Guest Post with Nicole O’Dell and daughters Natalie & Emily, authors of Girl Talk along with a Giveaway

Let’s all welcome Nicole O’Dell to Peeking Between the Pages today. Her newest book, Girl Talk, is written together with her daughters Natalie & Emily- isn’t that awesome! It’s in a magazine type format and just beautifully done in glossy pages full of color. I just love it and I think it will appeal to teen girls a lot. As an adult I’ve enjoyed reading the questions sent in and the answers so I think this book would be great for a mother and daughter to read and discuss. Without further delay I’m going to let Nicole go ahead and tell you about Girl Talk and why she’s written it since she does it so much better than I do! Enjoy and check out the giveaway at the end of the post!

Q: My friends have been drinking and trying to get me to try it. I’ve done it a couple of times, not much, but enough that it’ll be really hard to say “no” now. What should I do?

That’s a question I would have asked if I’d written to Girl Talk at the start of my freshman year of high school. But, I didn’t know to ask. I didn’t know I was facing a challenge. I simply reacted to things as I faced them. And I made mistakes. Many of them. And like many teenagers, once I made mistakes, I thought I was powerless to reverse those choices and go back in the other direction.

Each of us has a set of experiences and circumstances, some within our control, and some not, that shapes the way we look at choices, temptation, sin, peer pressure, and everything that comes up along the way. If we can help prepare girls before they find themselves staring peer pressure in the face, they’ll feel more equipped to stand strong. To say NO to whatever life throws at them. And once they’ve made mistakes, we can empower them to stand against the onslaught of pressure and go another way.

Why girls?

Hmm. What is it about girls that makes me so passionate to help them? That’s a great question. I guess I relate to them because I am one.

I sort of made a promise to God at one point in my life. I won’t say that I’ve walked with that promise in mind all these years, but it’s there at the foundation of my walk with God. It birthed an ache in my heart that wants to help them out. And with the memory of the poor choices I made as a teen still blinking like a neon sign in my history, I want to help today’s teenagers avoid those same mistakes.

And bad decisions are one thing, but there’s also the stuff girls deal with that they have no control over: Divorce, Abuse, Loss, Grief, Illness, financial strain, etc. . .etc. . . Those life-altering circumstances make it even more difficult for girls to stand against the pressure when all they want is friendship, acceptance, and love.

It takes pro-active, intentional effort to make the necessary preparations to help teens combat peer pressure.

That’s why my daughters and I started the Girl Talk Column on my blog. We wanted to give girls a place they could go with those tough questions about life. The column grew and the questions built up to the point when we, along with Barbour Publishing, decided to put 180 questions from readers and our answers into a book. But it’s not just any book–the vibrant, trendy format has a scrapbook-y feel as each page is full color with graphics galore. Take a look at the trailer to get a better feel for what it looks like:

And here’s some info right from the back cover:

Q: My mom is always on me about what I wear. I just don’t see why it should matter to her. I mean, she got to wear the things she wanted to wear when she was young–the styles are different now, though. She won’t let me wear any shirts that show even a fraction of my stomach, and I have to actually bend over in jeans to prove to her that nothing shows in the back—if you know what I mean. She even says there’s stuff in the Bible about the way to dress right. Is that true? What should I do to change her mind?

Q: I have a friend who is pretty skinny, but she thinks she’s fat. . . . I actually heard her make herself throw up in the school bathroom a couple of times. What should I do about it? Or is it none of my business?

It’s Time for Some Girl Talk! . . .

Popular blogging trio—mother, Nicole O’Dell, along with daughters, Emily and Natalie—offer trustworthy, biblically-based advice for all your ups, downs, and in-betweens. Culled from actual questions they’ve encountered on their blog site, this fabulous resource offers real-life helps for issues including relationships, character, body image, fashion, gossip, and more. You’ll find 180 questions along with answers and related scripture selections that will both encourage and challenge you in your faith walk.

Nat, Em, and I hope you’ll pass this resource along to the teens in your life. Also, the Girl Talk column is ongoing. You can write to us with your questions anytime! Contact us here.

Remember, it’s all about choices!

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Nicole O’Dell, founder of Choose NOW Ministries and host of Teen Talk Radio, is a mom of six—ranging from 20 all the way down to a set of toddler triplets. She writes fiction for teens including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction series and the Diamond Estates Series. Her nonfiction focuses on helping teens make good choices and bridging the gap in parent/teen communication. On Teen Talk Radio, Nicole talks with teens and special guests about the real issues young people face today, and she loves getting out among teens and parents when speaking at youth groups and conferences. Visit www.nicoleodell.com or www.facebook.com/nicoleodell.

Emily is a straight-A fifth grader at Eastlawn School in Paxton, IL. She lives with her mom, stepdad, three sisters, and two broth- ers. Never found without her iPod, Emily loves to dance and sing. She’s a busy girl who enjoys swimming, skateboarding, and hanging out with friends. She’s active in her community and local church, and plans to be a teacher when she grows up.

Natalie is an honor student in the eighth grade at PBL Middle School in Paxton, IL. The oldest daughter of six kids, Natalie is a very loving and hands-on big sister. She’s passionate about her walk with Christ, and almost as passionate about the game of volleyball. She holds first- chair clarinet in the school band and looks forward to high school marching band. At this point, Natalie aspires to a career in the culinary arts, but is open to other possibilities.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Girl Talk by Nicole O’Dell along with her daughters Natalie & Emily that is personally signed by them to share with my readers.  To enter…

• For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
• For 2 entries, sign up for Nicole’s Choices e-Zine/newsletter
• For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 17/12.  Good luck!

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