Congratulations to Lora Smith, our winner! Lora – you will be contacted via e-mail today for your mailing address. Thanks to all who participated!
Today we welcome our lovely Young Adult Columnist Nicole O’Dell as she features the newest release in the award winning series, A Charmed Life, by Jenny B. Jones:
Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes–Bella is one skinny mocha frapp away from total meltdown.
When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella’s keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple.
She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there’s no time for a relationship crisis when Bella’s doing her best to derail her father’s wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.
Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend’s ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle–or more to risk.
So Over my Head doesn’t disappoint as the third and final installment in the super-wacky and thoroughly enjoyable series starring amateur detective, Bella Kirkwood. The book opens to a page of endorsements, this one was mine:
“In So Over My Head, Jenny B. Jones hits a high note with her masterful ability to spin the most charming and clever sentences. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll shake your head in wonder at the wacky but believable situations in which Bella finds herself. Grab anything you can by this author! The Charmed Life series is a great place to start.”
That Bella cracks me up. Though most of us would never find ourselves working as a clown at a circus while investigating a mystery like Bella, Jenny B. Jones somehow makes the situation seem normal and totally believable.
But poor Bella suffers from severe insecurity in relationships as a result of her parent’s divorce and a cheating ex-boyfriend (see the earlier books in the series). Her relationship struggles are real to her, but they aren’t always grounded in reality. Let’s be honest, how many of us have let fears and assumptions cause us to jump to conclusions? Mm, hmm. Just as I suspected.
One cool feature of So Over My Head is an all-access pass into the mind of Jenny B. Jones. I know, scary . . . but it turns out to be perfectly safe. Periodically throughout the book, there are *asterisks* that lead to a blurb in the back of the book where Jenny shares with readers her inspiration or connection to a particular detail. FUN idea! If you like that little taste, you can dig even deeper into Jenny’s mind by following her Zippity Blog.
You should definitely pick up So Over My Head–actually, start with book one, So Not Happening, if you haven’t already read it. When you’re finished, you’ll be so glad the other two are available right away.
Coincidentally, Jenny was my guest on Teen Talk Radio last week. We had a great time talking about writing, books and teenagers. Check out the podcast at http://choicesradio.com Or subscribe to Teen Talk Radio on iTunes for free here.
Now for the really fun part! To celebrate the completion of the series, Thomas Nelson has graciously provided a fantastic giveaway just for She Reads readers. One lucky winner will receive the entire Bella Kirkwood series, So Not Happening, I’m So Sure and So Over My Head!
You ladies know the drill. Simply leave a comment on this post and tell me about a teen girl in your life that would benefit from these books. We will randomly draw the winner on Friday. Good luck!
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
My beautiful daughter would love this series. I believe that I would love it too – ahem – just saying.
thanks for the review and the chance to win
Good books that incorporate faith, that a teen can relate to, are so valuable in today’s crazy world. My young daughter would appreciate it!
My daughter Elin would loves these books. They sound great!
I think my sister-in-law (17) and I would enjoy these books!
I’m a teen. And I’m Jenny B. Jones’s newest biggest fan. So I’m going to be selfish and say I’m the teen in my life who would totally love these books.
this book would go to my friend Nancy
I love Jenny B. Jones’ books! If my name is chosen I would give the series to my young friend Danielle from church. She is a very talented sixteen-year-old who uses her dancing gifts/skills for the Lord. Just last Saturday she danced for our Ladies’ Day Brunch at church. She is homeschooled, and the sweetest girl around. I especially admire the way she loves and helps care for her younger brother who has some disabilities. I know she would enjoy these books. : )
I’m always looking for recommendations for my babysitter to read! Jacoby would love these.
I recommend Jenny’s books to anyone who will listen to me!!! They are wonderful!! Love the faith based approach~so necessary in our world today!!! Thank you for making this available!!! Know just the little granddaughter I would give them to (for her 14th birthday June 17) if my name were drawn!! Thanks for the opportunity!!!
I would like to share these with my step daughter Kassity (17), and yes I said “share”
My daughter is 8, but will be a tween/teen soon enough and would really enjoy this series…I know because I’ve read some of them
). These books have a great message for young girls and I’d much prefer my daughter to read this series vs. something else without such a good message.
I absolutely love Jenny B. Jones’ writing–she seems to have more respect for her audience than most other YA authors do.
I would love to have this series to send to my grand-neice (and namesake!) Alleson. She’s a brilliant girl heading into 7th grade, who is living a heartbreaking story. Just over a year ago, my neice packed up her things and abandoned her family, leaving Alleson without a mother. Since then, both Alleson and her brother have been “signed over” to their father, as their mother moves on from one man to another. I keep up with Alle on facebook, and she’s putting up a tough little front, but I know she’d like to have a spot of joy over the summer.
My best friend is eighteen and about to start college. We both love Jenny B. Jones. Caitlin’s (my bestie) actually the one who introduced me to the series with the first book, which she borrowed from another friend. After we read that one we both agreed we just HAD to get the next ones, unfortunatly, we’re both as broke as a couple of piggy banks the week before prom. She uses her money on gas and cell phone and car insurance and paying for her car (isn’t she so very responsible)… And I use mine on….well I don’t really have any to begin with. I’m just trying to finish high school before the end of 2010(I homeschool)
So point being…. I’d love to give her a really special gift before she starts college. She’s been the best friend imaginable, and I’d really appriciate it.
My daughter Kea loves to read and would enjoy the series!! Please enter me!
Thanks!!
My daughter loves to read. With all the negative things out there that our teens have to face…This would be a positive way she could spend her time with such a great series. Thanks~
My daughters would both love to read this series! Thanks for providing an opportunity to win these wonderful books.
My daughter Molly is 12. We have looked everywhere for books that are appropriate for her to read. So, excited to hear about this series! Thank you!
Very cool series!
My daughter is 15 and an avid reader. It is so hard to find good books for her that have a positive message and are not afraid to let the message focus on God and His teaching. Maggie would certainly enjoy these books from beginning to end I know by summer’s end she’ll have read these books somehow!!
My wonderful 15 year old daughter, Kayla, would love these books! We both love the Jenny B. Jones blog and I love her books!
My daughter would love these. She loves to read fun books like these
My niece is a avid reader, as am I. How enjoyable it would be to have some God focused boods for her to read, that are fun and enjoyable. My own daughter will be in her teens before I know it, what a great chance to get see what the teens are reading these days.
My daughter is 14. She loves to read, but she also loves to spend time on the computer. I would love for her to have something worthwhile to read. I plan for both of my girls and myself to do some reading this summer. I’m so glad that I signed up for She Reads and get to see what good books there are–and wonderful authors! Thank you.
My 14 yr old daughter would love this …she is an advid reader … Getting new books especially from an author new to her is always a welcomed surprise!
Would love this for my beautiful “tween” niece who’s just learning the joys of reading and learning how to love Jesus. Since I don’t have children of my own, I feel a special desire to speak love and fun and encouragement into her life, and great books are an awesome way to do it!
I would love to get these for my daughter. She likes to read and also I like to get her books that have good values in them to help her get through different hurdles she faces in her life. I would also lend them to my nieces as they face troubles in their life that these books could help.
Thanks for the chance to win the books!
Pick me! Pick me! My teen daughter and I often share books, usually I show her the “golden oldies” while she finds new ones. This really sounds like a good series, very Nancy Drew ; )
My friend and I love these books! We share, and it be great to have all of them:)
My niece and daughter would love this set!
My dd is 14 and needs a great series to read this summer! What a fun surprise it’d be for her…and an esp nice change after just finishing Scarlet Letter!
I might just have to read them, too!!
Jeannie
My daughter is always reading. I usually find a book on top of her in bed and she’s fast asleep. I think she would love this series.
I’m always on the look out for more positive books for my tween to read. My daughter, Hannah loves to read. She also has older friends and is constantly faced with daily challenages to stand up for her faith.
I would love this series for my daughter who is at such an impressionable age and could benefit from some good wholesome reading
My daughter has begun her journey of faith recently and is an avid reader. She is looking for fun, faith filled books to fill her time.
Thank you for taking the time to produce just a god centered product.
ooo!! Me! Me! I’d benefit! ;D
I would love to win a great series for my daughter to read this summer! This author sounds wonderful and I will have to check out her books.
This would be a great read for any teen. I have a 15 year old grandaughter that would love to have this we could both read them.
Shirley
I would love these for my daughter!
My daughter loves to read and would enjoy this so much! Thank you for your consideration.
We just started a mother/daughter book club for my daughter and her friends, and this series would be a great one for them to read together this summer!
I have a tween that will be a teen. Learning responsibility that applies to; family, friends, and society is something I think as a parent is something that is invaluable (teens need to learn and parents need to teach.)
My niece just loves to read (as do I) and she would absolutely love this!
My 12 year old daughter LOVES to read and is at an advanced reading level. It is so hard to find books that hold her attention, are positive and appropriate. Thanks for your books.
My daughter would love to read this series. She loves Christian fiction. Thank You!
These books really seem like a fun read that also tackle some real life issues. My daughter is 14 and always has her nose in a book. She LOVES to read and I’d love for her to read this series!!!
I have just now read the reviews and synopsis on these books and would love to win them. I know of a teen that LOVES to read that has been recently experiencing anxiety & depression. I would love to give her books these books that look fun to read and incorporate solid faith.
Thank you
My daughter Caitlin just loves to read. She reads in the car after I pick her from school. She can’t wait to finish her homework to be able to read some more. I know she would love to read these books. She is at the age that is faced with many challenges of being a pre-teen. Thank you very much.
My 14 year old daughter loves to read. She has several Christian series books about young girls and especially loves books that are series. A series always means looking forward to the next book instead of saying goodbye to the characters. This would be a great addition to her bookshelf : )
I have 3 daughters (12,10 and 9) and they all LOVE to read. Its such a challenge to find appropriate books for them. This would be a great addition to their library.
My niece is turning 15 in June. She is such an amazing girl and a true witness to her friends! This would make an awesome birthday gift for her!!