Hi! My name is Rebecca Rivera, and you're reading Book Talk with Rebecca Rivera. I love reading books and talking about books. When I was a young teenager, my friends would come to me for advice on what book to read next. They would borrow books from my extensive library (extensive for a civilian), and I would make them follow my "don't bend the cover" rule and "this book better come back in the same shape it left" rule. I was an advocate for a good story, and my standards were very high.After almost fifteen years of stepping away from fiction because of some heart-twisting life events (that I may tell you about sometime, after we get to know each other), I have returned and discovered the world of books has changed a LOT while I was gone.
Six years ago, I heard about this fabulous little website (it't not really little) called Smashwords.com. You may have heard of it. It's a place where anyone can publish an ebook for free. Recently, I discovered a few authors on this website that made me think "Hmmm, which Next Great Book and New Exciting Author could I find if I just did a little digging?"
So I did just that. I dug and discovered a series I have started reading called Sweet 'N Sour Kisses by Cindy M. Hogan. I have not laughed so heartily with a book in a long time.
The series follows 16-year-old Brooklyn as she experiences her first kiss and many kisses thereafter. The series is written in episodes, each being between 75 and 100 pages long. I love short reads like this. The stories have been interesting, humorous and satisfying, with just enough hanging at the end to make me want to read the next episode.
There are five episodes in all. Today I will introduce you to the first one: First Kiss, and the second one: Stolen Kiss (in case you can't read just one).
In First Kiss, Brooklyn turns sixteen and is finally allowed to date and kiss boys. She's a good Mormon girl who lives in Utah where a few rules and regulations still do exist. She plans to keep her "Virgin Lips" status until she finds that one boy she can picture spending her life with. But on the day of her birthday, when her date, Luke Graham, does something unexpected, Brooklyn wonders if she will ever want to kiss another boy again.
I really connected with this book because I grew up with lots of rules about dating and touching and kissing. The fact that the girls give the title Virgin Lips to those girls who had not yet been kissed cracked me up. The author certainly writes with humor. Whether you're grown up and married as I am or you're a teenager yourself and haven't been kissed, I think you'll get a kick out of this book.
Episode 2, Stolen Kiss, goes on to show Brooklyn's repugnance towards kissing slowly change when she starts talking to Ryker, a strong, quiet guy who is far too handsome. I think you'll enjoy one particular scene with them in a corn maze on a school trip. (We'll go more in-depth on Episode 2 later in the week.)
I fearlessly recommend these books to any age. They do not contain mature content, just good-hearted fun and teenage troubles that are humorously and authentically depicted.
I invite you to download First Kiss for free to experience this delightful author and to celebrate the opening day of Book Talk with Rebecca Rivera.
If you can't read just one, buy Epidose 2 here:
I look forward to many long chats with you, but right now, go download First Kiss and let me know what you think. You can chat with me in the comments or on my Twitter @BookTalkwithRR.
Thank you for stopping by. Be sure to visit again soon for more about Cindy M. Hogan and her young adult books. There's lots more to talk about.
We'll be celebrating our opening day all month long, so invite your friends to come and get their free copy of First Kiss until the end of October.
Bye for now!
Smashwords.com (Explore with this link)
First Kiss by Cindy M. Hogan (Download for free!)
Stolen Kiss by Cindy M. Hogan (Only $.99!)
Twitter @BookTalkwithRR
To buy a book on Smashwords.com, click on the green "buy" button, then Smashwords will walk you through creating a free profile (if you don't already have one) and making your purchase.
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