Saturday, June 02, 2012

The Charmed Life Series by Jenny B. Jones

About the Books
So Not Happening
New York's social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it's right where God wants her.
Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.
When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less!
Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for  down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers.
At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.
But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets.
How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smackdown?

I'm So Sure
Think you're having a rough week? Bella's stepdad, a semi-pro wrester, just signed the entire family up for a reality TV show. Bella's first thought: Kill. Me. Now.
Living in Truman, Oklahoma wasn't 100% miserable for Bella. Sure, she misses Manhattan, couture clothes, and her dad. But she was making new friends at Truman High and almost enjoying her work at the school newspaper. Then the whole stepdad-wrestler-reality-show issue hit and her life is now being splashed across weekly tabloids and broadcast news.
As if having a camera crew following her around isn't bad enough, Bella soon discovers a conspiracy against the Truman High prom queen candidates. And the closer she gets to the answer, the more danger she's in.
As her relationship with Luke teeters between friendship and romance, Bella's ex-boyfriend Hunter reappears and vies for Bella's attention. Denying allegations of a love triangle, working to solve the prom queen mystery, and trying to keep her cool on national television finally motivate Bella to start talking--and listening--to God more.
But what comes next has Bella once again screaming: I'M. SO. SURE.

So Over My Head
Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes--Bella is one skinny mocha frappe away from total meltdown.
When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple.
She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.
Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk.

My Thoughts
Jenny B. Jones is one of the best YA authors I have ever read! She skilfully mixed humor, intrigue, and romance into a perfect blend that had me reading these books a fast as I could. Bella is the perfect heroine, with beauty, sass, and a Nancy Drew mindset that tends to get her in just a little too much trouble. Which of course gives the perfect opportunity for Luke to step in and save the day. Luke is another great character and usually I waffled between wanting to give him a Gibb's slap, or a hive-five. As for the rest of the characters, they were such a fun quirky mix that I couldn't begin to describe them all, so I won't and you'll just have to read the books in order to meet, Budge, Ruthie, Breath of Death, Lindy,Marisol and the rest of the gang. I would highly recommend these books for all girls 12 and up!

About the Author
Jenny B. Jones writes Christian Fiction with equal parts wit, sass, and untamed hilarity. When she’s not writing, she’s living it up as a high school teacher in Arkansas. Since she has very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuit such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture.


3 comments:

Kate said...

Thank you so much for posting this! I loved your review and it totally got me pumped up for the series! You actually introduced me to some of my all time favorite reads (such as The River of Time series) and so you really enjoying this series makes me all the more excited to read it! Thanks again so much! Will be buying the books. <3

Abbi Hart said...

Happy this helped! I'm so glad that I've been able to help you find good books, I have people that have done that for me and it's cool to be able to pass it on. I really hope you enjoy the books when you get them! Please let me know how you liked them!

Valerie said...

I really enjoyed this series as well. Sometimes it doesn't matter when the heroine is a bit younger, and this is definitely one of those cases. Bella and her friends are such fun! Definitely a great series. :)

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