Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.
Spoken: A Novel by Melanie Weiss
From the publisher: Roman becomes part of a diverse group of characters who challenge his rather privileged view of the world. Through Spoken Word, Roman recognizes the hole in his own life he needs to fill and discovers his voice. Spoken Word leads Roman on a journey of new friendships, first love, and finding the dad he never knew.
Our take: This contemporary coming-of-age novel won a bronze medal at the 2019 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest! Examining current social issues as well as the timeless theme of growing up, this YA book weaves its relationships through with elements of Spoken Word poetry, giving it a truly unique tone and voice.
From a Readers’ Favorite reviewer: “The language is fresh and the theme of Spoken is an interesting addition to YA fiction. While a story of self-discovery, Spoken lends itself to a different curricular option for teachers, a world of possibilities to young readers, and a special inspiration to biological parents. I really enjoyed Spoken and look forward to future storytelling from Melanie Weiss.”
From a reader: “All of this felt very natural and real, which I really appreciated.
This book has a lot of strong themes about coming of age and working through your issues. The look at spoken word poetry is not only a unique choice for the story but also comes at the heart of working through some tough issues.”
Beautiful Evil Winter (Fifty Shades of Mystery, Moxie and Suspense Book 1) by Kelly K. Lavender
From the author: After the USSR collapses, a time reminiscent of the unforgiving gun-slinging days of the frontier west, mild-mannered Ethan and fiery Sophia board a plane bound for Russia. They hope to prevail with their homespun plan to secure their son's safe passage to America. What can go wrong? Maybe, an innocent ill-fated encounter with the Mafia[...]
Our take: This novel, partly inspired by the author’s real experience, is both a thriller and a gripping family drama as the protagonist fights endless obstacles to adopting her son and bringing him home from post-Soviet Russia. Full of surprise twists, this story starts and doesn’t let up.
From a reader: “I’ve always felt my imagination was pretty strong, but the author certainly has me beat. This isn't a book for those who want to read a sweet predictable Lifetime story about adoption. The tightly woven plot and unforgettable characters were incredible. The fact that it's based on a true story fascinated me even more. Go read this book!”
Chasing Cupcakes: How One Broke, Fat Girl Transformed Her Life (and How You Can, Too) by Elizabeth Benton
From the author: It sucks to acknowledge that you are what's keeping you from the life you want. [...]You feel stuck--limited by your past, overwhelmed by your future--in a purgatory of your own behavior. After decades of feeling trapped by this mindset, Elizabeth Benton shifted her whole life by proving her own stories wrong. In this book, Elizabeth will help you live a new story, in which you can, you will, and you already have everything you need to make it happen.
Our take: This highly-rated self-help book tackles issues of weight, self-esteem, and motivation with a straight-forward attitude while maintaining a positive and affirmative outlook. With thought-provoking insights and advice on achieving goals, this book can help readers gain new tools for facing adversity.
From a reader: “In a nutshell, the book is about accountability, taking control, and acting in a way that not only honors our goals but moves us closer to them. We are the authors of our story, and we alone have the ability to change it. [...] I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to accomplish a meaningful change in their lives, health, career, or family related etc. Well-written, insightful, and useful.”
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We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories!
