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Jill Williamson

Jill Williamson

Jill Williamson is a writer and editor of young adult novels. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find great books to read. Jill also runs an online Web site and critique group for teen writers at www.teenageauthor.com where she enjoys helping new writers develop their skill. She and her husband have worked with... more »
  • OR, USA
  • member since August 29 2008

Reviews

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Displaying 41-50 of 183 reviews
  • When Love Blooms
    • Rated 5 stars

    Emily Harris is looking for a life change. She loves her sister's family, but she needs to get out on her own. She wants to be more than just a society wife. She interviews as a governess for a ranching family far away from city life. She is determined to prove that there is more to her than a pretty face.

    Gavin Blake doesn't think his wife made the right choice in hiring Emily Harris. The work is hard in the rugged high country, and this refined lady has no business teaching two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere.

    But Dru Blake knows what she's doing. Emily Harris is the perfect person to love her daughters and her husband. For Dru has a plan she hopes the Good Lord will help her out with. A plan that will not only take care of her daughters once she's gone, but will take care of Gavin, too.

    What a hard, yet heartwarming, story! I started this at about 10:30 one night and stayed up until 2:30 am because I couldn't stop reading it. I was enthralled by the characters and their conflict that Robin Lee Hatcher created. She transported me into 1883. Her characters tugged at my heart and wouldn't let me rest until I knew how everything worked out. This was the first book of Robin's that I've read. Now I know why she is so successful. What a storyteller!

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Escape from the island of aquarius (A Cooper family adventure)
    • Rated 5 stars

    Jay and Lila Cooper join their father on a trip to the Island of Aquarius to rescue a missing missionary, Adam MacKenzie. When they arrive, they discover a man claiming to be Adam who has declared himself the leader of a bizarre colony. The man claims his people want to live in peace away from the modern world. But people keep dying. And when Jay, Lila, and their father start investigating, they become the next targets of the mysterious Moro-Kunda. And to make matters worse, the island is in big trouble. Earthquakes and erosion are tearing the island apart. Will the Coopers have enough time to find the real Adam MacKenzie before the island destroys itself?

    I enjoyed this Cooper Kids book almost more than the first. This one didn't have the political issues that the first had, which was the hardest part for my son to sit through. Peretti is such a creative author. The things he comes up with and the way he pulls them off amaze me. He has the mind of a movie director. I loved the action and the mystery in this one. It was exciting and the Cooper kids showed true courage and faith as they experienced the Island of Aquarius. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Just Another Girl: A Novel
    • Rated 5 stars

    5.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at a girl with too much responsibility, July 16, 2009
    By Novel Teen Book Reviews (USA) - See all my reviews


    Aster Flynn's life is not her own. She is responsible for caring for her fifteen-year-old handicapped sister, Lily. From morning till night, Lily and Aster are together, and Aster is getting burned out. When a cute boy asks Aster out, she does all she can to make the date happen. But without Aster to take care of Lily, Aster's mom freaks. Will Aster ever get a life of her own?

    This book really took an honest look at how kids can get stuck with more responsibility than they should have. Teenage Aster shouldn't have to take care of her sister in such a way, but because her parents are divorced, and because her mother sees an easy way out, Aster gets taken advantage of. Aster is creative and smart about how she fights for independence and to get her parents to do their share. She loves her sister Lily so much, but I thought it was really neat how Aster realized she was even enabling Lily to remain dependent on her help. Melody Carson has a knack for creating real life between the pages of a book. Just Another Girl is a gripping story of a young woman's search for a way to be herself. I highly recommend it.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Wisdom Hunter
    • Rated 5 stars

    Pastor Jason Faircloth thought he had God all figured out. He knew the rules, and he made sure his congregation knew them too. There was no excuse for failure. He expected the same at home, but his teenage daughter could not abide by such standards and ran away. Jason prays faithfully that God will send his daughter home, and he is certain that God will grant his request in time.

    Jason is visited out of the blue by a lawyer who brings horrible news: his daughter died giving birth to her daughter. Her husband is shipping her body back to Jason and his wife, but he has declared that the Faircloths will never see their granddaughter.

    Jason didn't even know his daughter had married, let alone was expecting a child. He cannot understand how God could allow such tragedy to happen to him, a man who has given God everything. Jason is suddenly lost in his faith. He no longer knows what to believe, except that he cannot go on as he had been. He leaves his congregation and sets out in search of the one thing he hopes will bring meaning to his shattered life: his granddaughter.

    This book was amazing. Jason's journey for new faith reached out and grabbed my soul. I've never read a story where the character experienced such a life change as a result of tragedy. It was inspiring, though-provoking, deep, and a wonderful look into Christ's heart. This book gives new insight to 1 Corinthians 10:23: "`Everything is permissible'--but not everything is beneficial. `Everything is permissible'--but not everything is constructive." Jason's journey to understanding humanity, love, and forgiveness changed the way I will look at it forever. It also changed the way I teach faith to my children. This book was heartbreaking and touching. I highly recommend it for readers looking for a gripping story that just might change their lives.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Firstborn
    • Rated 4 stars

    The Firstborn starts out with a rescue mission. Devin Bathurst is having visions of a kidnapped woman. He uses this sight to try and rescue her before she is killed. The scenes volley back and forth between Devin, the woman, and the kidnappers. Then we discover that the woman, Hannah, has a similar gift. She can see where a man has been, his past deeds. This leads us to the clever premise of the Firstborn, descendants of those who were raised from the dead when Christ died on the cross. The Firstborn fall into three orders: Prima, Ora, and Domani. Those that can see the past, present, and future.

    But the Firstborn has grown paranoid over the years, each order fearing the other, and one man is trying to take over. Can Devin manage to follow God’s will or his own to fight against what lies ahead?

    I thought this premise was brilliant. It’s like, what if there were Christian mobsters? How would they act? What choices might they make? The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and gripping. The writing style was a bit jolting at first. Brown uses sentence fragments a lot and jumps from one point of view to another. But once it got going, I was hooked. I really liked Brown’s characters, especially the play between Devin and John. If you’re looking for a new suspense read, look no further. I’m excited to see what Conlan Brown comes up with next.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Also Known As Harper
    • Rated 4 stars

    It’s the most exciting time of the year for fifth grader Harper Lee Morgan. The poetry contest is coming. But when Harper gets home one day from school, all their things are out on their front lawn. Mama’s been having a hard time paying the bills, but Harper just can’t believe the landlord would throw them outside like that. They pack up as much of their things as they can and move into a motel room. The next day, Mama asks Harper to watch her little brother instead of going to school. Harper can’t stand the idea of not getting to sign up for the poetry contest. As the days go by, and the poetry contest deadline draws near, Harper is inspired with some great words. If only she could find a place to read those poems out loud…

    What a sweet story! Endearing and heartbreaking. How quickly a hardworking family can be out on the streets with nothing. It was so interesting to see Harper and her little bother go through this hard situation. I liked Harper’s voice. She was sweet and honest and fun to read. I liked how she made friends without caring what they looked like. I highly recommend this one for readers of all ages. It’s a great book to get you thinking about what’s really important in life.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Haunt of Jackals (Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy)
    • Rated 5 stars

    When we last left Gina, Cal, and Dov, they were fighting the undead collectors in Romania. Having banished several of the Akeldama Cluster, Gina meets up with Cal to see what’s next. He suggests that she relocate to the Pacific Northwest and raise one of the Romanian orphans—one who Cal thinks might grow to be one of Those Who Resist—as her son.

    Gina changes her name to Kate, and she and Kenny live the American dream in Small Town, USA. But on the other side of the planet, Natira, the true heir to the Akeldama Cluster is seeking out Those Who Resist. He’s found many of them already, but is waiting until he knows where they all are before he strikes. But what will happen if Natira meets up with the Akeldama Cluster again? He will learn about Gina’s existence and want to take her out. And what will happen to Kenny? Gina must face her fears and trust the Nazarene if she is going to survive. But will she?

    Eric Wilson is a master storyteller. Every page is an adventure waiting to unfold. His creativity amazes, and his writing gives the reader chills as the Fallen and the Unfallen battle for the souls of earth. Haunt of Jackals increases the tension created in Field of Blood and leaving us thirsty for more. I highly recommend this for older teens who love creepy stories.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Trouble with Max (Max & Me Mysteries, Book 1)
    • Rated 5 stars

    Jessie Miller knows that good friends are hard to find, especially since most kids steer clear of her. It’s not that Jessie isn’t nice. It’s her bald head. Having Leukemia just freaks kids out. Not Max Hunter, though. Max is Jessie’s new best friend. The more Jessie gets to know Max, though, the more she suspects that Max is having a lot of trouble at home. Jessie investigates and what she discovers puts her in a tough spot. Should she risk losing her best friend in order to save her?

    This book is suspenseful and fun. It deals with some very heavy topics for young readers in a way that isn’t heavy. I read it aloud to my seven-year-old son and he didn’t want me to stop. He was drawn in by Jessie’s Leukemia and Max’s home life. He wanted to know that everything would be okay for these girls. Pat Rushford dealt with both circumstances with wisdom and reality. Life isn’t always perfect, people come in all shapes and sizes and don’t always agree with everything you think, but God loves you and them very much. Highly Recommended.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Bright Blue Miracle
    • Rated 3 stars

    Seventeen-year-old Leigh Mason is not thrilled that her mom is remarrying. She is even less thrilled that her new dad comes with a daughter her age. Not only does Leigh have to share her bedroom, but her best friend Jeremy quickly develops a crush on her new sister, Betsy, and Leigh has to share her best friend, too.

    This book tugs at your heart. Becca Wilhite writes a wonderful first person voice in Leigh. You feel betrayed along with Leigh. You hate Betsy, yet grow to love her at the same time. It’s a great journey through a change so big it can’t help but bring pain, confusion, and eventually joy.

    I thought the crisis at the end of the book came out of nowhere and that it should have been mentioned earlier. Since Becca and Jeremy were so close, it didn’t feel right that the readers not know about his past. I’m wording this carefully not to spoil the ending, since I’m certain the author wanted to surprise the readers by not bringing it out sooner. It would have been more powerful to have not been surprised by it, in my opinion.

    It bothered me a bit that Jeremy kept prodding Becca to go have a “fling” with some cute guy and get kissed. I have no problem with girls dating, but the motivation for Becca to date just because she never has was a bit shallow. This book is published by Shadow Mountain publishing. The only references to the Church of Latter Day Saints is that Jeremy loves Mormons and is going to Brigham Young University after graduation. Another of the boy characters is going to go the BYU also. This was a fun read.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • North! Or Be Eaten: Wild escapes. A desperate journey. And the ghastly Grey Fangs of Dang. (The Wingfeather Saga)
    • Rated 5 stars

    This story starts out where the first book left off: in Peet the Sock Man’s tree house. Janner, Tink, Leeli, Podo, and Nia are about to set off for the Ice Prairies, but they don’t get going soon enough and end up on the run from the Fangs of Dang. It’s a long, long journey to the Ice Prairies, and the Igby children are waylaid by some pretty horrifying setbacks. Will all in their party survive the trip? Will they get caught before they make it?

    Oh, I likes me this book a way bunch! It makes me wanna talk like Podo, which I probably don’t do as well as the old coot, but still I give it me best shot.

    I liked this one better than the first, which is such a great thing. The characters were even better this time. I love the parallels with Janner and Peet. Two Throne Wardens struggling to do what they must even when it is nearly impossible. Andrew Peterson’s style is funny and clever while telling a dangerous tale of woe. That’s what makes his writing so unique. He’s a wonderful writer and storyteller. I highly recommend this series. I cannot wait for book three. And I love the illustrations in the book. The Snickbuzzard with the belly button, especially.

    Jill Williamson wrote this review Wednesday, October 14 2009. ( reply | permalink )
Displaying 41-50 of 183 reviews

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