THE TRAZ, a Newly-Released YA Novel, is as Daring, Raw and Spirited as the Young Heroine

It's exhilarating entertainment but it also contains a vital message for those on the cusp of maturity and for the adults who guide them.

2011-05-17

ST. PAUL, AB, May 17, 2011 (Press-News.org) Eileen Schuh's THE TRAZ is a novel that addresses head-on the issues behind juvenile delinquency and exposes the adults who exploit these troubled teens.

"The girl was 12," the headline says, "when she killed her parents and younger brother in their Medicine Hat, Alta. home..."

Perhaps even more troubling is this headline: "Imani Nakpangi was sentenced to five years in jail for forcing the girls, 14 and 15 years of age, into prostitution..."

"A 14-year-old boy was charged," reads another, "when a would-be pot buyer is slashed with a meat cleaver..."

And more recently, "17-year-old pleads guilty to drug charges in deaths of two teens...."

Schuh's young readers, however, do not have to face these complicated and unsettling issues alone. THE TRAZ is released with a Teaching Guide to give youngsters, parents, educators, law enforcers, and other community leaders an opportunity to discuss and explore the darkness that at-risk teens are both facing and fleeing.

What is the captivating story through which these life-lessons flow?

Katrina is thirteen, wealthy, grieving, and alone. But she is more than that. She's intelligent, beautiful, and intrigued by the dangers of street life.

Shrug's a giant of a man with a voice of thunder and eyes of granite. He has tattoos, The Traz gang patch, and a motorbike. When he asks Katrina if she wants a ride, she makes a decision that will change her life forever.

Katrina quickly discovers the violent side of life on The Traz compound. However, there is no way for her to escape until she meets Chad--an undercover cop with rich brown eyes, a gentle chuckle, and a plan to rescue Katrina from the clutches of the gang. However, there's a problem.

Somebody is keeping dangerous secrets from them both.

THE TRAZ is netting superlative reviews from some of Canada's top authors.

"Raw and emotional with fast-paced, gripping tension, The Traz is a must-read for 'tweens, teens and parents."
--Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Children of the Fog

"Schuh creates complex characters and raw dialogue. This is a fast paced novel where redemption is found on the saddle of a Harley."
--Garry Ryan, author of the Detective Lane mysteries

THE TRAZ: available soon as an eBook on Amazon and Smashwords.

WARNING: if you watch this video promo, you'll want to buy the book! "TheTraz" Book Trailer http://t.co/5XiVL6H via @youtube

For an excerpt of THE TRAZ visit http://www.eileenschuh.com/the-traz/

Become a part of Schuh's virtual family. Visit her at http://www.eileenschuh.com/ or http://eileenschuh.blogspot.com/.

Eileen Schuh is also the author of SCHRODINGER'S CAT, a sci-fi novella. Release date: August 2011 by WolfSinger Publications in eBook and print formats. THE TRAZ is her first published book in The BackTracker series.

Born in Tofield, Alberta and with ties to Edmonton and Strathcona County, Eileen Schuh now lives with her husband in the remote northern boreal forests of Alberta, Canada.

Schuh recently retired from a life of careers that varied from psychiatric nurse to journalist to editor to business woman.

She remains active in her adopted community of St. Paul and basks in the love and loyalty of an entire flotilla of family, friends and fans--virtual, imaginary, and real.

For more information about THE TRAZ and the author, or to request an interview: eileenschuh@yahoo.com

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