Cindy M Hogan

The storyline is good. Interesting idea for a young adult book but I felt the genre was a bit all over the place. I marked it as adventure because I felt that it was supposed to be an adventure story but it was also a romance novel and a bit heavier than average in the christian gere.

So, a very smart, nerdy girl wins an essay competition to visit DC and learn about the history and politics of the nation. Christy finds she doesn't fit in because the other kids are older and far wealthier than she. She makes friends with some, disdained by others, and develops major crushes on two boys in the group.

Christy also witnesses a murder and becomes involved with the FBI. This is where the story kind of gets weak for me. It just doesn't play real, the FBI involvement or lack thereof, is not exciting or realist in the least. Cindy Hogan, the author is a bit loquacious in describing the events, feelings, and thoughts of her main character. I was on page 70 and thought the book was nearly over. It could have been shorter considering where it ended ... because it didn't really end. It was left hanging open in an inconvenient place so that there could be a book two. The story should have ended with Christy back home, safely in the arms of her family. Book two could begin with her life back at school and then reintroduce the troubles. My opinion.

So, if book two is free or very cheap, I will read it. I gave it three stars because there was potential. I think she needs a better editor. Again, my opinion.… (més)

The teenager in me loved this book! It was such a good story. Adventure, guy crushes, murder, suspense. Very enjoyable. Clean read. Teaches hidden morals.

Christy is just the less than average girl (with a photographic memory!). She doesn't think much of herself, and she thinks that by going on this trip to D.C. she can change her life and come home brand new and popular. What she doesn't know is that it changes her in ways she did not expect, ways that compromise her values and challenges her views of life and of herself. Christy is a highly moral girl with certain rules and expectations, and she finds that when she breaks them, when she is forced into circumstances beyond her control, she has become the person she doesn't want to be. Who is the real Christy? She just can't seem to figure it out.

I think this is where teenagers can relate. How many of them (and adults when we were younger) question who they are and wish that they could be someone else? I found myself right back in my high school years with all the drama that goes with it, all the doubt and uncertainty of who I was and wished to be. This book opens the reader's eyes and helps the reader understand that her choices have consequences, good or bad. Christy has strong faith that pulls her through. I think Hogan is trying to share this with her readers, her strong values and life lessons. This would be an excellent book for a pre-teen to read, especially one that wants to discover herself. (I would recommend girls read this before they start dating, cause Christy gets herself into some sticky situations that teens can learn from. And the reason I say for girls is because the reader is in the head of a teenage girl, and I think boys would be grossed out in the young, female psyche gushing over boys.)

But enough of the things we learn. This story just keeps you moving from page one! I love how Christy stumbled into a mess, witnessing a murder. The rest of the book moves you along as Christy has the feeling she is being watched. The murderer is still out there. Along with the mess of trying to find herself, Christy becomes more scared. She's not entirely alone. She has two guys that she thought would never in the world be vying for her affections! Throw in two teenage girls that are a bit snobbish and you have your drama factor.

I have nothing but praises for this book. Not a single thing wrong with it.

Two of my favorite lines: "I'm not that girl anymore." This is when Christy thinks that she has made too many mistakes to go back from.
"Without desperate or hateful thoughts, it was hard to be powerful." That's just profound.

I think the thing that I can appreciate the most is Hogan does an excellent job with growth of character. Never have I read a novel where the character grows, has set backs, and then overcomes them with personal instincts to guide her through in such a way as Hogan presents them. It just seemed so completely realistic. Maybe that's because I think like Christy.

I can't wait to read more of her novels!
… (més)

Alias fans will love this book.

This book is just so cute. Misha is clearly adorable, even if she is Christy's mission personality. And I love all the little heart flip-flops she does, all the little touches and looks with the hunky guys. Total scream.

The story is first person perspective. Mostly telling, rather than showing. Definitely a different feel than other books I have read. The author has a distinctive voice. Misha always tells us how she feels. But if you get over that and become immersed in the author's writing style, you will enjoy the book.

One thing that bugged me was: after the kidnapping, we got a lot of the reactions of the events that happened through Misha's thoughts, but the emotional connection lacked. I could have done with some physical responses. Did Misha ever tremble? Being in her head is one thing, but you need the full experience of bodily involvement. But again, it's not in the writers style.

Something seemed detached about the circus scene. Almost as if Misha was just telling a sequence of events. Where was the crowd's reaction? Why did the group of kidnapped students never say anything to each other? Why didn't they do anything?

Oh, and the head of the compound, absolutely loony toons. I can't decide if I love him or hate him. He has a weird color fetish, which was interesting to say the least. Neat.

I love how the author throws in little sermons about agency. She did graduate from BYU, and I appreciate her morals and the cleanness of the read.

A fast paced read.… (més)

Kate Concealed is nail biting. Full of drama, great settings, choices and mysteries. It is also a clean read YA.
Kate in the first book found out about her father being part of the mafia. She still has nightmares about being forced to be part of it.
Kate, Ellie, and Colby have the chance to go to Italy for a few days. Kate finds out that her mom is keeping secrets from her. Kate has decided to give up for now on finding her mom because of no clues. Then she gets a lead.
The setting for most of the book is in Italy. I want to go.
I want to read the next book in the series now and not wait till it comes out. I like Cindy's writing style, her characters. I hated to have to put the book down.

I was given this book for free by the author and in return I agreed to give a honest review of Kate Concealed.… (més)