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An Unexpected Performance
Leading lady-Carly Jean (CJ) Simms thinks she'd like to live in the era of her school play, Buttermilk Hill. It takes place during the War Between the States and she thinks being a lady of the manor would be very cool. She hopes to pull off the performance of a lifetime and win the drama award. The only thing keeping her from it is her mother who needs her at home to take care of her baby brother and aging grandfather.
Leading man-Josh Jamison has problems of his own. He wants to join the army but has found no support from his father. Josh doesn't understand what the big deal is. When his best friend tries to convince him that he's making a mistake, he turns a deaf ear.
Paired with CJ in the school play, he thinks his luck is finally turning. Maybe his performance as a soldier in the play will win the drama award and a little respect from everyone. CJ and Josh pin all their hopes on that prestigious drama award. If they could just find some way to insure their success...
Book Trailer on YouTube
http://youtu.be/cwEtUDi8rDM
Leading man-Josh Jamison has problems of his own. He wants to join the army but has found no support from his father. Josh doesn't understand what the big deal is. When his best friend tries to convince him that he's making a mistake, he turns a deaf ear.
Paired with CJ in the school play, he thinks his luck is finally turning. Maybe his performance as a soldier in the play will win the drama award and a little respect from everyone. CJ and Josh pin all their hopes on that prestigious drama award. If they could just find some way to insure their success...
Book Trailer on YouTube
http://youtu.be/cwEtUDi8rDM
216 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2013
1 person is currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Kim Smith
23 books82 followersKim Smith is the author of short romances, YA fantasy, and caper mysteries. She is a devout coffee addict and a recent, sick fan of Dr. Who, especially the Tenth incarnation, David Tennant.
At the age of ten, she released her first book. A retelling of the pilgrim's plight in America on a half dozen pages, self-illustrated, on stiff first grader type paper.
Decades later, she still writes. Her artistic endeavors have improved (somewhat), and her books have made Amazon Top 100 lists, climbing as high as #1. She lives in the Mid South region of the US with her husband, and their charming Chihuahua dog, Lady Darby.
**For exclusive giveaways, excerpts, and special offers sign up for the monthly newsletter on her author website: www.kimsmithauthor.com and connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kimsmithauthor.**
At the age of ten, she released her first book. A retelling of the pilgrim's plight in America on a half dozen pages, self-illustrated, on stiff first grader type paper.
Decades later, she still writes. Her artistic endeavors have improved (somewhat), and her books have made Amazon Top 100 lists, climbing as high as #1. She lives in the Mid South region of the US with her husband, and their charming Chihuahua dog, Lady Darby.
**For exclusive giveaways, excerpts, and special offers sign up for the monthly newsletter on her author website: www.kimsmithauthor.com and connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kimsmithauthor.**
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 1, 2013
Carly Jean (CJ) eases into a relationship with Josh, the "hottest guy" in Broken Branch High School. Not only good looking, Josh is also a top scholar and a wholesome young man. Kim Smith's novel, An Unexpected Performance, starts with them getting key roles in the school play about dashing young men and Southern bells gaily skipping through life. Right before the play starts, they kiss in front of a mysterious mirror hidden in a back room and are transported back into the latter days of the Civil War.
The transition from relatively trivial problems of the present to the harsh reality of the past jolts the reader. Right away, the pair is threatened with imprisonment or death. Only the quick thinking of first CJ and then Josh spares them. Throughout the novel, both are resourceful in dealing with the grim problems of a civilization that is gradually crumbling. While Josh is conscripted into service, CJ remains behind on a plantation robbed of its crops and depleted of its slave labor. To return to the present, CJ must find the same mysterious mirror in the past which transported them in their present. In the meantime, Josh struggles to simply stay alive.
Kim Smith's prose flows smoothly, her choice of words perfect and clear. Seen through the eyes of CJ and Josh, strong characters present themselves. My favorite was Jephrena, a former slave of a neighboring plantation. Daring and resourceful, she refused to submit to the white overseer who brutalized her parents. Because of her actions, she was doomed except for CJ's dogged determination.
In a few ways the novel parallels the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy yearns for adventure, but when confronted with its darker aspects, she wants only to return home. In the end, both CJ and Josh realize that, as imperfect as it is, there is "no place like home".
An Unexpected Performance would be an intriguing book for teenagers and young adults, especially those who want an intimate view of the difficulties in the South during the Civil War.
The transition from relatively trivial problems of the present to the harsh reality of the past jolts the reader. Right away, the pair is threatened with imprisonment or death. Only the quick thinking of first CJ and then Josh spares them. Throughout the novel, both are resourceful in dealing with the grim problems of a civilization that is gradually crumbling. While Josh is conscripted into service, CJ remains behind on a plantation robbed of its crops and depleted of its slave labor. To return to the present, CJ must find the same mysterious mirror in the past which transported them in their present. In the meantime, Josh struggles to simply stay alive.
Kim Smith's prose flows smoothly, her choice of words perfect and clear. Seen through the eyes of CJ and Josh, strong characters present themselves. My favorite was Jephrena, a former slave of a neighboring plantation. Daring and resourceful, she refused to submit to the white overseer who brutalized her parents. Because of her actions, she was doomed except for CJ's dogged determination.
In a few ways the novel parallels the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy yearns for adventure, but when confronted with its darker aspects, she wants only to return home. In the end, both CJ and Josh realize that, as imperfect as it is, there is "no place like home".
An Unexpected Performance would be an intriguing book for teenagers and young adults, especially those who want an intimate view of the difficulties in the South during the Civil War.
April 9, 2014
When I first read the blurb of this book, I was excited to read it. I mean come on, who doesn't love a theater or play aspect in a story. Especially one where the main characters are transported to another time where they actually have to bring their characters to life in a true setting and not just on the stage.
So initially I was quite intrigued as to what was going to happen to the main characters when they were transported. Who would they encounter, what would they do, how would they act? At first, both acted as I would expect. They were confused and a little in disbelief as to what happened. And of course once they met some people of that time they struggled just a bit to make themselves sound like they fit in. But after awhile I kind of expected them to acclimate at least somewhat to their surroundings. I mean, until they found out how to get back to their own time they would have to pretty much make the best of things. However, that took a little bit longer than I expected, well at least for CJ. Sometimes I felt she was a bit whiny, as if she was so used to our world that she really could not get used to theirs. Apart from her and Josh eventually being separated and her horror at being alone, but the people of that time treated her quite nicely. Well, those at the house she stayed at anyway. So I just felt she could have acted with a little more grateful of that fact and, again, made the best of things. However Josh, on the other hand, I kind of felt that he was right in his emotions. I mean the boy went through...well...you'll just have to read to find out.
But despite the excess emotions, the story was really good. I loved how detailed it was in regards to the Civil War Era portion. I also loved that there was kind of a story in a story. One that I believe connected both CJ and Josh's time with the time they are sent back to. I kind of want more now, because this story kind of left me hanging a little bit. I can just feel another story coming on, and I hope the author does too.
So initially I was quite intrigued as to what was going to happen to the main characters when they were transported. Who would they encounter, what would they do, how would they act? At first, both acted as I would expect. They were confused and a little in disbelief as to what happened. And of course once they met some people of that time they struggled just a bit to make themselves sound like they fit in. But after awhile I kind of expected them to acclimate at least somewhat to their surroundings. I mean, until they found out how to get back to their own time they would have to pretty much make the best of things. However, that took a little bit longer than I expected, well at least for CJ. Sometimes I felt she was a bit whiny, as if she was so used to our world that she really could not get used to theirs. Apart from her and Josh eventually being separated and her horror at being alone, but the people of that time treated her quite nicely. Well, those at the house she stayed at anyway. So I just felt she could have acted with a little more grateful of that fact and, again, made the best of things. However Josh, on the other hand, I kind of felt that he was right in his emotions. I mean the boy went through...well...you'll just have to read to find out.
But despite the excess emotions, the story was really good. I loved how detailed it was in regards to the Civil War Era portion. I also loved that there was kind of a story in a story. One that I believe connected both CJ and Josh's time with the time they are sent back to. I kind of want more now, because this story kind of left me hanging a little bit. I can just feel another story coming on, and I hope the author does too.
October 28, 2014
An Unexpected Performance by Kim Smith begins with two high school students who have been cast as leads in the school play. Then an innocent kiss in front of a magic mirror changes everything when they are transported to a different time. Now they find that in order to fit in they must perform their parts perfectly or the consequences could be dire.
I have decided to grade this book with four stars for its writing style, characters and storyline.
The first thing that came to my notice upon reading this novel was the authors writing style. Smith’s writing in this novel is clean and easy to follow. Furthermore, her prose flows evenly without being overly complicated. This made the novel a quick and comfortable read.
Secondly, I thought they character development in this novel was very good. I found both CJ and Josh to be likeable characters. I also felt as though they acted appropriately for their ages. Then as the story progressed the characters did some personal growing which is something I look for in any novel. Also, the boys in this novel were exactly how I remember boys in high school being.
The story line itself was interesting and creative. I wasn’t always sure what was going to happen next, which of course is key to a good book. Despite the upper level vocabulary in this novel, I feel as though it could easily be read by ages 13 and older.
Also, I would like to mention I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a honest review.
I have decided to grade this book with four stars for its writing style, characters and storyline.
The first thing that came to my notice upon reading this novel was the authors writing style. Smith’s writing in this novel is clean and easy to follow. Furthermore, her prose flows evenly without being overly complicated. This made the novel a quick and comfortable read.
Secondly, I thought they character development in this novel was very good. I found both CJ and Josh to be likeable characters. I also felt as though they acted appropriately for their ages. Then as the story progressed the characters did some personal growing which is something I look for in any novel. Also, the boys in this novel were exactly how I remember boys in high school being.
The story line itself was interesting and creative. I wasn’t always sure what was going to happen next, which of course is key to a good book. Despite the upper level vocabulary in this novel, I feel as though it could easily be read by ages 13 and older.
Also, I would like to mention I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a honest review.
January 31, 2015
I think this was a good book. I liked that the mirror was used in this book. It was a very good idea behind this book. I liked going back this these characters. I also liked to read about the slaved sometimes and this made it more interesting for me. This book was good. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
March 26, 2019
I enjoyed the book. A quick easy beach read. It showed how the grass is not always greener on the other side. The only thing I regretted was the author didn't develop the character of the theater director at the end of the book. I felt there might have been a connection there to the past. I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2016
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
A bit of a mystery, a bit of romance, a bit of historical fiction, and a bit of time travel. Kids learn life lessons when they unexpectedly end up back in Civil War times. Nice quick listen with some twists in the plot.
The narration was well done. The characters were excellently portrayed.
A bit of a mystery, a bit of romance, a bit of historical fiction, and a bit of time travel. Kids learn life lessons when they unexpectedly end up back in Civil War times. Nice quick listen with some twists in the plot.
The narration was well done. The characters were excellently portrayed.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews