The Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club recommends The Promise by Chandra Sparks Taylor.

About the book:

Since she broke up with the hottest basketball player in school, seventeen-year-old Courtland Murphy has been the subject of a million rumors. The fallout from her relationship with Allen Benson has made Courtland more sure than ever that waiting to have sex is the right decision. But the drama’s not over, especially with her own father acting strangely and Allen out to make her life hell—with his teammates’ help. All except Aidan Calhoun, the new star player who’s just moved from Atlanta. Aidan supports her involvement in the Worth-the-Wait club and the upcoming purity ball, and despite vowing to never date another baller, Courtland’s falling fast. But can she trust her feelings for someone new when the people she’s closest to may not be what they seem?

Lip Gloss Rating: 4 Lip Gloss

What we liked: Courtland Murphy’s character was not only likable but believable. Her actions and thoughts mimicked teens. Her and Brees relationship showed the true meaning of being a friend.

Courtland is hesitant on revealing her feelings to a new boy, Aidan, due to being hurt previously. She not only deals with her newfound feelings for Aidan, but she’s dealing with her father’s indiscretions that could threaten her family structure.

What we didn’t like: I wanted to know more about Courtland and Allen’s past relationship. I regret that I didn’t read The Pledge, the first book in the series, prior to reading The Promise.

Lesson Learned: Everything is not always what it seems.

Overall review: Just like life, The Promise has a few surprise twists in the story that will keep the reader entertained. ~ The Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club Reviewer

AA Book Reading List Suggestions

List compiled by Shelia M. Goss

Below is a list of books either by or about African-American pioneers. The books can be found at your local library or from an online retailer.

The early black history movement, Carter G. Woodson, and Lorenzo Johnston Greene.
Dagbovie, Pero Gaglo

Carter G. Woodson : the father of Black history
McKissack, Pat

Carter G. Woodson : a life in Black history
Goggin, Jacqueline Anne

Art from her heart : folk artist Clementine Hunter
Whitehead, Kathy

Clementine Hunter : the African house murals
Hunter, Clementine

Talking with Tebe : Clementine Hunter, memory artist
Hunter, Clementine

Coretta Scott King
Waxman, Laura Hamilton

Coretta Scott King : first lady of civil rights
Stanley, George E.

Coretta Scott King : civil rights activist
Rhodes, Lisa Renee

Minnie’s sacrifice ; Sowing and reaping ; Trial and triumph : three rediscovered novels
Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins

A brighter coming day : a Frances Ellen Watkins Harper reader
Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins

Three classic African-American novels
Brown, William Wells

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site : junior ranger activity book. DOC
United States. National Park Service.

Freedom’s Teacher: The Life of Septima Clark by Katherine Mellen Charron

Ready from Within: Septima Clark & the Civil Rights Movement, A First Person Narrative by Septima Poinsette Clark and Cynthia Stokes Brown

From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans by John Hope Franklin and Alfred A. Moss Jr.

Shelia M. Goss compiled this list for her in person lecture during Black History Month. She is the author of the young adult series – The Lip Gloss Chronicles: The Ultimate Test, Splitsville, and Paper Thin.

For more information or to sign up to The Lip Gloss Chronicles mailing list, visit www.thelipglosschronicles.com or www.sheliagoss.com.

The Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club was founded after meeting numerous teens and pre-teens this past fall. I wanted to have a central place for parents and teens to come for reading suggestions.

If you read young adult books or know someone who reads young adult books, be sure to bookmark the site and sign up to the mailing list so you’ll be informed of new YA books.

Why should I join the Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club?
It’s free. I love reading YA books and I want to stay informed of up & coming books.

How do I join the Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club?
Just sign up to the mailing list and keep informed on what’s going on in The Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club.

How can I contribute to the Lip Gloss Chronicles Book Club?
Easy. Send an email to sheliagoss@aol.com and let her know you want to contribute a book review to the site.

I’m an author. How do I get profiled on The Lip Gloss Chronicles site?
Send your information via email to sheliagoss@aol.com with the name of your book and release date.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask them in the comment field.

I was watching the CBS Early Show and the author Eve Ensler was on the show talking about her book I Am An Emotional Creature.

In the book she addresses teen dating violence. It’s something that every parent should read. Teen dating violence is not limited to any one region in the country; it’s wide-spread and that’s why I addressed the issue in the latest book in the Lip Gloss Chronicles series - Paper Thin.

I want teens to realize that they do not have to stay in an abusive relationship with a boy, they should first try to leave the boy alone. If that doesn’t work, don’t be scared to tell an adult about it so they can intervene and help.

Here are some facts from StayTeen.org:

# 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
# One-third of teen girls say they have been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
# One-quarter of teens who have been in serious relationships say their boyfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family.
# Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.

If you’re a parent reading this blog, don’t let your teen be a statistic.
If you’re a teen reading this blog, do not let a boy abuse you. Tell an adult. Get out of it and know that you’re worthy to be treated with love and respect and that you’re not the one with the problem, the boy is.

In Paper Thin, the character has people who care and try to help her. For more information about teen dating violence, go to: http://www.loveisrespect.org or http://www.acadv.org/dating.html

I was featured on Color Online this week.

100 words or less how would you describe your work?
I write stories with a twist. I like to write about every day issues many people face. Although my stories are entertaining and dramatic, they are also inspirational.

To read the entire interview, go to: http://coloronline.blogspot.com/2010/02/women-writers-of-color-sheila-m-goss.html

The Lip Gloss Chronicles is a series seems like it’s chock full of drama and there’s never a dull moment, can you read the books individually or do you have to read them in succession?

Britney, Jasmine and Sierra are drama magnets so there’s never a dull moment in The Lip Gloss Chronicles.

Click on the link to read the entire interview: http://www.princessdominique.com/fashionblog/2010/02/the-lip-gloss-chronicles-paper-thin-interviewgiveaway/