Mixed Bags by Melody Carlson

Title: Mixed Bags (Carter House Girls)
Aurhor: Melody Carlson
ISBN: 9780310714880
Publisher: Zondervan

Summary:
"When her mom died, DJ had to move in with her grandmother, internationally famous '60s fashion model Katherine Carter. Now Mrs. Carter's opened a boarding home for young ladies, and DJ - who would rather wear her basketball team uniform than haute couture - is just sure they'll all be unbearable fashion snobs.

One by one, the girls arrive and begin to figure out how to fit into this new family, getting to know each other and forming friendships. There's a few aspiring divas and even a closet Christian. Before long, the Carter House girls are dating, fighting, laughing, shopping, sharing clothes, purses, shoes... and their deepest secrets. DJ may not turn into the perfect little lady her grandmother has in mind, but one thing's for certain - with all these new "sisters," her life will never be the same!"
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First Lines:

"'Desiree,' called Inez as she knocked on the other side of the closed bedroom door. 'Mrs. Carter wants to see you downstairs.' 'The name is DJ.'"
Page 7
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Review:

Well, we have another book whose first lines really don't give you the right feel of the book. Yes, the beginning was a little slow, but that sort of was the feeling throughout the whole book. I do know that this is the first of a fairly large series (I believe there are at least 6 or 7 right now, with more coming), so I'm trying to give it a little slack.

I didn't hate this book. But I didn't love it either. It was definitely a fast read (only 198 pages long!). I just think there was something about the way the characters spoke or acted that doesn't really jive with what I think of teens acting like - or what I know they act like. Perhaps in a perfect world they would be so exact... but I dunno.

There was also a really big emphasis on clothes and purses and shoes and stuff... almost to the point of being too much. I do realize that the story is about a fashion icon taking girls under her wing and teaching her ways, but it was a little over done. I don't know, it just made things feel a little less realistic in my mind.

Carlson is very big in the modern Christian fiction genre - and that's what this series is billed as. The whole first part of the story, you really didn't feel it. But in the end you're almost getting blindsided by it. I mean, the elements were there, but I wasn't expecting to be hit over the head with it for the last chapter. I'm not trying to complain about that - but the rest of the book isn't set up that way. It's shocking, almost!

I have had several girls looking for Christian fic, and I think this series is going to be perfect for them. I'll definitely be putting this book (and it's series) into their hands. Now, as for me, I don't think I'm going to be reading the rest of the series. I do have a wonder about what's going to happen to the rest of the girls, but it's almost too much for me.

But that's just my opinion... And the author does have a good website, so go look around there. She does specifically offer review copies to book bloggers, so you might want to check that out.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Relz Reviewz
Seattle Pi
Novel Inspirations (Has the first chapter)
Sisters in the Savior

Work What You Got by Stephanie Perry Moore

Title: Work What You Got (a Beta Gamma Pi novel) Author: Moore, Stephanie Perry
ISBN: 9780758225429
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp

Summary:
"Between moving off campus, gearing up to pledge a sorority, and trying to keep her faith first, Hayden Grant is about to become one very busy Beta.

College sophomore Hayden Grant and her three roommates can't wait to join Beta Gamma Pi sorority. At least that's what Hayden thought - until Myra, Bridget, and Chandra announce a change of plans. Can Hayden and her girls hold onto their friendship as they pursue different paths?

And speaking of pursuit, Hayden's caught they eye of Creed, a hottie she met her first year. That's just one complication. Hayden's ex-boyfriend heads the fraternity Creed's pledging. It looks like it's going to be one crazy year of trials, tribulations, and unexpected lessons-in leadership and love."
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Review:

This book was honestly more than I was bargaining for. I was hoping for some urban lit that dealt with the issues and all... but that's not really what this book is about. It's more about the drama that comes with sorority life and what that might be like. Which, of course, makes this a much more "he-said, she-said" book.

The story was pretty good. I did like the concept... but having done the sorority thing in college, it honestly brought back a bit of the animosity that went with that. I think that teen girls probably love this glimpse into the life of a college sorority and what it takes... but the book is kinda hard to wade through. The morals and life lessons weighed down the book for me. It really was a good story otherwise.

Other readers may see this totally differently, so don't take my word alone. I just don't know that I'm going to be looking for the next book in this series. There are other blog reviews out there: Here, here, and here.