Bad Connection (The Secret Life Samantha McGregor, Book 1)

It's hard to find the perfect balance in teen fiction, where there is the right amount of realism, a strong dose of God that isn't cheesy or over the top, and suspense / action to keep things going. Melody Carlson is nobody new to the world of teen books, having already put out three other wildly successful series (TrueColors, Notes From A Spinning Planet, and Diary of a Teenage Girl), and with Bad Connection, book one in The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series, Carlson does not disappoint. In Bad Connection, we find Samantha McGregor, a high school girl whose father is dead, mother wants nothing to do with Christianity, and a brother who is constantly in and out of trouble with the law. Samantha is the only one in her family holding on to God, and that's when she receives a vision. A girl from school, Kayla, disappeared a week ago, and now Samantha thinks she's seeing clues from God about her whereabouts. Samantha has to work with her dad's old partner, Ebony Hamilton, to unravel the clues and find Kayla before it's too late. The first concern that anyone might have in reading this story is the use of the spiritual gift of receiving visions from God. I was a little nervous going in to the story, but found myself pleasantly surprised with the care and Biblical use of the gift that Carlson portrays here. She even includes an article from John Piper's Desiring God talking about visions, how it was used in the Bible, and to be careful about just trusting a dream or feelings, but to turn to the Bible to find guidance from God. Parents who are extremely concerned may want to read the book for themselves first to see what they might think. As this is a series for teens, there are some rather dark moments in the story. Issues of kidnapping come up frequently, and may be frightening for some younger readers. Other moments include a scary situation in the middle of the Arizona desert where Samantha might be attacked, and another spot near the very end involving terrorism on an airplane. Samantha does go on a couple of dates in the book, and Carlson usually tends to fall on the side of saying that dating is okay, but not a sort of hop around to anyone sort of dating. She doesn't go to the side of courtship however. Carlson usually has characters who put up a lot of standards before they go on a date, such as whether or not to kiss or hold hands. While in this book, dating is not the point or being argued one way or another. The story moves along very nicely, given us just the right amounts of mystery and suspense to keep us going. Definitely for readers who look a good mystery with a strong spiritual overtone.

If God gave you a vision, would you trust it? Samantha McGregor knows that Kayla Henderson likes to break the rules, considers partying an "extracurricular" activity, and can't stand her parents. Fine. That's Kayla's thing. Samantha's not even suprised when Kayla goes missing. Hadn't she been saying she was going to take off, to go meet her online "boyfriend" in person? It might not be the smartest move in the world, but Kayla would be okay. She always was. Then the vision comes...and reveals that Kayla is far from okay. Samantha freaks. Was her vision from God or just imagined? If Kayla's really in danger, what can Samantha do? Only one person can help her: Detective Ebony Hamilton, her father's former colleague. Now this unlikely pair must work against the clock--and the system--to patch together the truth and find Kayla...before it's too late. Bad Connection is an excellent book full of laughs, suspense, doubts, and even a little romance that I guarantee you will love if you give it a chance. A Christian based series for all ages that I recommend is Dragon Spell by Donita K. Paul. Some other Christian books I recommend for more mature teens or adults: Ten Thousand Charms (Crossroads of Grace Book One)by Allison Pittman, Winter is Past by Ruth Axtell Morren, Beauty For Ashes by Dorothy Clark, Child of the Mist (Book One of These Highland Hills)by Katleen Morgan, and Wings of Morning (Book Two of These Highland Hills)by Katleen Morgan.

Have you ever had a dream, good or bad, actually happen? Well, in the book, Bad Connection, Samantha has visions that always seem to come true, the good and the bad. Samantha McGregor is a gifted person. She has visions that come to life, either in a few days time, a minute's time, or even a month's time. But no matter what, they come true. These visions help to find two missing girls. One of which is a friend of hers, Kayla Henderson. At first Samantha doesn't know what to think of the visions, should she believe them? Are they a gift from god? Or are they just dreams? But she goes with believing that they are a gift from God and they are true when one of them happens the next day. My favorite part of the book would have to be when Samantha gets invited to help the police find Kayla. They fly down to Arizona (where Samantha's visions led them) and they find Kayla. But on the flight back home, Samantha has another vision that just might ruin their plans. That is where the book ends, but it ends in a way that makes you want to read more. The theme or idea of this book, I think, is to go with your gut instinct. If you are in a bad situation, and you think that you have a solution, go with it. In Samantha's case, she went with her first instinct. To believe that her visions will help find Kayla Henderson. I really like the way Melody Carlson started the book. She just jumped right in with a vision that Samantha was having. I think that mostly, teenage girls would like this book. It has a lot to do with God and believing in yourself.

Wow I have never read a book that is like this, it is really amazing. It is about a young 16 year old girl names Sam who has dreams about people. The weird part is they come true. It really starts to freak Sam out. When her friend goes missing Sam thinks that it is no big deal. Then she starts having the dreams. I loved this book. It was full of adventure and fun. It also talked about nornal teenage things like boys and family. A must read for anyone who is already a fan of Melody Carlson!!

This is a great book. Alot of action keeps your interest. I could not put it down & read it all in one sitting!