Not Guilty
Lee's book reminded me how hard it is to be a teenager. Devon, the MC, goes from feeling like he owns the world to everything crashing down around him when a fight with his girlfriend leads him to a rash decision that costs him his freedom. That's why being young is hard. Every emotion is raw and every situation is new. Experience is a great teacher and life is still hitting them with the experiences they'll need to live through to learn they can adapt, overcome, and survive.They're still building their data bases, so to speak. But until they do, their brains are like quick spinning data bases with inadequate stores of information. And that's what gets young Devon in a pickle.
I always enjoy Lee's books. She knows how to spin a tale filled characters who are likable, but still flawed enough to be genuine. This is a great reminder that even good kids can get caught up in bad situations.
C. Lee McKenzie has a background in Linguistics and Inter-Cultural Communication, but these days her greatest passion is writing for young readers. She has published five young adult novels: Sliding on the Edge, The Princess of Las Pulgas, Double Negative, and Sudden Secrets. Not Guilty is her most recent one.Sometimes she likes to jump into the world of the fantastic and when she does, she writes for the middle-grade reader. Some Very Messy Medieval Magick is the third book in the time-travel adventures of Pete and Weasel, with Alligators Overhead and The Great Time Lock Disaster being the first two. Sign of the Green Dragon, a stand-alone, takes the reader into ancient Chinese dragon myths and a quest for treasure.
When she’s not writing she’s hiking or traveling or practicing yoga or asking a lot of questions about things she still doesn’t understand.
For more information on Lee and her writing, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at her Website.
NOT GUILTY can be found Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
The author’s other young adult books include: Sliding on the Edge, Princess of Las Pulgas, Double Negative, Sudden Secrets
GIVEAWAY
With Halloween celebrated this week, Lee’s giving away five digital copies of NOT GUILTY and a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate. This tour-wide giveaway will end at midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 5th.
To enter the giveaway, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. If the widget doesn’t show up, just click HERE and you’ll be directed to the widget.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by today during Lee’s visit. Do you enjoy stories where the underdog becomes the champion? Don’t forget to enter the giveaway.
Teen brains aren't firing on all cylinders yet, so yes, they make some dumb decisions.
ReplyDeleteTeens and toddlers. The tough years. LOL
DeleteI've even read some research that says our brains might not be completely developed until age 25. Interesting.
DeleteElizabeth, I enjoyed your take on Lee's book. The characters remind of us of what it was like to be a teenager. Thanks for being a part of Lee's tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mason. Happy to help!
DeleteThere's a bit of teen left in all of us, isn't there?
DeleteSo true! The teen years are very close in my life as a parent. How did you survive?! Yay for Lee! Her book is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIs coffee, wine, and prayer an answer? LOL
DeleteHonestly, all of my boys were raised to embrace their inner nerdy self, so they were pretty easy to raise.
It does take some endurance, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.
DeleteSounds like a great book. Grats Lee!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good book. I enjoyed it.
DeleteThanks so much to both of you.
DeleteI remember reading that the reasoning center of a teen's brain stops growing during those years. That certainly explains a lot.
ReplyDeleteThat explains it all! It's a rough time. Handle with care. :)
DeleteSo much going on hormonally that I guess the brain turns its attention to growth and forgets the reasoning part
DeleteIt has been so wonderful to be here, Elizabeth. Thank you for being a part of my launch for Not Guilty.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
DeleteYeah, teens sure learn and learn and learn as there are studies that stay it doesn't stick until later years. Ruled by emotion, glad that's over lol
ReplyDeleteSame here. I wouldn't repeat the teen years unless I could take my adult brain with me.
DeleteI'm completely sure my brain hasn't developed yet, but ah well, what is one two do?
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Lee, and "Not Guilty" sounds like a great book... best wishes for its success!
Ah, the spirit of perpetual youth. :)
DeleteEverything is so dramatic for teenagers and them making bad decisions is so realistic. Congrats to C. Lee
ReplyDeleteI do recall thinking life would end over a bad haircut, so not going to judge. LOL
DeleteI haven't seen a giveaway in quite sometime. Blogging has changed a lot.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It has changed a lot. I've been doing all my giveaways on Facebook. The takeover parties are giveaway frenzies.
DeleteLee really does an excellent job writing likable but flawed YA characters.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Lee!
Indeed, she does!
DeleteGreat review Elizabeth. I thoroughly enjoyed Not Guilty!
ReplyDeleteWe share great taste in books.
DeleteRead it. Reviewed it. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteDittos
DeleteCongrats Lee. Enjoyed your review Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteThanks Juneta!
DeleteI've worked with teens and tweens for 29 years. Sometimes I can see it in their eyes that they aren't getting the message, that what they are doing might hurt them. Good luck Lee!
ReplyDeleteTeresa C.
They can be scary. They have that feeling of immortality too which makes it hard to convince them they are vulnerable.
DeleteBeing a teenager isn't easy. I "thought" I was really smart, and maybe I was scholastically, but I sure did some dumb things. Sorry, Liz, but you can't talk me into buying this book, no matter how good it is. I already bought it yesterday. HA!
ReplyDeleteHave a super weekend.
Oh my goodness. I was a smartish kid too, but still did some very stupid things. C'est la vie. Good to know we survived ourselves.
DeleteI was a little taken aback.. I was thinking how very un-Susan-like a comment. LOL
Hope your weekend has been spectacular.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read. I thank God my son made it to this stage without a lot of drama.
ReplyDeleteSame with mine. I count that among my daily blessings!
DeleteLoved your take on the book! Good Wishes to the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLee is an impressive lady and author.
ReplyDeleteThank you both, and congratulations, Lee!
I agree whole-heartedly!
DeleteI loved this book, even though I was on pins and needles the whole time!
ReplyDelete