Amy Christine Parker – författare

A fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths.   Appearances can be deceiving.   Lyla Hamilton is a loyal member of the Community. Her family was happy to be chosen by Pioneer to join such an lovely gated neighborhood. Here, life seems perfect.   But after meeting Cody, an outsider boy, Lyla starts questioning Pioneer, her friends, her family--everything. And if there''s one thing not allowed in the Community, it''s doubt. As Pioneer cleverly manipulates his flock toward disaster, the real question is: Will Lyla follow her heart or follow Pioneer over the edge? From the outside looking in, it''s hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. Amy Christine Parker''s beautiful writing creates a chilling, utterly unique YA story. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers and contemporary fiction alike."A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page." --Gretchen McNeil, author of TenHelloGiggles.com, August 3, 2013:"When I found out that there was a YA book about cults, of course I had to read it. As it turns out, Amy Christine Parker’s Gated is an awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films while still being surprising."Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2013:"Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy."Publishers Weekly, June 10, 2013:"Parker skillfully explores the mindset and inner workings of an apocalyptic cult, steadily building toward the inevitable moment of truth...As for the apocalypse itself, Parker keeps things suitably ambiguous, resulting in a complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events."School Library Journal, October 2013: "This well-plotted tale will allow readers a glimpse into the possible world of a doomsday cult...The language is accessible, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: ''Could I ever be deceived like this?''"Examiner.com"A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker''s works in the future."From the Hardcover edition.

This—a sequel to Gated—is a nerve-fraying contemporary young adult thriller that will make readers question loyalties as it twists truths.   Her life was based on a lie. Lyla Hamilton almost died escaping the Community. In her new life, the outsiders call the Community a cult. They don’t understand how easy it was to believe. How good it felt to belong. “Normal” life—high school and dating—is harder than Lyla expected.   Who should she love? Who should she hate? The Community is willing to do terrible things to bring her back to the fold. The members are still preaching Pioneer’s twisted message that the end of the world is near. Pulled in two directions and unsure which way to turn, Lyla risks everything to follow her heart, but can she uncover the Community’s plan before it’s too late?   Lyla’s escape was only the beginning.   Praise for Gated and Astray “A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page.” —Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten   “An awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films.” —HelloGiggles.com   * “Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred   “A complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events.” —Publishers Weekly“A good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: ‘Could I ever be deceived like this?’ ” —School Library Journal    “A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker’s works in the future.” —Examiner.comFrom the Hardcover edition.

Ocean’s Eleven meets the star-crossed lovers of West Side Story. Grab some popcorn and get ready for an adrenaline-filled heist!   LEXI is a rich girl who loves a good rush. Whether it’s motorcycle racing or BASE jumping off a building in downtown Los Angeles, the only times she feels alive are when she and her friends are executing one of their dares. After her father’s arrest, Lexi doesn’t think twice about going undercover at his bank to steal the evidence that might clear his name. She enlists her hacker brother and her daredevil friends to plan a clever heist.   CHRISTIAN is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The local gang has blackmailed him and his friends into robbing banks, and he is desperate for a way out. When the boss promises that one really big job will be the last he ever has to do, Christian jumps at the chance for freedom. In fact, he’s just met a girl at the bank who might even prove useful. . . .   Two heists. One score. The only thing standing in their way is each other.   Told in alternating points of view, this caper is full of romance and fast-paced fun. Hand to fans of Perfect Chemistry, The Conspiracy of Us, and Heist Society.

Furchterregend, bedrohlich und erschreckend wahrBis vor Kurzem glaubte die siebzehnjährige Lyla, die Gemeinschaft von Mandrodage Meadows, in der sie mit ihrer Familie lebt, bewahre sie vor dem Bösen in der Welt und dem bevorstehenden Weltuntergang. Dann trifft sie Cody, einen Jungen von außerhalb, und stellt fest, dass sie in Wahrheit in einem perfiden Unterdrückungssystem gefangen ist. Doch Lylas Versuch, gegen Pioneer, den ebenso charismatischen wie gefährlichen Führer der Gemeinschaft, zu rebellieren, führt zum Kampf . . .