Gripped Part 4: Smoke & Mirrors

by Stacy A Padula

Overview

After spending her first month of high school grounded, Cathy Kagelli is finally allowed to socialize and uncover what her boyfriend, Jason Davids, has been up to without her. When Cathy realizes Jason has been experimenting with a variety of drugs, she devises a plan to save him from himself... but she just may lose herself in the process.

Meanwhile Taylor Dunkin finds himself playing a game with even higher stakes because his life, his reputation, and the safety of everyone he loves are all on the line. Taylor's two younger brothers, Jordan and Marc, have been at odds for years, but they are brought together to decipher the mysterious clues Taylor is leaving regarding his whereabouts. As secrets are revealed, the Dunkin boys' relationships will be changed forever.

In Taylor's weakest moment, he made a deal with the devil, and now there is a reckoning. But who will pay the price?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781733153645
Publisher:	Briley & Baxter Publications
Publication date:	05/21/2024
Series:	The Gripped , #4
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.58(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Massachusetts native, Stacy A. Padula is the author of nine novels that make up the Gripped and the Montgomery Lake High young adult book series. She has accrued years of experience working with teenagers as a college counselor, educator, and youth group leader. She is the owner of two companies, South Shore College Consulting & Tutoring and Briley & Baxter Publications, and she has been honored for her work in literature and education through organizations such as Marquis Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who in the World, and the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). She was 2019's Top Educational Consultant of the Year and 2020's Empowered Woman of the Year. You can connect with her on Instagram @author_stacypadula.

Editorial Reviews

"Invigorating, engaging and a must read. The characters in The Gripped Series diligently tackle the essence of forces that can limit greatness within." - LaTonya Pinkard (Ms. P) from Netflix's Emmy Winning Docuseries Last Chance U

"Stacy Padula's masterful control of a bifurcated storyline keeps the reader intrigued in two chronologies of events. The characters grow richer with each passing novel, as the depth of relationships between them approaches reality." - Mackenzie Wells, University of Georgia

"This book is perfect for teens and their parents as it offers unique perspectives on complex issues that teens face today. Teens and parents can learn from this book as it offers insight into the difficulties one may find navigating through high school or parenting a teen through high school. Overall, Gripped 4 was a fascinating read that leaves so much to be answered in Gripped 5. I would give this book a 10/10 and would encourage all teens and their parents to pick up this book along with the entire Gripped series." - Michael Farinacci, University of Notre Dame

"This novel is an engaging and meaningful read, ideal for high school freshmen, while also being very applicable to adults wanting to know more about teenage drug abuse. Gripped Part 4 displays the many drawbacks of taking drugs, including losing friends, girlfriends, and your thoughts on your own life. As a result, Padula effectively shows the extreme efforts needed to begin overcoming an addiction in order to begin a new life; this is shown to be very hard to complete. This would hopefully influence all young adults to avoid using drugs in order to prevent going through this troublesome process, and to avoid losing the trust and relationships with loved ones and friends." - Kyle Banker, University of Miami

From the Publisher