Drawing Marissa by Jessica Adriel (with Giveaway!)

Product Description


Marissa Gladstone is mourning the death of her father as she starts to drown in the lake behind her house. Neighbor and local baseball hero Sean Moffit dives into the murky water to rescue the young beauty only to find himself falling for the much younger girl. Three years later with a ring on her finger and a promise of marriage Sean skips town, leaving Marissa with a dark secret. As the months pass the pain of her father's death resurfaces and Marissa is asked to attend a youth ski trip in Vermont. But her idea of getting away for weekend is squelched when she runs into Sean's friend Hawke Davies. Unable to hide her past attraction to Hawke, Marissa must let go of what happened with Sean and open her heart to the true love she has been searching for; even when it threatens to unveil her past.



About the Author


Jessica Adriel is a Native to New England, a former runway model and a youth speaker. Her current books deal with a range of issues that plague teenage hearts and often carry into adulthood. A strong woman with a diverse past, Jessica loves talking about her encounter with God, the supernatural and the many miracles she has witnessed. With flare for the extreme her characters are out of the ordinary and their tales are simply spectacular. She resides outside Washington D.C with her family, their two cats, a bunny and Siberian Husky named Navi.


Interview with Jessica

First, I'd like to thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy schedule to chat with us! 

When and why did you begin writing?

I began writing in 4th grade because of a school project. I had a crush on Cory Feldman, so that's how it got started.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first published book came out of an experience I had my senior year of high school when I came back to Christ. I was saved a kid but walked away while pursing a career in modeling. I made some bad choices and had some frightening things happen, so when I headed back to church, the youth pastor stopped me outside the building and said he wasn't sure they should let me back in. That devastated me. I had been searching for a story that would grab teens, so I started with that. I immediately had Marissa Gladstone in my head. The series started off just like that!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Always. If there is no message, I won't write. The Chatham series hits on many messages. The message of Drawing Marissa is that God will draw us to Himself. The title has a dual purpose in the book. Once you realize that God is pursuing you, you can reach out and embrace His unending love.

How much of the book is realistic?

95% I'd say the only thing missing is Hawke's physical attraction to Marissa. He's our hero and in this book he keeps his hands off the girl. (He'd make any mother proud.)

What books have most influenced your life most?

Music has been more of an influence on me. I think when the Shack hit the stores, I knew my style would be accepted. People want to learn about God through fiction. That's why I write. My books have a message of either forgiveness of unconditional love. 

What are you reading now?

Cathy Gohlke- William Henry is a Fine Name, Sharon Ewell Foster- Abraham's Well, (I like historic fiction)

Who are some of your favorite Christian authors?

Kristen Billerbeck, the above two and Sigmund Brouwer

Tell us something that most of your readers wouldn't know about you.

Despite being a model, I've always wanted a nose job! 

Who is Jesus to you? How did you meet Him?

I am a very honest person so here is my answer. He was my friend during a frightening childhood, he was my rescuer later in life. Now he is my brother, he guides me and encourages me. 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I hope to capture your heart and I pray God will use me to brighten up your world. 

My Review
Drawing Marissa was a quick and easy read. The 190 page book was not easy to walk away from. I read it within 24 hours of beginning it. 


Marissa's story is one that sounds all too real. Having had experience working with teens, and being a teen at one time in life myself, I've seen many of them replace the hole in their heart with many things; friends, boyfriend/girlfriends, drugs, music, partying, etc.  This YA book touches on many of the things that young people face these days.


Any teen girl would be able to relate to Marissa, Hawke, Sean, Stephanie and Evan and their stories. As a grown women who dealt with filling the hole in my heart as a teen with relationship after relationship, I could relate with Marissa's story.


The gift of salvation is front and center throughout Drawing Marissa, but not in a 'in-your-face throw-Jesus-down-your-throat way". Jessica does a great job of presenting the Gospel and plan of salvation in a way that teens can understand that they have a void in their heart that can only be truly fulfilled with Jesus Christ.


I own and plan to read book two in this series, Forgiving Sean. And an awaiting book three, Hawke's Tale,  due out June 2010!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Jessica Adriel will provide a download version of Drawing Marissa to one lucky winner!


Here's how to enter:
You MUST be a follower to be eligible to win!

1. One entry for leaving a comment with a email address so I can contact you if you win!
2. Two entires if you are already a follower prior to entering this contest!  (Being a follower pays!)
3. One entry for leaving a comment about something you learned from visiting Jessica's Website.
4. One entry for becoming a fan of Jessica on Facebook.
5. One entry for each tweet, Facebook post or blog post about this giveaway! (Honor system!)

Leave a separate comment for each entry!

Winner will be drawn by random drawing on Monday March 8.



*This book was provided by the author free of charge in exchange for my honest review. This did not sway my review and opinion of this book in anyway.