Lucking Out of the Storm
Lucking Out of the Storm is a novel about the aftermath of a sexual assault for five childhood friends who have reached college.
Back Cover Description
Five childhood friends find their world turned upside down after one girl awakens after something horrible happened the previous night. What was supposed to be a fun night out drinking in college turns into a gut-wrenching mystery. By chance, the shy and pensive Ali calls and realizes she must act quickly. If not, determining whether her friend was raped and by whom may prove impossible. The victim’s family and friends watch in helpless misery as the victim, a gregarious and quick-witted tennis player, suffers aftershocks they are unable to prevent. But drawing on a decade-long sisterhood forged on sports fields, in school and anywhere fun could be found, her four best friends vow to revive the victim’s access to her previously beautiful life. In time, everyone discovers courage and strength they never knew dwelt within them.
Why a book about sexual assault?
Recently, I realized that the sexual assault of college women will probably only worsen. So, I rehabilitated a novel I published in 2018 so that it would focus on the assault. In the sea of complex problems that exist in the world, the assault of college women is relatively preventable. As a college and high school instructor, I cannot quiet my conscience knowing that on residential campuses, 25% of college girls experience sexual assault. The victim-blaming, blind eyes and inaction that often follow this common occurrence I see as abhorrent. In my opinion, it is the antithesis to the American dream. I do believe that with the courage to examine and change cultural norms, institutions and people can come together to prevent sexual assault and protect young women’s lives and futures.