Fifteen Minutes - A Review

Zack Dylan can sing and sing well. When he seizes an opportunity to audition for the hit show, Fifteen Minutes, he takes it. He is determined that he can win and save his family's horse farm. Despite misgivings from those who love him - his family and girlfriend - they do offer him their support. Zack is determined to live out his Christian faith in front of the cameras. But when the producers keep trying to push him towards another contestant and to silence his outspokenness of his faith, will he let it happen? Will a taste of fame cause him to lose sight of who he is?

What can I say about this book? True to classic Karen Kingsbury style, she has written a story that will engross her readers. But like her last several books, this one also deals with fame and fortune. I miss the days when she would write stories that had me in tears. Stories that changed lives. I'm not saying that for some people that this book may be life-changing. I'm saying that for me, the story seemed the same as several of her other books. Just change the names and the settings.

Things I liked about this book -
1. The realness of Chandra, one of the judges.
2. Seeing one of the other judges, Kelly, realize the direction her life was taking.
3. Reese - Zack's girlfriend.

Things I didn't like about this book -
1. That Zack found the little things ok to compromise on. For me it made him seem like he was conforming.
2. The entire storyline of seeking fame. Yeah that didn't sit well with me. It seems that she's been so focused in her last several books in talking about the Hollywood lifestyle that I feel she's lost a connection with her readers.
3. I'm not a fan of the singing shows, so I don't know if this really happens or not. But I found that the scenes set on the show were harsh to the contestants and to the readers. It was like the judges/producers didn't care that they'd just crushed someone's dreams.

I had little to no expectations for this book when I started it. So in that aspect, I wasn't disappointed. But I was disappointed in the fact that this book didn't feel as deep as her others. It felt very much like a formula. I'm sure that there will be readers who love this book and it will be the best one they've ever read. I'm not one of them. I'm sorry.

As a longtime fan of Karen's, I'm sorry, but I'm done. I'll reread the ones of hers I've loved over the years, but I will not read her new releases anymore.

I received the Kindle version of this book for free from Howard Books via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to like the book or to write a positive review, just to give my honest opinion.

Recommended to (I don't have a problem recommending Karen's books) fans of contemporary fiction, Karen Kingsbury, Katie Ganshert, JoAnne Bischof

Rating - 2 stars. I debated about this a lot. I went back and forth in my head. It's not a 3 star. It's more of a 2.5 star.

The Chance - A Review

At the age of 15, Ellie Tucker's life is forever changed when her parents' marriage falls apart and her father moves her from Savannah, Georgia to San Diego, California. The night before she leaves, her best friend, Nolan Cook, convinces her that they should write letters to each other, bury the box, and open them together 11 years later. Their reasoning is at least this way they will have one chance to find each other again if they some how don't stay in touch. Eleven years go by, and Ellie is a single mom struggling to make ends meet while Nolan is playing basketball professionally. Neither has forgotten the promise they made at the age of 15. Will they meet up again?

Let me just say that this is very similar to the classic Karen Kingsbury books I've loved for years (When Joy Came to Stay, Oceans Apart, and On Every Side). While I did enjoy the story, I didn't relate to it the way that I did to some of her other books. This book didn't grip me the way that some of her previous titles did. Truthfully, I felt very indifferent about the book. Here is what I liked about it. I loved the message of forgiveness. Karen has always been able to create flawed characters who recognize that they are sinners and seek forgiveness. I loved how Ellie struggled. I loved her daughter (she was actually my favorite character). What I didn't like is this. Nolan was too perfect. It didn't appear that he had any flaws and his life was just too perfect. I can admire the fact that he stayed strong in his faith, but he didn't seem "real". Not with his faith, that obviously came across as genuine, but the depth of his character felt off. After the Bailey Flannigan Series and the final book in the Baxter drama, Coming Home, I was almost ready to stop reading Karen's books. My friend suggested I request this one via NetGalley, and I'm glad I did. I've been able to give Karen another chance at restoring my trust in her as an author. This book was my giving her another chance. It may not make my read again list, but it was good.

I received the Kindle version of this book from Howard Books via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is due out March 5, 2013.

Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury's classic books, Christian fiction, contemporary fiction

Rating - 3 stars, though it's really more of 3.5