The Gold Winner for "Best Teen Book" in the 2025 Readers' Choice Book Awards, now being adapted for TV by Emmy-Award winning producer, Mark Blutman!
After a near-death experience, Chris Dunkin begins surrounding himself with positive influences and putting his efforts towards living a clean lifestyle. However, the night before school starts, his best friend Jason convinces him to host a party that shows Chris more about himself than he actually wants to know.
Meanwhile, Marc Dunkin has received word from a detective that his oldest brother Taylor is a person of interest in a highly confidential case headed by the Boston Police Department. They know Taylor's clean; they know he wants out of the game; and they want to help make that happen. However, their "help" will come at a cost-one that may put Taylor and his entire family in grave danger. Taylor is trying to get his life back in order after an opiate addiction wreaked havoc on his once promising athletic future. Getting clean was a difficult feat, but breaking free from the Bilotti crime ring will present an even greater challenge.
Padula, Stacy A.: - Stacy began writing her first book series, Montgomery Lake High, when she was a teenager because she saw a need for realistic Y.A. books that address topics such as substance abuse and bullying. Between 2010-2014 all five Montgomery Lake High books were published. In 2017, she began writing her second series, Gripped, which serves as both a prequel and sequel to her first series. Gripped parts 1-5 were published between 2019-2021. She is currently writing part 6. In 2019, she also wrote her first screenplay, an adaptation of her novel The Aftermath, and worked on writing a pilot for Gripped, which caught the attention of Hollywood producers. Gripped is currently being adapted for TV by Emmy-winning producer Mark Blutman. In 2020, Stacy began writing a third book series with NBA Coach Brett Gunning. Geared towards children ages three through eight, Stacy and Brett's "On The Right Path" book series has been endorsed by Joel Osteen, Mike D'Antoni, and Kevin McHale as a series that belongs in every school, library, and household.Stacy has edited and published a variety of titles, including Boston Bruins Anthem Singer Todd Angilly and Rachel Goguen's "The Adventures of Owen & the Anthem Singer," LaTonya Pinkard of Netflix's Last Chance U's "Nate & His Magic Lion," and former NHL player Norm Beaudin's memoir "The Original: Living Life Through Hockey."Awards: Stacy has been featured in Marquis Who's Who in America (2018-Present) for excellence in literature and education, Marquis Who's Who in the World (2018-Present), and Cambridge Who's Who for Young Professionals (2009). In 2018, she was awarded the Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2019, the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP of New York, NY) chose Stacy as its "Top Educational Consultant of the Year." In 2020, she was named "Empowered Woman of the Year" by IAOTP and a "Social Impact Hero" by Authority Magazine for her support of animal rescues through her publishing company. She was also chosen to be on the cover of T.I.P. Magazine, an international business publication. In June of 2021, Stacy was featured on the famous Reuters Building in Times Square as Empowered Woman of the Year. In 2022, she was named "Top Inspirational Author of the Year" and will be honored at a gala at the Bellagio in Las Vegas in December. She was also chosen to be featured in an international publication titled 50 Fearless Leaders for 2022. Most recently, her novel Gripped Part 5: Taylor's Story won the Silver Award for "Best Teen Book" in the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards.
