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Gem Stone
A juvie kid trying to stay on the right path stumbles into trouble...
Gemma takes her camera everywhere. From juvie hall to a halfway home, the new hobby gives her a focus she'd never had before and... hope in a future. Until she takes pictures of something that could get her killed.
And not just her...after she and another juvie girl are chased by a stranger to the halfway home that same night, the other girl goes missing and Gemma knows she needs help. But who can she trust?
Not the authorities that's for sure. Trusting them is impossible for a girl with her damaged history, and besides, who cares about a troubled kid...especially when trouble just naturally seems to find her.
Gemma takes her camera everywhere. From juvie hall to a halfway home, the new hobby gives her a focus she'd never had before and... hope in a future. Until she takes pictures of something that could get her killed.
And not just her...after she and another juvie girl are chased by a stranger to the halfway home that same night, the other girl goes missing and Gemma knows she needs help. But who can she trust?
Not the authorities that's for sure. Trusting them is impossible for a girl with her damaged history, and besides, who cares about a troubled kid...especially when trouble just naturally seems to find her.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2012
8 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Dale Mayer
1,031 books1,644 followersDale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).
She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!
To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.
To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...
Books by Dale Mayer
Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014
By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014
Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book
Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy
Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3
New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)
Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs
Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance
Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1
She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!
To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.
To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...
Books by Dale Mayer
Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014
By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014
Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book
Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy
Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3
New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)
Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs
Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance
Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 10, 2019
Uh Oh. Gemma Stone is in the wrong place at the wrong time and taking photos, no less. From juvie to a halfway home…
But…they messed with the wrong kids when they messed with Gem and her friends.
I love this motley group and their loyalty to each other. One for all and all for one. These kids took me o n one wild ride right to the very end.
Love the environmental angle slipped in and the photography.
The suspense is different from what I expected, in an awesome way.
The writing riveting and captivated me beginning to end.
The characters are fabulous and I love how the ‘family’ came together.
Touchy subject…foster children.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Gem Stone by Dale Mayer.
See more at fundinmental
But…they messed with the wrong kids when they messed with Gem and her friends.
I love this motley group and their loyalty to each other. One for all and all for one. These kids took me o n one wild ride right to the very end.
Love the environmental angle slipped in and the photography.
The suspense is different from what I expected, in an awesome way.
The writing riveting and captivated me beginning to end.
The characters are fabulous and I love how the ‘family’ came together.
Touchy subject…foster children.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Gem Stone by Dale Mayer.
See more at fundinmental
November 28, 2012
I must say that this was a fun little book. Following a group of kids that have to fight the perceptions of society as they struggle to do the right thing was engrossing. The hints of a possible romance brewing between Gem and one of the her partners in crime made me grin. In fact, I am stupid excited to see where that leads in the future.
But this book isn't just about the romance (that's just a tease and it's more like the icing on the cake). This book is about Gem and her drive to do the right thing. She's happy in the halfway house - at least, she's happier than she was in juvie - and she's determined to stay out of trouble so that she can enjoy the freedom and the second chance she's been given. When circumstances step in and put her firmly in the spotlight, she doesn't back down from the fight in front of her. She's spunky and smart and she's not afraid to use her resources.
Probably the only thing I did question as how self aware these kids were. They form strong bonds when things start to go bad and they have to rely on one another and they're very quick to see this. This wasn't a deal breaker by any means (and I liked that they saw themselves as a family), but it was difficult for me to see these kids - some of whom had come from some really horrible situations - as being able to vocalize this closeness so easily.
Overall, it's a solid start to a new series. I really, really, REALLY liked that we got a touch of potential romance that didn't overpower the overall story. Oh, and the bad guy? I didn't guess who it was until the very end. Like usual.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
But this book isn't just about the romance (that's just a tease and it's more like the icing on the cake). This book is about Gem and her drive to do the right thing. She's happy in the halfway house - at least, she's happier than she was in juvie - and she's determined to stay out of trouble so that she can enjoy the freedom and the second chance she's been given. When circumstances step in and put her firmly in the spotlight, she doesn't back down from the fight in front of her. She's spunky and smart and she's not afraid to use her resources.
Probably the only thing I did question as how self aware these kids were. They form strong bonds when things start to go bad and they have to rely on one another and they're very quick to see this. This wasn't a deal breaker by any means (and I liked that they saw themselves as a family), but it was difficult for me to see these kids - some of whom had come from some really horrible situations - as being able to vocalize this closeness so easily.
Overall, it's a solid start to a new series. I really, really, REALLY liked that we got a touch of potential romance that didn't overpower the overall story. Oh, and the bad guy? I didn't guess who it was until the very end. Like usual.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 28, 2016
This is now official I really love Dale Mayer's books. She rehabilitated me from not reading YA books completely.
What an exciting read. A Thriller/Mystery I enjoyed from page one. I love this genre in general immensely This book had it all. The perfect plot, strong characters, flowing story line that kept you on the edge. I could not put down the book, it was just that good. In the future I would definitely recommend this authors books to all lovers of YA. A good clean read for the young adults. And I do not do that easily.
The rest of my review will be available on my blog 12/05. Enter to stand a chance to win a copy of this great novel.
What an exciting read. A Thriller/Mystery I enjoyed from page one. I love this genre in general immensely This book had it all. The perfect plot, strong characters, flowing story line that kept you on the edge. I could not put down the book, it was just that good. In the future I would definitely recommend this authors books to all lovers of YA. A good clean read for the young adults. And I do not do that easily.
The rest of my review will be available on my blog 12/05. Enter to stand a chance to win a copy of this great novel.
December 6, 2012
Dale pens "Gem Stone" a YA novel in a plot that flow smoothly with strong characters that are easily relatable. Filled with mystery, suspense and thrills this is one book you will have a hard time putting down. Highly recommended for all YA and non-YA fans.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.
September 21, 2021
Gemma takes her camera everywhere from the juvie hall to the halfway home. Her new hobby gives her a focus that she never had and a hope of a future. Then it all changes when she takes a picture that could get her and another juvie girl killed. A stranger chases them to the halfway home, then the other girl goes missing and Gemma wonders who she can trust to help. She knows she can't trust the authorities with her history and who really cares about a troubled kid like her?
I loved the camaraderie between Gemma and her friends as well as the environmental angle to this story. It felt a little slow in places but she had a great group of people around her who were not above rattling cages in order to help solve this problem and protect the area. An enjoyable read with plenty of drama and excitement in places. Easy to read and understand.
I loved the camaraderie between Gemma and her friends as well as the environmental angle to this story. It felt a little slow in places but she had a great group of people around her who were not above rattling cages in order to help solve this problem and protect the area. An enjoyable read with plenty of drama and excitement in places. Easy to read and understand.
May 5, 2018
So many everyday, incidental heros.
I can't think of a good way to say why and what I liked about this book without giving away too much; certainly YAish and I like Gemma's not taking any crap attitude. And most people really are good. Never did guess exactly who 'Fixer' was until it was revealed, even if I had my suspicions. Which were somewhat wrong lol. I did enjoy this, quite a bit.
I can't think of a good way to say why and what I liked about this book without giving away too much; certainly YAish and I like Gemma's not taking any crap attitude. And most people really are good. Never did guess exactly who 'Fixer' was until it was revealed, even if I had my suspicions. Which were somewhat wrong lol. I did enjoy this, quite a bit.
September 3, 2021
Misty isn’t like the others, is she??? Why do they pick her??? But, family is family after all!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
April 3, 2024
A really good teen/young adult mystery involving a group of teens, who have moved from juvie to a halfway home, and their fight to prove wrong the perceptions of society as they struggle to do the right thing in a bad situation.
June 26, 2015
Four teenagers stumble on a toxic waste spill but nobody takes them seriously because they come from a home for troubled youngsters....
This great young adult adventure starts slowly with the teens distrustful of one another and authority. Gemma Stone, keen to be a photgrapher, uses her digital camera to snap some men clearing up the nearby creek, wearing waders and protective gloves. She and her pal Mistie are sneaking out of their halfway house at night when they are chased by two large men and Mistie vanishes. They are in a rural area of Oxford, a town in Oregon, so there are not many places she could have gone. John and Doris, their guardians at the halfway house, are thrown off track by the arrival of two men claiming to be from the Environmental Protection Agency in Portland, but the teens instinctively distrust them and scramble out and search for Mistie. She is found drugged and tied - but why?
With Mistie in hospital, Gem and two boys, Mark and techie Reid, are each kidnapped and struggle out of difficult situations; Mark almost drowns having to swim a creek while handcuffed and ankle-bound, Gem escaping from a car at a gas station and running into a crowd of adults who - unexpectedly to her - protect her and call for police aid. The police suddenly have to take these supposed juvenile delinquents seriously, but the three teens have by now bonded together and prove better than anyone at figuring out what is going on and why.
Dale Mayer has also written 'Dangerous Designs' about a rebellious girl who finds a spellbound pencil, which may encourage readers to switch between fantasy and contemporary fiction. I preferred GEM STONE, partly because I liked the characters better.
This great young adult adventure starts slowly with the teens distrustful of one another and authority. Gemma Stone, keen to be a photgrapher, uses her digital camera to snap some men clearing up the nearby creek, wearing waders and protective gloves. She and her pal Mistie are sneaking out of their halfway house at night when they are chased by two large men and Mistie vanishes. They are in a rural area of Oxford, a town in Oregon, so there are not many places she could have gone. John and Doris, their guardians at the halfway house, are thrown off track by the arrival of two men claiming to be from the Environmental Protection Agency in Portland, but the teens instinctively distrust them and scramble out and search for Mistie. She is found drugged and tied - but why?
With Mistie in hospital, Gem and two boys, Mark and techie Reid, are each kidnapped and struggle out of difficult situations; Mark almost drowns having to swim a creek while handcuffed and ankle-bound, Gem escaping from a car at a gas station and running into a crowd of adults who - unexpectedly to her - protect her and call for police aid. The police suddenly have to take these supposed juvenile delinquents seriously, but the three teens have by now bonded together and prove better than anyone at figuring out what is going on and why.
Dale Mayer has also written 'Dangerous Designs' about a rebellious girl who finds a spellbound pencil, which may encourage readers to switch between fantasy and contemporary fiction. I preferred GEM STONE, partly because I liked the characters better.
July 11, 2014
A really good book ...... nice to follow got me hooked and enjoyed it very much great value great read x
July 18, 2016
a very good read! Fast paced with great characters.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews