Category Archives: Young Adult
Book Review: Two Houses (Verona College Book 1)
Rich Boy, Poor Girl
By GG Collins Copyright 2024
Given this story has unfolded during each generation, even before the writing of Romeo and Juliet, Two Houses has taken this time in everyone’s life and made it all the more poignant and introspective. Told from the viewpoint of each character, in the capable hands of M.G. Cobbett, makes it an intimate read from start to finish.
Todd Steadman II and younger brother Jessie live in the neighborhood of Hawthorn Hill. Their father is chief constable in Beswick Stanton. It is the first day of school at Verona College and we immediately learn that Todd has broken off with his girlfriend Tamara Lewis, also “affectionately” known as Tampon Lewis.
Recognized for his bullying, Todd directs his attentions on Carmel Edwards. Boys used to pull girl’s pigtails when they were interested in dating her, but Todd chooses the fine art of bullying to pave the way to a date. He may not always get what he wants. His father has big plans for him including who he will marry. And he goes to absurd lengths to insure it happens; even controlling the boys’ cell SIM cards.
“I have warned their single mother that she is to keep her trash away from you or face the consequences. Last warning. I won’t have it.” – Todd Steadman, Sr.
The “trash” are Carmel and Penny.
For Jessie, the artistic one, he must live with the knowledge he is his father’s least favourite son and maybe isn’t loved by him at all.
Carmel and her sister Penny live – as we have come to call in the US – on the wrong side of the tracks. Their mother is raising them alone and Carmel has taken it upon herself to help out her mother with meals and housekeeping duties and works part-time at a petrol station. The sisters’ relationship of support and love is beautiful reading.
As the story unfolds, the boys’ mother Norika Fujimoto, who lives in Japan tries to intervene, but will she be successful? Read these soulful pages to find out if anyone gets their happy ending. You won’t want to stop turning pages.
Available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CG4PR6W3 and in the UK https://tinyurl.com/bdfkj3fb
Book Review: You Wish by Mark Scott Piper
Make a Wish!
Review by G G Collins Copyright 2022
High school still sucks in this well-written, fast-paced YA by Mark Scott Piper. You Wish is a book for anyone, even if graduation day exists only in your rearview mirror.
Jake Parker contemplates his lot in life, “A freakin’ nobody.” So it would seem. He sits in a “pile of rejects” while waiting his turn at bat on the baseball field. It’s the same with the girls at his school. They don’t know he’s alive. And why would they? Jake still rides a bike. With nearly two years to go before he can drive, he and best friend Lester make do in Santa Necia. And to end on a high note, his parents are now divorced.
Lester and Jake have a tree house that once passed as their secret pirate ship but having outgrown their yo-ho-ho days, the two renamed it The Snark in honor of the boat built by Jack London. They sometimes play out seafaring fantasies but guard against one of their classmates catching them fearing total humiliation.
One day while exploring the Old Addison Place, a once beautiful Victorian house now in ruins and about to be demolished, Jake finds an old ship’s lantern. His life is about to change, but will it for the better? While polishing the lamp, Jake wishes he had a pizza and abracadabra one appears on his bed.
This plunges Jake into a moral dilemma about how to best use the remaining two wishes. The boys consider the possibilities from making them all rich to world peace. Just when Jake needs it, a new friend appears on the scene. Ben Ackyack, who may be in line to inherit the Addison Place, has parked his dilapidated trailer on the estate property and befriended Jake. Little does Jake know what an important part he will play.
Ben throws a wrench in the plans for the Addison property. So much so, the police begin checking him out. Trouble is, he appears to be devoid of a past. As Ben is arrested, Jake pulls out the lantern and makes his second wish. I won’t ruin it for you, but it’s something that’s caught on video. Reporters and the FBI swoop down on Santa Necia, infiltrating every aspect of Jake’s family life. The FBI even presents Jake with a demand from the President of the U.S. regarding the third wish.
Looking for advice, Jake turns to Ben. He counsels Jake telling him he will recognize when the time is right for the third wish, “It’ll be whatever you really want. Don’t worry, you’ll know.” And when the time comes, and it is a desperate moment, he makes the right wish.
Book Review: Without Notice by G G Collins
New Review of YA novel “Without Notice”
“G.G. Collins grabbed that young voice and ran with it for an impressive, winning read, perfect for any age!”
Click on the pic for more reviews
To buy, click on the cover.
Review by Dianne of Tome Tender.
***** At thirteen, Courtney has faced the death of her mother, moving across the country with her father and sisters and now a true reality kick in the heart, her father has a girlfriend, who may be more than just a friend. Out of sorts, out of her element and wanting to be able to talk to her mother, she is caught up in a tsunami of guilt, fear, insecurity and betrayal. How could her father find someone to replace her mother so soon, if ever? Determined NOT to like Silky, Courtney will discover that when she needs a mother figure the most, an unlikely ally comes to her rescue like a mama bear protecting her cubs.
WITHOUT NOTICE by G.G. Collins was a most fabulous surprise! She takes us into the heart and mind of a teen in pain and clearly not equipped to deal with everything life has been throwing at her. The emotional maturity of a young teen is so fragile, caught between being declared an adult and not quite allowed to be a child, and G.G. Collins grabbed that young voice and ran with it for an impressive, winning read, perfect for any age!
Highly recommended for teens, who will understand and adults who forget what it was like to be so young and vulnerable!
Publisher: Chamisa Canyon Publishing (April 15, 2018)
Publication Date: April 15, 2018
Genre: YA Fiction | Coming of Age
Print Length: 87 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
My thanks to Dianne for her review.
Teen & YA New Book “Without Notice”
New Teen Book “Without Notice” by G G Collins
From the author of “Flying Change,” an equestrian novel for teens and up.
Click on Book Cover to Buy at Amazon. A #KindleUnlimited e-book.
Courtney’s life turned upside down when her mother was killed by a drunk driver. Now, they are moving from Minneapolis to her father’s hometown in New Mexico, where he will run an art gallery. Older sister Francine is heartbroken because she has to leave her boyfriend behind. Younger sister Toby just misses Mom.
One thing is particularly disturbing: her dad’s friend Silky. He says they know one another through the gallery, but is that really all? It seems she is always interjecting herself into their lives. Courtney, who is a good cook, took over cooking meals for the family, but lately Silky’s even intruding there. Silky is a terrible cook, but her father eats everything she prepares and compliments it. Being a teen is hard enough, but she doesn’t want a blended family. Courtney’s conflicted emotions cause her to say hurtful things to Silky, and then regret them. She tries to cope with feelings of loss and the need to move on.
Courtney and Francine hatch a plan to sabotage Silky; but soon Francine has found a new boyfriend leaving Courtney alone in the effort. All the while, Silky is trying to make friends with the family. She invites Courtney to tweak her cooking skills with the promise of teaching her how to make pottery. Drawn to Silky’s tales of Native American artists and their search for the best clay, Courtney grudgingly listens even as her interest grows. Silky’s stories are full of intrigue and clandestine journeys to collect clay under cover of darkness. During one of her pottery lessons, Silky shares a painful story with Courtney. Loss does not play favorites.
She meets Audrey, the girl next door, and immediately strikes up a friendship. Audrey is an outspoken know-it-all with a sense of adventure that is infectious. She takes Courtney on new experiences including the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. She and Audrey attend a mass launch which is unlike anything she has ever seen. Courtney is spellbound watching the hot air balloons. Unfortunately, Audrey has a dark side. She makes a mistake that challenges their newfound friendship and threatens Courtney’s delicate relationship with Silky.
Despite her resentment about moving, thirteen-year-old Courtney discovers this strange new city with its brown houses, Pueblo architecture and ancient stories to be as mysterious as it is beautiful. Even as she resists, Santa Fe casts its spell.
#Free This Weekend 2/24 & 2/25/2018
Flying Change Free This Weekend Only
Click on the book to try it free.
This Young Adult novel has been in the Top 100 of its category since publication last summer.
If you’re a horsey girl, or even a horsey grownup girl, you can try it free this weekend (begins at midnight). If you enjoy, please consider writing a short review. Molly and Pepper will appreciate it too. I’m always grateful for readers who take the time to review. Thank you for reading.
G G Collins
GG Collins Mysteries 
You must be logged in to post a comment.