Book summary from publisher:

"The Selection began with thirty-five girls.

Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever---and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want---and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

35 girls. 1 crown. The competition of a lifetime. "

My Summary and Thoughts:

This book, I think, might be a bit better than The Selection.  The first novel had a feeling of hope and possibility.  America is living like a princess in a gorgeous palace, able to help support her family, from the compensation they are given for her participation, and she has the choice of two wonderful guys. 

The Elite has more tension and darkness, which of course meant I tore through it in a day. Life at the palace is no longer fun and games. Rebels attack the palace more and more often, for reasons they don't know, she must take on more responsibility as an Elite, and she begins to see the dark side of being one of the Selected, being a royal, even some darkness in Maxon himself. Maxon, Aspen, and the king of Illéa himself are losing patience with her.  America is running out of time to decide between Maxon and Aspen, to decide if she wants to be a princess or an officer's wife, to decide if she wants either option at all.

I can't wait to read books #3 and #4, The One and The Heir, and of course the highly anticipated fifth book. We don't have a title yet, but a review will (eventually) come when it releases in 2016! 

¡Los comentarios! (That's Spanish for "Comments!" There ya go.) So, the all-important question for Selection fans or soon-to-be fans everywhere: Are you Team Maxon or Team Aspen? (I know, it's like Twilight all over again, but the "team" thing happened, and we just have to roll with it.) 

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By Tera Kinsman

Summer is a great time for reading, especially when you can share a good book with someone. During the summer, I always try to catch up on my TBR list. Not that that does any good, since it keeps growing... But anyway. After reading (and loving) The Selection, by Kiera Cass, I wanted to share it with my mom. Maybe you'll put it on your TBR list too. (I know, another one, I'm sorry.)

Book summary from publisher:

"For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. 

The opportunity to be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, and leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want.

Then America meets Prince Maxon.  Gradually, she begins to realize that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined."

My Summary:

America Singer is a Five, but she is perfectly content.  Her family may be three castes away from the bottom, struggling at times to put food on the table, but she is in love, and happy where she is. Aspen Leger is a caste below her, his family even larger and more desperate than America's. Still, she dreams of the fast-approaching day when Aspen will propose to her, even if it means becoming an impoverished Six. 

Just as he has nearly saved up enough money to marry her, the Selection invitation arrives in the mail. The prince of their country has come of age. He will be soon taking the throne...and a wife. A young woman from each province will be randomly selected to go to the palace and compete to become Prince Maxon's wife and Illéa's princess. America has no interest in the competition, but her mother and Aspen both pressure her to enter, for the benefits it could bring to her family and to her. Out of thousands of girls, America is chosen. Now America must choose between a dazzling and unfamiliar future, or the comfort of a familiar love.

My Thoughts:

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed The Selection.  America is a likeable character. She does have her flaws, but I think her occasional selfishness or rudeness makes her more relatable. I enjoyed several of the supporting characters just as much as America. 

The setting was really interesting, too. Though the story is set in a future North America, it is also set in a kingdom. The story can be a bit dystopian, but instead of the main character being part of a revolution against the totalitarian rulers, the main character becomes a target of the rebels, who fight against a government that actually doesn't see enough of the lives of its citizens. 

Next week, I'll be reviewing the sequel to this fine book, The Elite. 

And, comment time! That cover has one of the most gorgeous dresses I've ever seen. (#promdressgoals) Share in comments: What's your favorite book cover dress? 

As part of the Family Christian bloggers network, I was recently asked if I would like to review this book and since I love working with Family Christian and I love my daughter’s I said yes. I received a free copy of What a Girl Needs from her Mom and a thank you item for my time. Thoughts shared today are my own. 

I’ve read many books on general parenting and a few exclusively for the often lovely, yet often trying relationship between Moms and Daughters.  I didn’t want another hard hitting, just the facts style parenting book- I wanted a parenting book that spoke to the Mom I’m learning to be now- a guide book of sorts. 

That’s exactly what I found in the pages of What a girl needs from her Mom. I’ll share more of my thoughts in a moment, but first let me share with you the details of the book from Family Christian’s website where you can purchase this and other helpful books and learn more about the author, Cheri Fuller if you'd like to.

What a Girl Needs from her Mom by Cheri Fuller:

“Mystified by the situations girls face today? There's a good reason, Mom. Our girls are growing up in a completely different world than we did. But whether your daughter is very young or a teenager, you can equip yourself with the wisdom and practical help she needs for the pressures and decisions ahead. With keen insight and warm encouragement, Cheri Fuller shares how you can become a more welcome influence at every stage in your daughter's life. Drawing from her own experiences and the expertise of others, Cheri answers all the top questions, including: 

Filled with trustworthy suggestions, this book will help you steer your daughter toward becoming a healthy, confident young woman.

My Thoughts:

What a girl needs from her Mom covers all ages and stages, so I found myself flipping to relevant chapters depending on the day and what was on my heart for my relationship with my teen and tween daughters. 

One particularly helpful chapter for me was A Mom who listens with her Heart and specifically the Roadblocks to Communication section.

Cheri’s Communication Roadblocks are:

Here I revisited a few problems with communication in my relationship with my Mom when I was a tween and teen. I spent time each day unpacking each point, or roadblock;  to see if I needed to work on these areas to better communicate with my daughters.

While I do give myself an overall good grade on this Mom thing- I do have areas I need to improve upon. Just like our kids do, so in my humble opinion, we should cut each other some slack here. I have been intentional in my parenting since reading this chapter and found it has helped me slow down and be present and mindful in the moment. 

Both Mom and daughters (and sons for that matter) are growing up in a different time than we did! Our kids have it tougher than ever! But you Moms already know that. 

If you need help understanding where your daughters are now, I offer you some tips I've learned along the way. 

Spend an afternoon volunteering at their school if possible and watch how their peers talk, dress etc. Go to the mall with them and actively listen to kids their age, get in touch with what goes on around them. Host a sleep-over with one or two of your daughters closest friends and let them be themselves. You would be amazed at what these kids share if they feel comfortable and safe. Be that safe place, please. 

And then read this book.  It will not only help you be a better equipped, more understanding Mom, it just may help you be a better adult as well. 

With Mother's Day rapidly approaching, I would like to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day! 

Fall is rapidly approaching folks and I for one am happy to see that one of my favorite times of year officially starts in 11 days.  Fall is a fun season, full of great outdoor events and festivals. 

You can find all sorts of festivals to attend- everything from sports and family fun to beer and wine festivals, just head to Google and type in your zip code and festivals.  We were looking for a family event,  when I discovered a unique festival coming to Nashville, TN. in October; a book festival. Yes! A book festival! 

We are a family of avid readers, so how I didn’t know about this festival, which has been held in Nashville since 1989 is beyond me.  Better late than never as the saying goes! I knew I had to extend a warm, southern style invitation to all of you to come visit us in Nashville and check out this festival!

About the Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the written word: