Michaella Barcia

The Forces Within by Stacy Padula is the 5th book in the Montgomery Lake High series. The Forces Within is a unique book in the series, adding supernatural elements and a heap of mystery. Andy Rosetti has awoken from his coma and is ready to get back into his life, but not everything is as it seems. You will not be ready for the twists and turns coming in this novel! Andy must come to terms with the changes that happened during the month he was in the coma. His girlfriend, Chantal, and her ex-boyfriend, Jon, becoming closer, Jason, the biggest drug user and cruelest guy at school, being responsible for his prayer circle, and he still has a ton of schoolwork to catch up on. Furthermore, Andy starts to realize there is a distance that has grown between him and Chantal. Andy learns that he is not the spiritual man he believed himself to be. This novel will help teenagers realize that you can't just pretend and act faith to truly be faithful. Through Andy's struggles, readers notice that an illusion of faith won't help you, but true faith will protect you from temptation and spiritual dangers. Stacy Padula helps teens realize the dangers of spiritual warfare with common dangers that students can relate to. The Montgomery Lake High series is a wonderful place for teens who are curious about religious and spiritual growth to start learning and exploring the power of faith.

Montgomery Lake High: 2 by Stacy Padula explores how tragedy can bring God into your life. Andy Rosetti, Chantal Kagelli's boyfriend, runs outside during a severe storm to bring in the Kagelli's dog, he falls into a coma. Jason Davids has been dabbling in drugs with his girlfriend Cathy Kagelli for a while. Jason feels responsible for what happened to Andy. He starts to realize that he hasn’t been on the best path. Chris, Jason, and their friends plan to perform a prayer circle with the whole town. As Jason works to complete this mission, he admits he needs help but is unsure how to get it. Will a conversation with a Pastor help him? Jon and Chantal both realize Cathy caused them to break up. Many of their friends are starting to notice just how far Cathy has fallen. Will Cathy’s friends be able to see the truth behind her change in personality, or will she be left to deal with her struggles all alone? In this novel, Stacy Padula shows just how important a personal relationship with God is. Padula uses real struggles teens might face to lead them to a path that can help them grow spiritually and emotionally.

Montgomery Lake High: 1 by Stacy Padula is a fantastic coming of age story following Chris Dunkin and his friends who struggle with dating, partying, drinking, and drugs. At a young age, Chris Dunkin was introduced to partying, drugs, and alcohol by his older cousins. By the time he becomes a freshman at Montgomery Lake High, he realizes he has a serious problem and needs to change his life. When Chris meets Courtney, the mayor’s straight-laced daughter, he believes she can help lead him to a better place in his life. However, while Chris hopes Courtney can help him become a better person, Courtney hopes Chris can help her become part of the popular crowd. Montgomery Lake High: 1 explores how good kids can fall into bad habits. This book explores the struggles of peer pressure teens face in high school and the need to fit into a new environment that will make people do things they never thought they were capable of. Can Chris Dunkin make the sacrifices he must make to have a better life, or will he fall back into the life of partying and drug use? Will Courtney see the consequences of her actions? Find out in Montgomery Lake High:1.