Author: Krista McGeePublication: July 10, 2012
By: Thomas Nelson
4.5 STARS!
Great cover!
Kara McKormick is told she's auditioning to star in a new teen variety show. But it's what she isn't told that could change her life.
The feisty New Yorker moves to sunny Orlando to participate in a month-long audition, where she'll live with nine other contestants and an eccentric housemother. Kara knows that the show already has a big-time celebrity lined up for the co-host, but she doesn't know who it is.
Chad Beacon quickly rose to fame after winning America's Next Star, but he doesn't want his entire career to be about singing. There is so much more he wants to do-like act. The new variety show sounds like the perfect next step for him, but his parents want him to have a co-star who shares his faith since they'll be spending so much time together.
Acting is high on Kara's priority list. But a relationship with God? Not so much. In fact, she's tried to stay away from anything religious. But God is after Kara's heart and He's put people in her life who are showing her there's far more to Christianity than rules and judgment.
And just when it seems that Kara's going to have to give up her acting dream, God reveals that she may have a starring role after all-in a story so big only He could write it.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for sending me this e-galley through their Book Sneeze program. Starring Me is a fun, refreshing read about a girl as feisty as her red hair, a cute boy and the chance of a lifetime. This story is loosely based on the biblical story of Issac and Rebekah and is a companion novel to McGee's debut, First Date, (where we first meet Kara).
Kara McCormick was born to perform and while she didn't win the boy on The Book of Love, she came away with an even better prize in her new best friend Addy. The girls have a lot in common but the one thing they don't share is Addy's belief in God. Kara doesn't see the need for Him in her life even though she's seen Him work in Addy's. All that changes when Kara gets the chance to audition for a new teen sketch comedy show, convinced it's her ticket to making her dreams come true. When things don't go as smoothly as she expected, she'll discover that God works in our lives whether we acknowledge Him or not. Kara also gets a lesson about what's really important and the meaning of real love - the kind that's all consuming and never ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kara! She's straightforward, selfless and laugh-out-loud funny. She shows integrity and an openness to what Addy and several others have to say. There's a sweetness to the friendship she develops with Chad and parents of younger readers have nothing to worry about. The idea of courtship; not dating until you're serious about finding a lifelong partner is addressed with Kara and Addy discussing the pros and cons of bouncing from one relationship to the next.
Krista McGee is one of the few Christian authors I've found who is able to share a message of love, forgiveness and grace without sounding preachy or cheesy. McGee's characters are believable and relateable. I'm a Christian and I don't enjoy reading stories where everything is over the top or with characters who are too "perfect".
There's also a Q&A in the back for small groups or book club discussions.
Giveaway time!
Thomas Nelson has graciously agreed to giveaway up to 2 copies* of Starring Me for every 25 "likes" they receive on their Facebook page AND follows on Twitter. Good luck!
*Contest will be open for 1 week. U.S. Only.
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