Toya is on her seventh home and she's only sixteen years old. Next stop, a residential treatment facility. Toya has no clue what a residential treatment facility is, but she knows she wants know parts of one. So she has to clean up her act. No more cussing, no more drinking, no more fighting and no more internet videos-the kind that got her kicked out of her last few foster homes. She's just been moved to a new foster home-possibly her last foster home-and all is well. A new home in a new town, but her old ways seem to follow her wherever she goes. Not only that, but one of her fiercest demons has just emerged from the shadows of her past and threatens to drag her down once again. It takes a new love and a good pair of running shoes to set Toya on her path to healing. Boy Toy is the story of one girl's journey from lost to loved.
Catresa "Cat" Meyers is a daughter, sister, aunt, best friend, babysitter and hopeless romantic. She is also an Attorney and Assistant Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Temple University. Prior to becoming an attorney, Cat worked for a number of years as a foster care Social Worker and Therapist. In discussing the reasons why she wrote Boy Toy, Cat explains: "Several years ago, I interviewed for a volunteer position with an organization that advocates for abused children. One of the interviewers started describing some of the abuse cases they handle, which were truly heart-breaking. She wrapped it up by saying: "...and it's just awful. I mean, those kids lives are ruined!" I knew what she meant, but inside I cringed a little. I had to politely let her know that those kids' lives weren't ruined-well, at least they didn't have to be. Yes, it can be hard at times; and there will be moments of tears and rage. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I'm a witness to all of that. But I also know that many survivors, including myself, experience a tremendous amount of peace, joy, love, success and fulfillment! This is a message I've always strived to convey to all of the "Toya's" in my life: Young girls who were sexually assaulted and now feel like they are damaged goods-ruined; and because of that, they are not entitled to the best that life has to offer. They start to accept that lie as their personal truth. So that's how they begin to see themselves and conduct themselves. I guess I think of Boy Toy as my love letter to all those girls (and women), who got off to a rough start. I want them to know that doesn't have to be the end of their story. They have the power to write the ending that they want in life. I want them to know that just like Toya, there is a lot of good out there that this world still has to offer them; and there is so much good in them that they have to share with this world..." When she's not writing, Cat enjoys the beach; and has made it a personal mission to visit as many beaches as she can around the world. She also loves painting, sketching, baking and playing tennis.
