Andrea K. Beck
writer·teacher
Debut YA novel is available now!
"The overarching mystery and the individual conflicts come together to make this a well-rounded story that has readers guessing at every turn." - BookLife
Storyline: Below the Surface
As the new girl at Oak Park High, Emily quickly learns that small towns come with big judgments.
When a student mysteriously vanishes, suddenly whispers turn into accusations—and Emily finds herself at the center of it all.
When her high school’s art program is cut, Emily Libert and her parents relocate to the seemingly idyllic town of Oak Park. Struggling to fit in, she bonds with fellow outsiders Agata and Oliver, who help her navigate the town’s rigid social circles. As Emily’s art flourishes and her connection with Oliver deepens, she begins to believe Oak Park might be the right move after all.
But beneath the town’s picturesque surface, tensions simmer. Matt and Lexy, the school’s golden couple, resent Oliver’s rising athletic success—and his growing relationship with Emily. When jealousy and rivalry reach a boiling point at a party fueled by alcohol and reckless accusations, one student disappears without a trace.
As fear grips the town, the locals are quick to turn on the newcomers, desperate to place blame. Now, Emily and her friends must fight to save themselves before it’s too late. How far will both sides go to protect themselves? As the truth begins to unravel, one question lingers: What if, deep down, Emily’s not as innocent as she believes?
Reviews are coming in...
Andrea K. Beck
I get excited entering book stores. A fresh notebook, a new pen, a pristine novel...the possibilities are exhilirating!
Writing has always been a constant in my life, through every change. It began with my first travel diary at age six, detailing every aspect of my journeys. This love of writing led me to become a highschool English teacher in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada. Soon, the heartfelt issues my students shared in their writings motivated me to pursue a Master`s in Counseling.
A marriage and two daughters later, I found myself creating childrens books for them and teaching adult creative writing classes in the USA.
Life then took us to Switzerland, where I taught international students English and writing skills, as well as worked as a freelance writer for a local expat magazine, Basel Life.
In our recent move to the Netherlands, I finally wrote Below the Surface, a YA story I have been wanting to write for years. It is inspired by a real event. Currently, I am writing a women’s novel, a menopausal memoir, which delves into finding one's courage again as women mature.
I know writing will continue to perplex, intrigue, and comfort me throughout the rest of my life, and I'm so grateful for that.
