This is my first blog tour, and although I’ve not participated in one before now, I’ve visited a few. Since this is my blog, and since I know what I desire from visiting others’ blogs, my contribution to this tour might be more succinct than most.
First of all, you need to know this non-fiction book written primarily for teen girls (and really parents of teen girls) is a candid and open discussion of author Tricia Goyer’s youthful indiscretions. To write this account took tremendous courage, and I commend Tricia for her willingness to expose her mistakes in thinking, conduct, influences, and peer pressure.
The cover is perfect, displaying the visible half of what could be the generic American teen girl. Add to that the back cover copy, part of which is in script form, and you have an inviting book for its target audience.
Using the clever format of a script to portray some of character “Trish’s” real life dramas, she also includes thoughtful commentary in sidebars along the pages from girls ranging in ages from 12 to 17 years. Encouraging the book’s readers to think and orchestrate their own scripted lives for potentially harmful situations, she asks some hard questions and leaves space on multiple pages for writing their answers and making notes. It’s a manageable length and reader-friendly guide to living a productive young life.
Tricia uses scripture verses taken primarily from the New International Version and The Message bibles to both illustrate and remind readers where to turn for the truth in all circumstances. She is frank about how her impulses to join her friends and be desirable to boys were the driving forces in a young life not scripted for successful living and contentment. The language is simple but compelling in its honesty. Tricia doesn’t talk down to young people, but she speaks plainly so there can be no misunderstanding what actions without purpose can produce.
Throughout the book, Tricia emphasizes the need for young girls to find true love, acceptance, and worth in Jesus Christ, showing them how His love for them is pure and will not corrupt them but preserve them for both the present plan(s) and the one who God has waiting for them beyond the difficult teen years. She shows from her own life how consequences change an individual for better or worse and help them to realize that they can’t escape the negative effects of sin. While not downplaying those consequences, she also points them to true repentance and the need to secure the merciful forgiveness of a loving Father.
Recommended for teen girls and parents of girls who need to establish purpose for their young lives before sin overwhelms them.
Author Tricia Goyer is one of the most transparent writers of our day, plus she is an incredibly generous and energetic marketing guru. To learn more about Tricia, her non-fiction books, and her historical novels, visit her website at www.triciagoyer.com or her blog at www.triciagoyer.blogspot.com. where she inevitably offers wonderful opportunities to win things!
Father, my prayer for Tricia is that she will continue to serve you with the honesty and transparency with which you have gifted her. I pray you will use those gifts to impact young girls AND their parents to pursue Jesus Christ and His righteousness. May her words be used to suffocate the enemy’s resolve to demean and destroy teen girls before they even have a chance to grow up into womanhood. Use her mightily, Holy Spirit. I ask it in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Wow! Thank you for this insightful review and your kind words! What a blessing!
Hugs,
Tricia
Posted by: Tricia | October 23, 2007 at 11:26 AM