“This book was simultaneously both the most heart-warming and most heart-wrenching novel that I have ever read.” — Pure Jonel

Prodigal

by Rektok Ross

A note to Readers from the Author

Dear Reader,

Love, lessons, and life-changing moments. That is what PRODIGAL is all about.

PRODIGAL follows the story of Lexy Quinn, the hard-working wallflower who finally lands the coveted spot as Editor of her school’s newspaper. But the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her mom is sick, and the family is moving half-way across the country to Preston Hills, Texas. Lexy can’t think of a worse place to be than at a school full of snobby rich kids where she’ll have to start all over to get people to notice her writing, or—who is she kidding?—notice her at all.

When the most swoon-worthy boy in town, who also happens to be the jock celebrity quarterback, gives her an exclusive interview, Lexy’s life takes an unexpected turn. Ash Preston is the perfect guy and, even better, he sees Lexy as she wants to be seen. But can she trust him?

My goal in creating PRODIGAL was not only to write a fun page-turner but also to create a different kind of love story—one where faith, romance, and God converge. I hope PRODIGAL is a story that just might change the way you look at your life.

Enjoy,

Rektok Ross

Excerpt from the Book

It was only for a second but the bleachers and all the people in them started to spin as I lost my balance. I knew I was about to go toppling head first down the stairs and threw a hand out, desperate to grab something, anything, to brace my fall.

Something cold and wet poured down my arm.

I looked up, shaken, only to realize that what I’d managed to grab was a boy holding a now half-empty cup. And not just any boy.

Those lips.

Those eyes.

It was him.

The boy from last night.

“You again?” The bemused look on his face made every thing inside me tingle. “Are you okay?”

I quickly took inventory.

There was no pain, which probably meant I hadn’t done any permanent damage, except to my clothes. Though his crisp polo shirt and khakis were still spotless, there were now dark soda blotches all over my favorite wool sweater that I was sure were never coming out.

I nodded. “I’m fine.”

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” he said, crooking me a smile.

He stuck his hand out, picking me back up on my feet, just like the last time. I let him, grabbing on with sticky hands while he pulled me upright. He didn’t break eye contact the entire time.

“I’ve got you, Lexy!” Brian grabbed me around the waist and jerked me backward toward him.

“Are you all right?” His eyes raked up and down the length of my body with alarm, as if searching for broken bones.

“She said she’s fine,” the boy said, waving Brian off. “Well,” he said, dimpling up at me, “it appears you’re now wearing my soda, and I seem to be fresh out of handkerchiefs today. Perhaps we should go get something to clean you up?”

“Why don’t you just watch where you’re going instead, Preston!” Brian whipped around, cheeks red. “You could’ve really hurt Lexy!”

It was so unexpected, it took a minute for me to fully absorb Brian’s words.

Preston? This was Ash Preston? The boy I’d been warned about?

I figured the best thing to do, the only thing to do now that I knew, was to just keep my mouth shut until he walked away, and I could forget we’d ever met.

One Reviewer Notes

“Once I started I couldn’t put it down . . . [A]ll in all a brilliant read and I look forward to reading more from this author.” –Rapid Reviewer