Review What's Wrong With Me?: A Girl's Book of Lessons Learned, Inspiration and Advice by Daree Allen And Giveaway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Today I have Author Daree Allen with me and she is giveaway a copy of this awesome book to some lucky reader. You will have a choice of an autographed copy or an ebook.

Q: Tell us about the book.

A:What’s Wrong With Me? is a part memoir, part self-help guide where I address some timeless issues most girls deal with most in adolescence based on my own experience from 20+ years of journaling such as:

accepting body image and dressing appropriately
handling feelings of inadequacy
dating and premarital sex
relating to family members
understanding personal finance
discovering life purpose
respect and personal boundaries

Q: What was the inspiration for you to write this book?
A: In 2008, I was in a session with my life coach, and she suggested that I write a book about my life, because she knew I wanted to become a (professional) motivational speaker. I told her that I couldn't write a book because I don't have a rags-to-riches story, I'm not famous, and I didn't rise up from the ashes of poverty or abuse. But even though my life was not the makings of a made-for-TV movie, she told me, "I beg to differ. You have a story that needs to be told--don't discount it."

So I started compiling stories from my past that I have pulled from 20 years of journal entries that I have kept since age 13, in the hopes of helping other young women who struggle with issues of self-esteem and coming of age. The issues I grew up with are not much different from those of girls today—there’s just a little more bluntness, and our media and communities often help to desensitize or downplay issues of teen girls and young women in America today. These issues--when left unchecked--often continue into adulthood. I never had a mentor or a big sister to help me navigate through the tumultuous years of teen angst, so I'm now stepping into that role.


Q: Provide a highlight from the book to give us an idea of what advice you're giving.

A: It's important to me that females think about their image, and project that to others. Do you look at yourself in the mirror before you leave the house? I'm not talking about when you brush your teeth or do your hair. I mean, when you're dressed and ready to go, do you ever stop in a full-length mirror and observe how your clothes look on you? I helped teach a Vacation Bible School class recently with 10-12 year old, and there were a couple of times that I saw questionable outfits on the girls. Shorts that were too tight, shirts that didn't cover their bellies--I found it to be distracting. We need to teach our daughters, sisters, nieces and cousins to take pride in your appearance. It takes less than 15 sec to make impression!

Q: So what do you say to girls when when they ask, "What's wrong with me?"

A: Nothing! You are beautiful and fine the way you are, and you have everything you need to succeed as a seed that's already inside you. Don't allow those negative influences, media images, songs, and haters dictate who you are and what you can become. If there's ever a doubt about who you are because of what someone else said, go to the Word and remember what God said about you. Who does God say you are? You're fearfully and wonderfully made. You're a child of the king. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Think on these things--don't beat yourself up. Dump those toxic relationships from your life and surround yourself with positive people who care about you and see the best in you.

Q: If you have never written anything on the level of your new book project, get a writing mentor or coach to work with you and provide accountability. Brainstorm topics and then narrow down your categories and chapters from there.

A:To find mentors, Network online and offline. Use the same etiquette (if not better) for people you approach online, especially if they do not know you personally or have a mutual acquaintance.


Q: What are you working on now?

A:I am writing another nonfiction book that focuses on the perspective of single Black fathers in America. There is much awareness about the plight of single mothers in the Black community, but I want to bring Black families together for those who want that. The Black community is struggling so much because of broken homes. I want to tell the single dads’ side of the story, through the many voices of the real Black America. If know someone that may be interested in contributing to this project via an interview, you can contact info@dareeallen.net for more details.

Description: "What's Wrong With Me?"

It's a question we've all asked ourselves. Today’s age of everything-goes media messages and in-your-face sexuality has led to many teen girls grappling with self-esteem and self-worth. Author Daree Allen, MS guides girls through their young adulthood by teaching lessons shared from her own experiences in her debut offering, What’s Wrong With Me?: A Girl’s Book of Lessons Learned, Inspiration and Advice. She offers self-empowering building blocks designed to strengthen young women’s inner truths in the face of relationships with themselves, others, and God. Fundamental to the inner truths are the foundational blocks that allow them learn to love the skin they’re in, realize their dreams, and make a positive impact on the world.

The companion book What’s Wrong With Me? Reflections Journal digs deeper into the contemporary topics discussed in the book What’s Wrong With Me? that affect teen girls' everyday lives. With interactive, thought-provoking workbook-style questions and fill-in-the-blank exercises, girls can openly and honestly record their thoughts and feelings to help them release tension and understand the world around them. The self-discovery, revelation and release will lead to profound fulfillment and start their own life-long practice of journaling.

About the Author:
Daree Allen is an authorpreneur, young adult esteem advocate, speaker, and goal-getter in Atlanta, GA. Find out more about her work at www.dareesinsights.wordpress.com and www.DareeAllen.com.

What's Wrong With Me?: A Girl's Book of Lessons Learned, Inspiration and Advice Print Book, ISBN 9780983745501
(All ebook formats also available)

What's Wrong With Me?: Reflections Journal, ISBN 9780983745532

Available on Valentine's Day wherever books are sold, including:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whats-wrong-with-me-daree-allen/1107887889
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983745501/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_alp_9XODob0HBGPQV
http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Wrong-Me-Reflections-Journal/dp/0983745536/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325885438&sr=1-1

(Please note that the release date is 2/14 so all options will be available on that date.)

My Review: What a wonderful uplifting book! Should be a mandatory read for every young woman. Chocked full of great advise and leaning on God first! Learning to accept yourself, as being yourself! Very hard to do in our culture.

Daree talks from personal experience and wants to help with some of the heartache and pitfalls of growing up.

I love the subtle humor in story. Daree weaves beautiful pictures in your mind. I can just picture the girls she was friends with in school, and see them standing around, and one of them accusing her of being uppity because of the way she talked.

She has tackled some really tough subjects and done it with the eye of a teenager. This is a must have book for anyone raising or dealing with young women.



I received this book from the Author Daree Allen, and was not required to give a positive review.



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