In Between (A Katie Parker Production, Book 1)

After binge reading a five book historical Christian fiction series that blessed my socks off, I wanted something of a lighter fare, but a quality work (so as not to feel like a let down, you know?) I couldn't have chosen a better book! This is a very well written story -- clear plot with substantial subplots, interesting, well-developed characters (via their thoughts, actions and words, not just summaries!), pleasing tempo holding my interest throughout -- with very few proofing errors (always important to me. I've given up on some otherwise good stories due to wading through such frustrations.) This book had me chuckling and smiling many times, but the best part of all is the foundation of honest to goodness Christianity, unafraid to show its human side without shaming the gospel. I LOVED this book! I'm sad to say that I might have missed it if not for the offer to try it for free.

Katie Parker is a 16 year old girl who finds herself in the foster care of a minister and his wife in the small town of In Between after her mother is sent to prison for dealing drugs. Also in the family is the colorful former Las Vegas show girl grandmother, who travels around town at high speed on her tandem bicycle and drags Katie with her. Although Katie initially falls into old habits and ends up with the wrong crowd, she is inherently a "good girl" and sets out to redeem herself in the eyes of her new foster parents and everyone else in town. This is a humerous and heartwarming story and a quick read. It is a "teen book" but I am a long way from my teen years and I still enjoyed it. It is not the type of book I would purchase, but it was free from Amazon and I'm glad I took the chance. Note this is also very heavy Christian literature.

Thank goodness I had a long plane trip and layover so I had lots of time to read this excellent book. I couldn’t put it down! This was the first time I’ve read a book by author Jenny B. Jones but certainly not the last; she has a new fan! The story is about Katie Parker a foster girl who has been in the system awhile due to her alcoholic, bad mom. Katie is placed in the home of James and Millie Scott as new foster parents who have a secret of their own. James Scott is the pastor of the local church with Millie as the secretary. The story goes through the first few months of Katie’s life at the Scott’s house, a new student at the high school, and discovering the God. The author does a great job of developing the characters to be so real. I especially like the way she developed Millie Scott. She made me feel so connected to her as a woman and just wanted to reach out to her. The writing of Katie was also great. Katie’s emotions where put out there as real as it could be and you could really feel for her as a person. And then there was Millie’s mother Maxine who was totally crazy! The character was very well written and you could just picture the antics that she did. I laughed, I cried and I loved the book. When it was done, I was disappointed. I didn’t want it to end. I see room for another book, there is so much more that can be written with the many good characters in the story. I will be recommending this to my friends. Thank you Jenny B. Jones for such an awesome story!!!

In Between by Jenny B. Jones is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl whose mother is in prison. She has been in a home for girls and is now taken in as a foster child by James and Millie Scott. The story is told by the teen Katie Parker in a snarky, sarcastic, non-trusting tone. She is, nevertheless, someone the reader identifies with, and she rings true. Katie wears black clothing and Goth make-up for her first day in her new school and promptly befriends the girl with a purple Mohawk. She soon finds she made the wrong choice. She’s in trouble with the police and the scapegoat for horrible acts of destruction. The Scotts give Katie a beautiful room, designer clothes, and love and discipline. She soon makes other friends and decides to try to win the respect of her foster parents. She even becomes friends with her flashy, energetic—to put it mildly—foster grandma. This is how In Between introduces the grandmother: “My mother is, um, different. I don’t want her to scare you, but she’s been compared to Judge Judy.” “Judge Judy?” “On crack.” It’s pretty accurate, though I think Judge Judy is mild compared to Maxine Simmons. The ending wasn’t what I expected—I love it when authors surprise me—and it’s perfect. Throughout, there are many profound spiritual lessons along with lots of fun. The writing is excellent. If you like a sarcastic tone and fun with a heart, you’ll appreciate this book. I thoroughly enjoyed In Between, laughing from start to finish. I would heartily recommend it to teen girls as well as to those of us who never quite grew up.

I loved it! Couldn't stop reading!! so easy to follow along, and it was funny and full of hope and faith. :)

This is a light christian book. probabaly appealing to teenagers. it is sometimes funny bit has no real in- depth characters, issues are solved through a lort of prayers but solved anyway. Real life and feelings are just .. a little more complicated. About the writing in itself : too much unknown acronyms for non americans. Still ot remains an enjoyable oastime reading

this book is so goood. i havent laughed so much in ages READ IT …this will sure put a smile on your face

I made the very serious mistake of reading some of this book in a café while waiting for my order. Big mistake. Apparently a grown man laughing loudly at a book he is reading is not the done thing. Adults around me became very stiff and could be heard tutting. I carried on anyway because to stop would have required more will power than I have. Children (there were many of those) were fascinated by the idiot man chuckling every few seconds and one small boy stopped eating altogether and stared at me open mouthed even when my order came and began eating my meal. The humour in this story was in almost every page and didn't stop the far more serious story of Katie shining through. Katie is the daughter of a drug dealing mother who got caught and is doing a long stretch in prison. Poor Katie has endured 6 months in the Sunny Haven Home for Girls but is now sent to the Rev and Mrs Scott in the strange town of In Between. They will be her foster parents. The story of Katie's gradual progress is wonderful and totally credible. It isn't all plain sailing by any means. The characters in this book are so well described that they became friends. The Rev. James Scott who has many problems the not least of which is his mad mother in law Maxine. Maxine the totally eccentric foster grandmother. (oh how I wish mine had been like that) is a great character. Then their is Millie, Katie's foster mum. Enthusiastic, loving but no push over she is exasperated by her mother, unaware her mother has a 76 year old 'boyfriend' and grieving for her own daughter. Then there is Frances the school mentor for Katie who in spite of Katie's rebuffs hangs on in and proves to be a very good friend to Katie. Yes this is a Christian book but in no heavy proselytising way. It is gentle and realistic. No sudden conversions and Katie is still no believer at the end of the book. Naturally there is drama, sadness, pathos and a simply cracking ending. Great read if unexpectedly so. Recommended.

Un libro molto semplice che parla di una ragazzina adolescente con la madre in prigione che viene affidata ad una famiglia in cui il padre è il pastore della città. Narrato dalla ragazza con un linguaggio giovanile e spiritoso. Perfetto per chi vuole leggere un libro in inglese che non sia troppo difficile e per tenersi allenati.