Sixteen: Excert

Emily Rachelle just published a book called Sixteen. This book is about mistakes made as a teenager and is very dramatic. This book is full of themes such as redemption, love and forgiveness. I feel that Sixteen is especially relevant in today's world where this happens so often. Emily also demonstrates that witnessing is about relationships and unconditional love. My only complaint is that it was way to short! I wish I had been able to get to know the characters more and spend more time with them. This book had me on the verge of tears at one point. Because of the mature content I would not recommend it for anyone under 13 and I would suggest a discussion between kids and parents. Anyway I highly recommend this book and here is her bio and an excerpt from Sixteen. I will also post links to her blog and the Amazon page.

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Bio

Born in Panama, Emily Rachelle has traveled throughout the country and the world with her Air Force family. Currently, she lives with her parents and three brothers in middle Georgia. While Emily enjoyed reading as far back as she remembers, writing didn't come to her until she learned the forms of poetry and the basics of story in fourth grade. Since then, she's written scripts for homeschool dramas, poems for birthday presents, and stories for friends and family to enjoy. Sixteen is her debut into the professional world of words. You can find Emily at her blog, Emily Rachelle Writes, http://emilyrachellewrites.blogspot.com.

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Excerpt

She dropped her harvest carefully into a bucket, then set her sights on the next apple. It didn't seem that high. No matter how many times she jumped, though, Nikki couldn't seem to get a proper grip on the stubborn thing. "Matt, come over here and help me! I can't reach."

She watched as he slowly made his way over to her tree, hands in his pockets. He wore the same style of old denim overalls as his father; Nikki had missed the memo and worn shorts with a Princess Jasmine top. The sunlight danced over Matt's blond hair, which stuck out in all directions today.

"Why don't you just find a new tree, or help me over there?"

Nikki pointed up at her gleaming red antagonist. "Because I want that one."

He laughed. "Why that one?"

"Why not?" She crossed her arms. "Can you reach it?"

"Of course." He leaned over her, and she threw her arms out to balance herself.

"Hey!"

They both laughed. He reached out and plucked the apple, but when Nikki held out her hand, he shook his head. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her and took a bite from the shining fruit.

"Really, Matt?" She rolled her eyes, still grinning.

"If's goot!" He swallowed and repeated, "It's good!"

"I know. That's why I wanted it!"

He just kept eating while Nikki attempted to squirm from his grip. When he finally finished, he tossed the core over his shoulder and released her.

"About time!"

He smiled at her, but it wasn't his teasing grin. Something different lit up his eyes. What was he up to now? "You wanted to taste it, right?"

"What, the apple? Well, eventually. Guess I'll eat one of the others now."

He shook his head. "No need to."

She raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

In one fluid motion, he grabbed her wrist, pulled her towards him, and pressed his mouth to hers.

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Links

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Sixteen-Emily-Rachelle-ebook/dp/B00HVOD5SW/
Emily Rachelle Writes http://emilyrachellewrites.blogspot.com/
Facebook http://facebook.com/emilyrachellewrites
Twitter http://twitter.com/emilyrachelle15
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/emilyrachelle15
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8818047-emily-rachelle

LibraryThing http://www.librarything.com/profile/writergirl15

Favorite Books of 2013

Happy (late) New Year! Last year I read 42 books just shy of my goal of 50. This is partly because I didn't read as much during this summer as I wanted. Oh well better luck this year! So here are my top books of 2013. They are not in order of which ones I liked best because once I can't get place them.

Fiction

The Book Thief by  Markus Zusak: I loved this book. It is about a little girl named Liesel and she steals books. For a book lover this is a fantastic book. It takes place during WWII and is narrated by Death. I couldn't put this down seriously guys you should read it!

Matched by Ally Condie: This book has gotten a lot of mixed reviews. A lot of people thought there was no conflict but they don't realize that all of the conflict is internal. I usually don't read books set in the future but that seems to be changing. Anyway this was another book I couldn't put down and I just bought the next one. I enjoyed it and can't wait to keep reading the series.

The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell: I really hope there is going to be another book. Although it was a satisfying ending I was left with a lot of unanswered questions. I really, really want a second book...like a lot.

Waterfall and Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren: Ok, I know these are two books but the series are so interconnected that they are pretty much one book. The second book takes up almost exactly where the first book ends. In fact the second books starts like five minutes after the first book ends. This is a fantasy romance and very fast paced. Each book ends in a cliffhanger so I would suggest getting all of the books at one time.


Non-Fiction

I only read a couple of these so I only have the top book. And the winner is *drumroll*


The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell: If you are a writer this is a must have. Each 'chapter' is short one or two pages on average. I learned a heck of a lot from this book and it was very well written.