Life's been tough for Kate Blessing. Her parents are still on the outs, the family's about to hit the mattresses, and one of their own is threatening to pull rank. Kate's also managing two guys: one whose parents don't approve of her, and one who's the son of her dad's rival.
Kate may not know who to trust, but she's got to step up. If the family falls apart, it won't just be ugly... it'll be deadly.
Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty: 2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens “Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus “This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review). "Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA “Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Previously, in FOR MONEY AND LOVE, Kate Blessing finds herself waist deep in problems. First her mom leaves her dad, then she finds out that her dad's mistress is pregnant. Two guys, Teddy and Nick, are beginning to show interest in her. Her dad, Sonny, is beginning to lose his touch and Kate starts giving out advice and solutions to their problems. If only some of those solutions would solve her problems.
Kate is back, but now her problems are neck high. Even though her dad may forgive her for having relations with the enemy, Sonny and the entire "family" are in trouble. Both the rivals and the authorities are catching on to what they are doing, and if the family doesn't find a way to make peace and a little money along the way, they can kiss their business goodbye.
Of course, Kate has to find a way to solve the problems, fast. She can't sit there and watch her family go down. But having two guys involved isn't much help. Especially since one is always MIA and the other one has parents who do not seem to trust Kate or her dad.
Who knew being a Mob Princess, an inexperienced one at that, could be such hard work.
Intense, gripping, and as hilarious as ever, STOLEN KISSES, SECRETS, AND LIES is the perfect follow-up and is what this series is all about. Todd Strasser makes readers want to be like Kate, except without all those family problems. Now readers will just have to wait for the next and last novel in the series (COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS) and wish that a trilogy has more than three parts to it.
Kate Blessing is about to face a huge turn in her life. After the date with her enemy she was kicked out of her own house the only person that can help her is her mother. Her mother a very wise woman had warn Kate about many danger throughout the world. Kate Blessing had just faced the divorce between both of her parent, dating her enemy whom cheats on her, threats from other mob causing her father's company collapsing and the point that her father is so depressed that he doesn't care if their company collapsed! Kate Blessing have to do something! She needs to take the first step and lead the company herself!
A excellent choice of book! Who would ever thought of the idea of writing about a mob using the mob point of view. We know their thoughts and emotions. The reader may know that not all mob are that bad! They still have a heart! Todd Strasser the terrific author that made the evil sound good and his persuasion works so far!
The suspensful and thrilling words in the story will cause you not to put down the book until you get to the end. Todd Strasser really did make the ordinary extradinary because his story isnt just one theme like other book/novels i read but his book has more than one them it is love, betrayal, trust and much more!
What's cool about Todd Strasser is that he's a guy and he can write in the point of view of a girl. Mostly when guy are author its mostly point of view of guy and mostly about basketball, love, etc. But for Todd Strasser he's able to wirte in the point of view of a girl who is mostly emotional! But the best thing about reading about his book is that he mixes romanace with her MOB BUISNESS!!!
I'm finally getting caught up on this review (I've been sick. That's why I didn't really do the other also). So this book. Why the frick did I rate it so high? It's just so addicting like daytime television. You hate the show and want to make fun of it yet you keep watching and waiting for the next episode. Like me with 19 kids and counting. I'm like the people are INSANE why am I watching this it's stupid but next week I do it all over again. That in essence is the series. And this book is no exception.
Some parts I was like "ooh what's gonna happen?" But then I was like "srsly you even joking?" The plot is very very cliche. She loves in a mob family and yes she does actually follow all the mob cliches. Some were pretty ridiculous.
Overall this book is not very good but I'm hooked on the series *sigh*
Until the next horribly addictive book I read, revenge is not the best way to go.
Kate Blessing's father is in the mob and she has had to step in as her family falls apart. Kate's mother leaves after her father's latest affair. Kate's brother is arrested. Kate's father's organization is in a tailspin. On top of all that, Kate had a one-night-stand with the son of a rival mob's leader. What is Kate to do?
I really liked it. I did notice a lot of spelling mistakes tho. I also really wanted more romance, the first one had more. I WANT MORE NICK! hopefully the next one will have more of a romantic storyline.
Conflict happens in this book and makes you wonder what will happen with Kate. Good and bad happens in this book. The prevous book ties in wonderfully with this and that keeps you going.
- something just doesn’t sit right with my spirit about a grown man writing about minors being with older men - and kate is two timing trash ✌🏼 i can’t stand her ass - and pls explain to me why she’s so hung up on nick when he clearly left her on read after taking her virginity when they’ve only spoken to each other about each other and not the family business for like two days before that - and honestly what kind of mob is this akdnsj like yeah back then things had to be pg-13 for YA but... this is comical