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 daughter, Brooke, is 14 years old and would love to read these books.
I have 2 teen daughters that could benefit greatly from these books. Thanks for the chance to win. Susan
These books could be such a blessing to my Lindsay.
I am so proud of my granddaughter Brittani. She is 13 and takes her walk with CHrist very seriously. She is faithful to our church and the Youth Group. This past Spring she went to a Purity Rally and she took the oath of purity that night and she witnesses to all her girlfriends at school and really walks the walk that she talks. She loves to read good christian writing and I would be so honored if you chose her for the books you are giving away.
Thanks and God Bless
Debbie Cox
Two daughters who love to read. Thanks
I am blessed with a most amazingly grounded, spiritual teenage daughter who reads anything she can get her hands on. I am striving to keep her supplied with good, wholesome literature this summer. I would love for her to read/win this collection!
Thanks and God Bless! =)
My teen girl loves to read and passes the books on to her friends when she is finished. We are always on the lookout for good reads.
I have twin daughters, 15 years old….talk about the ups and downs of life-
They would benefit so very much from these books- especially with summer break beginning soon!!!
some days I feel like just hiding under the covers all day to avoid the dramatic productions
I am about to become the stepmom to two wonderful teenagers. They can both use positive christian role models. The youngest loves to read so I am praying this is an avenue for bringing Christ into her heart.
My daughter is 11 and may be to young for this series, but she loves to read and is about to start her summer reading! I’d love to find some Godly fiction for her to focus on that’s appropriate for her age.
Both my daughters love to read and your books are the perfect summer read.
These would be perfect for my little sister Hannah 15 years younger than me, I’ve been buying her books for years prereading them of course, and have past along my love of reading to her, she’s now 16 and I pray that I continue to have an impact on her life.
Would love to win these books for my daughter! She used to be an AVID reader and just doesn’t find a lot that interests her now (and not many mainstream books I WANT her to read). I think these would be great and that she may get that reading bug again and that would be something we could share again too. I am never without a book to read. Thanks so much!
My niece would definitely benefit from encouraging and wonderful reading!! Thanks!
My girls and I would love to read these books. Is this how we enter to win?
I’d love to win these for my 13-year-old daughter. She is not much of a reader, but every now and again a book really draws her in, and this sounds like just the sort of book that could pull her away from the TV and other distractions and transport her to a comfy chair on the back deck. I love discovering Christian authors who are new to her and helping her “get hooked” on them! Plus I think my younger daughter (who reads EVERYTHING, like her mother) would love these as well.
I have two teenage daughters who read and I would love to give them this opportunity to read something that is worth reading. Thanks for the chance! I know that whoever wins this will be blessed~
My Rachel is almost 14. She loves Jesus and wants to follow and serve him. We are always looking for good books that are appropriate for her to read. Hope she wins.
My sweet wonderful daughter would LOVE this “The Charmed Life” series. She is always digging for good Christ-based books to read that are in her age bracket … thank you for this opportunity.
I have a 18 year old daughter that could benefit from these books, she needs something to inspire her Christian walk that is wavering right now. I hope she wins. Thanks and Blessings
Sounds like an awesome book. My daughter is an avid reader and needs a great book for summer!
my 13 daughter has been through alot the last few years. her dad and i divorced and her dad hardly sees her. he doesnt even call. she excapes by reading, she likes to read mystery books the most. i know she would love these books and i would like to read them with her as well. thank you!
My 15 year old daughter will read whatever she can find, but unfortunately, there is not much to find that is encouraging, challenging, and INTERESTING for her age. We’d love a chance to dive in to these books, and pass them on to friends also.
My 16y/o daughter makes it a point when she reads books (& she constantly has her nose in one! lol) that they have Christ-like values in them. I’m so happy that she has Biblical values that reflect what we have taught her while home-schooling and in Sunday school. I have no doubt she and her 15 y/o sister would love to read these.
Have a beautiful Godly 14yr old who was the only one in our family who wasn’t a incredible reader. Finally got her a teen christian novel and she was hooked. Now we search for those books that show other teens that are using God’s word in their daily life to encourage my daughter. I cant wait for Claire to be able to dive into these books this summer. I know they will bless her. Thank you for writing and promoting books like this that I can with confidence allow my daughter to read along with her time in the best book – the bible.
God Bless a grateful mom
I have a daughter headed to middle school in the fall she would love this.
I would love to win this for my niece- she struggles with peer pressure and could really use a good solid foundation like that which is found in these books. Thank you for all that you do!
I would love to win this for my 11yr old daughter. I have tried finding books by Christian authors for her to read but it is hard to find many a our public library. I have let read some of Karen Kinsbury Red Glove series and she loves them, but not so sure about the others…so I think this would be fantastic for her to receive…
My daughter loves to read and is so vulnerable to what is out there to read, I would love to see her read good stuff.
I have a headstrong Granddaughter. Her name is Elizabeth (she goes by Liz.) She loves to read and I believe books such as these will help forge her spirit in becoming more Godlike. Thank you.
Hi! I would love to submit my niece for a chance to win! I’d love to introduce something other than a vampire story to her circuit! Thanks!!
My daughter doesn’t go anywhere without a book – this sounds like a great author to get her interested in! Thanks!!
My cousin just turned 16. She was born legally blind and deaf, but has been such an inspiration in my life. My aunt and uncle (her parents) are amazing, and have really raised her well. She not only attends a regular county school, but is on the swim team, and enjoys many other activities. She loves to read, and has also participated in Braille competitions. I don’t know if you have the set in Braille, but I think it would be amazing if she could have this set to read. Now that she is 16, I think it is important that she can stay grounded in Christ, and anything that can be entertaining and Christ filled at the same time would help. I pray that not being able to get her license will not become a void in her life that brings her down, but that she can fill her time with Christian activities and friends to help her get through this confusing teenage time block.
I have a 12 year old daughter who loves to read, and I know that she would just love your books!
thanks!
I have two daughters and five nieces that would love to read these books. Mine are a bit young yet, but my 16 and 13-year-old nieces love to read and have a heart for the Lord.
My childhood friend’s daughter, Melissa, would love to read this. Please enter me. Hope it is open to Canadian readers! Thx…
My younger sister loves this author, and I don’t think she’s read this particular series. I’m sure she’d really enjoy reading them.
I think my 15 yr old would love this series. She’s an avid reader and wants to be a writer. I’ve been unemployed for 18 months and as a single mother would be so blessed by winning the series!!! I’ll be praying!!! Thanks!
My soon to be thirteen year old daughter loves to read. Always looking for age appropiate things for her. Thanks for the chance.
Her name is Karissa. She gave up on God the day her brother was killed in afganistan. I’ve tried to help her every chance I get… Ive helped her stop cutting and even got her to come to church with me a couple times…. But some of the kids at my church, I’m ashamed to say, completly shunned her and were totally rude and even gossiped about her… She has refused to come back to church with me and has even taken to calling me a “bible thumper” every time I even mention anything church related. I really want her to be able to see that believing in God does not make you a bible thumper. I want to see her in heaven and at the rate we are going now that isn’t a possibility…. I know that she’ll love these books as much as I do and I know that she needs them way more than I do… Thank you for giving me this chance to let her see that she can still reach for the stars even though her brother is gone.
I would like to add this series of books to the library at Heritage Christian School in north central West Virginia. We are always looking for a good read that will appeal to our older students.
Hmm… a teen girl in my life…Oh wait! I AM a teen girl!
This series has been on my list to read for quite a while now, and I would love to see them on my shelf in the near future!
would love to have these for my blossoming daughter! She loves a good read! Sulphur Springs, TX
Would love to enter our two soon to be teens. One is always reading and we are trying to encourage the other one to read more. I don’t know what we would do with the younger of the two, as she always has her nose in a book everywhere she goes. These books look like they would be such a blessing to them both.
I have a grand daughter that loves the Lord and loves to read. As a matter of fact, she is always reading. What a wonderful series for her to be reading and loving the Lord at the same time.
OHHHHHH! This book sounds great! I’m always looking for good godly books for my girls to read. What a disappointment our libraries are for my family. Even their reading program offers poor selection as prizes for reading over the summer. Thanks for creating good books for young ladies!
My daughter is an amazing young lady. She gives so much of her time to help with her special needs brother, volunteer as a mentor for Special Blessings for children with/siblings of special needs. She loves to read and has a creative side of her own. Above all she loves the Lord! This would be a wonderful gift to her.
my dd needs some fun christian content in her reading.
I know of a couple of teens, who would LOVE LOVE to read this series! (However, I must admit that I will read them first, then pass them along if I win
My daughter is in 8th grade and has worked in her school library for the last 2 years. Next year she will be moving on to high school and we would like to donate this whole set to her middle school library so that other girls can enjoy them like she has!