Gabby Girls Adventures Book #1

Paperback, 242 pages

Published January 27th 2011 by One Wish Publishing

The Gabby Girls are drawn together by the only thing that they have in common, which is the mysterious scarlet pendant they each possess. But things seem even stranger when they find a clue that tempts them with the answer to the question they have longed to know.

After all, Gabby Girls always stick together, and every day is a...Gabby Girls Adventure!

~Review~

T.L. Clarke has unleashed a modern day mystery series for the young at heart. Move over Nancy Drew, a new group of sleuths are in town and ready for the next adventure.

The story opens with Gabrielle Martin, a thirteen year old about to head off to the prestigious Vineswell Academy. She's reluctant to go but her grandmother, Celeste, insists that this is all in her best interest. See, Gabi had some trouble back at her old school and Vineswell Academy is known for reforming girls and turning them into respectable young ladies. Grandma Celeste is also a graduate of the institution, and aside from the fact that she's a former ballerina, the owner of a renowned Ballet Company in New York, and obviously very wealthy, we're given hints that grandma possesses a 'gift'. In fact, upon starting her new life at Vineswell, Gabi discovers that her grandmother isn't the only one with a 'gift.'

Gabrielle enters her new school instantly bonding with the self-conscious Jessica, the smarty pants Zora, and later the posh and sophisticated Rosalinda, while of course getting on the wrong side of self-proclaimed queen B Ashley. You can't have a story without an antagonist; it'll be smooth but severely boring without Ashley's added nuisance. So anyways, all four of the girls turned out to be roommates wearing similar pendants. Thus igniting pure confusion and curiosity as to how these pendants are connected and why the girls are placed together. The mystery develops from there and its one that keeps you entertained and sucked in until the end.

So, what do I love about this book? It's adventurous, youthful, and humorous. Above all else, it takes place at a private institution for rich kids who are either posh, nerdy, dieting, or simply carefree. I like how fast paced it was, and how easily I could envision each character as they appeared in the story. My imagination was definitely on the job, and I love how kiddish it made me feel. This is a really awesome book to read if you'd like to step outside of the usual young adult genre and get in touch with your childhood. At least that's how it made me feel. Well, its on to book 2!

About this author

T.L. Clarke (TLC) is the author of Blood Oath, the second book in the Gabby Girls Adventure novels. A lifelong reader, TLC has always had a particular fascination with mysteries, adventure and mythology. When she is not writing, she can be found watching bad movies, listening to music, and traveling. Originally from New York, TLC now lives in the Washington, DC area, where she is hard at work on the next installment of The Gabby Girls Adventure novels.

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