love--but roses aren't the 
only thing blooming on Galveston Island

Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation. She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations. But her boisterous Greek family--especially her father--has other ideas. They've all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant located on the Strand--directly across the street from iconic pizza place Parma John's--and they want Cassia's full participation.

To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston's premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neeley, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family's faithful customers. Not exactly the best way to get into this former Rossi's good graces!

Still, at least Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop.

READ AN EXCERPT

My thoughts:

When I'm looking for a hilarious yet touching read I turn to Janice Thompson's work. She's sure to delight all of her loyal fans with this newest peek into the beloved yet wacky Rossi family. This time around there is a new family on the block. If you thought the Rossi clan was over the top, just wait until you get to know the Pappas family.  The Pappas family has moved to Galveston and set up their Greek restaurant directly across the street from Parma John's. Let the rivalry begin!

The storyline this time around centers on Cassia Pappas and her big Greek family. Cassia loves flowers and even went to school to learn floral design, but her father has other plans for her. He thinks she should be a good Greek daughter and stay and help run the family business, Super Gyros. In an impulsive moment Cassia applies for and gets a job at Patti-Lou's Petals. Unbeknownst to her at the time, the flower shop is owned by the rival Rossi family. The problem is she likes them and wants to continue on. How in the world is she going to convince her Babbas to give his blessing?

While I think you would benefit from reading the whole series and perhaps even going back and reading the beginning series, Weddings by Bella, you can just snatch this book up and read it on its own. All the zany characters are included and the shenanigans of the Rossi family are now being topped by the Pappas family. What more could you want for a lazy afternoon's entertainment?!! 

This story is full of fun. The characters are at times annoying yet moments later endearing. Once you begin reading about them you are going to wish you could meet them in real life. Or maybe you already have . . . after all don't we each have that crazy relative in our lives that we just can't live without? If you've got a quirky family that you love, I think you're also going to love the Rossi and Pappas families.

Connect with the author:






 


When The Game Stands Tall ~ Every Football Player, Parent And Fan Needs To See This Movie!


Drama
PG
Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min.

About the movie:

IT'S NOT HOW HARD YOU FALL, 
IT'S HOW YOU GET BACK UP

"Winning a lot of football games is doable. Teaching kids there's more to life? That's hard."
Coach Bob Ladouceur, from the movie WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL

The New England Patriots hold the NFL record with 21 consecutive victories. The Oklahoma Sooners set the standard for NCAA Division I football teams with 47 straight wins.

Then there's the De La Salle Spartans and their incredible 151-game winning streak. For 12 consecutive seasons, the De La Salle High School football team has known only the thrill of victories and the consistency of championships.

Yet all along the way—as he builds a seemingly invincible, record-setting national powerhouse—coach Bob Ladouceur emphasizes to his young men the value of purpose and significance over the glory of titles and streaks.

It's a formula that works year after year after year—even when everyone else only wants to focus on The Streak. As he tells his team, "Winning is just a way of keeping score for the days when opportunity and perfect effort meet."

With the excitement of becoming team leaders countering the pressure of keeping The Streak alive, a new group of seniors are ready to take over. But when real-life adversity leaves the team reeling, the Spartans must decide if the sacrifice, commitment, and teamwork they have always trusted in can rebuild what is now disintegrating around them.

Starring Jim Caviezel, Michael Chiklis, Alexander Ludwig, Clancy Brown, and Laura Dern, WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL is in theaters now. Find a theater near you.


My thoughts:

For the De La Salle Spartans winning had become a given. If it was Friday night then victory was only a couple of hours away. Eventually the winning streak surpassed the 150 game mark.

For years Coach Ladoucer (Coach Lad) had been instilling into his players that they were more than the game. Who they were off of the field was just as important as how they played on the field. He taught his men that they were a team. They learned to stand tall together. They learned to watch each other's back.

The unity on the team impacted the entire community. There were literally kids that had grown up at De La Salle who had never seen their team lose. But eventually cracks began to develop. Other teams began to accuse them of cheating. Players started seeking their own limelight and the hard earned unity was eroding by the minute.

The the day that they thought would never happen happened. The lost. They lost the game, they lost a player and they came very close to losing their beloved coach.

When The Game Stands Tall is a movie about winning. Not just a football game, but at life. The inspiration of the Spartans isn't really about how they managed to win so many games. What is truly inspiring is how they learned to stand tall together after they fell from their lofty heights.

If you're a player, parent or fan you need to go see this movie. In an age of sports scandals this movie will remind you that the game that we all love has the potential to impact our lives in a good way. When The Game Stands Tall is what football and team sports in general should be about.

"Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall!" ~ I Corinthians 10: 12



Connect with the movie:



Writer's Workshop ~ Funeral Sandwiches


2.) Share a favorite recipe from your childhood that you still make today.

Growing up in a southern family I've eaten my fair share of funeral sandwiches. After I married and moved away they kind of fell off of my radar. Funeral dinners often consisted of various casseroles but not the ones I grew up on.

I was recently reminded of them while I was at my son’s house after our newest grandson was born. A sweet family from their church brought over dinner and it consisted of what I knew as “funeral sandwiches”, a couple of bags of chips, a tin of chocolate chip cookies and a gallon of delicious sweet tea. Let me just say, southern people really know how to show their love!

Funeral Sandwiches are definitely for the living. They are the easiest thing to make and take to someone you care about. They are delicious enough to have at a special family gathering. And they are wonderful for an end of a crazy busy day meal.

So for your eating delight . . . here’s my Grandma Lillie’s recipe:

Lillie Mae’s Funeral Sandwiches

1 pkg of dinner rolls (She ALWAYS used King’s Hawaiian rolls, but Aunt Sally used regular rolls)
½ - 1 lb deli sliced ham
½ lb thinly sliced swiss cheese (we’ve also used provolone)
½ C melted butter
2 T brown sugar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2 T mustard (spicy mustard adds a nice kick)
1 tsp onion powder
(At this point Aunt Sally would add some poppy seeds. Grandma Lillie never would because they got in her dentures, not that she would ever admit to that!)

1. Split the whole package of rolls in half and lay the bottom half in your 13 x 9 pan.
2. Layer the deli ham over the top of the roll bottoms.
3. Add a layer of the swiss  cheese.
4. Put the tops of the buns back on.
5. In a bowl, whisk together the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and onion powder.
6. Brush the top of each bun with the mixture. Drizzle the remainder over all of it.
7. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 24 hours is really the best.
8. When you are ready to make them heat the oven to 350°. Bake the sandwiches covered for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes more.


There you have it! Now go make a batch or two for yourself or a friend. They are a perfect way to say I care. Just remember to put them in a disposable pan so the intended recipient isn’t burdened with washing and returning! (That’s the free momma advice coming out of me!)


Want to join in the fun? Choose a writing prompt from the list below. Write your blog post. Then hop on over to Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop and link up. We'll be looking for you! 

The Prompts:
1.) Something that spooked you.
2.) Share a favorite recipe from your childhood that you still make today.
3.) A blog post inspired by the word: ordinary
4.) Begin with “I thought I saw…”
5.) Tell us about a smell that reminds you of home.


My Mother's Future Husband DVD ~ A Fun Mother Daughter Chick Flick Night Idea and Giveaway!


Dove Family-Approved for all ages.
Not Rated
Run Time: 88 Minutes


Headly, a fifteen year old girl, feels her mother has been in mourning long enough and is determined to find her a new husband by summer.

Fifteen-year-old Headly and her mother, Rene, have more than just a mother/daughter relationship - since Headly's father died, mother and daughter have become best friends. When Headly experiences her first crush, she decides that her mother needs some romance in her life as well and devises a scheme to help Rene find love again.

In My Mother's Future Husband, Headly and her best friend introduce Rene to Andrew, a single dad with a four-year-old son - and sparks fly. Through it all, Headly and Rene learn that they must first deal with the pain of the past before they can open their hearts to the possibilities of the future.



My thoughts:

I just had the pleasure of watching this movie over the weekend. There was a lot that I liked about the film, but I do have a few reservations. Let me start with what I liked. The movie depicted a wonderful relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter. It showed the process of moving on after an appropriate amount of time of grieving for their husband and father. It also was candid on how hard the beginning of a new relationship, especially after a long lasting one can be.

There are some really great themes that run through the movie such as trust, not judging someone based on their looks, and how important open communication is in any relationship. Lots of good situations that can lead to some interesting conversations after the movie is finished.

As I said I do have a couple of reservations. While this is a family friendly movie I really think it is best suited to a mother-daughter chick flick night. The men in our house groaned a little too often for me to recommend it to the male audience.

The thing that I didn't really like about it is totally based on our personal parenting style. Headley is a very charming 15 year old girl. I enjoyed her character and thought her mother Rene was a loving and caring parent. But I didn't like that Headley was allowed to have a boy over to the house while Rene was gone. Even when you assume that parents are around it is okay for mixed company to be in bedrooms. Those are just no nos in our house. Let me say that nothing untoward happened or was even implied, I just didn't like it and wished that the scene had taken place elsewhere.

Beyond my reservations I say this would make a fun movie to view with your favorite girl. Pop some popcorn, curl up together on the couch and have a wonderful evening laughing together over a good clean film. (Then have a discussion about boys in the bedroom!)

The Giveaway:

We have partnered with Family Christian Book Stores to offer one of our readers a copy of My Mother's Future Husband DVD. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Wednesday, September 3, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

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Forever Friends Series by Sandra Byrd ~ A Great Set of Books for Tween Girls! ~ Plus A Giveaway!


Forever Friends, Book 1

Two girls each have friends, family, and crushes rooting for them. But they can't both win - someone must lose and disappoint those counting on her. 

Paige Winsome has always been in the shadow of her athletic brother and academic sister and, as a result, is often overlooked. She's committed money to helping stray animals before they are put down - money she does not now have.

Kate Kennedy, a pastor's daughter and only child, receives plenty of praise and attention for her voice, but her family struggles to make ends meet and must constantly accept others' charity - and put downs. She agreed to buy Christmas gifts for needy kids who will get nothing otherwise, but needs the funds to buy them.

No sooner do Paige and Kate meet and become fast friends than they discover they're competing for the same $400 singer/songwriter prize. Each girl sees this contest as an answer to her problem. Can their fast friendship survive the stress of competition? After all, only one can win ...

Forever Friends, Book 2

Is she making her mom happy, or giving her permission to die? 

Quinn Miller and her family are heading to Seattle for a six-week stay at Anderson House—a home away from home for cancer patients and their families—while her mother undergoes treatment. Once there, Quinn meets Annie, whose mom is also going through treatment. Each girl discovers that she has something special to share with the other, including Starbucks, shopping, and secrets about boys.

When Quinn reads her mother's teen-years diary, she comes across a list of things her mom has wanted to do before she dies. Quinn wants to help her mom accomplish all these things, but will doing so be giving her mom permission to die? 

Forever Friends, Book 3

There's nothing like helping in a super dreamy wedding to make a girl think about romance, best friends, and just maybe, her faith. 

Kylie Peterson and Rachel Cohen become fast friends when both are invited to help out with a wedding. Kylie's cousin Jed is marrying Rachel's cousin Davina, and Jed asks the girls to help with the flowers - in secret. It doesn't hurt that some cute guys are involved!

Kylie figures she was born a Christian, like the rest of her family, but maybe that's not actually true? Rachel is hurt—did her cousin Davina stop being Jewish when she became a Messianic believer? As the girls grow in friendship they uncover some remarkable truths, truths that will challenge their families, their friendship, and themselves.

My thoughts:

If you are looking for a great series for your tween girl, you can count on Sandra Byrd to deliver. Sandra's style of writing really strikes a cord with young girls. She does a great job of addressing tough subjects and letting the light of God shine through bringing about a needed hope in the face of dire situations. The beauty of her writing is that she also brings a lot of humor to the books which give them a nice balance of entertainment as well as depth.

I think it would be a great idea to read this series along with your daughter and then use it as a springboard for some very meaningful conversations. My daughter and I enjoyed many of Sandra's books while she was growing up. I am now eagerly anticipating introducing my grand girls to these thoroughly intriguing characters.

All three of the books are available in ebook formats from Amazon.

The Giveaway:



We have joined up with Sandra Byrd to bring you a fabulous giveaway! One of our readers will win an ecopy of the complete Forever Friends Series for their Kindle. Plus we are also including a Forever Friends necklace for your tween girl to share with her BFF. If you would like to enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. 

The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Wednesday, September  3, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

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