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Wednesday, June 30, 2021

About the Book

Book:  See You Monday

Author: Kristen Terrette

Genre: Young Adult

Release date: April 30, 2021

Senior year. The homestretch.

Honor student, Grace Warner, had it easy. Popularity, friends, attention from her crush, even a soccer scholarship offer—if only she can figure out her senior project to graduate on time. Getting approval to write about someone’s life-changing event, Grace recruits her sassy grandma as her mentor who can’t wait to tell the crazy story from her childhood.

Events in the early sixties are words in history books to Grace, but her grandma lived them. She witnessed the civil rights movement in full swing, desegregation becoming a reality in her southern town, Martin Luther King, Jr. moving the country with his iconic speech, and the country coming to a halt when President Kennedy was assassinated.

Grace loves finding out her family history but didn’t know the project would have her noticing hardships and prejudices at her school she hadn’t before. When the homecoming court is announced and new kid, Jacob Horton, is nominated as a colossal prank, it brings Grace to a choice, much like her grandmother years before her. God is about to use her in a miracle if she chooses correctly. If she fails, a life could be lost.

MY REVIEW 

This is a must read for everyone who wants to make  a difference in the world. I was captivated by the story from beginning to end. It was easy to picture each event that happened as the author is gifted with words that flow gracefully across the pages. I liked  reading about the 1960s and all the changes  that made headlines. Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. brought make many feelings. Today we still find ourselves fighting for everyone to be treated equally. During the sixty’s there was a definite division in race. One woman stood up and made a difference at a field day that set the tone for this story. 

Some called her crazy, but Johnnie knew that God wanted her to reach  out to those who felt unwanted. I loved how brave she was to stand up against hatred  and be God’s hands and feet as she took a stand against prejudice. Every  character in this book came to life as Grace listened to Mimi  retell of her childhood. I remember going to my granddad’s farm every summer. There was plenty to do but all I wanted to do was sit with my granddad and  listen to him recount his life. 

I could go on for days about how much this book touched me. I was reminded about being bullied and how even today that pain still lingers. One person can make a difference and this story emphasis how important it is to listen to God. The faith in this book was good and gives a great lesson in trusting Him. Out of everything I read, two things really stuck with me. Be the person who isn’t afraid to stand up for what is right. Don’t be on the sidelines watching  injustice happen. God  called us to love one another. The ending is perhaps the best part of the story for me. I cried as I read the last page and wondered how many people I ignored when they needed someone? Did I miss an opportunity to show someone  that they mattered? I am forever changed by this story and will from this day forward not miss my chance to reach out and show love to everyone. I will not be afraid to stand up to bullies and I will at all times love unconditionally. 

“God doesn’t want anyone to be alone, and I’m not going to disappoint him.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kristen’s passionate about storytelling and helping people take their next steps in their relationship with Jesus. She lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. where she served as a Children’s Ministry Director for many years. With the support of her husband and two children, she now stays home writing fiction and non-fiction. She also serves on the women’s leadership team at her local church and writes for Crosswalkand Wholly Loved Ministries. You can check out her articles and novels at www.kristenterrette.com.

More from Kristen

In most novels, a touch of the writer’s life scatters itself throughout the words—a phrase, the personality of a character, the circumstances of a heartache or joy. These serve as tiny acknowledgements to those who motivated them. But sometimes it’s something much, much more.

 

See You Monday is inspired by a family, my family, and a little girl, my mother, who went through a captivating, life-shaping course of events during 1963 and 1964. It’s a story of how God awakened her to Him and how, when we follow Jesus—doing what He asks—our choices cause miraculous ripple effects which spread for generations.

 

Have you ever thought about that? How one choice can change everything? How the course of someone’s life can be altered for good or bad by someone’s decision?

 

At one point in my novel, my grandmother (her character’s name is Johnnie) makes a choice when my mom (“Sandy” in the story) was a child. Many years later, we find out this choice had lasting effects, reaching as far as a grown man, from my generation, who lived across town—not even in their neighborhood. And this happens all the time. God is always using us in miracles, we simply have to be attuned to Him and willing say yes.

 

And since this story brings real people to life in the time-lapse back to the early 60s in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I’d thought I share pictures of the actual Lewis/Baron clan.

 

These photos, taken between 1958-1961, show four generations who lived under one roof. The cutie pie kids are my mother (the oldest/blonde), my aunt (the adorable redhead who steals every scene in the book), and my uncle (the baby). Also, check out the car in the driveway! I wish we still had it.

 

What’s your story? What ripple effects have your relatives left behind when they said yes to being used by God? What choice have you made that changed yours or a loved one’s course? Maybe something you didn’t realize until years later?

 

I hope you’ll think through your own family line and the legacy they leave. And be sure to get a copy of my Young Adult novel, See You Monday, to find out how my own family inspired its timely message in the life of Grace, a seventeen-year-old senior in high school.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

Inklings and notions, July 2

For Him and My Family, July 3

Mary Hake, July 3

Reflections From My Bookshelves, July 4

deb’s Book Review, July 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, July 6

Rebecca Tews, July 7

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 9

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 10

Cats in the Cradle Blog, July 11

Nancy E Wood, July 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kristen is giving away the grand prize package of signed paperback copy of See You Monday, Chattanooga-based “Clumpies” signature ice cream pint pack, Chattanooga-based “The Hot Chocolatier” large box of assorted chocolates, and a $25 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card!!

Disclaimer: Some items contain milk, gluten, nuts, soy, and egg products.

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 https://promosimple.com/ps/10e0a/see-you-monday-celebration-tour-giveaway 

2 comments:

  1. Thank you, Deana!! I just finished crying my eyes out in happy tears over reading your review. Thank you so much for the sweet words and for "getting" the essence of the story. I'm grateful and ecstatic you enjoyed it. :) 

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