“Gripped” Relationships: Alyssa Kelly & Chantal Kagelli

We continue our character relationship series with best friends Alyssa Kelly & Chantal Kagelli. Alyssa and Chantal became best friends in 7th grade and stayed close until a giant misunderstanding tore them apart for a year and a half. After the truth was revealed, the two were able to pick up where they left offContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Alyssa Kelly & Chantal Kagelli"

“Gripped” Relationships: Lisa Ankerman & Cathy Kagelli

Our character relationship series continues today with best friends Lisa Ankerman and Cathy Kagelli, who have stayed tried and true by each other’s side throughout the Gripped and the Montgomery Lake High book series. Lisa is fiercely loyal to the people she loves and Cathy is no exception. During Cathy’s lowest points in her tumultuousContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Lisa Ankerman & Cathy Kagelli"

Emily Han Reviews Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors

Emily Han By Emily Han, Easton, Massachusetts The young adult fiction book Gripped Part 4 by Stacy Padula is a page turning continuation of Padula’s thrilling stories. The storylines of Cathy and Jason, The Dunkin family, and others continue as we begin to see how things have fallen apart. Through Padula’s use of double timelines,Continue reading "Emily Han Reviews Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors"

“Gripped” Relationships: Marc Dunkin & Cathy Kagelli

Our character relationship series continues with Marc Dunkin and Cathy Kagelli. In the MLH books, we quickly see Marc swooping in on Cathy after her and Jason’s breakup. Prior to that, we see a few instances of Marc attempting to encourage Cathy and Jason to stay clear of each other, but we don’t get toContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Marc Dunkin & Cathy Kagelli"

“Gripped” Relationships: Chris Dunkin & Lisa Ankerman

Today, we continue our character relationship series with Chris Dunkin and Lisa Ankerman. There is certainly some unfinished business between these two. They dated for over a year but broke up for reasons better explained in Gripped 2. Lisa is perhaps the person Chris has loved most in life—if not his best friend Jason @jds_onContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Chris Dunkin & Lisa Ankerman"

Sophia Karnolt Reviews “The Aftermath” by Stacy Padula

Sophia Karnolt By Sophia Karnolt, Kingston, MA & Thayer Academy In “The Aftermath” by Stacy A. Padula, the story continues to focus on Jason Davids and the fight he has with substances and alcohol but it also highlights a new struggle in his life, which is the feeling that he has to live up toContinue reading "Sophia Karnolt Reviews “The Aftermath” by Stacy Padula"

“Gripped” Relationships: Luke, Matt, & Jason Davids

We continue our character relationship series with Luke, Matt, and Jason Davids. Matt, the oldest, has his work cut out for him when it comes to looking out for his younger brothers. He frequently takes on the role of a mentor to Jason, whose emotions often cloud his judgement. To Luke, Matt is a trueContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Luke, Matt, & Jason Davids"

“Gripped” Relationships: Chantal Kagelli & Andy Rosetti

We continue our character relationship series with Andy Rosetti and Chantal Kagelli. Their relationship is shown the most in “The Forces Within” but it plays an important role in both the Gripped and MLH series. Andy is ultimately the guy who came along and supported Chantal after Jon “broke her heart” (which was actually aContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Chantal Kagelli & Andy Rosetti"

“Gripped” Relationships: Jordan, Taylor, & Marc Dunkin

Our character relationship series continues with Jordan, Taylor, and Marc Dunkin.  At age 20, Jordan is making the most of his opportunities at Notre Dame both on and off the field. At age 23, Taylor is in a predicament no one saw coming he’s in the fight of his life—not just to get back onContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Jordan, Taylor, & Marc Dunkin"

Michael Farinacci Gives “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” a 10 out of 10

Michael Farinacci By Michael Farinacci, Medfield, Massachusetts, University of Notre Dame The Gripped book series by Stacy Padula offers great insight for parents and teens into the complex years of high school and college. In the Gripped series many of the characters do “not fit the description of a drug addict at all – exceptContinue reading "Michael Farinacci Gives “Gripped 4: Smoke & Mirrors” a 10 out of 10"

Isabelle Semas Reviews Gripped Part 2: Blindsided

Isabelle Semas By Isabelle Semas, Massachusetts Gripped Part 2: Blindsided by Stacy A. Padula will have you captivated from cover to cover.  The book picks up where Part 1 left off, with Taylor Dunkin trying to pull his life together after a hard struggle with substance abuse.  Meanwhile, we learn more about Chris Dunkin’s pastContinue reading "Isabelle Semas Reviews Gripped Part 2: Blindsided"

“Gripped” Relationships: Jason Davids & Cathy Kagelli

We begin our character relationship series with Cathy Kagelli and Jason Davids. Their relationship is central to the Gripped and the MLH books in many ways. They are each other’s greatest advocate and greatest weakness. Their relationship is strong but tumultuous. Their connection is visceral. Jason met Cathy when she was a shy and sociallyContinue reading "“Gripped” Relationships: Jason Davids & Cathy Kagelli"

Isabelle Semas on The “Gripped” Characters

Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life.  She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.  In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinue reading "Isabelle Semas on The “Gripped” Characters"

Author Stacy Padula, NBA Coach Brett Gunning, & Illustrator Maddy Moore Appeared on “The Creative Alchemist” Thursday Night

NBA coach Brett Gunning, author Stacy Padula, and illustrator Maddy Moore appeared on the latest episode of the podcast The Creative Alchemist to discuss their new children’s book series based on the principles of Gunning's non-profit “On the Right Path.” You can listen to the interview here: The Creative Alchemist 11/12/20 Gunning, Padula, and MooreContinue reading "Author Stacy Padula, NBA Coach Brett Gunning, & Illustrator Maddy Moore Appeared on “The Creative Alchemist” Thursday Night"

An Interview with Isabelle Semas on “The Truth We Never Told”

Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life.  She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.  In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinue reading "An Interview with Isabelle Semas on “The Truth We Never Told”"

Massachusetts Author Stacy Padula Teams with NBA Coach Brett Gunning on a New Children’s Book Series

Brett GunningStacy Padula 11/8/2020—Plymouth, MA & Houston, TX—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE South Shore author Stacy Padula has teamed up with NBA Coach Brett Gunning on a children’s book series based on the principles of his non-profit “On the Right Path.” Padula and Gunning are co-authoring the books and will publish them through Padula’s publishing company Briley & Baxter Publications, which willContinue reading "Massachusetts Author Stacy Padula Teams with NBA Coach Brett Gunning on a New Children’s Book Series"

A Y.A. Book Series That Is Brutally Honest

Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life.  She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.  In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinue reading "A Y.A. Book Series That Is Brutally Honest"

An Interview with Marshfield High School Senior Abby Fusco on Gripped 3: The Fallout

Abby Fusco is a senior at Marshfield High School. She has always enjoyed painting her dog, Teddy—a King Charles Cavalier. Her paintings made perfect gifts for her mother, and this inspired her to begin painting pet portraits for her friends and family. She founded A.R.F. Pet Portraits in 2020, where people can order paintings of their belovedContinue reading "An Interview with Marshfield High School Senior Abby Fusco on Gripped 3: The Fallout"

Interview with Teen Reader & Writer Isabelle Semas on “The Forces Within”

Isabelle Semas is in her senior year of high school, and has been homeschooled most of her life.  She looks forward to graduating this year and hopes to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education.  In her spare time, she sings in a christian band named NHB with her friends, is very involved in herContinue reading "Interview with Teen Reader & Writer Isabelle Semas on “The Forces Within”"