Always and Forever by Karla Nellenbach

Always and Forever...

as per Amazon

Mia's first reaction is outright disbelief. Obviously, a mistake has been made. Sixteen-year-old girls don't die. But, when the diagnosis is confirmed, she dives headlong into anger. If she has to die, why should it be of cancer? In fact, anything would be preferable to cancer. Better for her to say when, where, and especially how.

Determined to meet death on her own terms, Mia devises scheme after scheme to get the job done. A “fall” down the basement stairs, driving her car off a bridge, and even a dance with a train all end in her survival.

And through it all, Mia keeps her family and friends at arms' length with her destructive and hurtful behavior. With each failed suicide attempt and burned relationship, she slowly realizes that it’s not the dying that she’s afraid of, but the life she’ll be leaving behind. Now, that life is in a shambles. As time begins to slip through her fingers and death is upon her, Mia fights to rebuild the bridges she has destroyed, but can she do it before the clock runs out?

I need to preview my review of this book by saying Karla and I have built a relationship through Twitter and Facebook that includes snark, sass and  sarcasm.  In fact, we don't know how to relate to each other in any other way.  I actually count her as one of my good friends.  What does that say about me.

Okay on that note, this book slayed me.  From the beginning.  My emotions zig-zagged all over the place.  I got angry for Mia.  I got angry at Mia.  And then I got mad at Karla.  You'll have to read the book to find out why.

Always and Forever. Those words mean something different when you have been diagnosed. For the second time.

Karla Nellenbach takes us on a journey in her debut novel with a cast of characters that stay with you long after you have turned the last page. Showing us that the ties that bind do really last a lifetime, even when your lifetime isn't as long as it should be. 

By the way, you will need Kleenex with this read.  Have you read it?  Did you love it?  Hate it?  Tell me. 

SEND by Patty Blount

Send...

Book description as per Amazon...
 
It's been five years since I clicked Send.
Four years since I got out of juvie.
Three months since I changed my name.
Two minutes since I met Julie.
A second to change my life.

All Dan wants for his senior year is to be invisible.  This is his last chance at a semi-normal life.  Nobody here knows who he is.  Or what he's done.  But on his first day at school, instead of turning away like everyone else, Dan breaks up a fight.  Because Dan knows what it's like to be terrorized by a bully - he used to be one.

Now the whole school thinks he's some kind of hero-except Julie.  She looks at him like she knows he has a secret.  Like she know his name really isn't Daniel.

Okay, I may be a little biased but I really loved this book.  I think Patty doesn't something with the study of bullying as seen through the eyes of the bully.  This is such a hot topic of debate right now, as it should be, and she handles it brilliantly.  Dan is still just a kid.  Sometimes self-deprecating, but always honest with himself.  Something he learned the hard way.

You can read my Amazon review here.

One of Patty's good friend's even created a video for the book, which you can check out below. 



Did you read it?  If so, did you love it?  Tell me, I want to hear what you think.

  
  



      

BookHungry Gal Pals Published

Yesterday I mentioned some great things had been bestowed upon me in the past year.  They have.  And I promise to share.  

But first.

Two from our BookHungry clan have been published.  

You heard right.  

PUBLISHED!!!!

I am so proud you would think that I had some helping hand in this.  

I didn't.

But in the meantime I really want you to check them and their incredible stories out.

Patty Blount and Karla Nellenback!  

You can find Patty's website here and Karla's here.  Check back over the next couple of days as I give you the lowdown on their debut novels.        

I'm Back

After a total years hiatus on the blog I am back.

Go ahead, shoot the fireworks.

What have I been doing?

Quite a bit.

Things have changed drastically in my life in the past twelve months.  Some good, some better.  Too much to enumerate here for you in one little blog posting.  Never fear, I feel the need to share with you guys again and really, that should be all that matters.

The blog itself is about to change.  As you may or may not have know, my earlier focus had been strictly on writing.  And I have learned my about my craft in the last twelve months we have not been together.  I successfully finished two books (to be queried later) and have had some great success with helping out some of my more social media challenged friends with blogs, twitter accounts, successful Facebook page launches and eve some web site design.  

It has been exhilerating.

In the coming months you will be still getting the same Kelly approved content as before, I have just decided to not limit myself in topic.  That is only one part of who I am and not even the most important or exciting.  So buckle up and get ready, it should be an amazing ride.