Life on Hold

Beverly Stowe McClure writes excellent stories for the youth of today. She has done it again with Life on Hold. Her comprehension of a teenager’s feelings, as they mature and become more aware of life around them, is very astute and empathetic.
Myra Gibson has to put her life on hold when she happens to come across a very disturbing piece of paper while cleaning out the family guesthouse. It is such a shock to her that she cannot even think about it, much less ask her parents about it. As an introverted teen, she has no one she can confide in.
“On June eleventh, ten days after my sixteenth birthday life as I knew it came to an end.”
The startling discovery will change Myra’s life, both with her family and her friends. She has to work it out by herself at first, but eventually starts to open up with her mother, then her father. Later she brings her friends into her secret and finds that she has a lot of support from all sides. Teens will love following Myra and her friends and family to the conclusion of her dilemma.
Beverly Stowe McClure lives in Texas with her husband, Jack. She is the mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Beverly is a member of both the North Texas and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Some of her other books for teens include Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept, Rebel in Blue Jeans and Just Breeze.
Myra Gibson has to put her life on hold when she happens to come across a very disturbing piece of paper while cleaning out the family guesthouse. It is such a shock to her that she cannot even think about it, much less ask her parents about it. As an introverted teen, she has no one she can confide in.
“On June eleventh, ten days after my sixteenth birthday life as I knew it came to an end.”
The startling discovery will change Myra’s life, both with her family and her friends. She has to work it out by herself at first, but eventually starts to open up with her mother, then her father. Later she brings her friends into her secret and finds that she has a lot of support from all sides. Teens will love following Myra and her friends and family to the conclusion of her dilemma.
Beverly Stowe McClure lives in Texas with her husband, Jack. She is the mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Beverly is a member of both the North Texas and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Some of her other books for teens include Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept, Rebel in Blue Jeans and Just Breeze.
Listen to the Ghost

Listen to the Ghost by Beverly Stowe McClure surprised me. I do not usually read paranormal or ghost stories, but I really liked this one. I found it exciting and interesting, but not actually scary. It is written for young adults.
The ghost, Phoebe, is congenial, but mischievous. She needs the four young people, Jade, Elaine, David and Matt, who are house sitting for Jade and David’s grandparents, to help her so she can go to her eternal rest.
“She laughed at herself. What is wrong with me? She thought. I sound like I believe Elaine with her stories of ghosts and spirits and noises in the night. She’d say we have a supernatural being in our midst.”
As Phoebe appears to each of them one at a time, they become more aware of her and she eventually becomes almost real to them. She asks them to help her find the wedding rings that were to be used at her wedding on the day she died. The group works hard to help her, but they feel that it is going to be an impossible task after so many years.
There is a normal storyline in addition to the ghostly one that unfolds as they try to help Phoebe. Kurt, Jade’s former boyfriend, begins to stalk Jade and they have to deal with that situation along with the ghostly event.
This young adult novel will hold your interest. You will be looking forward to finding out what happens in the end.
Beverly Stowe McClure has written several teen novels as well as an adult novel that delves into the realm of ghost stories. She lives in the country with her husband, Jack where they watch armadillos, skunks and other wild creatures. She is a member of the North Texas Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
The ghost, Phoebe, is congenial, but mischievous. She needs the four young people, Jade, Elaine, David and Matt, who are house sitting for Jade and David’s grandparents, to help her so she can go to her eternal rest.
“She laughed at herself. What is wrong with me? She thought. I sound like I believe Elaine with her stories of ghosts and spirits and noises in the night. She’d say we have a supernatural being in our midst.”
As Phoebe appears to each of them one at a time, they become more aware of her and she eventually becomes almost real to them. She asks them to help her find the wedding rings that were to be used at her wedding on the day she died. The group works hard to help her, but they feel that it is going to be an impossible task after so many years.
There is a normal storyline in addition to the ghostly one that unfolds as they try to help Phoebe. Kurt, Jade’s former boyfriend, begins to stalk Jade and they have to deal with that situation along with the ghostly event.
This young adult novel will hold your interest. You will be looking forward to finding out what happens in the end.
Beverly Stowe McClure has written several teen novels as well as an adult novel that delves into the realm of ghost stories. She lives in the country with her husband, Jack where they watch armadillos, skunks and other wild creatures. She is a member of the North Texas Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Frankie's Perfect Home

Beverly Stowe McClure has written a charming children’s book about an armadillo who wants to find a home just for himself. His present home is too crowded with siblings and he thinks he will be happier in a home of his own.
“Frankie Armadillo pushed Monty’s claw off his nose. He swatted Phil’s tail out of his eyes. He coughed Bill’s foot from his mouth.”
Frankie’s adventures take him to several places and into adventures as he searches for the right place to live. He finds that searching for a home and providing his own food is not as grand in reality as it was in his thoughts. This book, written for 4-8 year olds, is one you will have to share with your children. They will want to read and re-read it.
The illustrations by Alexander Morris depict Frankie’s worries perfectly as he searched for his home. Younger non-readers will love to pour over the pictures pointing out the funny and serious aspects of Frankie’s search.
Beverly Stowe McClure has written several teen novels as well as an adult novel that delves into the realm of ghost stories. She lives in the country with her husband, Jack and they watch armadillos, skunks and other wild creatures. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators.
Alexander Morris graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg. He always knew he wanted to be an artist and spent some time drawing monsters and other malformed creatures. He soon discovered the satisfaction of drawing cartoon characters when in college. He has illustrated several books for Guardian Angel Publishing.
“Frankie Armadillo pushed Monty’s claw off his nose. He swatted Phil’s tail out of his eyes. He coughed Bill’s foot from his mouth.”
Frankie’s adventures take him to several places and into adventures as he searches for the right place to live. He finds that searching for a home and providing his own food is not as grand in reality as it was in his thoughts. This book, written for 4-8 year olds, is one you will have to share with your children. They will want to read and re-read it.
The illustrations by Alexander Morris depict Frankie’s worries perfectly as he searched for his home. Younger non-readers will love to pour over the pictures pointing out the funny and serious aspects of Frankie’s search.
Beverly Stowe McClure has written several teen novels as well as an adult novel that delves into the realm of ghost stories. She lives in the country with her husband, Jack and they watch armadillos, skunks and other wild creatures. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators.
Alexander Morris graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg. He always knew he wanted to be an artist and spent some time drawing monsters and other malformed creatures. He soon discovered the satisfaction of drawing cartoon characters when in college. He has illustrated several books for Guardian Angel Publishing.
Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines

Beverly Stowe McClure has crafted an accurate and exciting historical novel for young adults in Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines. She describes the Siege of Vicksburg through the eyes of a young Southern girl, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Stamford. Lizzie and her family, consisting of her mother, younger brother, Nat and their two servants have to live in a cave during the siege in an effort to keep safe from the Yankee bombardment. Her father is a doctor who cares for the wounded at the local hospital and is not home very often. Ms. McClure gives a faithful account of the townspeople’s plight during the siege – cave dwelling, lack of food and horrors of war.
Wanting to do something to help with the cause, Lizzie disguises herself as a boy in a misguided attempt at joining the Confederate troops. She soon learns that this is not the way to help, but meets a Yankee soldier who has been wounded. Her natural caring and the thought of her brothers make her take him to her house to nurse his wounds. She realizes that friendship comes through caring, not necessarily where you live or who you are. Read about Lizzie’s experience and a small part of our history. Lizzie’s spunky attitude shows throughout the story and does not waiver for long as she accepts what is happening and looks forward to the future when the war is over and all is returned to normal.
Beverly Stowe McClure lives in Texas with her husband, Jack. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Beverly is a member of both the North Texas and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines is a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and a finalist in the Dan Poynter eBook Global Awards for Teen Literature — Fiction.
Wanting to do something to help with the cause, Lizzie disguises herself as a boy in a misguided attempt at joining the Confederate troops. She soon learns that this is not the way to help, but meets a Yankee soldier who has been wounded. Her natural caring and the thought of her brothers make her take him to her house to nurse his wounds. She realizes that friendship comes through caring, not necessarily where you live or who you are. Read about Lizzie’s experience and a small part of our history. Lizzie’s spunky attitude shows throughout the story and does not waiver for long as she accepts what is happening and looks forward to the future when the war is over and all is returned to normal.
Beverly Stowe McClure lives in Texas with her husband, Jack. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Beverly is a member of both the North Texas and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines is a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and a finalist in the Dan Poynter eBook Global Awards for Teen Literature — Fiction.
Just Breeze

Who would want to go through life with a name like Breeze? Breeze Brannigan had no choice and her looks and personality as described by Beverly Stowe McClure in Just Breeze complement that name. This contemporary novel tells just what it is like for eighth graders through the interactions of the major characters, Amy, Cam, Tony, Allison, Sara and Noah. There are also the wise parents and other adults who are not averse to meting out sage advice to the ‘harem scarem’ teens.
The story centers on Breeze and her relationship with the ‘new boy in town’.
“But I barely heard Tony, for standing behind was this boy I’d never seen, an average-looking guy. Not take your breath away handsome, but surprise, surprise, he was as tall as me. Correction, his spiky-like hair was as tall as me. His eyes struck me at nose level.”
There are the usual teenage angst scenes as well as the interesting revelations. She is attracted to him, but has to wonder about him. Why does he like her? Or does he? Where is he from? Is he an alien? All of these questions and more are asked and answered in this rousing book. You will have to read this book to follow the metamorphosis of Breeze and her friends as they begin to grow up.
Beverly Stowe McClure lives in Texas with her husband, Jack. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Beverly is a member of both the North Texas and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
The story centers on Breeze and her relationship with the ‘new boy in town’.
“But I barely heard Tony, for standing behind was this boy I’d never seen, an average-looking guy. Not take your breath away handsome, but surprise, surprise, he was as tall as me. Correction, his spiky-like hair was as tall as me. His eyes struck me at nose level.”
There are the usual teenage angst scenes as well as the interesting revelations. She is attracted to him, but has to wonder about him. Why does he like her? Or does he? Where is he from? Is he an alien? All of these questions and more are asked and answered in this rousing book. You will have to read this book to follow the metamorphosis of Breeze and her friends as they begin to grow up.
Beverly Stowe McClure lives in Texas with her husband, Jack. She is a mother to three sons, grandmother to four granddaughters and two grandsons and great grandmother to one great grandson. Her official bio says she married very young.
Beverly is a member of both the North Texas and the national Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.