Trading Secrets Book Review

SUMMARY:  The truth may set you free - but it might also land you in some uncomfortably hot water.
     Over the years, Micah Knight has exchanged many letters - and many secrets - with her longtime Amish pen pal, Zach.  But Micah's kept quiet on the biggest secret of all - the fact that despite her name, she's a girl.
     Now Micah finally has the chance to meet her pen pal face-to-face.  She wants nothing more than to experience life on Zach's Amish farm, but she's more than a little anxious.  Will he be angry at her for deceiving him all these years?  And will she risk losing his friendship to find something more?

REVIEW:  Let me first say, this is a teen novel.  Since I have a teenager, I wanted to see if this would be something she might be interested in.  This is not the typical novel I usually read.  There were a few things I read that raised my concern.  Even though Micah and Zach had communicated for years through letters, they had never talked on the phone or met in person.  Micah's dad lets her go to visit Zack, taking a bus BY HERSELF and didn't seemed that concerned.  He is not in contact with her except for an occasional text message for a week while she is at a stranger's house.  I also was concerned at the portrayal of Zach's parents.  I know not all families, even the Amish, aren't loving and supportive but reading how these "godly" people treated their son didn't set right with me.  I guess I just like everyone to be happy and loving.  This book was okay and I was disappointed.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books, including the Dating Games series, the Life at Kingston High series, Double Take, A Simple Song, and My Amish Boyfriend.  She has received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice.  Melody and her husband live in Oregon.  Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

My Amish Boyfriend Book Review

SUMMARY:  Shannon's summer just got a whole lot more . . . Amish?
     Shannon McNamara has exciting plans for the summer - getting her driver's license, a job, and more - and she can't wait to dive in.  But her ill mother has plans of her own:  to relocate them both to the heart of Amish country in Ohio where she has relatives who can help her.
     Turns out a "simple" life is actually a lot of hard work.  But when a hot young Amish guy named Ezra enters the picture, Shannon's ready to get an Amish makeover and even consider making it a permanent change.  Will these plans come crashing down around her too?  Or can she really make the jump into a whole new way of life?
     Teen favorite Melody Carlson brings fan another surprising story of world - and families - colliding.

REVIEW:  Having read a few of Melody Carlson's young adult novels (along with quite a few of her ones written for adults) and my interest in Amish novels, I was curious about how this story would work out.  Shannon's care and concern for her very sick mother was touching.  She tries her best to take care of Anna even after they get to Ohio.  But once they moved in with Shannon's grandparents, some of the relationships starts moving too rapidly and some just seemed strange.  When Ezra comes over to return something, Shannon falls immediately head over heels in love with him.  They declare their love for each other the next time they meet, and then things start getting a little "too friendly" between them.  Very soon afterwards, Shannon considers becoming Amish.
     Also, even though Anna's parents love their daughter, they seem very distant towards her.  They don't want to give Anna her medicine and are resistant about taking her to the doctor when she takes a turn for the worse. 
     The time Shannon and Anna are in Ohio, to me, seems odd.  It's hard to describe.  I did like how Anna's health was a big concern for the new doctor and how she was able to help Anna get better.  The best parts seemed to be before they left for Ohio and while they were at the hospital.  The story in between just seems forced and strange.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books, including the Life at Kingston High series, the Dating Games series, Double Take, and A Simple Song.  She has received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice.  Melody and her husband live in Oregon.  Find out more at www.melodycarlson.com. 

A Simple Song Book Review

SUMMARY:  From Amish country to Hollywood, Katrina Yoder is in for the ride of her life!
     Katrina Yoder loves to sing, but her strict Amish parents view her singing as vain.  Still, Katrina's best friend, Bekka, is convinced Katrina is good enough to try-out for American Star, a televised singing competition that Bekka has been secretly watching.  Katrina has a good voice, but really - try out for a TV show?  Her parents would probably disown her!
     But when her family faces a crisis, it seems to Katrina that the competition might be the way to get the money needed to cover the emergency expenses.
     How will Katrina handle herself as an Amish teenager out in the world?  Is she truly good enough to win?  Will her parents ever forgive her? And will she be accepted back into her community when it's all over?

REVIEW:  I love Melody Carlson's books and was intrigued with the idea of an Amish teenager singing on American Star, a show very similar to American Idol.  As she advanced through the parts of the show, I liked how Katrina did not compromise her beliefs and tried to stay true to her upbringing, even dressing more conservatively that other contestants or than the stylists liked.  At the end of the story, I also liked how Breezy and Tyler saw the pain and suffering being away from her family and community was affecting Katrina and stood up for her during a live show.  The Zooks, an Amish family that lives within the city, were very supportive of Katrina.  I liked how they even offered her and Aunt Alma a place if their community shunned them. 
     Now, I thought the ending left a lot to be desired and a LOT of questions unanswered, even questions listed in the summary on the back of the book.  Did her parents find out she gave them the money for her Daed's surgery?  Even though Cooper accepted Katrina's return, did her family and the rest of her community?  What happened when Aunt Alma returned to the community after staying with Katrina in Hollywood?  Did the surgery correct her Daed's back pain? 
     This book has a great storyline and I can't wait for my 11-year-old daughter to read it.  I just wish it was a little longer and answered the rest of the questions that the story raised.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of ore than 200 books, including The Jerk Magnet, Never Been Kissed, and Double Take.  She recently received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice.  Melody and her husband live in Oregon.  Find out more at www.melodycarlson.com.