Team Novel Teen Blog Tour: The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O'Dell
Sixteen-Year-Old Olivia Mansfield Dreams Of A Land Far, Far Away...
Olivia Mansfield can’t wait to escape the confines of her home, which promises nothing but perpetual torment and abuse from her stepfather while her mother turns a blind eye. She dreams of being accepted into a prestigious music school far, far away. . .but until she graduates from high school, Olivia must make the best of her dire situation.
When poor choices lead her to the brink of a complete breakdown and she finds herself dealing with the unexpected death of her best friend, Olivia comes to a crossroads. Will she find the path to ultimate hope and healing that her heart longs for? Or will the demons from Olivia’s past prove too much to bear?
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This is not the first book I have read from this wonderful YA author. But so far it has to be my favorite. Nicole has such a connection with teen girls and it comes out in her writing. Olivia reminds me of so many teen girls in her actions and her desires. The struggles she has within herself to do the right thing or do what will "make it all go away" are things we all face at that age and beyond, if we are honest.
Diamond Estates is a wonderful place filled with caring people. What a great concept that should be implemented all over this country to help lost teens. I loved the fact that it was a community of people that helped get the center started and kept it going with prayer and support. I also loved the fact that the girls dealt with real life situations. It wasn't painted over. Things were hard and needed to be faced head on. And each one had to deal with things instead of letting someone else do it for them, in most cases.
It shows us how each person has their own burdens and hardships. Things that we have gone through or are going through that sometimes even seem impossible to live through. But it also shows us that we are not fighting against things of this world, not even the person that is doing terrible things to you. We are up against Satan and his evil forces. In order to battle that we must call upon a force much greater than ourselves. Without Jesus we cannot hope to win the battle or the war.
It shows us how each person has their own burdens and hardships. Things that we have gone through or are going through that sometimes even seem impossible to live through. But it also shows us that we are not fighting against things of this world, not even the person that is doing terrible things to you. We are up against Satan and his evil forces. In order to battle that we must call upon a force much greater than ourselves. Without Jesus we cannot hope to win the battle or the war.
I think this is a great book to share with teen girls in your life. I also think it is a great book to share with women of any age who have a desire to reach out to teens and might be looking for avenues to do that. What an awesome thing it would be if women all over this country joined together, with their spouses and others in their churches, to start places like Diamond Estates to help teens find Christ. Share this book with someone this year! It will be worth every penny!
(This is a re-posted review for our Team Novel Teen Blog Tour.)
(This is a re-posted review for our Team Novel Teen Blog Tour.)
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Want More:
Her Website: http://nicoleodell.com/
Her Blog: http://nicoleodell.com/category/a-blog/
Girl Talk: http://nicoleodell.com/category/girltalk/
Teen Talk Radio: http://www.choicesradio.com/
Series Description:
Diamond Estates: Three girls are on a journey to find hope and healing. Each coming to Diamond Estates seeking solace...Each with her own unique set of struggles...And each capturing hearts and challenging the faith of teen girls.
The Wishing Pearl, Book One 2011
The Embittered Ruby, Book Two 2012
The Shadowed Onyx, Book Three 2013
Scenarios For Girls, Interactive Fiction
Dare to Be Different (Truth or Dare and All That Glitters) 2011
Risky Business (Magna and Making Waves) 2011
Swept Away (High Stakes and Essence of Lilly) 2011
Girl Talk: 180 Q&A (for Life's Ups, Downs and In-Betweens) 2012
About Team Novel Teen: We are a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Lost in Dreams by Roger Bruner by clicking on the links below, and check out the Team Novel Teen page for more information.
Girl Talk: 180 Q&A (for Life's Ups, Downs and In-Betweens) 2012
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About Team Novel Teen: We are a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Lost in Dreams by Roger Bruner by clicking on the links below, and check out the Team Novel Teen page for more information.
See what the Team had to say about The Wishing Pearl. Click on each link to view their blog post about the book.
My Life with a Mission • ADD Librarian • Audacious Reader • The Book Fae • Book Nook 4 You • Bookworm Reading • Colorimetry • Gillian Adams • Jill Williamson • Katie McCurdy • The Librarian’s Bookshelf • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • Terri Harr • Virtuous Girlhood
My Life with a Mission • ADD Librarian • Audacious Reader • The Book Fae • Book Nook 4 You • Bookworm Reading • Colorimetry • Gillian Adams • Jill Williamson • Katie McCurdy • The Librarian’s Bookshelf • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • Terri Harr • Virtuous Girlhood
Thanks so much, Terri!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Nicole. It is an awesome book and I look forward to the rest of the series!
ReplyDeleteTerri - wonderful review! I loved reading about Diamond Estates. It was such a neat place. I think it would be awesome to be involved with something like that!
ReplyDeleteI do, too! It would be an awesome opportunity. Wish someone would start it! We could all jump in and help!
ReplyDelete:-) What a fun review!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Terri! I remember attending Girls of Grace, which was a conference put on by Brio Magazine and Point of Grace (the band). They had a speaker there from Mercy Ministries, which is a program similar to Diamond Estates. I thought about the Mercy girls all while I read this book. It's a wonderful book. I can't wait to read the next two!
ReplyDeleteJill
What a great review! I think your right and there needs to be more places like Diamond Estates to help those in need. The issues in the book did need to be handled and were realistic but not graphic which I really appreciated. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteTeen challenge also has some places like that--many of them are more clinical, but there are some residential places. In fact, I went through a program at the residential center when I was a teen. :)
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