Review and Giveaway! Grace Unplugged and Own It

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I haven't had the chance to read fiction much lately, but the story line of Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson caught my attention.

About Grace Unplugged the Novel

Grace Trey is an 18 year old singer as passionate about her Christian faith as she is her phenomenal, God-given musical talent. Both traits come from her father, one hit wonder Johnny Trey who found Jesus after losing his chart success two decades ago. 

When Grace encounters her own music break of a lifetime, the sudden dive into the "real world" puts her deeper beliefs to the test. Pop superstardom is just within reach but appears to require some spiritual compromise. Will Grace reject her faith, or will she own it? 

Grace Unplugged is based on the motion picture of the same name starring AJ Michalka (Super 8) and Kevin Pollak (A Few Good Men) with performances by award-winning artists Chris Tomlin and Jamie Grace. 

About the Grace Unplugged Author

Melody Carlson has sold more than five million books. A professional writer for twenty years, she recently received the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Melody has two grown sons and lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. 

My own daughter was very interested in the entertainment industry at one time.  Knowing the culture surrounding such a career, her dreams of Broadway or the big screen always made me a little nervous.  Though she has now redirected her career goals, the fact is, no matter what our kids will be doing in the "real world", their faith will be put to the test.

Though an entertaining and thought-provoking story for all ages, Grace Unplugged would be a great novel for a teen girls.  Some of the themes (drinking by the main character, for example) may not be desirable for younger kids. I hope to be able to see the movie, releasing October 4th. See the trailer below.

The novel Grace Unplugged, released early this month, is 304 pages and $15.99.

In the Grace Unplugged, Gracie Trey is introduced to an actual non-fiction book, Own It by Michael and Hayley DiMarco. The book is described as "life-changing".

About Own It, Discover Your Faith in God

The movie Grace Unplugged tells the story of Grace Trey, an ideal Christian teenager who is also a phenomenal singer. But when she is pushed into the “real world” at the tender age of eighteen after getting the music break of a lifetime, her faith is put to the test.

Own It mirrors the film by asking what it means to really “own” your personal faith rather than just automatically following in the footsteps of parents, friends, or other influencers. Best-selling authors Hayley and Michael DiMarco help readers understand what to do when faith meets real world challenges.

Without solid beliefs, poor choices are likely to follow. You must take the time to really know who you are, who you are becoming, and who God made you to be. It's your personal faith . . . own it! 

About the Own It Authors

Hayley DiMarco is the best-selling author of more than thirty books including Dateable, Marriable, Mean Girls, and The Woman of Mystery. She has been a featured speaker at Women of Faith, Precept National Women's Conference, and MOPS Intl. among others and has consulted on the creation and enhancement of some of the largest stadium events for teens and young women in North America.

Michael DiMarco is a skillled communicator and teacher who has authored more than a dozen bestselling books including the 2010 Christian Bookof the Year for Youth, B4UD8 (Before You Date). He and his wife, author Hayley DiMarco, have one daughter and live in Nashville, Tennessee. 

This would have been a great book for me to read as an older teen heading off to college, where my faith met many challenges.  With teens in the house, much of what this book discusses has been recent conversation in our home and very relevant. I don't want my kids blindly following the faith with which they've grown up. I want them to make it their own, fully grasping and living it out. This is a title I will be having both of my teens read in the very near future.

Own It is 192 pages and available for $14.99.

One lucky reader will have the pleasure of winning a copy of both titles!  Please see below for details on how to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.