Behind the Shadows by Kimberly Koch set of 2

Description

Behind the Shadows focuses on teenager, Adam Gould, who wants to influence those around him for Christ. His friends would not be voted as the most popular in high school. In fact, most of them, including Adam, would be shunned as geeks, losers, or flirts.  But these teenagers come together to form a group that cares about one another and has each other’s backs. Author, Kimberly Koch, does not shy away from difficult topics: bullying, dating, relationships, temptations, abuse, and sex trafficking. These are real in our culture, and they are real in this story. However, when God is the one who is involved in people’s lives to peel away the layers of hidden sin, wrong thinking, and reactions to hurt, His redemption always brings what the Bible says is “beauty out of ashes”. 

Summary of Goth, Book 1:

Adam Gould is not your average teenager.  In fact, if you ever saw him coming, you might walk the other way.  He dresses completely in black, dyes his hair, and outlines his eyes in heavy goth makeup.  But, what you wouldn’t realize is what’s behind those shadows:  he’s hiding the bruises and trying to stand apart from the world.

Adam’s never been popular, and starting over at a new school in a whole new state is no way for this outcast to become an inspiration—unless that’s exactly how God wants to use him. Adam is trying his best to be God’s light in a dark world, especially when it comes to repairing the broken relationship with his mother or catching the attention of the tempestuous Keira Sanchez.  But nothing is perfect.  His mom is bogged down with her bad choices, and Keira is clearly hiding a dark secret.  Nevertheless, Adam won’t give up.  By pulling at the strings of the past, he scratches the surface of a seedy underbelly that is plaguing their otherwise picturesque small-town.  As Adam attempts to navigate the winding pitfalls of life, it becomes clear that his whole world is about to change.

Summary of Masquerade, Book 2:

Adam Gould seems to be the one that people come to when they need to talk or share a struggle. He wants to be there for others and tries to point them in the right direction, but beneath the surface are masks and secrets. Even for Adam. Every relationship in his life holds a secret that can’t be revealed. When Brittany turns to Adam for help, he has to figure out who really is trustworthy and what he can share, or people might get hurt.

Brittany Fischer loves being a part of her new family, but when her relationship with Neil hits rock bottom, she gets lost in figuring out who she is and forgets about checking up on her little sisters from the old group home. Without Brittany to lead them, Maddie and Emma try to navigate life on their own. Lured in by promises of excitement and a sense of belonging, the girls think they’ve found everything they were searching for in a new group of friends. Unfortunately, they begin to see that things are not always what they appear to be.

About the Author:

Kimberly Koch grew up in a family of storytellers and has been writing since she was very young. She graduated from Salisbury University with degrees in English and Secondary Education. She taught English in both the public, and private sector before trying her hand at writing full-time. She lives in Virginia with her husband, three small children, and their rambunctious dog, Lucky Lucy.