Driven by Lisa Nowak

Driven (Full Throttle, #3) 

by Lisa Nowak

Publisher: Webfoot Publishing

Publication Date:  May 2, 2012

ASIN:  B007ZW06ZK

Genre: YA Contemporary, Coming-of-age

Book Summary:  The last thing on 16-year-old Jess DeLand’s wish list is a boyfriend. She’d have to be crazy to think any guy would look twice at her. Besides, there are more important things to hope for, like a job working on cars and an end to her mom’s drinking. Foster care is a constant threat, and Jess is willing to sacrifice anything to stay out of the system. When luck hands her the chance to work on a race car, she finds herself rushing full throttle into a world of opportunities—including a boy who doesn’t mind the grease under her fingernails. The question is, can a girl who keeps herself locked up tighter than Richard Petty’s racing secrets open up enough to risk friendship and her first romance?

My Thoughts:  Oh - My - Goodness!!!  I did not know things could get any better!!!  After having read the first two books in the Full Throttle series, I thought I had read some awesome books.  Boy, was I shocked when I read this one!!!  Driven is by far the best of the three books!!!  So powerful!!!  I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing!!  I did not want to take a break from it.  I have spent the last two days totally wrapped up in the Full Throttle world!!!  I almost hate that I am done with the book.  My mind is still trying to shuffle around everything I have read!!!!


OK, so we are still dealing with the whole racing theme, and relationships - only on a more powerful nature! We are taking all the emotion that we were given in the first two books, and revving  them up  to Full Throttle - literally!!!  We still have our favorite characters from before, but with the addition of Jess, our new protagonist.  She is a 16-year old girl, who herself has had a very tumultuous life - a mother who is an alcoholic, a father who has left, and she is always worried about going into the foster system.  Much to her delight, she sees the light at the end of the tunnel.  She gets an opportunity to do what she loves to do - work on cars - even better - a race car!!!  In doing so, she is introduced to the close knit racing community - such a contrast from her real family.  She also gets the opportunity for her first romance with someone who has had similar experiences - growing up angry at a family that is not what it should be - our one and only - Cody!!


I found myself drawn to Jess.  Her life is a real roller coaster!!!  What a strong young lady to have to deal with everything she has dealt with!  At times, she really made me mad - but in the first book, so did Cody.  But I grew to love them both.  I was so glad that Jess met and could befriend Cody.  What a pair!  Between them, they have had more experiences than anyone should ever have to face.  The fact that Cody has worked through most of the emotions that Jess now has to deal with, makes their relationship one that should truly blossom.  


I would highly recommend the Full Throttle Series to everyone!!!  I am very honored that Lisa Nowak asked me to read her books.  I have not been disappointed at all.  All three books in the series are fabulous!  It has by far been my very favorite series of late.  She is a wonderful author, and I am very encouraged to pick up anything she writes in the future!!!


If you want to find out what others have to say about Driven, click on the tour banner at the top!!!!  

About the Author:  In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. 

Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

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Getting Sideways by Lisa Nowak

Getting Sideways 

(Full Throttle, #2) by Lisa Nowak

Publihsher:  Webfoot Publishing

Publication Date:  December 4, 2011

ASIN:  B006HYZHNI

Genre: YA Contemporary, coming-of-age

Book Summary:  Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody’s making every effort to get his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers’ license—but there’s no escaping the nightmares that haunt him. 


A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he’ll have to live up to Race’s legendary status. But that’s the least of his worries, considering he doesn’t have his dad’s permission. All he has to do is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing’s safe.


Yeah, sure. That’ll be easy.

My Thoughts:  I have thoroughly enjoyed the Full Throttle series so far!!  Prior to this year, I had not read too many contemporary novels, let alone one told from a young man's perspective - from a female author, no less. If I did not know it before hand, I would not have believed it!  Lisa Nowak has created a fun series that can be enjoyed by young adult and adult readers - whether you typically enjoy contemporary, coming-of-age novels or not!!!  


Getting Sideways continues the story that began in Running Wide Open - with Cody, Race, Kasey, and the rest of the crew.  After everything they have been through together, it is hard to believe that Cody and Race have more issues to deal with, but they do it together!!  They are still dealing with all of the physical and emotional issues from Race's accident in Running Wide Open.  Cody is making great strides with his relationship with his dad, although they have a few disagreements throughout the book. They continue to deal with Cody's Grandmother/Race's Mom - who pops in more often than Race feels comfortable with!  And, Cody continues to encourage the building of Race and Kasey's relationship!!!  


The whole novel deals with very realistic relationships.  How they are described, and how they are approached are so believable.  Nowak makes it so easy for any reader to make a connection to the characters and plot.  There is such strong emotion involved.  The reader is immediately drawn in, and you find yourself thinking about and worried about the characters when you are away from the book!!!!


Although the series is set around a racing theme, it is not in your face.  You do not have to be into racing in order to enjoy this book - although if you are it makes it even better!!!  The best part of the racing theme is that there is such a sense of community - again, the theme of relationships.  


If you have not yet read the first book in the Full Throttle series, be sure to pick up Running Wide Open.  You will not be disappointed, and you will be very compelled to keep reading - leading you to Getting Sideways.  


I'm off to read the third book - Driven!!!!!

About the Author:  In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. 


Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.


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Book Beginnings & Friday 56: Driven

Book Beginnings on Fridays is a meme hosted by Rose City Reader.  The object is to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice - Turn to page 56, pick a sentence, and post it.  Simple as that!!!

Driven by Lisa Nowak
Publisher: Webfoot Publishing
Publication Date:  May 2, 2012
ASIN:  B007ZW06ZK
Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis:  The last thing on 16-year-old Jess DeLand’s wish list is a boyfriend. She’d have to be crazy to think any guy would look twice at her. Besides, there are more important things to hope for, like a job working on cars and an end to her mom’s drinking. Foster care is a constant threat, and Jess is willing to sacrifice anything to stay out of the system. When luck hands her the chance to work on a race car, she finds herself rushing full throttle into a world of opportunities—including a boy who doesn’t mind the grease under her fingernails. The question is, can a girl who keeps herself locked up tighter than Richard Petty’s racing secrets open up enough to risk friendship and her first romance?

The Beginning:

If it hadn't been for Teri Sue Cline's Southern drawl, I'd probably been still sitting in the stands at Eugene Speedway, wishing I had the nerve to talk to one of the drivers.

My first impression:

I could totally relate!  I love watching NASCAR races - even the dirt track races here across the highway!!  However, I'd be so nervous - or "star struck" if I were to meet a NASCAR driver!!  The southern drawl comment reminds me of the strong southern drawl of Bill Elliott.....  I loved the first two books in the Full Throttle series!!!  This one is starting off just as wonderful!!

Friday 56

Cody slid out of his car and strolled into the barn, moisture slicking his leather jacket. Today his T-shirt read, I’m the person your mother warned you about, but he wore the same black Converse high tops and the same outlaw grin. I was beginning to wonder if he slept with that smirk on his face.

W.....W.....W...... Wednesday (17)

W....W....W.... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.  To take part in this feature, you answer 3 questions in a blog post:

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?   

What are you currently reading?  Well, just finished up a book, and have not actually started the next one, but have one picked out.  I will be reading Bound by C.K. Bryant.  This one is another YA paranormal romance.  I have been reading many of those this year.  Loving them!!!!    C.K. Bryant's second book in the Crystor series is coming out in June - so I need to get this first one read!!!

What did you recently finish reading?  I just completed Slant of Light by Steve Wiegenstein.  AWESOME!  A very good historical fiction novel!!  I am in the process of writing up my review that will be up later today!!!

What do you think you'll read next?  My plan is to read Driven by Lisa Nowak.  I have read her first two books in the Full Throttle series and absolutely loved them.  I have a stop on her blog tour next week - stop back by.  






What have you been reading?  

Book Review: Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak

Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak
Publication Date:  June 13, 2011
Publisher:  Webfoot Publishing
ISBN:  9781937167004
Genre:  Young Adult, coming of age
Author blog:  http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/


Summary (from Goodreads):  Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the flashpoint of racing fuel, and it's landed him at his uncle's trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night?


What Cody doesn't expect is for the arrangement to work. Or for Race to become the friend and mentor he's been looking for all his life. But just as Cody begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he's come to care about is threatened, and he has to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the only person he's ever dared to trust.


Review:  Cody Everett is a 15 year old troubled kid who has a messed up family and a messed up life.  After getting caught with his buddies plastering graffiti at the zoo, Cody is given the choice of military school or living with his uncle Race.  Choosing to live with his uncle - a stock-car racer, he figures he will still end up in  military school, but soon finds out just what life should be.  He has to learn to trust and be trusted.  He has to learn to make the right decisions, and to stand up for what he wants and needs.


I must say that I really had a hard time getting into the "Before" section of the book.  It was rough and hard to read, but after getting into the book, I know that it was necessary to include that part to get a good feel for Cody, and what his life was like - so that ultimately, you could better understand his motives later on.  The voice in this story is so strong.  There is no question about the emotional connections built into the plot, and it is necessary to get the message across to the reader. 


The characters in this book were so vivid and strong.  You got a good feel for each one, and could find yourself looking at things from the point-of-view of each main character.  It was great to see a "tough guy" show some good qualities, and how he eventually get comfortable showing those qualities.  Many novels portraying bad boys keep them as bad boys.  This one shows what is deep down in that character - really fleshes him out.


I am a huge NASCAR fan, and I believe that this helped me understand a lot of the book.  Cody's uncle Race is a weekend, Saturday night short track racer.  I live less than a mile from a short track myself - listening to the cars sling themselves around the dirt track every Friday night here.  I could put myself into the story, pulling on all of my senses so I was right there with Cody and Race. 


This coming of age story would be one that I feel many of my male students could really get into.  Again, I think the "Before" section could be a little iffy for them - there is a lot of swearing and bad language.  But once you get through that part, it is wonderful.  And, I think the boys would think that that was great!!  


This book is one that young adults can truly relate to and should find itself as a favorite to many.  

Teaser Tuesday (1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser:


"When we went home later that night I stuck the sketch up on my wall, where it had stayed for almost ten years.  I hadn't seen Race after that, and for months I'd wished he'd been my big brother, instead of my uncle."


--------excerpt from Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak