RECOMMEND- Benvenida to ADIOS

{Blogger won't let me upload the cover- Sorry!]

I first 'met' Barb Ferrer through an online writer's group on which I mostly lurked. Then the Universe granted me the pleasure of meeting her in person at a writer's conference in Phoenix. What a hoot- I think we were laughing most of the time we spent together.

So having met her in person, I of course made a mental note to buy her debut book. I'm really glad that I did. ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE is a really fun read. I can't say enough good things about Ali's story. I easily indentified with the heroine and genuinely engaged in her story, anxious to find out what would happen next and enjoying every minute of the ride. Maybe it helped that I'm an American Idol fan already, but it was great fun to get a behind-the scenes look at the talent show and the contestants. Towards the end of the book, it doesn't seem like Ali will get the happily ever you expect, but more satisfying is that she gets the happy ending she deserves.

BACK COVER BLURB- Does a seventeen-year-old from Miami have what it takes to be the next big Latin superstar? And does she really want it?As a talented singer-guitarist with a dream of going pro, Alegría Montero is getting fed up with the endless, boring parade of quinceañeras and other family party gigs. She's longing for something bigger. And Oye Mi Canto -- a new reality TV show that's searching for the next Latin superstar -- is definitely that. Ali figures she'll never make the cut, but auditioning seems like a good way to get her overprotective father to take her ambitions seriously.

To Ali's complete shock, she passes her audition. Next thing she knows, she's dealing with wardrobe fittings, cameras, reporters, vocal coaches, and websites designed by lovestruck fanboys. She's also dealing with jealousy, malice, and sabotage among the contestants, all of which has her wondering: Is it really time to shoot for the stars and try to win the whole competition, or is it time to say "Cut!" and become a normal teenager again?

BOOK REVIEW- "...readers will enjoy this fine contemporary tale that focuses on the price of fame. "- Harriet Klausner