Book Review: Shattered by Melody Carlson and Giveaway!

Here's a little about the book:

Cleo Neilson's best friend is moving away and she wants to make Lola's last night in town special. For Cleo, that means going to the big Christian concert in the city, but her mom won't allow her to go. She says that area of the city is too dangerous for two unchaperoned teenage girls.

Convinced her mom is just being an overprotective "helicopter" mom, she sneaks out of the house. After all, her mom has to let her grow up sometime, right?

Cleo now faces the chilling consequences of her actions and a secret that it is eating her up inside. As Cleo fights through her grief and guilt, she learns about faith in God and forgiveness through him.

My thoughts: 

Wow!  This book was intense!  I was not expecting the plot to turn the way that it did and am glad that I put the time in to read this one.  It didn't take me long, I read it over the weekend, whenever I could find the time. I kept trying to guess what was going to happen next, and each time, I was inevitably wrong!  The story was well written, in a tone that is good for older teens (high school) and adults alike.  Although I won't give spoilers, please keep your tissues handy.  The emotional messages conveyed in this book are powerful! 
 
I was able to secure a copy of this book on my Kindle as well as received a free one in the mail from Glass Road Public Relations for my participation in the book tour for Shattered.  Since I read on my Kindle, the reader's copy received from Glass Road is still new!  I would love to give this book away.  Please leave a comment and email address.  That's it.  Easy peasy. I will draw a winner next Monday, June 20th.  Please spread the word. 
 
As I mentioned before, take the time check out Melody Carlson's website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/. See what other books she has to offer. I am definitely going to check out her new series for tweens, Allison O'Brian on Her Own, for Twink to read this summer and I've already received an advance reader's copy of one of her soon to be published books. 
 
Don't forget - leave a comment on this post to be entered in the drawing to receive your own copy of Shattered:  A Daughter's Regret.   Contest ends 6/19/11.  Winner will be contacted on 6/20/11 via email.