Tag Archives: teen books

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.

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!”

The Spiritual Battle in “The Aftermath”

Written by Elizabeth Harvey of Needham, MA Jason has been at war with himself for a long time. He has such a strong void in his life and he knows that something is missing and he hates that feeling. Jason relies on drugs and alcohol to cope with the missing piece in his life: God.ContinueContinue reading “The Spiritual Battle in “The Aftermath””

Spiritual Warfare in The Forces Within

Montgomery Lake High #5: The Forces Within After being trapped inside his own body, unable to communicate with anyone but his own thoughts, Andy Rosetti finally wakes up from the coma that controlled his life for one month. But upon awakening, Andy finds himself and his friends in an unfamiliar setting: a mansion riddled with secretContinueContinue reading “Spiritual Warfare in The Forces Within”

A Teen’s Review of The Forces Within by Stacy Padula

Written by Elizabeth Harvey, Dana Hall Class of 2017 The Forces Within is a story that explores the power of spirituality and the battle that many teenagers go through when faced with tough decisions. The story focuses on life after Andy Rossetti wakes up from his coma and what his recovery process looks like, includingContinueContinue reading “A Teen’s Review of The Forces Within by Stacy Padula”

New Video: “The Right Person” by Stacy Padula (Montgomery Lake High #1)

Friday night–a night that marks the beginning of the weekend and the long awaited break from the monotonous daily grind of high school–is otherwise known as a night to party. Chris Dunkin and his friends have been involved in the party scene since middle school, and at the start of their high school careers, they have no intention of stopping. At first, this particular night appears to be no different. However, Chris is struggling to maintain his “bad-boy” reputation once he begins to realize how damaging his lifestyle is to not only himself, but also the people around him. Courtney, the Mayor’s daughter, has always avoided the party scene, but her desire to rebel is growing, as she becomes infatuated with Chris and his friend’s reckless lifestyle. On this seemingly normal Friday night, an important choice must be made: one that could change the course of someone’s life forever.

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”

Unabridged Edition of Stacy Padula’s 1st Novel Released Today on Kindle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2016 Today marks the release of the 2nd edition of Stacy Padula’s young adult novel Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person. This version is slightly longer than the original and features scenes that delve more deeply into the characters’ psyches. Padula is very excited about the updates she madeContinueContinue reading “Unabridged Edition of Stacy Padula’s 1st Novel Released Today on Kindle”

2nd Edition of “The Right Person” Released Today on Kindle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2016 Today marks the release of the 2nd edition of Stacy Padula’s young adult novel Montgomery Lake High #1: The Right Person. This version is slightly longer than the original and features scenes that delve more deeply into the characters’ psyches. Padula is very excited about the updates she made to the novel; she saidContinueContinue reading “2nd Edition of “The Right Person” Released Today on Kindle”

Stacy Padula’s TV Interview with Brit from BossLady News, Boston

Stacy Padula’s TV interview with Brit from Boston’s Bosslady News June 6, 2015

New Teen Fiction Books Hit the Shelves of Barnes & Noble 

Stacy Padula’s novels The Aftermath and The Forces Within hit the shelves of Barnes & Noble this month. They are available at various locations, and a limited number of autographed copies are available in Hingham, Massachusetts. A formal book signing will be scheduled shortly. Time and location TBD.What is the Montgomery Lake High book series?About Stacy Padula