Escape by Alison Bellringer is the third book in the trilogy and follows a young teenager who follows the unpredictable path of love. The protagonist, Kaylee, only sixteen, wants to marry her boyfriend Carlos, but her parents want her to wait. She needs to navigate complex emotions and intense pressure from those around her. The story exposes the risks and consequences of running away from problems, demonstrating that every action can have a lasting effect. Will Kaylee be able to find her way and make sense of the world around her?
In Lucas by Alison Bellringer, we are introduced to Lucas, a young boy who has lost both of his parents and is now an orphan. This is the story of his search for family, security, and a place to call home. His neighbors originally take him in after the death of his parents, but he doesn't want to burden them since they already have a full house. Lucas leaves the town he grew up in and wanders from place to place, doing small jobs for food and shelter. He struggles to find a place where he belongs. Will he find the home and security he is looking for, and can he find his way?
In Sticks and Stones, we are introduced to Meg, a high school junior who loves basketball and math. After a death in the family, Meg, her mother, and her brother move to a new town. She feels nervous and anxious about starting at a new school where she is the only deaf student. Previously, she attended a small school for the deaf, but the move forces her to adjust to an entirely different environment. As Meg navigates friendships, family dynamics, and the pressures of basketball, she also grapples with questions of identity, acceptance, and finding her voice.
In Eastern Shadows, we follow an unemployed journalist named Shane as he travels to Thailand in search of a missing girl. He is looking for Ploy Soikham, whose mother turns to him for help because of his personal connection to the country. Shane once lived in Thailand, speaks the language, and is somewhat familiar with the culture. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes a tangled web of deceit and corruption. There is far more to Ploy’s disappearance than meets the eye. Will Shane be able to find her before it’s too late?
Whisper by Alison Bellringer is an emotional story that follows Britney, a young girl growing up in a toxic environment. Her home life is unstable and unpredictable because of her emotionally and physically abusive father. Living in constant fear, Britney learns to stay quiet and avoid drawing attention to herself. When a stray puppy named Whisper finds her in the woods, he becomes a source of comfort and support. The two form a special bond and begin a journey toward healing and new beginnings.
This story centers on Billy 9F, who lives in a dystopian world where laughter is a crime. Surrounded by strict rules and harsh consequences, Billy’s natural gift for making others laugh is suppressed. He continues to pull pranks on his classmates, but every laugh triggers a painful shock from the collars everyone is forced to wear. Torn between his love of humor and the fear of his friends being punished, Billy searches for a way to stay true to himself. When a new student arrives at school, Billy discovers an ally. Together, can they find a way to bring laughter back?
