It Begs the Question – Can Faith & Reason Co-exist?

Can faith and reason co-exist? Every day, teenagers are faced with difficult situations that challenge their faith and moral compass. The Aftermath follows a group of students from Montgomery Lake High School, specifically Jason Davids and Jessie Robins. At age fifteen, Jason appears to have it all together: high grades, popular friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and any drug that promises enjoyment at his disposal. Despite this, there is a persistent emptiness inside his heart. After attempting to fill the void with achievements, relationships, and illicit substances, Jason finds himself intrigued by Jessie, a quiet and rather plain girl, who is the daughter of a local pastor. How is it possible that she stands for everything Jason opposes yet possesses the one thing he has been searching for all along?

Q&A with Stacy Padula on Writing Part 2

In preparation for an upcoming interview with Doug Llewelyn – Why do you feel your books are necessary for young adults to read? My books share the raw truth about opioid addiction, as well as other substances, in a realistic and relatable way. Drugs pose an empty promise for fulfillment, which often leads to self-destruction and hurts many others in the process. I want to help kids avoid the heartache that goes along with substance abuse and find positive/beneficial outlets for their energy. There is an immense amount of social pressure on teens today. Between social media and technology, they are constantly connected and can easily lose touch with themselves. They face enormous pressure to fit in with their peers and often lose themselves in the process…

Q&A with Stacy Padula on Writing Part 1

Can faith and reason co-exist? Every day, teenagers are faced with difficult situations that challenge their faith and moral compass. The Aftermath follows a group of students from Montgomery Lake High School, specifically Jason Davids and Jessie Robins. At age fifteen, Jason appears to have it all together: high grades, popular friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and every drug that promises enjoyment at his disposal. Despite this, there is a persistent emptiness inside his heart. After attempting to fill the void with achievements, relationships, and illicit substances, Jason finds himself drawn to Jessie, a quiet and rather plain girl whom he has never before noticed. He cannot understand the sudden attraction he feels nor the force that is drawing him toward her. How is it possible that she stands for everything he opposes yet possesses the one thing he has been searching for this entire time?

Q&A on Book #1: The Right Person

Q&A with Kelly Mitchell |
Kelly is a very insightful teenager, who has a knack for perceiving underlying meanings and concepts within works of literature. As an author, I am truly blessed to have her on staff as an intern. Kelly is applying to many prestigious colleges this year, and while I will be sad to lose her, I could not be more proud of her. Below is a short series of questions I asked her to complete about Book #1 “The Right Person.”

A Senior in High School Reviews “The Right Person” by Stacy A. Padula

This book depicts the struggles many kids encounter during their high school years through the eyes of compelling characters. I recommend this book to both students currently in high school and middle schoolers preparing for these tricky years. It is a reminder of God’s presence in our lives and the importance of seeking strength through him in times of uncertainty.

A Teenage Synopsis of When Darkness Tries to Hide

The second book in the Montgomery Lake High Series, When Darkness Tries to Hide, continues the journey of the students at MLH as they venture further into the depths of high school. After following the stories of Chris and Courtney in The Right Person, the focus shifts to Chris’s wayward, childhood best-friend of almost a decade: Jason Davids.

A Teen’s Critique of MLH #1 by Stacy Padula

I think many high schoolers, especially those feeling consumed by the constant social pressure, will be able to relate to the ups and downs the characters in The Right Person face. Their struggles with the sudden prevalence of drugs and alcohol in Montgomery Lake is very real to new high schoolers suddenly faced with these difficult choices. I would recommend this book to all teenagers, but especially those struggling with drug or alcohol abuse or those who feel they might be at risk of future abuse.

Put Politics Aside & Fight Against Terror

I feel compelled to write on this issue because I am sickened that people are trying to use the horrific Vegas massacre as a platform for political agenda. Until our political leaders stop blaming the other side of the aisle and look at this objectively, nothing is going to get better. I tend to lean more right, but WHO CARES. This isn’t about party! It’s about trying to work together to save lives!

An ENTP’s Experience with Spirituality & Religion

I am an ENTP and a Christian. I was initially raised Catholic but drifted away from the religion to go off and explore my own theories on life around age 17. At age 21, I attended a non-denominational Christian church with my mother and was pleasantly surprised by the message—it was so different from whatContinueContinue reading “An ENTP’s Experience with Spirituality & Religion”

The Reviews Are In!

See what readers are saying about the Montgomery Lake High book series on Amazon! 1. TO’Halloran reviewed When Darkness Tries to Hide (Montgomery Lake High Book 2) 1 of 1 people found the following helpful A must read! March 5, 2017 Well written with well developed characters – this book is just as good asContinueContinue reading “The Reviews Are In!”

July Special!

Friday night–a night that marks the start of the weekend, a night to party in Montgomery. Chris Dunkin and his closest friends are no strangers to the party scene. They have the in with the seniors, and they know all the best party spots in town. This Friday night appears to be no different until Chris makes a decision that will change the course of his life forever. 

The Right Person is the debut novel in The Montgomery Lake High Book Series, which follows a large cast of personalities as they navigate the social waters of high school. 

A Teen’s Q&A about Montgomery Lake High #1 “The Right Person”

The fact that this is a universal story is the most appealing thing about the book. It also focuses on teenage relationships which are very appealing to middle school and high school aged students. Teenagers often look to movies, tv, and books and apply the lessons or stories they see to their own lives. This book focuses on a love story and various relationships which makes it a very entertaining, yet still educational read, including elements of both drama and comedy which grasp the attention of the target audience. The character development is also very appealing and creates a story that is able to resonate to teenagers.

A Teenager’s Review of “The Aftermath”

I recommend The Aftermath to all teenagers, especially those who are currently or have in the past dealt with difficult times or struggled with drugs or alcohol. It is not necessary to read the other books in the MLH series to understand the story. It is very inspiring to read about a teenager that everyone can relate to who deals with societal and personal issues on their path to find God.

The Right Person: an Amazon Best Seller in Multiple Categories

The Right Person is the debut novel in The Montgomery Lake High Book Series, which follows a large cast of personalities as they navigate through the social waters of high school. Characters include Chantal and Cathy Kagelli, identical twins whose similarities stop at face value (think good vs. evil, naive vs. manipulative); Chris Dunkin, a talented football player whose success is threatened by alcohol and drug abuse; Courtney Angeletti, the mayor’s straightedge daughter who cannot deny her attraction to Chris’ life of the party reputation; and Bryan Sartelli, Courtney’s loyal longterm boyfriend who happens to be best friends with Chris. Whether reading this novel as a teen or an adult, readers will be entertained, intrigued, and inspired by its dynamic array of characters.

Stacy Padula’s Paranormal Thriller: The Forces Within

The Forces Within Behind the fog and shadowy trees that surround Fallen Lake, there lies an abandoned mansion that possesses generations of secrets. When Andy Rosetti, his girlfriend Chantal, and their closest friends venture to the New England destination, they are greeted by forces darker than anyone dared to imagine. It is not just byContinueContinue reading “Stacy Padula’s Paranormal Thriller: The Forces Within”

Holiday Sale!

From now until New Years Day, all Kindle editions of the “Montgomery Lake High” book series will be on sale for $2.99! These can be read on all iPhone, iPad, and Android devices with the free Kindle App.  Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a blessed 2017!

Victorian Architecture: a modern symbol

Victorian Architecture Summary: Victorian architectural styles are used in modern residential construction of today. The irresistible charm of the Victorian house has made the Victorian era a historical symbol of elegance and class. ——————————————————————- Roses and ruffles! Ribbons and cherry! Mahogany and marble! Does any particular word come to mind? For anyone with architectural knowledge,ContinueContinue reading “Victorian Architecture: a modern symbol”

Stacy Padula to be Featured at Barnes & Noble’s 2016 Teen Book Festival

  Author Stacy A. Padula will be featured at Barnes & Noble’s 2016 B-Fest Teen Book Festival in Leominster, Massachusetts on June 11th. She will be signing books from 12-1:30pm and speaking with teens about her young adult book series.   About the Author Stacy Padula, a native of Pembroke, Massachusetts, has accrued years of experience working with adolescents.ContinueContinue reading “Stacy Padula to be Featured at Barnes & Noble’s 2016 Teen Book Festival”