Category Archives: Teen & Young Adult Contemporary

Part of a Series, Sweet Romance, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #ya #partofaseries Dear Emilia (Love Notes 8) by Danielle Keil

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Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Skye Turner came close to having one, but considering she and her boyfriend, Andrew Del Marco, had been dating for a week already, she couldn’t take it.

So she decides cheat the Secret Admirer system and divert the teal envelope to someone else.

Emilia Rosemary is just like every other girl when she gets her envelope— shocked.

But the envelope isn’t from a real Secret Admirer. It’s from Skye, posing as Emilia’s crush, Chase McNeill.

Skye and her friends develop a plan to have both Emilia and Chase surprised with the big reveal at the Homecoming dance.

But when Chase learns the truth, will the plans be ruined?

Will Emilia be upset when she finds out her friends deceived her?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62837531-dear-emilia

Amazon https://amzn.to/3wMHX9Q

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book her is my honest review

Dear Emilia,
our sweet girl with her nose in a book and pencil in her hand, for someone so smart yet so not willing to open up and let your feelings be known don’t worry we got you
Love Us…….
Emilia was the brains of Ryder High too smart for her own good but wanted to have someone who made her just as happy as the others around her. Well, our girl is in luck when she finds the famous teal envelope on her locker will she be able to find her admirer before the month is up or will she be embarrassed when it comes out who is behind the envelope. This proves just how far a friend is willing to go to make their friend a happily ever after. But the journey will surprise you, how it ends will have you swooning, and always remember the follow the second star to the left and straight till morning, will Wendy and Peter get their happy ever after? after all you just need faith trust and can’t forget the pixie dust.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
She also is a fur mom to their Corgi, Cozmo, who loves barking, mud, and peanut butter.
Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

Enemies to Lovers, Fairy Tales, Part of a Series, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #YA #seriesstarter Protect Me Not (Tangled Web 1) by Danielle Keil

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At Fairview-Teller High, light mixes with dark. Good with evil. And heroes with villains. But there’s a reason students call it Fairy Tale High. They’ll get their happily ever after– even if they have to fight for it.

Popular girl Jessa is caught off guard when the school bad boy—the guy she hates—moves into her house temporarily.
Not knowing how her friends, or the rest of the school, will react, she keeps her new housemate a secret.
Though Jessa loathes Adam for humiliating her at school last year, the more they’re around each other, the more her hatred starts to wane.
And when Adam kisses her?
She doesn’t hate it—or him.
But it does ruin everything.

Tropes:
** enemies to lovers
** forced proximity
** modern day fairy tale retelling

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87375990-protect-me-not

Amazon https://amzn.to/4aacayi

Review by Twinsie Dee

i bought this book here is my honest review

Welcome to Fairy Tale High well not really but that’s what everyone calls it. You have the queens, wolves, kings and of course a beast, everyone has their roles a d they know how to stay in their own lanes. Jessa got stuck with Adam for a present or fail project and when he didn’t show up to class, she failed and weeks later she still hasn’t let it go, it’s the only time she’s failed at something, and it wasn’t even her fault. Jessa’s dad wanted her with Jay who is from a powerful family and wanted them to rule the kingdom together, but Jessa isn’t having any of that. Jessa wants her own happily ever after even if it’s with someone her dad probably won’t approve of. this queen is her own hero and maybe with the right guy by her side she can truly do good. this was such a cute great story with a plot twist you might not see coming. who will truly rule the kingdom and how will it all play out.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
She also is a fur mom to their Corgi, Cozmo, who loves barking, mud, and peanut butter.
Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

Part of a Series, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #YA #partofaseries Dear Spencer (Love Notes 4) by Danielle Keil

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Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Spencer Matthews assumes the Secret Admirers game is on pause, since it’s June and school is out for summer.

Then a teal envelope with her name on it arrives in the mail. Spencer is eager to play, but her Secret Admirer makes her work for her clues by playing a trivia game app he created.

Her spreadsheet of suspects is color coded, and Spencer is confident she knows who her admirer is after only the first two clues.

But something goes wrong, threatening the future of the game.

Will Spencer be able to continue playing?

And if so, will her guesses still be right?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61209842-dear-spencer

Amazon https://amzn.to/45rImtZ

Review by Twinsie Dee

Last day of school at Ryder High. Spencer is now a senior, the student body president, and life couldn’t get any better than this. She was ready for her part time internship at her dad’s law firm during the summer. So, you can imagine her surprise when she seen the famous teal envelope was mailed to her and not found on her locker like most girls find them. Also, it was the summer did the game normally go on during the summer? Spencer was just all-around shook, why would she get picked she didn’t have time for a relationship, but she would accept, she loved trivia and games so why not. Spencer was sent a link to a trivia game app, and this would be how she would get her clues to who could be behind this app. Will Spencer guess the correct answers, and will her spreadsheet be able to help her figure it out or will she be completely wrong for the first time. Happy Summer let the game begin.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
She also is a fur mom to their Corgi, Cozmo, who loves barking, mud, and peanut butter.
Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

Part of a Series, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #YA #partofaseries Dear Jade (Love Note 3) by Danielle Keil

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Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Jade Rose knows. She just doesn’t care.

The Secret Admirers game goes against every feminist notion she stands for. It’s old fashioned, misogynistic, and too mainstream for her.

That is, until she gets a teal envelope. And finds out that she and her secret admirer have a few things in common already.

Her acceptance may have been accidental, but when the clues start coming in the form of movies to watch, she gets sucked in quick.

Will Jade and her friends be able to narrow down their list of suspects and figure out who is behind the camera?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60911464-dear-jade

Amazon https://amzn.to/3qtzwND

Review by Twinsie Dee

A new month at Ryder High and a new secret admirer has left his mark. this time with Miss Jade Rose the one who isn’t afraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself, she didn’t need a guy, she was honestly fine by herself. So, to Jade’s shock when she seen that teal envelope on her locker but unlike the other girls in school, she wanted no part of any of this, so she took the letter off her locker and added an N so now it looked like Jaden was the it girl. To Jade’s shock the next day she had another envelope on her locker from her admirer, and he isn’t ready to take no for an answer for Jade. Jade gives in and figures why not have some fun, movies, mystery, games and she’s planning on not letting anyone help her, this mystery guy has a thing or too coming of her thinks he can win Jade over this easily.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
She also is a fur mom to their Corgi, Cozmo, who loves barking, mud, and peanut butter.
Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

baseball, Part of a Series, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #YA #partofaseries Dear Kerri (Love Notes 2) by Danielle Keil

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Everyone at Ryder High knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

But for Kerri Thomas, it’s not quite the moment she was waiting for.

Busy with school, friends, and volleyball, she doesn’t know if she has time to play along and figure out who her Secret Admirer is.

The clues send her on a wild scavenger hunt, proving that her admirer knows her better than she expected.

But none of the clues give her hints about the guy.

Kerri has a team of suspects, including her friends on the baseball team, but narrowing it down is near impossible without more information.

Who could be Kerri’s secret admirer, and why isn’t he revealing anything about himself?

Will Kerri be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together to figure it out?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60729309-dear-kerri

Amazon https://amzn.to/44Vql7P

Review by Twinsie Dee

Kerri was just another girl at Ryder High shocked to find a teal envelope on her locker. she was the chosen one, who would pick her. she was the tomboy whose life revolved around volleyball, school and hanging out with her best guy friend Austin. but once Auston found out that Kerri was accepting the invitation he gave her the cold shoulder not wanting anything to do with it. Kerri goes on this crazy scavenger hunt around town finding clues to hopefully figure out who this guy is. She has the whole month of April to do so will she be able to figure it out or will she be the first one to fail. Ugh I’m loving this series each one gets better and better. 2 down 8 more to go.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
She also is a fur mom to their Corgi, Cozmo, who loves barking, mud, and peanut butter.
Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

Mystery, Part of a Series, Standalone, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA

#wotr #attendingauthor #YA #seriesstarter Dear McKinnon (Love Notes 1) by Danielle Keil

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Everyone knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month.

Everyone except new girl McKinnon Gregory.

The envelope is the start of a monthly tradition called the Secret Admirers, and something McKinnon never thought she’d see.

To her surprise– and everyone else’s– the teal envelope is taped to her locker on March first.

McKinnon only has one month to figure out the clues. But she barely knows anyone, which makes it infinitely harder to determine her secret admirer’s identity.

Will she figure it out before the month’s over?
And if she does, will the guy she’s fallen for through letters be just as amazing in person?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60527972-dear-mckinnon

Amazon https://amzn.to/3qjN9iu

Review by Twinsie Dee

McKinnon was the new girl at Ryder High, she has been homeschooled for her life, and finally when her dad had to move for his job her mom didn’t have time to get the right paperwork and gave in to letting her go to public school. one day McKinnon found a teal envelope in her locker and her bestie Skye started flipping out the first of March meant that a new secret admirer was chosen and he got to pick the person to play their game, if they choose McKinnon was so confused she was the new girl why would a guy pick her , well she was up for it and will she be able to figure out her admirer is before the end of the month or will she quit the game before the month is over.

Danielle Keil grew up and spent the majority of her life in the Chicagoland area. A recent transplant, she is enjoying the Mississippi life, especially the pool in her backyard.
Danielle is happily married for over 10 years, and has two young children, a daughter and a son, who are exact replicas of her and her husband.
She also is a fur mom to their Corgi, Cozmo, who loves barking, mud, and peanut butter.
Danielle’s love language is gifts, her Ennegram is a 9w1, and she loves everything purple.
The way to her heart is through coffee, chocolate and tacos (extra guac).

Review, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, Writers on the River Attending Author, YA, Zombie

#WOTR23 #Review Zombie Survival for Foster Kids (A Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Adventure) by L.C. Mortimer

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Zombie Survival for Foster Kids: A Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Adventure by [L.C. Mortimer]

Surviving the zombie apocalypse is tough.
Surviving foster care is even tougher.

14-year-old Lamech Eris has been in foster care for the past three years and is about to be reunited with his dad when the zombie apocalypse happens.

Now he’s trapped in a house with his foster mom, Madison, and the only way to get to his dad is by going directly through the city.

Too bad it’s filled with the undead.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I feel sort of weird saying this since it is a zombie book, but this is a great “feel good” story. I really enjoyed the fact that it is told from a different perspective, the caseworker/foster mother and the foster child. The real part of the story is being able to love and protect a child that is not yours. Even though the undead are walking the streets, the foster mother tries to move heaven and earth in an effort to reunite the father and son. Lamech is a great kid and even with the insanity going on, he and Madison lean on each other to make it to the end. It is an interesting and quick read. The ending is tied up nicely but could go on with a continued journey. Either way, I definitely recommend this one!

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L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

Fantasy, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, YA

#Review – The Immutable Pact – Clara & Damien (Book 3): Delta Underground Operatives by Sarah Noffke

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The Immutable Pact - Clara & Damien (Book 3): Delta Underground Operatives by [Sarah Noffke]

Who knew that it would be voodoo that saved the world?

Clara and Damien know exactly how to take down the most sadistic man—Taz Kiera.

But that doesn’t mean it will be easy.

Actually, it will involve solving a series of complex riddles, hunting down magical items and risking their lives.

Oh, and employing a dark magic that could burn out their souls.

Luckily, Damien doesn’t have one as a vampire.

However, he is quickly learning he will do anything to protect the soul and heart of his partner, Clara Jordan.

Who knew that fighting evil would make two people fall in love?

But love also complicates everything!

Can this duo do what it takes to take down a power so fierce it could destroy humanity?

If they do, they win.
If they don’t, then everyone loses.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Voodoo, love, and….poltergeist? YUP!! And so much more! This might be my favorite of the series, just saying! This entire series has been quite fun, especially the banter between Clara and Damien. Opposites do attract! There is a rollercoaster of events that takes both of these through a series of “side-quests” in order to get to the big boss at the end. The best part is that these side-quests take each of them through a learning experience. It takes both of them out of the comfort zones to a point that they get super uncomfortable, but get some really great, and somewhat strange, takeaways. The shenanigans that they find themselves in will keep you turning the page to try and figure out what could possibly happen next. While I love Clara and Damien’s story and would enjoy continuing to follow them, I feel that this was the perfect ending to this part of their journey. I truly hope that Ms. Noffke finds some other story to insert these two in because a cameo would be amazing! And to the author, Sarah, THANK YOU for keeping me entertained!! You rock!

Author Logo

Sarah Noffke is a prolific USA Today Best-Selling Author, who writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. Most of her stories draw on her experiences living on the West Coast, growing up in Texas or traveling the world.

Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected–like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.

Noffke’s books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.

To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com

For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide

Dystopian, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary

#Review – Isle of Pieces: Episode One (Isle of Pieces YA Episodic Series) by Chrisina L. Rozelle

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Isle of Pieces: Episode One (Isle of Pieces YA Episodic Series Book 1)

Join Flick and Tinsley in their icy quest for truth amidst the raging fury of a post-apocalyptic ice age.

What secrets lie buried in the snow?

Will they make it to Gaia’s Gate, the last environmentally encapsulated place on Earth, or will they freeze to death at the doorstep?

As I sit here writing now, the sounds of distress and fear on repeat, the naivety of our boyish selves is apparent. We were led here by the promise that leads everyone else as close as they can get to the Great Gaia. The promise that someday, if we work hard enough, sacrifice enough, and of course, get lucky enough, we will be granted Asylum. That we’ll see the sunshine from the last environmentally encapsulated space on the planet. That we’ll know what it’s like to lie in green grass, to smell flowers and taste the Earth. We all want to believe that we won’t just die here in the cold.
-Lt. M. Flick

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

This is a thrilling first episode in a dystopian world that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. There are two teens from completely different areas. One stuck in a frozen landscape just trying to make it to Gaia’s Gate. The place where everything is supposed to be better. The other, leading a completely different life going to pageants and what not. Nothing is what it seems. I have a feeling that when they end up where they are meant to be and meet, things are going to explode! It is a quick read that will suck you right in and keep you wanting more.

Author Logo

Christina L. Rozelle is the author of the bestselling YA Dystopian Scifi series, The Treemakers Trilogy, which includes her groundbreaking debut, “The Treemakers,” and its sequels, “The Soultakers,” and “The Seeker’s Keys.” Hailed for its strong, believable, and relatable characters, original and complex plotting, and phenomenal world-building, The Treemakers Trilogy appeals to lovers of dystopian literature who are looking for something refreshing and new.

Rozelle’s writing roots sprouted with poetry and prose in countless journals in her early years, continuing through her tumultuous teenage years, and well into her turbulent young adult life. Though her younger self dreamed of scribing non-fiction and poetry someday, when she discovered the magic in creating fiction she never looked back. Overcoming countless obstacles of her own, the wisdom gained along her personal path through healing breathes life into her beautifully dark, yet hopeful tales of triumph. Filled with an array of emotional triggers, not many topics are off limits in her works. Rozelle’s exceptional storytelling dives deep into the survival and growth journeys of diverse, broken characters and unlikely heroes. Authentic, gritty, intricate, and wildly imaginative, her stories also offer hope—a light in the dark—as her characters discover their own inner strengths and worth in the midst of debilitating adversity.

If you’ve enjoyed any of her books, you can thank Christina by leaving an honest review of any length on Amazon.

Fantasy, Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi, Shifters, Suspense, Teen & Young Adult Contemporary, YA

#Review – The Reluctant Assassins – Clara and Damien (Book 2): Delta Underground Operatives by Sarah Noffke

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The Reluctant Assassins : Clara and Damien (Delta Underground Operatives Book 2) by [Sarah Noffke]

Werewolves are the worst.

Especially a lone one…

Clara and Damien know they must bring down a rogue werewolf to get to his boss.

Taz Kiera must be stopped.

The mentalist has gone too far—abducting coma patients, siphoning their powers and abusing magic.

But to get to him, the unlikely pair of assassins are going to have to kill a rabid werewolf.

That won’t be easy, but it’s definitely going to be entertaining.

Vampires love killing werewolves.

Empaths don’t like hurting anyone.

But together, Clara and Damien must stop this evil before it goes too far and harms too many.

Can this duo join forces to stop a power so fierce it could destroy humanity?

If they do, they win.

If they don’t, then everyone loses.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

What a mindbender! Wait, mind melder is probably a better description. Clara is literally taking her mind on the riskiest journey ever and Damien can only be there to support her. Clara and Damien have had a moment to rest, but now it is time to regroup. Clara is struggling with the fact that she killed someone. Even though they were awful and that person didn’t care about life, Clara is still bothered by it. Damien can feel this, and he is unsure of how to actually help Clara. The longer these two work together, their connection, from the puddle and simply by being friends, grows so much stronger. This story really comes to life as they are working together like never before. Watching each other make sacrifices for each other and for the good of all humanity, is extremely humbling. They have to stop at nothing to stop Taz from siphoning power from the coma patients. This journey brings planning to an all new level and there is no more just letting things happen. There is plenty of action and tons of witty comebacks for our favorite duo, that will keep you completely invested in this story. Now, I am impatiently waiting for the next book. Thank you Sarah for keeping me entertained!

Author Logo

Sarah Noffke is a prolific USA Today Best-Selling Author, who writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. Most of her stories draw on her experiences living on the West Coast, growing up in Texas or traveling the world.

Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected–like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.

Noffke’s books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.

To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com

For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/