2 posts tagged “african american romance”

Don't Get It Twisted: A Del Rio Bay Clique Novel
by Paula Chase (Author)

Book Description
Mina Mooney's parents are killing her social life. It's time to fight back...

Mina's fantasy has finally come true. Craig Simpson--the hottest guy at Del Rio Bay High--has just invited her to the biggest bash of the year. There's just one hitch: her parents aren't down with letting Mina date a boy they know nothing about. Now she has thirteen days to give her parents a crash course in Craig, or else figure out how to get her fine self to the soiree--without alerting mom and pops. Whatever she decides, she's going to need reinforcements...

Unfortunately, her peeps are caught up in their own twists and turns. Jacinta's boyfriend has been getting on her nerves about spending so much time in `burbville, while rich and sheltered Kelly just might kick it with Angel, a cute, slick-talking hustler from the projects. And ever since JZ made varsity basketball, his mind has been glued to the game instead of schoolwork, which means his dad might make him drop all sports. As for Mina, if she doesn't succeed in enlisting the help of her friends--and fast--her social life just might hit skid row...

A fast-paced novel about loyalty, love, and friendship, Don't Get It Twisted shows what it takes to have a blast while breaking all the rules...

Book Details

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Dafina (November 27, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758218613
ISBN-13: 978-0758218612

The Del Rio Clique is Back! 4.5 Stars, November 27, 2007
By  Angelia Menchan
Don't Get it Twisted, by Paula Chase, took me back to ninth grade, all the way back. Mina is still consumed with being the most popular person on campus and what others think of her. But she has bigger issues currently, like whether she will get to write the `Pop Life" column in the newspaper. Even though the idea was hers she still has to compete against someone to do it. She also has to contend with being singled out by Craig to be his girlfriend. She is technically not allowed to date, but there is no way she is not going to be Craig's girlfriend. He is way too hot and popular for her not to make it happen. Even if it means telling little beige lies to her parents, Mariah and Jackson, and getting her friend, Liz, tied up in her drama. She will also have to fight against her attraction to the new basketball superstar, Brian, because while he knows she is Craig's girl, he will not stop trying to get her attention.

While reading this novel, I felt a part of these young people's lives. I particularly enjoyed the way Ms. Chase allowed the parents and educators to play valid roles in the story. Often in young adult books the other parts of the teens' lives are rarely explored. Although this is definitely Mina's story the other characters are fully fleshed out. I especially enjoyed the story about Kelly, who has become involved with hood-boy Angel and how she discovers parallels between her parent's lives and her own.

Don't Get it Twisted is filled with real portrayals of today's teenagers and is written in a language they can understand and relate to. It is also filled with messages for teens and parents. This young adult novel should appeal to all readers who enjoy realistic, diverse books about young people, their issues and the lives they are living.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

4/5 Stars  Courtesy of Teens Read Too, November 27, 2007
By  TeensReadToo.com "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier."

Mina Mooney is back in this second novel of the DEL RIO BAY CLIQUE series, following So Not The Drama: A Del Rio Bay Clique Novel (del Rio Bay Clique Novels).

It's all about the Frenzy, a bumpin' party filled with athletes and held in the most prestigious neighborhood in The Woods. Mina's crush, Craig, has finally come around her way and now she has the invitation she needs. All that stands between her and the party of the century is: her parents. What's up with all these strict dating rules? Can't they see she's not a baby anymore?

But, as usual, Mina's clique has got her back, and they agree to help her find a way to the party. Now, if only there weren't so many other distractions, like the fact that she has to audition to write for the school newspaper, even though she brought her own column idea to the table. And that new kid, Brian, who has already climbed farther up the popularity ladder than she has, even though he just started at Del Rio Bay High. Is he flirting with her? Why does this have to start up now that she's finally got a shot with Craig? High school is hard!

Del Rio Bay is a great setting, brought to life by Paula Chase's wide variety of teenage characters. Every stereotype has its representative, and every representative defies his/her stereotype. These kids are normal. They face normal problems and react realistically to the obstacles in their paths. There is no easy solution, only each character deciding what's right for him or her.

This is the type of book that talks straight and doesn't patronize teen readers. Another novel in the series comes out in June, 2008, so get reading!

Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

Review by YA Books Central

How Far Does Loyalty To Friends Go?  a review by Amber, 2007 Demi-Goddess

Paula Chase continues the Drama of Del Rio Bay High in Don't Get It Twisted. Mina Mooney and her clique are cruising through the first semester of freshman year. There are some ups and downs, but so far the friends have all stuck tight. However, as Christmas break approaches, each friend has their own personal issues that they are struggling with.

Mina's relationship with school hottie Craig is hard to navigate, especially when her parents don't allow her to date. When Mina sneaks out to a party, she feels bad lying to her parents, but she feels like it's worth it if it means she can spend time with her honey.

JZ, the clique's resident athlete is having trouble keeping his grades up to his father's high standards. While basketball is the only thing on his mind, he knows that if he lets his grades slip, he won't even be on the team anymore. JZ calls on Lizzie to help tutor him, and she readily agrees. But when her tutoring is not enough, well, desperate times call for desperate measures. Will JZ compromise his morals and cheat to pass a test? And will he bring Lizzie down with him?

Jacinta is having some major problems with her boyfriend of two years, Raheem. Ever since she moved to the suburbs, they haven't been getting along as well. It seems like every time they hang out, Raheem is questioning Jacinta's loyalty to him and their neighborhood. Why does making new friends have to mean betraying her old friends?

Kelly has been talking more and more with Angel, one of Jacinta's friends that she met in the Cove. She knows that he's involved with dealing drugs, but at the same time, he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Can somebody who disobeys the law be good boyfriend material?

Chase's latest installment in the Del Rio Bay series explores the importance of loyalty and trust in relationships and friendships. Picking up right where So Not The Drama left off, Chase doesn't miss a beat. Her ability to create a unique storyline for each characters while having their individual plots intertwine so smoothly is quite remarkable. People change so much during high school, and Chase isn't afraid to let her characters develop and grow. Her writing is very succinct, and she frequently uses IM conversations and modern slang to tell her story. Kids who are up-to-date on their slang will appreciate this touch, and the story will seem more real to them. But if you don't know what "dag" means, you might be more than a little confused by some of the terminology and incorrect grammar used in this book. There are not enough current young adult books that portray strong, realistic characters of mixed races, and Chase's Del Rio Bay Clique novels are an excellent series for showing friendship that crosses racial and social boundaries.

Author's Bio

Author Paula Chase has written for Girls' Life, Sweet 16, and Baltimore Magazine among others.  In addition to her background in corporate communications and public relations, she also founded the Committed Black Women, a youth mentoring program for 14-17 year old girls. Her Del Rio Bay Clique series, which helped launch Kensington Books YA line, joins the growing number of popular fiction YA books targeted to multi-culti suburbanite teens. 

 The first two in the series, So Not The Drama and Don't Get It Twisted will be followed by That's What's Up! in July '08.  Chase calls her brand of teen literature, Hip lit, a nod to the diversity spawned by the MTV-watching, 106th & Park-ing, pop culture hungry hip hop generation. The author lives outside of Annapolis , MD with her husband and two daughters.

In Don't Get it Twisted, the second in my Del Rio Bay Clique series, the clique goes through the highs and lows of desire and wanting.  For Mina, it's a crush that ends up in a love triangle.  For JZ, it's his desire to be the star on the DRB basketball team that forces him to make a choice that could cost him both his spot on the team and a friend. In Don't Get It Twisted, everyone wants something and sometimes desperate times calls for sneaky measures.

Author's Contact Information
Website: www.paulachasehyman.com
Email: paula@paulachasehyman.com

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