Fashion editor Lauren Scruggs is sustained by her faith and family despite the loss of her eye and hand

TITLE: Still Lolo

AUTHOR: Lauren Scruggs

PUBLISHER: Tyndale Momentum

ISBN: 978-1-414-37669-1

PRICE: $24.99

RELEASE DATE: November

Looking at Christmas lights from a two-seater plane led to tragedy for 23-year-old Texan Lauren “Lolo” Scruggs, resulting in the loss of her left eye and hand. With New York Times best-selling author Marcus Brotherton, the Dallas Baptist University graduate and fashion editor tells how faith and family have sustained her as she fought for her life, in Still Lolo: A Spinning Propeller, a Horrific Accident, and a Family’s Journey of Hope (978-1-414-37669-1, $24.99), releasing Nov. 20 from Tyndale Momentum.

Scruggs’ tragic accident at a private airport in McKinney, Texas, nearly one year ago drew the paparazzi and worldwide media attention from outlets such as NBC’s Today Show and People magazine. But she received the support of celebrities such as Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark bite. Her Caring Bridge page saw more than 1.5 million visits as many caring people checked in on her progress and lifted her up in prayer.

Immediately following the accident Dec. 3, 2011, Scruggs underwent multiple surgeries, including brain surgery. The skilled doctors of Parkland Hospital in Dallas, famous for treating John F. Kennedy after he was shot, initially treated the young woman, stabilizing her ahead of the long, grueling journey that meant the loss of her eye and hand and ongoing therapy.

Because there were times when even strangers would come to visit her in the hospital, Scruggs had to be code-named for her own security. Surprisingly, and because of an answer to prayer, she was home in record time, just three weeks after the accident and in time for Christmas.

Still Lolo tells the story of Scrugg’s life before the accident as well. Rarely separated from her twin, Brittany, she had to learn to make the adjustment of being apart when she felt called to strike out on her own and go to the Big Apple, landing two internships in the fashion world at the Gossip Girl TV show and in the Michael Kors fashion showroom.

But the city didn’t always treat her right. After a successful first summer there, she went back—against her better judgment—and ended up going down the wrong path into drinking and dating a “player.” A serious mystery illness led her back to the safety of home and down the road of repentance.

Today with a prostethic eye and hand, Scruggs is off of pain medication. Not only has she had to deal with the trauma of her accident, but also with paying medical bills and learning what it means to be a public figure. She was surprised when a Tweet with a picture of her first vacation after the accident led to a call from NBC.

With Still Lolo—with chapters written by her mom, dad and sister as well as herself—Scruggs wants to come alongside teen girls and women who struggle with body image and insecurity. She shares her struggles with looking for love and acceptance now that she has a prosthetic hand and eye and before the accident when she was drawn to the glamour of New York’s party scene.

To order, call Tyndale House at 800-323-9400 or visit www.tyndalebooksellers.com.

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