Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Victorian Mysteries Recommendation



Curious Beginning 
 Summary :London, 1887. As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England now gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.


But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. Promising to reveal in time what he knows of the plot against her, the baron offers her temporary sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker—a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can deliver on his tantalizing vow to reveal the secrets he has concealed for decades, he is found murdered. Suddenly Veronica and Stoker are forced to go on the run from an elusive assailant, wary partners in search of the villainous truth. 
                                    Review
                                    Links: B&N  Amazon Itunes

A Perilous Undertaking

Summary: London, 1887. At the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task—saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Ramsforth, accused of the brutal murder of his mistress, Artemisia, will face the hangman’s noose in a week’s time if the real killer is not found.


But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural-historian colleague, Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer. From a Bohemian artists’ colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed...
                                    Review
                                    Links: B&N  Amazon Itunes


A Treacherous Curse

Summary London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can’t resist the allure of an exotic mystery—particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker. His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London.

But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker’s past. Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats—and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe—Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything...
                                       Review
                                       Links: B&N  Amazon Itunes

A Dangerous Collaboration

Summary: Lured by the promise of a rare and elusive butterfly, the intrepid Veronica Speedwell is persuaded by Lord Templeton-Vane, the brother of her colleague Stoker, to pose as his fiancĂ©e at a house party on a Cornish isle owned by his oldest friend, Malcolm Romilly.

But Veronica soon learns that one question hangs over the party: What happened to Rosamund? Three years ago, Malcolm Romilly’s bride vanished on their wedding day, and no trace of her has ever been found. Now those who were closest to her have gathered, each a possible suspect in her disappearance.


                                      Links: B&N  Amazon  Itunes

Honorable mentions 


Silent in the Grave


Summary :"Let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave." 

These ominous words are the last threat that Sir Edward Grey receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, he collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests. 

Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that her husband was murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers damning evidence for herself, and realizes the truth.

Determined to bring the murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.


                                 Links: B&N  Amazon Itunes


And only to deceive

Summary: For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was an easy way to escape her overbearing mother, who was set on a grand society match. So when Emily's dashing husband died on safari soon after their wedding, she felt little grief. After all, she barely knew him. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and she immerses herself in all things ancient and begins to study Greek.

Emily's intellectual pursuits and her desire to learn more about Philip take her to the quiet corridors of the British Museum, one of her husband's favorite places. There, amid priceless ancient statues, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret involving stolen artifacts from the Greco-Roman galleries. And to complicate matters, she's juggling two very prominent and wealthy suitors, one of whose intentions may go beyond the marrying kind. As she sets out to solve the crime, her search leads to more surprises about Philip and causes her to question the role in Victorian society to which she, as a woman, is relegated.
                                    Links: B&N  Amazon Itunes

A Study in Scarlet
Summary:With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London. 

When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She’ll have help from friends new and old—a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her.

But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind.

                                       Links: B&N Amazon Itunes


Tea Love Books
Meli

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Friday, November 16, 2018

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Hello lovely book people of the world, I have a brand new blog for you today on the amazing Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan. The arc of this book was sent to me from Jimmy Patterson Books and I would like to kindly thank them for sending me the Arc. The book came out November 6th and is now available to buy everywhere. So let us get to the good stuff, shell we such as the summary and my final thoughts about this book.

This book is about a young girl Name Lei who is a paper caste aka human. She lives in a world where humans have mixed with animals and create weird creatures such as the Bull king. The Bull King is Moon Caste which is a full demon. The Bull king guard kidnaps Lei and brings her as a present to the kingdom, to become the king's mistress. After arriving in the Kingdom, Lei discovers that she must create a backbone to survive the king and his world. But Lei backbone gives her far more than she ever knew she needed. It gives her love and determination to fight for everything she has feared her loss. But in order to know the rest how about, you go find a copy of this beautiful book and read it for yourself.

As for my rating of this book I give it a five out of five stars. I love how Natasha was able to depict this stunning world, mix with Malaysian and Chinese culture. Lei was an incredibly strong female who did not know she had any strength until she fell in love with the right person. Natasha gave Lei an amazing build up as a character in this unique world filled with demons. The way Lei discover her love for her partner or discovers the strength to fight back against everyone who told her to obey. She became a fierce female as the story continue. I also love the way Natasha discusses discrimination in Lei World and explain how love, is simply love. Natasha was able to take such a hardcore topic as discrimination and make it so simple to explain to this world. I love that part of the story so much. I love how Lei discovers that she is able to fight when she considers herself unable to do anything. I love the flirting between the love match in this book it was so incredibly beautiful. I love all of the detail Natasha added into this story, how that detail was able to turn a simple story into magic. Natasha writing reminds me of Leigh Bardugo, it is filled with magic about it. It is something you will continue to think about again and again. I seriously can't wait for the next book in this story. This story is filled to the brim with female empowerment and also with love for your fellow person regardless of race or gender. This story will become a classic for the ages because of the message Natasha talks about in this book. I really did love the beauty of the world in this book and I will recommend it to everyone.  I hope you will you will check out this inspiring world that Natasha has provided for all of us.

Below will be all the links to where you can buy this beautiful book along with Natasha and Jimmy Patterson books social information for you to follow. I really urge you to find this beautiful book and give it a read. Next, to Kerri Maniscalco book this is my favorite book from Jimmy Patterson Books to this date. I can't wait for someone else to read this book and devour it like me, because I need someone to discuss it with. I also want to take a moment to thank Jimmy Patterson Books for all of their support with my work and for continuing to provide me with amazing books to read Such as Natasha. Also thank you so much, Natasha, answering all of my weird questions and liking my social media posts. As always thank you all for reading this blog, for following me on social media and providing me with support.

Tea Love Books
Meli

Book Links

Girl of Paper and Fire

Author links


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Saturday, October 20, 2018

Every Heart a Door way Seanan McGuire

Hello friends, book lovers, and awesome new people welcome back to my blog. Today's Blog is about this beautiful book title Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, which I purchase on Amazon on June 18, 2017. Thank you, Amazon for always having that Knowledge, but its also kind of Creepy too. But anyway back to this book, and all of its information. This book is Publish by Tor.com and was released on April 5, 2016. Since its release, it has become apart of a Series with the Fourth book set to be released in January of 2019 which I would die to have an Arc of. This Series is Called wayward children. Always I will have all of the links to all of the books listed below along with the Summary and my final thoughts, so shall we get on with it.

Every Heart a doorway is the first book in a Series about Children returning from Magical lands such as Candy land or Wonderland. In this book, we meet Nancy who has return from her own "Wonderland". Nancy will now have to learn how to live as an ordinary Person again as if she had never traveled to a Twisted "Narnia". So Nancy is now the New Alice if you will and the mortal world is even scarier than her twisted "Narnia". So why don't you go buy Nancy book and settle in to enjoy this long strange trip of hers as I write my final thoughts? Heads Up FINAL THOUGHTS might be Spoilers.

I rated this book a five out of five stars, because of how amazing it was. This book should be a recommendation for every person dealing with mental health and its struggles. Seanan literally gives you the most inspiring life affirmations to live by and use in daily life. It's like Seanan is a therapist talking through this book (I am NOT saying she is a PROFESSIONAL, I am just saying this book would help you on your mental health journey). I can now understand why so many people love this series, and it has nothing to do with the Magical Fairytale aspect of the book and more to do with the life inspirational's. I have very few books tab up with quotes that inspire me but this book is tabbed to the ceiling for just life quotes. This book was just amazing for that inspiration alone, but lets now talk about the books characters and Seanan writing of them. (Possible Spoilers coming Now)

As Seanan writing, I love her style of writing. It comes off as magical and whimsical but at the same time very logical. So as the book puts it, Seanan is Nonsensical and Logic at the same time lol, Well to me she is. I love Nancy and how she was described. Although I will admit for me it was kind of sad to see Nancy find her door at the end of the book again. Kade was amazing and I love that he was Ely Nephew, it made so much sense. I also love How Jac and Jill in a way became a Frankenstein meets Dracula Story, that was a great twist to two amazing Classics. I feel like one of the reasons that Every Heart a doorway was such a hit is because in a way Seanan is reviving the original creep-tastic Grim Fairytales which had glore to them. I also once again love the life-affirming quotes in this book. It goes without saying that this book will also be one of my topped 2018 books mention in my top ten books of the year. I love this book and can't wait to start the rest of the series so I finish by January. I think I am going to read book two next month then book three in December so I can savor them before January and not rush through them. As always links for the books, the author and my social media are below, please don't be shy and come to say hi, maybe even follow me.

Tea, Love, Books
Meli

Seanan McGuire 
Twitter 

Every Heart Bk One
amazon 
B&N 
Book Depository
Indigo

Down Among bk two
Amazon
B&N
Book Depository
Indigo 

Beneath the Sugar Sky bk3
Amazon
B&N
Book Depository
Indigo 

In an absent dream Bk 4
Amazon
B&N
Book Depository
Indigo 

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Thursday, October 11, 2018

the Witch of Willow Hall

Hello Book lovers, long time no see. I have a brand new book review today on The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox and publish by Harlequin Graydon house. I received this book as a Netgalley E Arc for review. But this book is available to buy now everywhere, it came out on October 2nd, 2018. I will have all of the links listed below for where you can buy the books. Now onto the summary and book review. 

This book is about a young woman named Lydia who lives in 1821 Massachusetts. Apparently Lydia older sister Catherine has caused a great scandal for the family. So the Montrose parents have decided to move Catherine, Lydia and their younger sister Emeline to WillowHall. Turns out that Willow Hall might not be the best place to help the family after all. A lot of Ghosts from the past arise when the family arrives at Willow Hall. Lydia Witch bloodline shows up along with the ghosts. All of these things cause great heartache and great hardship for the girls during their time at Willow Hall. This book is a great Halloween read or just a great read for Witch Lovers. I really suggest you go check it out and buy it, now onto my final thoughts. 

I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I did love the story and I would totally recommend this book. I love the witchy Hocus Pocus Vibes this book has, but at the same time, I have some issues with it. I have an issue with the slow burn, it takes Lydia forever to realize who she is and what powers she carries. I wish she had learned early on that she had some sort of powers. I felt like it took us forever to get to the good parts, but once you get there all of sudden the book is over. Now, this would be okay if we have a sequel coming but if we don't then, its sort of like the Charlie Brown teacher of blah blah. Now, on the other hand, the book was a really fast read, in the aspect that I was on the edge of my seat to find the good stuff. I do love the witchy vibe as I called it. For me personally, the Witchy Vibe is very hard to grasp, either you have it or you don't. I also love how Hester handle the incest storyline in the book, warning if that a trigger for you. But yes there is an incest storyline with Catherine and their older brother Charles. I am kind of upset with how everyone treats Lydia like a child yet she is nineteen, then they are all telling her to grow up. I am upset with how they all try to force Lydia into another marriage with an asshat. 

But that's kind of the whole book for me, I love half the plot and hated half the plot.  I truly love it and I want more of Hester works. John and Lydia love story was really sweet and very romantic. I love they just keep going towards one another even when everyone is trying to pull them apart. I felt sorry for Catherine, even though she deserved her pain in a way. I am also glad that Lydia finally had her moment and stood up. She stopped taking everyone shit and fought her way back to own her life. Honestly, though the Ghost and Witch vibe's that this book is giving off, far outweigh the things I disliked about the story. I will always recommend this book to people as a great witch read and will definitely check out more of Hester fox's books. Please please go check out this book and buy it or borrow it. As always my links, the author's links, and the book links will be below. I really do hope you will read this book because it's just amazing to me and I love it. 

Tea, Love, books 
Meli 


Hester Fox 


The Witch of Willow Hall 


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JeffMelih 

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Thursday, September 27, 2018

Too Faced GingerBread Spice


Hello, fellow Makeup Lovers I have my first makeup Blog in a really long time. Yes, I know many of you come here for my Book reviews which are Staying but I want to start reviewing makeup again because I love Makeup. Also, I don't know how many Makeup blogs I will be doing. If this one turns out to have a lot of Views I will then create a Separate Blog for my Makeup reviews possibly.  Now onto the review of the Toofaced Gingerbread palette.

I bought the Toofaced GingerBread Palette from Ulta on Sept 16 and I received it on Sept 20th. I have been playing with this palette ever since I received it. My First Impressions of the Gingerbread Palette is that the smell is Vanilla, not Gingerbread as many Claim it to be. It's a sweet Vanilla scent almost like a Cookie smell but it doesn't scream Gingerbread to me. This happened with the Peach Palette too, it never smelled like real Peaches. Now back to the GingerBread Palette, the glitter shadows or Shimmer Shadows are gritty like I've experienced with too many TooFaced palettes over the last six years. The mattes are the usual TooFaced Butter mattes that they produce. But the Gingerbread Palette did swatch ten times better than the Fullsize white chocolate chip palette that came out last December.

 

First Top Row of Swatch Above

Now let's talk about those Glitter/Shimmer shadows that I mention above. These shadows are not painful gritty but gritty no less. Also, these shimmers/glitter shadows tend to be hit or miss. I find that a lot of these shadows work better with your own finger than a brush but that feels so unsanitary to me, it really does because who really remembers to wash their hands before doing makeup not many of us. So these shadows do take more time to build up, on your eye and you might have better luck with these shadows if you use a Setting spray to place them on your eye or even a crayon eye pencil.


Second Row across of Swatches

Now let's move on to the Mattes. They blended perfectly for me on the eye. They did not come across as a muddy mess to me either. Even after blending these colors together they don't come off as one entire color like some palettes can do. These mattes like all most Toofaced Mattes (minus the White full-size chocolate chip palette) come off as Buttery smooth. They work well together and are just beautiful. Now let's get down to the grit of the palette overall.

                           
Third Row Across with Swatches

I felt like this Palette lack lighter colors, it has at most four light colors. I feel like we could have used six light colors. Now I do get that the palette looks like it has six light shades, six medium shades, and six dark shades to help you easily transition when blending. But to me when using the palette that did not appear to be the case. This palette has, in my opinion, two light mattes and two light shimmer eyeshadows. One of the Shimmers is Frostbite and its super gritty, very glitter and less shimmer. Frostbite really doesn't work unless you use your finger and setting spray to apply to your eye. Its the one shadow I don't like in this palette. I honestly felt like we could have had a Light Lavender or a True white Matte put into this palette. That Shimmer is the only thing I don't like about this Palette.



Honestly, I would still recommend this palette, if you can afford it at 49 dollars or if its the Only Eyeshadow palette you want for the Holidays. This palette reminds me of the Original TooFaced Chocolate Palette. In my opinion, this TooFaced palette is worth its price and worth buying if you enjoy higher-end makeup. I certainly don't regret my decision. I would give this Palette a 9 out of 10 stars on how amazing it is to me and How much I am going to enjoy it. I will have all of the links for this palette and where to buy it below along with my Social media. Thank you for joining me for my first makeup blog review.



Three different Days of me wearing the GingerBread Palette along with some Gingerbread Lipsticks 


Peace Love Makeup 
Meli 

Gingerbread Spice Palette

 TooFaced

Ulta

Sephora 

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Melissajeffery







Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Book News


Hello Book Lovers, I have information on a brand new book for you all below. Also, I want you to know that Berkley/Penguin has a contest going on for this Book "Phoenix Unbound" By Grace Draven, if you all like the Summary for the book. Also, other books will be included in the contest such as Chloe Neill new book Wild Hunger. I would like to add that I will have a review up for this book as well. Huge thank you, Berkley, for sending me a copy of this book. 


PHOENIX UNBOUND by GRACE DRAVEN
Ace Trade Paperback | September 25, 2018

A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance.

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.

But this year is different.

Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. Unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.

To protect her family and village, she will abandon everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Draven is a Louisiana native living in Texas with her husband, kids and a big, doofus dog. She is the winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice for Best Fantasy Romance of 2016 and a USA Today Bestselling author. Find out more about Grace Draven online at gracedraven.com.


CONTEST INFORMATION 




Tea Love Books 
Meli

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Monday, September 17, 2018

Sadie

Hello Book lovers and welcome back to my latest blog. Today I am reviewing the Book Sadie by Courtney Summers which was released by Wednesday Book on Sept 4, 2018, and is available for Purchase today. I would like to thank Wednesday books and St Martin Press for approving me on Netgalley for this E Arc. Most of my Arcs are NetGalley Arcs in case any of you were wondering. Now on to my Summary and final thoughts.

Sadie is a young girl who was raised in a trailer park in a small rue town. The kinda of town where people barely made it, let alone made it out and become a success. As a young kid, Sadie and her sister Mattie are abandon by their alcoholic Mother and are left to be raised by a neighbor in their trailer park. This is hard on Sadie because she has stutter her whole life and has a hard time finding ways to survive. As the girls get older Mattie wants to find their mother but when she sets out to do it. She is kidnapped and Murder, they find her behind an abandoned building. Sadie believes she knows who killed Mattie and so she sets out to find the man and begins a scary quest. The best way to understand this story is simply to read it for yourself, now in my final thoughts.

I went into reading Sadie with such hesitation because I am never sure how to take thrillers especially Dark gritty ones. I don't usually like thrillers that are dark, gritty and disturbing but Sadie surprise me. I really like Sadie, for Courtney Summers writing alone. It was captivating and kept me guessing around every turn. I would recommend this to my friends one hundred percent, even thou I probably will never read this book again. But the reason I am rating it four stars is because I will always think about the book. I will think about all of the details that Courtney put in the book. How she deeply describe the story in its disturbing dark gritty way that makes you think about the horrors of this world. I love how deep Courtney goes with the alcoholic mother and child molester boyfriend storyline which unfortunately is very real for so many girls. I actually know girls like Sadie who have had to live this type of life and it makes me feel so thankful and blessed to have Parents who protect me from the world I live in and knew like Sadie’s. I think that is the reason I was hesitant to read Sadie because of it reminded me of the world I knew about, unfortunately!! I can’t stress enough how amazing Courtney writing is and I will read her future books but I don't think I could Stomach another reading of Sadie. Like I said I would recommend this book to all my friends who like Dark gritty novels, but be warn this book contains discussion on RAPE, Alcohol and death.  If you like this type of Dark gritty novel then I will have the links below to places you can buy it. As always all of my information is below, along with the author's and book. Thank you again for reading my blog.

Tea, Love, Books 
Meli




SADIE

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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

I Do Not Trust YOU excerpt

Hello Book Lovers, I have a different type of Blog Post today. I was contacted about a book title I Do Not Trust You by Laura J Burns and Melinda Metz From Wednesday books. It is available to purchase as of September 11th. I will have links along with an excerpt below for you all to decide if you wish to buy it. It is a great book for ages 9-14 and is about Egyptian Mythology along with History. I hope you all check it out, I am currently reading it and will have a review up at a later date. For now here is the excerpt post!


“You shouldve seen Miss Memphis here get into it with Nick last period, Brianna said, squeezing in between M and Inez at their usual spot in the cafeteria. “She shut him down with her crazy ancient cultures voodoo.”
“He’s an ass. He’s lucky he’s hot,” their friend Ayana commented, waving her spork in Nick’s direction.
M shrugged. “I wouldn’t try to debate him in Physics. I just know more about Rome than he does.”
“What about AP Chem? Would you debate him in that? Inez asked in a fake-serious voice. “Would you debate him in German class?
“She’d debate him in German, in German, Brianna joked. “And if he tried to fight back, shed switch to Greek.”
M threw a French fry at her. “I can’t help it. I grew up speaking different languages.
“And learning about pharaohs. And becoming well versed in the history of the Etruscan people,” Ayana said, putting on a fake accent that was probably supposed to be British. “Oh, and setting broken bones in the bush.”
“That only happened once,” M muttered. Her friends laughed.
“Anyway, it was epic. Thanks,” Brianna said. “I cant stand fighting with people, and Nick always goes after me.
“He knows you hate it, M pointed out. “That’s why he does it.
“An ass, like I said.” Ayana shrugged.
“You think he’s coming to the party tonight? Brianna asked.
Probably. Everyone else is, Inez replied. Even Memphis. M made a face. “Anything to get out of the house. Bob and Liza would expect me to play board games with them otherwise.” Her friends exchanged a glance. M winced. “No
offense.
“Oh, were you offending someone?” Nick piped up from behind her. “Good girl.”
Immediately Bri looked down, while Ayana rolled her eyes. Inez just smirked, glancing back and forth between M and Nick.
“I was not offending anyone. I only meant I don’t like parties,” M said. She didnt bother to turn toward him. It didn’t matter; he inserted himself onto the bench next to her anyway. A little tingle ran up her spine as the scent of his cologne hit her nostrils, spicy and warm.
“Mmm, they’re boring. Everyone talking about the prom or the senior trip or whatever. I’m over it, Nick said.
Me too, thought M, wishing she didnt agree with him. She loved her friends, but even they were all about high school. M just didnt care. High school was nothing more than what she had to get through before she could leave. After the crash, after the shock of Bob and Liza becoming her guardians, shed asked if she could go off to college early, either Boston University or the University of Sheffield in England. Both had the kind of archeology program she
wanted and wouldve let her in with no questions. They knew her father. They knew high school was a waste of time for someone like her.
But her guardians said no. They said she needed stability and normalcy after losing her dad. Never mind that traveling the world and taking care of herself was normal for her. While she and Dad technically lived in Boston, she’d never spent more than a few months there during the school year. They traveled. Half the year spent on digs. She missed it.
“What’s with this thing, anyway? Is it to fight off bad guys? Nick teased, finding an excuse to touch her. He reached for Ms collapsible bo staff, tucked in the inside pocket of her jacket like always. But before he touched it, before his flirty smile registered in her mind, M had already grabbed his hand, twisted it back to the breaking point, and used the pain to push him off the cafeteria bench and onto the floor. With her other hand, she whipped out the stick and shoved it up against his throat.
M froze. He’s just hitting on you. Her friends were aghast, and everyone nearby watched, openmouthed. Nicks eyes were wide with panic.
Sorry. M stood up, leaving Nick on the floor. “I’m really sorry.”
“Freak, he muttered, climbing to his feet. He glanced around, noticing the barely concealed laughter from onlookers. Jeez, I just wanted a fry,” he joked, as if he hadn’t been humiliated, then hurried out of the cafeteria.
“What. The. Hell?” Inez asked. “He was flirting with you and you beat him up!”
“I know.” M groaned, shoving her staff back into her pocket. “I didn’t mean to. It was just reflex.”
Her friends were silent. Shed freaked them out. Should she explain the years of self-defense and martial arts train-
ing? That she and Dad ended up in some rough places? Her friends lived in a city, they understood danger. Sort of. In a nice, upscale Boston kind of way.
M sighed. There was no point in trying to explain. Nobody understood her life.
“You kinda push all the guys away, Brianna pointed out quietly. “Maybe not like that, but still . . .
“I dont do romance, M replied. She was done with love, period. She’d loved her parents, and they were both gone. Love hurt too much. It was better to steer clear of it.
They all ate in silence for a minute.

“I mean, he is an ass,” Ayana said finally. And everybody laughed."

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