Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Blog Tour Review of, Hope's Journey, by Stephanie Worlton. Also, See How to Enter to Win a Signed Copy of Hope's Journey!

Product Details:

  • Title: Hope's Journey
  • Author: Stephanie Connelley Worlton
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Bonneville (July 14, 2011)
  • Genre: YA Contemporary
  • ISBN-10: 1599555069
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599555065


Book Description:

Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.
  

I am excited to be part of the Spring Blog Tour for Hope's Journey.

As part of the Spring Blog Tour, the author is offering up these prizes:

  • One autographed copy of "Hope's Journey"
  • Two digital copies of "Hope's Journey" (pdf or epub)
And... as a bonus,  if Kreating Krazy gains 100 followers during the course of the tour, she'll add: 
  • A $25 gift card to Amazon! 
 Those are some great prizes to win!  So make sure you go to Stephanie's blog after you read my review.

-Kreating Krazy(the blog, including the back story to Hope's Journey, purchase links, reviews, and the tour giveaway details)
Hope's Journey Book.com (Where you can read the first couple of chapters)


My Review: 
Hope's Journey starts out like any other book of high school seniors living their lives. I liked the group of friends that hang out and appear to know each other very well. Main characters, Syd and Alex, (both active members of the LDS church) are not only best friends, but also boyfriend and girlfriend. Many of the challenges that young people face are intertwined in this story of young love. The issue of morality plays strong in this story. This novel shows that ALL kids, religious or not are tempted when it comes to premarital sex. On the front cover are these words:
"A life changing mistake. A soul-changing journey"

From the back cover we already know that Syd becomes pregnant. This novel explores the heart-ache and trials, that come to both teens, as they decide what to do concerning the baby. I knew ahead of time that this book would bring up many emotions in me. I was adopted as a baby, and my birth mom was only sixteen years old. I have always been so grateful for the gift of life that she gave to me. I have also been happy that she chose adoption because I love my family so much! I also am the Mother of an adopted child. Her birth mom was also a teenager. I know of the struggles teens go through, as they try to decide what happens after they find out they are pregnant. I want to say here, there is no wrong or right answer. All birth parents have to make the choice that is best for them and their baby. I know with God's help they can make the right choice. This is the overall message in the book, along with the blessing of forgiveness that all people can accept and seek after. 

Some of the reactions of ward and family members, towards Syd and her unplanned pregnancy, can be shocking to the reader, especially the actions of Alex's mother. Sadly, I have seen behaviors just like this with people. I hope that all readers will realize that we all sin and need to be careful not to judge others. Some reviewers have said they were troubled by the ending of this book. There is a kind of twist in the last chapter that you don't see coming. I was also surprised, but not troubled. I am also wondering if there will be a 2nd book in this series. I would love to have all of the relationships explored more. 

Hope's Journey is a book that I would happily share with any teenager within my circle of friends and family. The message of hope and forgiveness is something that all of us need to be reminded of.
To purchase Hope's Journey please go to Amazon.com., Deseret BookBarnes and Noble,& Cedar Fort.
About the Author:
Stephanie Connelley Worlton was raised in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah where she developed a love for the arts. She has spent years of service volunteering with the youth in her community - an opportunity that has led her to develop a deep love and fascination for our rising generation. "Hope's Journey", her first publicized work, was inspired by her interactions with youth as well as her own personal experience as a young mother. It has received much acclaim for tackling a difficult subject with grace and tact and is a 2011 Whitney Award Nominee.

As an avid reader herself, Stephanie is committed to producing works of fiction that are both clean and entertaining, but without overlooking the harder, more taboo subjects that are so relevant in real life.

***I received a review copy of Hope's Journey. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.***
 


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