Vanessa Rose

Hearts at Risk Vanessa Rose

The first of three in the YA series "Coming of Age." "Hearts at Risk" is a first-person narrative that illuminates seventeen year-old Kate Mason's struggles between life as a teenager, and life as a gymnast -- wanting to "fit it" and wanting to be the "good girl." Her craving for approval from her peers and parents, combined with her unspoken desire to quit gymnastics, lead her to hide behind an emotional veil, bulimia. The story opens in the Michigan countryside, where Kate is drivinghome with her head hanging out the window in a vain attempt to soberup. Once again, she has surpassed the point of true control, unveiling a flood of emotions. She is certain that binges bring herrelief, but she also realizes that they only complicate her life. Asher journey unfolds, Kate discovers that her once-perfect family isnot so. Her father's affair affects her relationships with boys, andher mother's attempts to protect her only make her angry, contributingto her lack of self-honesty and rebellion. Where do these fracturesin Kate's life lead her? What heartaches will she suffer? AlthoughKate has put her heart at risk, she still has the power and chance tochange, if she has the will! And she realizes it is possible to wakeup one day and say, "I can change. It is safe to be me, exactly as Iam."