Fallen Leaves by Tessa Emily Hall

~Saturday Stories~

 Selena couldn't be happier about staying longer at Lake Lure and attending the Art Academy. Yet problems keep following her. The competition at her school seems unbearable, especially from Renee, who seems bent on not only winning her competition but doing it with Austin. Selena can't in the least figure out what her relationship with Austin is, anyway. Are they dating? Friends? Casual acquaintances? And then her mom is planning on graduating the rehab program earlier than planned and moving right back to New York, to the exact place and job where a lot of her problems were caused. With all this happening, the almost-peaceful feelings Selena has now seem unstable. Selena can see only one way to fix things: Reunite herself and her mom with her long-lost father and brother.

 In Fallen Leaves, Tessa Emily Hall writes a complex, intriguing story of a girl longing for acceptance. Although at times I felt annoyed by Selena's slow, peaceful, unhurried moments I felt extremely interested every time her long-lost family was brought up. Hall did an excellent job at that narrative, making the story both suspenseful and something everyone can empathize with. Slowly, Selena learns to trust God with whatever plan He has, even if it means having to be patient or even getting a "no."

This is the second book, following Purple Moon. For more on Tessa Emily Hall, visit her website, Facebook page, and blog.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Giveaway: Tessa Emily Hall's Coffee Shop Devos

*Giveaway alert*

A lot of fun stuff has been happening for authors that I love, and I just have to share it.

1) One of Tessa Emily Hall's books has just released. Congratulations, and welcome to the world, Coffee Shop Devos! I have not read it yet, but I have read three of her other books (Purple Moon, Unwritten Melody, Fallen Leaves). They were all very good. And now I have this one too, and I am excited about it.

2) Jill Williamson recently had a cover reveal for the last book in a series that is ABSOLUTELY GREAT. I have loved each book and novella I have read so far: The New Recruit, Chokepoint, and Project Gemini. I cannot wait to learn more about Spencer's adventures. The Profile Match comes out October 15th - so soon!

3) Nadine Brandes has also just had a book cover reveal for her book Romanov, a historical fiction about the famous Anastasia. I am very excited to see how she dives into Russian culture. This comes out much later, in May of next year. Why, oh, why?

Aaaaand... here is the giveaway!

I am giving away one print copy of Tessa Emily Hall's Coffee Shop Devos to someone within the United States.

Rules:
- Follow at least one of the three authors I have mentioned in this post on either Facebook or Instagram
- Then just comment below which of the three you have followed and if you have read anything by these amazing people
- Winner will be chosen randomly October 13th


Links:
Tessa Emily Hall: Facebook, Instagram
Jill Williamson: Facebook, Instagram
Nadine Brandes: Facebook, Instagram

Hope you guys enter, and good luck!

In Between by Jenny B. Jones

~Saturday Stories~

Katie Parker is terrified of living with her new “picture perfect” foster family. But when your mom is in prison and you’ve been in a home for girls for six months, you do not really get to pick. Settling into In Between, Katie’s choice of friends quickly makes everything hard for her. Will she be able to survive the year without getting a mug shot? Can she help her foster family address serious questions instead of always pretending to have it all together?

In Between is quite a fun novel. Katie has an amazingly sarcastic voice that I absolutely loved. Still, the novel addressed serious questions. Katie tries to free herself from her mom’s legacy and is quite disappointed with herself when she fails every once in a while. She also deals with other people judging her because of her mom’s history and her own previous school offenses. Her foster family also deals with family issues, making their daughter’s story into a secret and arguing about it. 

I loved that the book showed the struggles of Katie’s foster family, even though they lived a picture-perfect life and had a strong faith. Throughout the series Katie is told many truths about God, but she is not sure about it all yet.  

In Between (currently free via kindle) is the first in the Katie Parker Production series. The rest are On the Loose, The Big Picture, and Can't Let You Go. 

For more on Jenny B. Jones, visit her website and Facebook page. 

I'll Find You

~Monday Movies & Music~

Lecrae and Tori Kelly made a song together this summer! It is absolutely beautiful and encouraging, and so I present to you: "I'll Find You."

"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

   a stronghold in times of trouble.

  And those who know your name put their trust in you,

   for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:9-10 (ESV)

How about you? What is something that has been troubling you?

His love, your love

~Saturday Stories~

"The most important thing that you must understand is that God loves you both. The Bible says that He cares about you so much that He even has the very hairs on your head numbered." - Megan, The Masquerade

"Oh, dear God, please help your children. Please hold them in your hands. Please feed them and show them how much you love them. Amen." - Caitlin, It's My Life

"The most important thing we can do is to love God (and others too), but we need to love God more than anything (more than our family or friends or even our own lives!). Now, loving God may sound simple enough, but it's not that easy to love him above all else." - Caitlin, Becoming Me

How about you? Do you know that God knows and loves you? Do you love God more than anything else? Do you love others?


There is a poll on the left sidebar that I would love if you checked out. It's about how often you think I should post, something I have been thinking about lately and would love your opinion on.

Please help (a prayer)

~Saturday Stories~

Dear God,

My thoughts are scattered. 

The to-do list is huge.

I don't know what I'm doing.

I haven't been reading

The Bible consistently.

You still hear me, though, right?

I don't have too much time

Left with my family.

I feel so torn. Again. Again.

I feel so happy sometimes 

Then I cry in the bathroom

Because there is a lock there  

Dear God,

I have nothing figured out

No matter how hard I try

Please help

I know you are with me

You hug me so tight

Even if I don't see it right now 

And in the middle of my ache 

You will never leave 

Thank you. I can't thank you enough

How about you? Have you ever felt utterly helpless? How has God made His presence known to you lately?

There is a poll on the left sidebar that I would love if you checked out. It's about how often you think I should post, something I have been thinking about lately and would love your opinion on.  

I did what?

A Little Announcement 

What's up! I am so excited to share with you guys that I ... started my own YouTube channel!!!

I have been wanting to do so for a good long while, and this acting contest by ActingIsLitMyLife has given me the urgency to finally do it. By the way, the results of this contest are coming onto her channel on the 28th, so don't forget to stop by and check it out!

About two months ago, I told you guys about making Christian playlists, and I am so happy to be adding more to my channel. I'm hoping to talk about:

- Christian media: books, music, and movies (because they can be amazing)
- Scripture (and how it does still apply to our lives)
- College life (and trying to stay sane and failing)
- Monologues and acting videos (because maybe dreams can be goals, ya know?)
- Miscellaneous, as in, I have no idea yet. Any ideas anyone?

So there you go. A new video is coming this Monday. I hope you share in my excitement!

How about you? Do you have a YouTube channel? Did you know how much work it would be before you started it (joking, but not really)? What's something you've been working on lately? Please do share!