Blog Tour + Review: Off the Itinerary Series by M. Liz Boyle

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Off the Itinerary series by M. Liz Boyle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE SERIES

Title: Avalanche
Series: Off the Itinerary #1
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: September 26, 2019
Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure

“Avalanche surprised me with its depth…a 5-star read…” -For the Love of Literature

Five friends. One moonlit summit. An unforgettable journey.

Excitement hangs in the air as Marlee and her sisters join their friends on a daring hike up a Colorado mountain - in the middle of the night. When Sawyer first proposes the idea of a moonlit summit during the two families’ annual backpacking trip, Marlee is terrified but also hooked. Having grown up taking trips to the mountains, they’ve learned a thing or two about hiking, and Sawyer is confident they'll be back by sunrise. But when disaster strikes, their knowledge, faith, and stamina will be put to the test. Digging out of the cemented snow is the first of many challenges in the coming days, and now Marlee has to trust Sawyer, who, by the way, was the brain behind the dilemma. Will their faith and friendship survive, or will they cave under pressure?

This engaging journey, told by fifteen-year-old Marlee Stanley, captures a timeless sense of adventure. The five young adults strive to exhibit godly character throughout their escapade, but it will take immense strength to hike out of this mess.

“I know that if their journey inspired me, it will certainly inspire others…Boyle has brought YA fans an uplifting, adventurous novel.” -A Baker’s Perspective

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound

Title: Chased
Series: Off the Itinerary #2
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: June 1, 2020
Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure

“Chased would be a great addition to a k-12 Christian school library. Middle schoolers and up will enjoy it.” - Library Lady’s Kid Lit

It’s been a year since Marlee, her sisters, and the Miles boys survived an avalanche. Sure, it was a little embarrassing for them when all the neighbors saw them on the news, but they love being outdoors, and what are the odds that another tragedy would strike this adventurous group? Has anyone calculated the statistics of being hit with two natural disasters? It has to be low, so of course the two families planned to backpack again this summer.

When the teens first meet Thad, a dehydrated hiker on the trail, they give him water and food and help him recover. He seems harmless until he tells them to hike a few extra miles at sunset. Then Lydie finds a hand-drawn map that Thad dropped, and they discover why he is so eager to get away from the Stanley girls and Miles boys. So eager that he starts chasing them.

Now they have to climb up unforgiving ridges, sneak through the night, and - is that thunder and lightning? To make matters worse, Marlee has a nagging worry that her older sister Ellie is preparing to move away from home.

What is God’s plan? How will they get away from Thad before it’s too late?

“…realistic, exciting, and suspenseful…Chased is the perfect sequel to Avalanche. It’s gripping, suspenseful, entertaining, and, best of all, Christian.” -David M., Beta Reader

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository

Title: Ablaze
Series: Off the Itinerary #3
Author: M. Liz Boyle
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: June 1, 2020
Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure

"M. Liz Boyle tackles the topic of showering difficult people with grace and forgiveness, making this a must-read for Christian teens. Adventure seekers who loved Avalanche and Chased will fall head-over-heels for the adventure that heats up in Ablaze!" - Author Allyson Kennedy

This summer the Stanley sisters and the Miles boys are excited to hike together again, and now they have the unique opportunity to help two of their ranger friends with an outdoor program in the beautiful Montana mountains.

Marlee has always considered herself a willing follower. Give her a direction and she’s happy to help. Her older sister Ellie is a natural leader, and Marlee is content in her role as assistant.

Marlee and her sisters have been assigned to help with Ranger Rose’s team, and they are savoring the adventure. But in a heartbeat while the group is divided by a few hundred feet, fire breaks out between Ranger Rose and Marlee's group. In this enthralling finale to the Off the Itinerary series, Marlee must face her fears with courage that only God can provide.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW: AVALANCE

The author begins by dedicating this novel “To adventure seekers everywhere,” which I had to chuckle at as I started Avalanche. I am the complete opposite of what you would call an adventure seeker, but I'll be the first to read about them!

Told from the point of view of a true adventure seeker, fifteen year old Marlee Stanley has hiking and mountain climbing in her blood. Suspenseful from the start, the thought of being in an avalanche, being buried alive, makes my heart pound right along with Marlee’s as she, as well as the reader, are trying to figure out what exactly happened. I cannot even begin to imagine the sheer terror this teenager is facing, but I am so thankful that she did not have to face this nightmare alone.

As the story goes back to tell how Marlee ended up in this nightmare situation it goes back to the beginning of how two friends turned their loves of the outdoors into a family tradition that has spanned many years. The unity of this close-knit group is #goals in my book, and I caught myself multiple times wishing that I had people who had my back like Marlee’s family and the Miles family.

I know nothing about climbing, or even hiking for that matter, so I learned a lot more than what I was expecting while reading Avalanche. Marlee’s admiration and respect for the mountains was palpable, and I loved that I could feel her passion though the pages. The highlight for me was the strong faith in this group of teenagers. Throughout the whole ordeal the group continued to pray together, and lift up each other’s spirits, which was so inspirational, and the camaraderie was commendable.

Not knowing a thing about mountaineering I appreciated the handy glossary at the end of the book, complete with pictures. This was so incredibly helpful and appreciated.

I enjoyed Avalanche a lot more than I thought I would, and can’t wait to continue this unique series and see what adventures await!

My Rating: ★★★★

MY REVIEW: CHASED

Chased picks up roughly a year later, as the Stanleys and the Miles’s are headed off on another family adventure, this time leaving the “fab five” to take a planned route all by themselves. There are set rules, which the group happily agrees to, as this is the first trek that will be led by Sawyer, who has been going to school to become an outdoor guide. Plus, this is more responsibility for all three of them.

It’s not long before they find trouble, and not in any way you’d expect, but it is what gives this novel its name. For a YA novel there is a decent amount of drama and suspense, which I was so here for. Just like when I was reading Avalanche, the thought of what these kids experience is unfathomable for an adult to go through let alone an adolescent, but they handle everything expertly and so maturely!

I was so absorbed in the suspense that I finished Chased in record time, and was sad when it was finished. I love that this series is all told from Marlee’s perspective and though some of her thoughts are juvenile, you can also see the growth as she faces these difficult situations. I think out of all three of the books this one was my favorite. I felt like I got to know each of the characters more, and am enjoying how vested I am in them! I also loved that faith was still a firm foundation that they each stood on through yet another ordeal, and how they all lifted one another up in such perilous times.

This series has been one crazy ride, and I can’t wait to see how the third installment ties it all together.

My Rating: ★★★★

MY REVIEW: ABLAZE

It seems that disaster follows Marlee everywhere she goes, as Ablaze starts out with another tragic event that rocks the confident Marlee to her core, setting herself up to question herself and every choice she makes throughout the whole story.

Marlee is now seventeen, and all the things that come with that age are on her shoulders. A childhood friend that she is growing apart from, her questionable feelings about her best friend Marshall, and doubt about her future are all spinning in her head as her family again takes their yearly trip, but this year “the fab five” are asked to be apart of a youth outreach ran by rangers that have helped them in years past, and Marlee is shook when one of the girls doesn’t like her, for no reason whatsoever.

Out of all three books, this one spoke to me personally the most. I have an individual in my life who does not like me for some unknown reason, and it seems like the more I’ve tried to be nice to this person the more they don’t like me. After reading about Marlee and Shelby’s situation it reminded me to pray for my own situation, and pray for resolution and a softening of the heart, just like Marlee prayed for Shelby.

There is a moment in the story where Marlee realizes that harboring bitter thoughts about herself is a form of unforgiveness and this was a lightbulb moment in my own heart, as I have been really struggling with bitterness towards myself a lot lately. I love when the Lord uses fiction to speak into my life.

Not only is there an actual fire in this novel, but Marlee’s mind is ablaze throughout the entire novel, and the heat is most certainly felt. There is also heat in other forms, but I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. Just know that it all ends happily, and with everything tied in a sweet little bow, and I was grinning that goofy, satisfied smile at the end.

This series has been such a fun experience that I was sad to see it end, but I relished every moment, and feel so grateful and thankful that I had the opportunity to read it.

My Rating: ★★★★

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M. Liz Boyle is an author, the wife of a professional tree climber and the mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. She received her Associate’s of Arts at the University of Sioux Falls, where she received the LAR Writing Award for her essay entitled, “My Real Life Mufasa.” Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories. She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She likes making adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone). She has thoroughly enjoyed working on the Off the Itinerary series.

Connect with Liz by visiting mlizboyle.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(3) winners will receive one Off the Itinerary series book (winner's choice), book swag, and $15 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 9, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 16, 2022. US only. Items may vary from image. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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*I have voluntarily reviewed copies of each book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.