Excerpt from Mellifica (Chapter 1)
The party fell quiet while we waited. A blue Dodge Caravan stopped at the edge of the beach. Oh yeah, Chad said he’d come. Even though the van was a brand new 1992 model, my cousin looked like a dork driving a minivan.“It’s okay. It’s my cousin, but keep the liquor in your bag, Shanna.”
“Aww, is Chad some kind of nark?” she asked.
I nodded. “Most likely.”
Chad stepped out, but to my surprise the passenger door opened too. Why would he bring a date to my birthday party? Asshole. It’d be better without him here, and definitely better without one of those girls he hung out with.
A stranger stepped out of the van, and his eyes fell right to mine. From a distance, he didn’t appear to be the geeky type of friend Chad always made. He wore a loose black tank top with Khaki shorts. His clothes seemed pretty normal, especially compared to Chad’s; my cousin wore a Henley tucked into his cargo shorts. The strange guy stared, and I couldn’t turn away.
He came over with Chad, king of the geeks. Where did he get the confidence to stare at me? They walked closer, and even though the beach was dim, his onyx eyes struck me intensely. My chest tightened, and my heart raced. As if this guy gave him confidence, Chad walked a little straighter than usual.
“Hello, Melissa. Happy birthday,” Chad said.
I nodded, glanced at Chad for a second and then back to his guest.
“Oh, this is Arien, my best friend.” Chad gestured toward his tall, muscular friend. “And this is Melissa, my cousin.”
Arien nodded. “Hey.”
When did Chad get a best friend? I would have seen him before. Something wasn’t right about this guy or his sudden appearance.
Sandy wrapped both arms around me and leaned closer to my ear. “Want to go for a walk?”
Sandy’s voice startled me. This suspicious stranger had my brain working overtime. “Um, I do, but Chad just got here. I can’t be rude.” I turned to the new arrivals. “Food and drinks are on the table. Get a plate and come back to join us.”
Why haven’t I met this guy? They returned from the table. Both had soda, but neither was eating. Chad turned toward the river where some people still played. “Who’s here?”
I didn’t pay attention to Chad.
“Melissa, I asked you a question,” Chad said louder.
“Hmm?”
Everyone turned to me as I dropped my stare from Arien. A flame went through my body, and I wanted to run to the river’s edge. Arien smirked. He had been staring back, as if he had a chance with me. Huge ego—he must be Chad’s best friend.
I had to play the situation off as mere curiosity, so I squared my shoulders and cleared my throat. “So, Arien, if you and Chad are best friends, why haven’t we met?”
He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “I guess we just missed each other.” The warm gaze in his eyes made me think his words carried a double meaning. His wavy blond hair caught the sea breeze, and the firelight danced across his face.
I leaned against Sandy to ensure we all understood this stranger didn’t have a chance with me.
My Review of Mellifica: Devastating First Love
Remember being a 16 year old girl? Good, stick with that. This book is written from the point of view of 16 year old Melissa Quinn. As such, there is a lot of going back and forth with herself on what she should be doing, what is the right thing to do, and what does her heart want to do. Lots of conflict surrounding her life, from should she fall for Sandy, the star quarterback of the football team to should she fall for the one who seems to be holding the strings, Arien.
Let’s just say that we start off with what seems like a sweet romance, then it turns into a broken romance, a little bit Heathers, and ultimately moves in the direction of a happily ever after. This is a cliffhanger and the story continues in Mellifica: Wait for Me.
Ms. Mayberry has created characters that keep you reading just to find out what else is going to happen. The fact that Mellifica is based on a true story tugs on your heart strings because you just hate that some of the incidents actually happened. This is a coming of age story for Mel, from church camp to pregnancy tests. Follow one year in the life of Melissa and see how emotional and devastating love can actually be.
Buy Now
Mellifica: Devastating First Love on Amazon | B&N | Smashwords
Mellifica: Wait for Me (Book 2)
Synopsis
Caught in a war between her past and her future, one wrong step and Melissa Quinn loses everything.
Melissa Quinn found her happiness in the arms of Sandy Bavetta, but her ex, Arien Hart returns to Gloucester with a vengeance. Armed with Sandy’s family secret and an unlikely ally, Arien bombards Melissa with doubt, playing a game to divide and conquer.
No one knows her weaknesses like Arien. No one sees her strengths like Sandy.
Will she survive this battle of the heart?
Excerpt
Arien’s version of how everything was supposed to be was worse than the apocalypse. “Things are exactly how they are supposed to be,” I said. “Now, get out.” My voice broke, as I continued. “I don’t love you. I loathe you. You ruined my life.”
Hot tears trickled to his palm when he touched my face.
“Honey Bee,” he whispered. “I know. I’m so sorry. Let me make it right again, please. You’re everything to me.”
Sobs bubbled from my lips. Maybe I did come here because I missed him. Had the last month been a façade? Sandy was so perfect. Too perfect. Too good for me. Sandy didn’t deserve a girlfriend that would meet her ex boyfriend in a secluded cemetery. I was notorious for screwing up. The right thing never looked obvious to me. Trouble stalked me as easy prey.
“Aw, Honey Bee, don’t cry.” Arien put his other hand on my cheek, tilted my face towards him and leaned forward. Pure instinct and adrenaline poured through my veins. Surprise sparked in his eyes when I leaned back and swiftly met his cheek with my palm.
Buy Now
Mellifica: Wait for Me on Amazon | B&N | Smashwords
About the Author
In a series of ironic events, Mellifica presented to Melissa Mayberry in such a way that she had to dust off her writing skills and put the story to paper. The story soon became her passion and rekindled her love of writing.
Living in the Blue Ridge of Virginia, Melissa works full time as a nurse, student and mother. Her past will haunt her until the story is told.
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