Today on my blog I have the Melanie's Evanescent Journey Blog Tour. On my stop there is a spotlight, excerpt, review, and giveaway.
True Love may cost a price, if the greater good preordains that you are
the sacrifice.
There are always
two sides to a story. Melanie Wilhelm's begins after she moves from Australia
and starts her senior year at Cashmere High. On her first day, she bumps into a
mysterious guy, and they form an instant connection. They become friends and he
shares his deepest secret with her. As they grow closer, their relationship
amplifies and becomes binding. Strange things occur, but instead of worrying,
Melanie's feelings intensify.
The excitement of
New Year's Eve approaches, and so does Jason's most devastating revelation of
all. She learns his ultimate truth and is now spun into his chaotic web. The
danger rises and hard choices must be made. By being with Jason, Melanie may
have to sacrifice more than her heart. It may cost her life.
Melanie's
Evanescent Journey ties into books one and two of The Sonar Trilogy. From
spiraling twists to devastating plots, her journey will make you question fate
and true love.
Is fate something
you can control? Some believe it's in the hands of what you behold.
The following Friday night Jason and I were in the family
room eating pizza. After we finished eating we decided to watch a movie. I had
never seen the Underworld series before, and now he had me hooked. We
were on the sofa, watching the fourth movie. He had me lying across his chest.
Jaden came into the room and seemed surprised to see us.
“What’s up?” Jason said to him. Jaden rolled his eyes,
didn’t reply, and walked away. Jason lifted us up on the sofa. “I will be back
in a second.”
He followed Jaden. I was going to stay put until I heard
Jason’s voice rise. I bolted up and went into the kitchen. Harmony was in there
also. Jason was in his face and looked pissed. Jaden appeared concerned, like
he was trying to convince him to do something. None of them saw me.
“What’s your problem?” Jason asked, gritting his teeth.
“I don’t think you should have her around with everything
that’s going on,” Jaden replied.
Were they talking about me?
“She doesn’t have anything to do with this,” Jason said.
“I think you are taking it too personal. He doesn’t mean any
harm,” Harmony said to Jason.
“It’s not right to involve her further, and you know it,”
Jaden interrupted.
“We don’t even have all of the facts,” Jason countered.
“We know enough. You are just too blind to see it.” Jaden
threw in his face.
They were talking about me, but why? None of it made sense.
The last statement Jaden said pushed Jason over the edge. He shoved Jaden in
his chest so hard he flew back into the refrigerator and slipped to the ground.
He got up fast and pushed Jason back.
“Guys, stop!” I yelled, frantic. Jason pushed him again and
tried to get him in a wrestler hold. Thank goodness Harmony rushed into the
crossfire and somehow managed to separate them. She had both of her arms
extended, one hand on each of their chests.
“You guys better cut it out right now! Don’t make me tell
you twice!” She commanded.
They stopped struggling against her. Did she have a black
belt in karate that they obeyed her so readily? Jason looked at me, frowned,
and bit his lip. He seemed embarrassed by his actions. He walked toward me and
pulled me from the kitchen quickly. In the hallway he said, “I’m sorry about
that. Do you mind if we go back to your place?”
“Sure, but what’s going on?”
“Let’s talk about it in the car.”
Jason gathered my things and had me out of the house before
I could blink. He didn’t want me around his siblings; that was clear. He had
picked me up from my house so we were in his car. He blew out his breath, and
his forehead was furrowed. He was deep in thought and didn’t seem like he
wanted to talk.
“Are you going to tell me what that was about?”
“We are having some family problems.”
“Yeah, that’s obvious. What does it have to do with me?”
“That’s not what your brother thinks.”
“My brother doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Well, your sister seemed to agree.” He didn’t answer. “Why
does your brother dislike me?”
He looked at me apologetically. “Mel, my brother and sister
like you just fine.”
“Why did you push your brother then?”
“We have been bumping heads for a while. Things just added
up.”
“Mel, you’re being paranoid. You are reading too much into
this. My brother and I have argued before. We are both hotheaded, so sometimes
things get heated.”
“I think there’s more going on than you are telling me. It’s
clear you don’t want to share. Just drop me off. I don’t want to talk about it
anymore.” I crossed my arms against my chest and looked out the window.
“Mel,” he said, pouting. I ignored him, and he sighed.
At the next stoplight, he put the car in park. What was he
doing? He undid his seatbelt and lunged at me. I was shocked at his
aggressiveness. I was worried, irritated, and scared, but all of my emotions
unraveled in the kiss. It was explosive. He pushed his tongue into my mouth and
the watermelon substance expelled. He kissed me like his mouth was made for
mine. Within seconds desire pulsed inside every vein in my body. I kissed him
back fiercely and pulled his hair. He moaned, and then several people started
to blow their horns. The light was green. He pulled back, breathing heavily,
and drove on through the intersection.
“Are you talking to me now?” he asked.
I still felt high from his tongue of ecstasy. Why was I
mad again? “I’m talking, but I don’t like you keeping me in the dark.”
“My family and I will get it sorted out, okay. But I don’t
want you to think you are the cause of the problem. That’s not the case. Are
you really not going to let me come in?” he asked, pulling into my driveway. A
few minutes ago I would have said no, but after the way he kissed me, I
couldn’t. He kissed me that way on purpose just so he could have his way with
me.
* * *
I was in the cafeteria talking with Ebony, and some of our
other friends before school started when I saw Jason arrive with the gang.
Ebony poked her mouth out. Jaden had been to the police station a couple more
times with Ebony, and they talked often. But she was disappointed; Jaden seemed
to only want to be friends. Jason smiled, and motioned for me to come over.
“I’ll check with you later, Ebony,” I told her.
“Hey, what’s up,” I said, rushing over to him. I was excited
drama practice had gotten canceled, and we were supposed to hang out. “We’re
still on for after school, right?”
He sighed, and his brow furrowed. “Actually Mel, I need to
take care of something with Jaden. I’m sorry.”
“Oh,” I replied, scrunching my nose. “You guys are best buds
now?”
“Mel, he’s my brother. We have worked things out.”
“I understand.” But I really didn’t. I wanted him to work
things out with his family, but I also wanted him to let me back in. Over the
last few days his mind seemed a million miles away.
“I will make it up to you I promise.”
After school I was at my locker gathering my things. Simon,
my drama partner approached me. We were good friends and talked often. I knew
he had a thing for me. And he knew me well enough to know I had been a little
down lately.”
“I’m good,” I replied, stretching the truth. I didn’t want
to admit I was worried about my relationship. I would never tell him that. I
hadn’t even said anything to Ebony.
“Since we don’t have practice I was going to get a bite to
eat. You want to hang with me? Whoa, he was bold. He also knew I was in a
serious relationship, but still asked. He was cute though. His hair was light
brown, and his eyes were too. But it still would probably look bad if someone
saw the two of us out together, and it got back to Jason. He would probably
have a stroke, if he found out. But at the moment I didn’t care. He’s the one
who canceled, and I didn’t want to be alone. Simon was nice, and he always made
me laugh. I was about to say yes, and take him up on his offer when Jason
interrupted. He stood very close behind me. I could feel his breath brush again
my neck.
“We already have plans Mel, remember?”
I snapped my neck around, and my mouth dropped open. Seriously?
“I thought something came up,” I stated.
“It did, but I’m rescheduling that instead. You ready?” he
asked grabbing my backpack to carry it for me. Normally, I would have been
elated he was jealous and staking his claim. But now it irritated me. He was
only canceling his plans with his brother because he had obviously overheard
Simon. He was disappointed Jason intruded. Jason and I used to be together
every second, and Simon was taking the opportunity he’d seen. Jason ruined his
chance, and he glared at him. Jason stared back as if he were nothing. Then
Jason grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. I should teach him a lesson,
and refuse to go with him, but I didn’t want to stir him up.
“Sorry, Simon. I’ll talk with you later. I guess I still
have plans with Jason.
“Bye, Simon,” Jason said dismissively. I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, okay,” Simon replied to Jason. “See you later,
Melanie,” he added, walking away.
“You didn’t have to cancel your plans.”
“It’s your day off, and I want to spend time with you,” he
cooed, with his emerald eyes burning into mine. Ugh, why did I bother being
upset with him? I couldn’t stay mad at him for more than five seconds which was
pretty pathetic. But it was no use; my mind became foggy when I was around him.
“Let’s go,” I said, throwing in the towel.
* * *
Before third period the next day I spotted Jason and Harmony
talking in front of the stairs. They were whispering, and I couldn’t hear what
they were saying. They seemed oblivious to the people walking pass them.
“Hi, guys,” I announced. Harmony’s eyes grew wide, like she
had gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Jason played it off.
“I’ll walk you to class,” he said nonchalantly.
“Hi, Mel,” Harmony said. “Talk with you later, Jason” she
added, walking off.
In fifth we had a substitute teacher, and we were talking
among ourselves while he got situated. Jason and I were talking, but his mind
was somewhere else.
“Why don’t we get our nails done after school? Scarlet red
would look great on you,” I said, being funny.
“Uh, sure. That sounds good.”
Yeah, I was right. He wasn’t paying any attention to
what I was really saying. My hopes plummeted. I thought we were back on track.
Yesterday evening he took me out to eat. Then he tortured me until I pleaded
for him to stop. Only he didn’t. He loved to make me beg. He had kissed me like
I was his life line. And when I wanted him to hold me tighter, he did.
Remembering our fervent escapade last night made the muscles down there clench,
and my cheeks flushed. At the same time my heart ached. These emotions mixed
together were conflicting. The Jason last night was the one who adored Melanie.
The Jason today was distant Jason. He scared me because he smiled, and
pretended everything was all right, but that was far from the truth.
“Hey, you okay,” he whispered; now back from wherever he’d
been.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied. “I hate something is bothering you
though.”
He grabbed my hand, and squeezed it. Then he rubbed his
thumb gently across the top of my hand. “You’re so sweet. Stop worrying.” He
smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
The sub began class, so I couldn’t argue. I wanted to tell
him I knew something was troubling him, but he didn’t want to share. I wish he
would tell me what was going on because I was really worried.
Distant Jason was now the going trend. We went about our
daily routine, but his mind was in another zone when we were together. Jason
and his siblings were always whispering in the halls. Something was definitely
going on. It was like they were preparing for a secret mission.
Review:
This is the first book I have read by this author and I am glad I got the chance. I enjoyed the world she has created and it has made me want to buy the first book so I can have a better understanding of this world and the characters in it. I am hoping to being able to connect to the characters also after reading the first book and doing a re-read of this one before the next book comes out. But even with the issue of reading this novella first I still loved it and look forward to reading more in the future. 4/5 Bloody Fangs
I have
wanted to be an author since I was fifteen years old and grateful to have
accomplished this dream. I have three wonderful children and a husband who
defines the person I am today. I work full-time as an Ultrasound technologist
in Sugarland, Texas.
I have very vivid dreams and a wild
imagination. I like to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. I’m addicted
to romance and get a thrill out of action and suspense. I write New Adult
Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Paranormal-Romance.
In the Sonar series it was fun to explore
different elements of Sci-fi romance and create various realms of powers for my
characters. I want to show my readers that Sci-fi can be fun, but also
traumatic. I hope you guys enjoy the Sonar Series.
Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would also like to say Thank You to B Truly for letting me review your book and say Thank You to RBTL for letting me participating in this blog tour. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below.