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Author C.J. Peterson kicks the story into high gear right off the bat as Stacey finds out her mom, and Sam finds out his wife Lauren died in a car accident. Sam is a successful lawyer, and Stacey is a sixteen-year-old who is undecided about her life goals. The death of Lauren throws them into the world of grief and sadness. Lauren's family tries to help, but it is a lot for Stacey to process. When Sam's law firm offers him a chance at a job in another location and a chance for Stacey and him to reinvent their family, they move to Pine Crest.
The new community, school, memories, and friends are the top negotiated areas when one move as a teenager. It is a challenge that teens and young adults relate to and understand. What is odd is that Pine Crest is hiding some evil secrets. Protecting those secrets is costing people high prices.
I liked how early on, C.J. showed the now modified relationship between father and daughter. This bond increases throughout the story.
Stacey discovers the strange events, and in turn, by Sam, who both try to find a long-term solution. Will their faith be enough for survival? The action keeps the reader engaged, as does the character's evolving relationships. Stacey's evolution to champion for her friends and community shows how far she has come since her mom's death. It also helps guide her to a longer-term professional goal.
There are a few descriptive areas that may be rough for some teens, so parents might want to read it first. The story lessons are powerful and remind readers to keep their faith. C.J. is an avid writer with a Christian focus that keeps readers wanting more. A superb choice to help emphasize core values.

Tragedy strikes teenaged Stacey Spencer and her father, Sam, early in “Strength from Within” when her mother unexpectedly dies. Grief stricken, they decide to move and start over in a small Midwestern town called Pine Crest. Superficially pleasant, Pine Crest, is deeply corrupt and Stacey discovers this evil extends to the sons and daughters of powerful adults. Her arrival in the local High School is far from pleasant, and quickly devolves into a terrifying ordeal. C.J. Peterson has written a highly readable, and emotionally intense novel, with a strong Christian orientation. No one will get through the ensuing chaos easily, least of all, Stacey. But faith and determination will help her to survive. Highly recommended by the window on a sunny afternoon.

Two afternoons about a week ago, I read C.J. Peterson’s young adult novel, Strength From Within. I waited to write this review because the events she described in the book caused me to reflect about some of my former high school students and the tragedies they experienced in their young lives. A high school, whether it’s in a small community like Pinecrest or a neighborhood in a large city, is a mirror reflection of the world in which it sits. 

Stacey and her father Sam Spencer thought they could escape a tragedy. You see, Sam’s wife and Stacey’s mom, Lauren, was killed in an automobile accident. Both father and daughter were hurting in silence. The intensity of their emotions was driving a wedge between them. Fortunately, Sam had an opportunity to practice law in Pinecrest. Both he and Stacy were ready for a change. Move to a new town. New job. New friends. New school. 

What could possibly go wrong?

The transition was a smooth one until Stacey enrolled in the local high school. There, she encountered opposing groups. One led by the school bully Kyle Chandler, who along with his crew did everything possible to recruit Stacey to join their gang.  Kyle wanted to date Stacey, but she had a bad feeling about him and his friends.  The school had another group, one that Kyle ridiculed. It was led by a different type of leader – a young Christian named Alex. He and his friends embraced Stacy, trying with all their might to protect her from the group led by the school bully. They changed her life when they introduced Stacey to Jesus. However, converting to Christianity did not make Stacey’s life any easier. She remained loyal to her new best friend Alex and joined the local church group.

Kyle and his friends took action, causing Stacey to endure two trips to the hospital. That was the last straw for Sam Spencer. Dealing with the school principal, Sam discovered that the town of Pinecrest had secrets, the kind that were deadly. He and Stacey stood together to not only clean up the school atmosphere but also the evil within the community.  

During their struggles, they understood the quote by Amy Morin: “Being mentally strong doesn’t mean you won’t feel afraid. Instead, mental strength is about feeling afraid and doing it anyway.”  

C. J. Peterson’s book lets young adults know that sometimes doing the right thing is not always the popular thing, but with God’s help, all things are possible through Him.