COVER REVEAL - YA SUPRENATUAL ROM-COM - YOU'RE DEAD TO ME, REED WALKER by Gwenyth Reitz

YOU’RE DEAD TO ME, REED WALKER

by Gwenyth Reitz

Publisher: Macmillan / Roaring Brook Press

Cover Artist: Jacqueline Li

Genre: YA supernatural romcom/ YA PNR

ISBN: 9781250404176

Kindle ISBN: 9781250404169

Number of pages: 368

Word Count: 85,000

Tagline: They’d kill each other…if they weren’t already dead

BLURB

A swoonworthy YA supernatural romcom where two academic rivals are trapped as ghosts to haunt the same house. 

They'd kill each other...if they weren't already dead. 

Tessa Sinclair is a winner. Winner of spelling bees, science fairs, and scholarships. So when she finds herself unexpectedly dead in an abandoned mansion graduation party, she's none too pleased. 

What's worse, her academic rival—the Harvard-bound, Mr. Perfect Reed Walker—is there too, deceased, smug, and annoying as hell. Being a ghost is hard enough, but it's a thousand times worse having to haunt the same house with your nemesis. 

But as Tessa and Reed retreat to R.I.P in their respective corners of the mansion, a mystery begins to unfurl about the exact cause of their deaths. Though they'd rather die (again) than work together, they'll need to find a way to overcome their differences in order to hunt down a murderer on the loose. 

And should they happen to fall for each other along the way...Who ever said you can't find love after death?

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Author Info

Gwenyth Reitz was born in Sri Lanka, and has since lived and worked in California, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Japan, and Mongolia. When not intrepidly exploring, she writes genre-blending young adult stories with swoony romance, mystery, humor, and heart. Gwenyth now lives with her husband and two kids in New York City, where she can often be found scribbling late into the night on her rooftop like the caffeine-obsessed night owl she is. You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker is her debut novel.

Website: https://www.gwenreitz.com/ 
Newsletter: https://www.gwenreitz.com/newsletter 
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Threads: https://www.threads.com/@gwenythreitz 
 

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SPOTLIGHT - YA PNR - INSIGHT (Insight, #1) by Jamie Magee

She’s marked by stars, hunted by shadows—

and destined for a love that spans worlds.

Insight
Insight, #1
by Jamie Magee
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

"Spellbinding lyrically crafted fantasy series." Sarah Dodd

 

"Magic, action, and paranormal romance offer an escapism that will engross readers—the story stays with you, unforgettable." - M. Mass

Cursed with an empathic insight, Willow Haywood has lived her life as a proud introvert in a small town. Her world shatters when a nightmare brands her wrist with a star. The foreboding omen forces her family to unveil ancient secrets that bend the boundaries of reality, dreams, and dimensions.

In the chaos of this revelation, Willow focuses on the good dreams she had every night of her life. Her instinct promised her that the angel in them was real, that he was her soul mate, and together they would be an unbeatable force in the promised war of young gods.

The conflicted path to him was easier to face than the mystery, magic, and danger haunting the shadows of the cosmic storms on the horizon. With or without him… her nightmare would soon be her reality if she did not flee to the dimension her soul once roamed.

Guided by love, tormented by fear, and hunted by those who would twist her gifts for their sinister ends, Willow’s journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and the relentless pull of destiny.

Insight is a spellbinding tale of love, prophecy, and the courage to find your true self. Perfect for fans of young adult fantasy and multidimensional adventures, it’s an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after the last page.

Are you ready to step into the storm? The journey begins here.

 

"We lost ourselves in the teen angst of Fallen, and Hush, Hush. We found courage in the pages of Hunger Games and Divergent. Our imagination was on fire inside of Mortal Instruments, Throne of Glass, and The Red Queen. And now we have the compelling, enigmatic, character-driven thrill ride of the long-reaching contemporary fantasy series INSIGHT." Colleen Riley

**Get it FREE!! **

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Jamie Magee is not your average author—she’s also an astrologer and the host of Scheduling Fate, a podcast where insight meets inspiration. With over 22 published novels spanning Young Adult, New Adult, and Contemporary genres, Jamie has captivated readers with stories that stir the heart and awaken the soul.

Her passion for storytelling is matched by her love of astrology. Whether she’s guiding you through fictional dimensions or decoding the deeper meaning of life’s turning points, Jamie helps her audience align with purpose, embrace their own rhythm, and schedule fate with intention.

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COVER REVEAL - YA PNR - THE IMMORTAL SECRET by Christina Farley

The Immortal Secret

by Christina Farley

Publication date: September 1st 2022

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

BLURB

A sizzling romance of supernatural thrills, impossible choices, and heart-stopping adventure.

When Estrella Milton moves to the mysterious Home for Girls after an explosion left her orphaned and amnesic, she’s haunted by strange visions that hint her entire existence is a lie.

Desperate to discover her true identity, Estrella begins investigating her past only to uncover dark and terrifying secrets of her abilities. Her life spins further out of control when she meets Dion and Tristan, two rivals for her heart. One who wants to protect her from the past while the other wants her to embrace it.

As she debates who to trust, she unwittingly thrusts herself and her friends at the Home for Girls into a far greater danger than she could ever imagine. But once she starts remembering, she realizes it’s too late to go back to who she once was. And her secret is too powerful to be contained.

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Author Info

CHRISTINA FARLEY is the author of the Gilded series, THE PRINCESS AND THE PAGE, THE DREAM HEIST, and THE IMMORTAL SECRET. When not traveling the world or creating imaginary ones, she spends time with her family in Clermont, Florida with her husband and two sons where they are busy preparing for the next World Cup, baking cheesecakes, and raising a pet dragon that’s in disguise as a cockatiel. Visit her at ChristinaFarley.com.

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SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - YA PNR - BAITED (Bound, #3) by Jennifer Dean

 

Baited

Bound, #3

by Jennifer Dean

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Normal seniors worry about if they will get rejected from their dream school, what they are going to wear to their last prom, or if it’s possible to stay close with the friends they grew up with after high school.

But Emma Morgan has come to learn that normality is a thing of the past. Especially when her eighteenth birthday is a mere reminder of the newly accepted deal she has made to lure a vengeful immortal named Thomas back into Alexander territory. A plan that will certainly make the humans of her world safer but comes with the risk of not living to see graduation.

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EXCERPT 

The memory still plagued me with nightmares, as I imagined it would for some time. One did not get their mind rewritten with fake memories, have the real ones reappear, and not feel traumatized by it. It was a fate that was almost worse. Some days I still battled with which emotion lingered from it: fear or anger. 

Suddenly, I dropped to the grass below the curved driveway. My hands pressed into the ground as I tried to calm my breathing. It was only a matter of seconds before I felt the warmth of Liam’s hands on my face.

 “Emma, love…look at me.”

My eyes lifted to his bright gaze of deep worry before he leaned his forehead against mine. He didn’t lecture me for ignoring his initial worry about staying in the room minutes ago. He merely sat patiently, letting me inhale his strength. 

“I’m sorry…” I said almost breathlessly. “It’s just the memory of that day…”

I could hardly finish my sentence. Fear was climbing its way up, making a worthy competitor for the anger simmering below the surface. 

 “I hate that you’re still suffering,” Liam said with a slightly angry quiver to his voice that I had never heard before. 

“Deciding to be with you always meant accepting the possibility of danger.”

I paused with a humorless exhale as my eyes zoned out of focus. 

“But losing my memories of you is something I could never accept…not again.” I was attempting to hold back tears but I knew my effort was unsuccessful when Liam used his thumbs to wipe the wetness off my cheeks. “And yet I’m scared every day they will be.”

Liam stood, my body following like a magnet before his arms pulled me against him. I wrapped my arms tightly around him, turning my face into the warmth of his neck as he placed a kiss on the top of my head.

“I won’t let that happen,” Liam said.

I wasn’t sure how long we stood there before the silent sanctuary was disturbed.

 “I never meant to hurt you, Ems.”

I stepped back from Liam as my neck turned at the unexpected voice I had known all my life. Suddenly, the fear was pulled down by the leg, making room for the anger to break free. 

“And yet that’s all you did,” I said.

The twin serpent of anger had battled its way back to the surface, subduing the fear indefinitely. His timing was already misjudged and as soon as Sean attempted to reach forward with his own plea, I was lost to new fury.

“Ems, if you could just see it from—”

“Don’t!”

My voice had scared an animal resting in the high trunk of the tree to my left. Thankfully, I had no immortal strength to add to the anger, to prevent me from simply snapping the large oak tree in the yard of the Alexander Mansion. 

“Just because we’re all dealing with Thomas doesn’t mean I’m ready to hear you explain. I can’t even stomach looking at you right now.”

“Just give her some space,” Liam advised.

“Once again, Liam, I don’t need your advice. I’m not the only one to—”

“Stop right there, Sean.” Both of them looked back at me. “You don’t get to blame him for your choices.”

“You were miserable!”

Sean stepped forward, gaining the inches toward me that I wished to avoid. 

“I couldn’t stand by and watch you wither any longer. Not when I could take it all away.”

My throat felt as if it were closing in as I looked toward the ground. I couldn’t take the breaking of his voice any longer. I shook my head, backing away.

“That was my pain to have, my love to remember. And you just robbed my soul of it without a second’s thought.”

I glanced up to see Sean’s lips parting but no words came out. It was my moment to escape the conversation I could no longer bear. 

“And yes, I will inevitably forgive you. Of course I will.” 

His lips curved for a moment before dropping at the image he was already picturing from my mind.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “That moment of you in my room still haunts my dreams. I can still hear my pathetic pleas. So, yes, you will earn my forgiveness with time. It’s inevitable.” I shrugged, accepting my own truth. “But you will never be able to make me forget the betrayal of that day. Because your intentions left a mark. And I’ll carry that scar on my heart for the rest of my life." 

I turned on my heel, heading back toward the mansion, leaving him behind as I fought back my tears in silent agony.

Blinded

Bound, #2

 

Despite the attack that almost took her life, Emma Morgan has accepted the risk that comes from being in love with an immortal like Liam Alexander.

But continuing to seek the approval of her older brother is a whole different struggle, and when tensions finally reach a breaking point between the siblings, looming enemies take advantage of the distraction. And even though the Alexanders are quick to form a search party for their newest coven member, Emma learns that finding her brother may come at a high price.

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Bound

Bound, #1

When fate leads Emma Morgan back to her small hometown of Washington, she learns that the life she knew three years ago has changed once she meets the charmingly, mysterious Liam Alexander. But when her brother Sean, voices his disapproval, Emma finds her loyalty in the way of her newfound curiosity of the youngest Alexander. Only the more she tries to avoid Liam the more she finds him in her constant company.

A risk that leads down a dangerous path for both once Emma begins to discover a secret about the Alexanders that no human should ever know.

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Jennifer has studied Creative Writing and Literature and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. To find out more about her and her novels you can visit www.jenniferdean.net.

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SPOTLIGHT w/INTERVIEW - YA PNR - BAITED (Bound, #3) by Jennifer Dean

Baited

Bound, #3

by Jennifer Dean

Date of Publication: August 3rd 2021

Publisher: Little Fish Publishing

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

ASIN: B093DT23XS

Number of pages: 230

Word Count: 52,000

 

BLURB

Normal seniors worry about if they will get rejected from their dream school, what they are going to wear to their last prom, or if it’s possible to stay close with the friends they grew up with after high school.

But Emma Morgan has come to learn that normality is a thing of the past. 

Especially when her eighteenth birthday is a mere reminder of the newly accepted deal she has made to lure a vengeful immortal named Thomas back into Alexander territory. A plan that will certainly make the humans of her world safer but comes with the risk of not living to see graduation.

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Excerpt:

Despite the coldness of my tone, I heard a few light chuckles around the room. My gaze shifted to the ground before I dared to look back up at the many bright, expectant eyes surrounding me.

“I know I can’t do much, but I can do this.”

“Are you sure?”

I turned back to Liam as I heard the concern in his voice. I imagined that if the roles were reversed, I would carry the same worry for him.

“Yes,” I said, squeezing his hand to convey my assurance.

Once again, I turned my body to face Jane, bouncing my eyes up with a readied stare.

“What do I have to do?”

“I need you to know that what I’m asking comes with risk.”

“I understand.”

“No, you don’t,” Sean said. “By risk, she means you’re willing to accept that this help may come at the cost of losing your life.”

“He’s right,” Jane said. “I’m prepared to risk your life if it ultimately means bringing an end to Thomas.”

“Well…at least you’re honest,” I said with uneasiness.

 “I may be a bitch but at least I’m an honest one,” Jane said.

It was hard to not find humor in her words, as if she were reading the tagline from a movie written about her.

“Look, as much as your presence annoys me, I don’t wish to see your death. But I need you to know that this plan is about commitment. That goes for me as well. I’ll need to play my part just as much as you will yours. At times, you may even question my loyalty. However, we must rely on trust because it’s all we’ll have until we see this through.”

“So, you’re saying it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

It wasn’t a question but a realization of the danger I was agreeing to dive into.

“Yes. This isn’t going to be easy. He’ll be seeking every opportunity for revenge for Liam’s betrayal. A revenge that will create a blood trail straight to you. One that could lead to your death.”

I caught sight of Mary’s bright stare across the room. Her first words to me echoed in my mind. Being with Liam means you will always be a target.
I bit my lip with squinted eyes of confusion as I looked back at Jane. Before I could speak, my brother’s outburst interrupted me.

“You want us to just sit back and leave her for him like some immortal bait?”

Sean’s voice cracked with incredulity.

“He has to believe he has the upper hand. The only way that can happen is if you play your parts in leaving her vulnerable. From the moment I leave this house, you must portray a belief that the threat is gone.”

“By leaving her to be killed!”

Jane closed her eyes in frustration before turning to face Sean. Her neck stiffened with impatience but she paused in speaking, as if waiting to gain the composure that one needed when speaking to a petulant child.

“Thomas is a sadistic prick who likes to play games. His immediate goal won’t be to kill her but to show Liam and you that he can if he chooses to. You have to make it seem as if he’s in control. Being overprotective isn’t an option, Sean.”

“I understand what you’re saying and I even agree with your theory but as her brother, I can’t just…”

 Sean shook his head, clearly hoping to distract himself from the images circling his mind before turning a newly placed anger on Liam.

“You’re ok with this?”

“Of course not,” Liam said with an offended grimace. “I hate the idea of her being in any kind of harm’s way. But she’s going to do it whether I’m okay with this or not.”

As Sean rolled his eyes, Liam continued with a small grin, as if the behavior only proved his point.

“You only disrespect her by not allowing her to make this choice. So, regardless of your inability to accept it, I’ll stand by whatever she decides.”

“Thank you,” I said.

It was all I had time to say before a thud caused me to snap my neck back around. Sean stood facing the wall with his palms flat against it. He refused to look at anyone behind him. My eyes traveled up to a spot near his left hand, where I saw a deep hole the size of his fist.

The tension in the room lingered as I met his gaze. I had barely blinked before he moved to a kneeling position in front of me, his hands reaching out to hold mine with comforting warmth.

“Please don’t do this. I know you hate me and that’s fine. Hate me all you want. But please don’t make me have to risk your life this way. You don’t have to do this.”
I looked into his pleading eyes, knowing that even with my anger I could never hate him. I paused, squeezing his fingers without breaking his bright golden gaze. “No, I don’t have to do this but I want to do this.”

He lowered his head in defeat before rising back to his feet and turning his attention to Jane. He remained silent, his body tense as he resignedly stood and walked back toward Grace.

“I’m short on time so I must leave you all,” Jane said. Then she looked at me. “I hope you survive this, Emma, I really do. But if fate has other plans, please know your sacrifice will have been an honorable one.”

“Thank you,” I said.

 I reached for Liam’s hand as Jane nodded with appreciation before she looked toward the leader of the Alexanders. Patrick gave one subtle nod of approval. It was enough verbal communication for Jane to begin walking backward in farewell.

“Good luck.”

Author Info

Jennifer has studied Creative Writing and Literature and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Book Junkie Reads . . .Reckless Dreams  Interview with  . . . Jennifer Dean . . .

What mindset or routine do you feel the need to set when preparing to write (in general whether you are working on a project or just free writing)? I like to have a cup of coffee beforehand I begin but most importantly, I need to make sure the space I’m working is quiet so I can slip into the world of my characters. The slightest noise can cause the connection to break and my flow to halt.

Have you found yourself bonding with any particular character(s)? If so which one(s)? My biggest bond would be with Emma because she was my first. She’s always felt like a daughter so it’s a protective bond.

Do you have a character that you have been working on that you can't wait to put to paper? Yes, I can’t talk specifics just yet, but I have a few characters I’m eager to start focusing more on once Emma’s journey is over. 

Can you share your next creative project(s)? If yes, can you give a few details? My next in line is the final book of the Bound Series. A bittersweet process as I first began writing the series in 2009.

Have you ever felt that there was something inside of you that you couldn't control? If so what? If no what spurs you to reach for the unexperienced? I feel as if this question sums up what it means to be a writer. Is it an easy road to be a writer? No, but there is an odd occurrence that happens when a story is ready to be heard. I have no control of when it comes or why it comes. All I can do is compulsively write it down. 

Where would you spend one full year, if you could go ANYWhere, money is not a concern? What would you do with this time? Ireland. I’d write full time in-between exploring the country of my roots.

To find out more about her and her novels you can visit:

www.jenniferdean.net

https://twitter.com/msjenniferdean 

https://www.instagram.com/msjenniferdean/ 

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferDeanOfficial/

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SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - YA PNR - CURSED (Dark Kindred Spirits, #2) by Athena Floras

 Cursed

Dark Kindred Spirits , #2

by Athena Floras

Date of Publication: January 4th, 2021

Cover Artist: Nicholas Mallet

Genre: YA PNR

ASIN: B08P21DRQM

Number of pages: 104

Word Count: 25 299

Tagline: Happiness and true love can come from sacrifice and the deepest sorrow.

BLURB

All hail the Misfits and the Cursed…

There is a sanctuary for anyone who needs refuge. It’s called Beyond the Horizon. When a group of teens are invited to spend their summer vacation at the sanctuary, they think they just got lucky. But little do they know that things are too good to be true. Not everyone is who they seem to be at Beyond the Horizon. There are enemies amongst them waiting for the perfect time to strike.

For her entire life, Brianna Meadows has been misunderstood. Everything she does and says is wrong. She’s a klutz and always getting in people’s way. All she ever wished for is to be accepted, liked, and normal. When she gets an invitation to spend her summer vacation at Beyond the Horizon, she thinks her wish may come true. But she must be very careful what she wishes for, because it can turn into her worst nightmare.

Chase Hamell doesn’t have much time left. The family curse has started to take its toll on him. The first-born male in the Hamell clan will turn into a monster when he turns eighteen, which is just months away. When he hears that the sanctuary is owned by witches who can undo the curse, he seeks them out. But to break the curse involves making a huge sacrifice, one that Chase might not be able to commit to, because in order to end the curse, someone he loves must die.

Can Brianna and Chase find what they both need and desire before their enemies succeed in snuffing them out?

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Excerpt:
The blood moon set high in the sky was the Earth’s guardian angel tonight. It stood watch while all the Earth’s blessed and damned creatures roamed freely. It guided them to their redemption or eternal damnation.
The enchantress took a deep, channeling breath while she absorbed the magic and the energy this night brought forth. It was the perfect time to seek the answers she’d long sought.
If the omnipotent transcendental powers would not reveal them to her tonight, then all hope was lost.
She perched the silver chalice engraved with defined runes on the altar in the garden. She poured the spellbinding liquid into it and began to chant the spell she’d memorized.
At first, nothing happened, but like everything else in life, she needed to be patient and persistent. She continued on with the ritual until the potion started to twirl, then churn. It soon glowed a celestial blue.
Peering into the aquatic abyss, she asked, “Reveal to me the means to restore the harmony. The balance must be brought back to the line.”
An image gradually morphed in the chalice. It appeared to be a tall, thin girl with unruly shoulder length red hair who knelt on the floor. She seemed to have fallen and had scraped her knees because blood trickled onto the uneven concrete.
The enchantress cocked a brow while she curiously observed the scene. Why was the Voyeur Chalice showing her this teenager? The girl was no older than seventeen. How did she fit into the whole scheme?
Knowing that she wouldn’t get more answers until she performed the next part of the ritual, the enchantress raised the chalice and languidly sipped the elixir. The bitterness made her shudder until a transcendent voice spoke to her in her mind.
The enchantress’s eyes glazed over and she remained perfectly still paying acute attention to what was said.
Once the answer and all its details were divulged to her, she lit the candle ending the liturgy.
With leaden legs, she walked back into the building. The ritual had taken its toll on her. She’d need to rest to fully recover. But before she could, she had to send a message.
The kindle needed to be laid down so that the catalyst could catch fire and set off the next chain of events.
Unprecedented things would soon begin to happen.
 
* * * *
 
Brianna Meadows thought that this would be her lucky day. She’d felt it the moment she’d awoken this morning. The uplifting energy surrounded her and urged her on. She could move mountains if the feat were physically possible.
So when her mother had asked her to pick up her facial cream at the department store, Brianna had jumped at the chance to go.
She’d been planning to apply for the stock clerk’s job she’d seen posted on the store’s door earlier this week.
She made sure to hold her head high and strut with confidence as she walked up to the customer service counter. A cashier standing there, wearing a white and red striped uniform, greeted her with a smile.
“Good morning. How can I help you?”
Brianna cleared her voice. “Umm, yeah. I’m here to apply for the stock clerk’s job you have posted on the door.”
The cashier frowned. “Hmm, they didn’t get rid of that yet?” Her expression switched into an apologetic one. “I’m so sorry, but the job has already been filled.”
“Oh.” Brianna spun on the heel of her ballerina shoes, ready to head toward the cosmetics aisle when the cashier asked, “Did you bring your CV with you?”
“Yes, I did.” Brianna held up the manilla envelope she carried it in.
“Why don’t you give it to me. I’ll give it to the manager. Maybe he’ll keep you in mind when another job opening comes up.” She smiled brightly.
“That’s very kind of you. Thanks.” Brianna slid it to her on the sloping counter.
As she walked away, she felt her heart stir. The cashier didn’t have to go out of her way to accommodate Brianna like she did. Brianna was touched by her kind gesture even though she had a strong hunch the store manager would most probably chuck her CV into the recycling bin.
Casting her discouraging thoughts out of her mind, she moseyed over to get her mom’s cream. Her mother had given her a fifty-dollar bill and told her to buy herself something with the change.
The cream cost only twenty-three dollars and thirty-nine cents, which left her with twenty-five dollars and sixty-one cents to splurge on herself. She pressed the tips of her wild curls between her index finger and thumb. She wished she could tame them somewhat so it didn’t look like she’d just been electrocuted.
She glided her hand along the edge of the shelf, perusing the selection of hair conditioners that would straighten her hair when she accidentally tipped a plastic bottle that rested close to the edge. Multiple bottles toppled to the floor.
Laughter burst out behind her. She spun around to find Cynthia Doyle and Seraphina Peck, two of the popular girls in her school, covering their mouths, trying to muffle their chuckles.
Cynthia leaned in to whisper something into Seraphina’s ear, which made her bend over in hysterics.
They obviously were making fun of Brianna. What else was new? Brianna had been the object of their ridicule all of the school year. Why would they stop now even though the school year had ended and summer had begun? Ignoring their cruel behavior, she crouched to gather the fallen bottles. One by one, she placed them back where they belonged.
The sound of stiletto heels clicking on the tiled floor reverberated in Brianna’s ears. She cursed under her breath. She knew who approached. It was Seraphina. She had a unique rhythm to her gait. What did she want? Hadn’t she tormented her enough in school?
“Is there something you’re looking for?” Seraphina asked as she came to stand next to her.
“I was just looking?” she mumbled.
“It was hard not to notice you after you made everything fall. If you’re looking for a special conditioner, maybe I can help you search, so you won’t make anything else fall.”
Brianna wished the jab had just slid off of her, instead of cutting deep.
Glancing at the shelf, she replied, “I was looking for something that could straighten my curls.”
Seraphina snorted. “Well, you’re looking in the wrong place for that. There isn’t any over the counter product to tame your wild hair. You need super concentrated industrial products. You should go to a professional hairdresser who uses strong chemicals to straighten it. She would be your only hope.”
“Yeah, right,” Brianna grumbled as she walked away.
She huffed, trying to rein in her frustrations and anger. Sometimes bad news was good news. The fact the job had already been filled was a blessing in disguise. She wouldn’t have been able to work in the same store those two bullies worked. She wouldn’t have survived more than a day in that toxic environment.
She made a mental note to avoid this department store from now on. Her mother would have to come herself to get her facial cream.
As she reached the exit, she rested her left foot awkwardly on the cracked concrete and she fell hard forward. Her knees adsorbed the full brunt of the forceful hit as they made contact with the concrete.
Pain shot through her legs and she gasped, trying to resist the discomfort.
She’d been completely wrong about this day. It hadn’t been her lucky day. It was the unluckiest one she’d had in a while. It couldn’t possibly get worse, she thought.
But she was so very wrong, because from twenty feet away, she heard giggling. Cynthia and Seraphina were at it again.

Author Info

Athena Floras is a wife and proud mother of three who loves to read and write suspenseful and romantic stories. When she isn't busy being a mom, she spends her spare time in her den, totally immersing herself into the whimsical, fantastical world of fiction. She hopes the stories and characters she creates will bring readers as much pleasure and entertainment as they have her.

Website/Blog: https://athenafloras.blogspot.com/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlorasAthena 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Athena-Floras/e/B018N7U26S 

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