Young Adult | Phyllis A. Still

Review of Time Sniffers by C. S. Lakin

Posted on May 22, 2017 by phyllisastill Leave a comment

Enjoyable Science Fiction for Teens

I enjoyed this fast-paced story and made an immediate emotional connection to Bria and her Autistic brother Dylan who are dealing with the loss of their mother.

Bria doesn’t believe her mother is dead. Acting on her gut feeling, Bria enlists friends from her science club to help her figure out what went wrong with the lab test that disintegrated their mother’s building. Recreating the experiment blows a hole in the basement wall and in comes the loveable, doglike Sniffer. The adventurous teens go through the hole and risk all to help Bria find answers.

Lakin did an amazing job capturing the chaotic mind of teens trying to solve problems while sorting through feelings and logical facts. Lakin allows Bria to be a scientific, practical-minded girl who also has the real emotions and hormones of a teenager. The romantic element is a plus in my opinion and balances the heavily detailed physics.

I’m please to recommend Time Sniffers (Shadow World Book 1), and believe teens will enjoy this novel.

There were a few errors in the free version I read, but the well-developed story and wonderful character development have garnered my 5-star rating.

Purchase on Amazon

Defiance on Indian Creek Trailer

Posted on February 24, 2017 by phyllisastill

Defiance on Indian Creek

Unwritten Melody Blog Tour Stop

Posted on November 14, 2016 by phyllisastill Leave a comment

A warm East Texas welcome!

I’m happy you stopped by for today’s blog tour featuring, Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall.

After reading the story blurb and my review, click on the link to enter a chance to win her awesome prize pack! Learn about Tessa and follow her blog tour schedule to learn more about Unwritten Melody.

Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall

Does breaking free require breaking the rules?

Cassie Gilbert lives every day in the shadows of her deceased mom’s rebellion. But now that she’s seventeen, she finds herself longing to break away from her grandmother’s suffocating rules, experience what it’s like to be a regular teenager, and fulfill her songwriting dreams.

James Russo, former American Spotlight contestant, escapes to small town Willow Creek, SC hoping to flee from his tarnished past. When a school project pairs him with the shy principal’s granddaughter, he’s determined to get to know this Emily-Dickinson-obsessed and typewriter-using girl. His plan? Convince Cassie to co-write songs for his demo album.

As Cassie gets to know James over “project meetings” (more like opportunities to match her lyrics with his melodies), she becomes intrigued by his sense of adventure and contagious passion for music. But soon, his past becomes exposed. Cassie’s left to wonder—did she make the same mistake Mom did by falling for the bad boy?

Then, Grandma’s control pushes her over the edge. Cassie must choose between remaining in the chains of yesterday, or delving into her own freedom by completing the melody her mom left behind.

Book Links:

My Review

Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall has a gentle pace, but a strong emotional impact that will inspire young adults to hold on to hope and follow their dreams.

Readers will be drawn to Cassie’s desire to break free from insecurities, live a normal teen life, and fulfill her dream—to write inspiring songs. However, her overprotective Grandma has kept Cassie on a tight leash too long. Cassie struggles to find the courage to stand up to her.

In walks James Russo, teen idol finalist on American Spotlight. Why has he enrolled as a student at Cassie’s small private school?

When a teacher pairs the two for a school project, painfully shy Cassie is sure Grandma will nullify the partnership and save her from humiliation. But sometimes God’s plans come with unexpected twists.

In this sweet Young Adult Romance secrets are uncovered, hearts break, but faith, hope, and love remain.

This story is a poignant reminder of how young people struggle to know their relevance and need those special someones to say FLY!

Never stop following your dreams Tessa! Thank you for allowing me to share in the release of Unwritten Melody.

The Giveaway

Enter for your chance to win the Unwritten Melody Prize Pack! Two winners will be selected and announced on Tessa’s blog the final day of tour (Friday, December 9^th) and will be notified via email.

This prize pack includes…

E-copy of Unwritten Melody
Signed paperback copy of Purple Moon
Unwritten Melody mug, filled with goodies
Unwritten Melody swag, including a bookmark, pen, and poster
Starbucks mocha flavored instant coffee
Free Unwritten Melody: Page-By-Page Secrets PDF
Handmade journal
Typewritten thank you note

*This giveaway is open to the US only.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

About Tessa

Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic YA fiction to show others they’re not alone—and because she remembers the teen life like it was yesterday (or a few years ago). The debut novel she wrote at 16-years-old, PURPLE MOON (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) was a Selah 2014 Finalist. Her second novel, UNWRITTEN MELODY, releases with Clean Reads November 2016. She’s the Founder of PursueMagazine.net, a magazine that inspires teens to embrace their calling. Tessa also enjoys helping writers achieve their dreams through her internship at Hartline Literary Agency.

When her fingers aren’t flying 116 WPM across the keyboard, Tessa can be found making healthy homemade lattes, speaking to teens, decorating her insulin pump, and acting in Christian films. She writes in a small town nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Southeastern coast. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website.

Connect with Tessa

Follow the Blog Tour Schedule

Don’t miss the next blog tour stop! Be sure to visit the following blogs on its designated tour date. You can also email tessaemilyhall (at) gmail (dot) com and request to receive the Blog Tour Packet. At the end of the tour, Tessa will send you the downloadable PDF that will contain all of the content from each blog tour stop.

Tues., November 1 – Christ is Write

Wed., November 2 – Adriana Gabrielle Writes

Thurs., November 3 – The Depth of My Faith

Fri., November 4 – Sarah Ruut

Mon., November 7 – God is Love

Tues., November 8 – The Bibliophile Angel

Wed., November 9 – Emily Rachelle Writes

Thurs, November 10 – Word Changers For His Glory

Fri., November 11 – Christian Teen Book Reviews

Mon., November 14 – Phyllis Still

Tues., November 15 – In The Bookcase

Wed., November 16 – Girl Meets Publishing World