Genre: YA Romantic Suspense
Guest Post
Mysterious People
I remember at high school how there were always a few students who were just a little mysterious. They were often quiet, sometimes good looking, sometimes they dressed plain weird, but they had an essence about them that fascinated me. I was always way too shy to ever get to know any of them, but I loved to watch from a distance, study them...try to figure out their story. I still do it today. I love trying to read people and figure out what their backstory is, what makes them dress and act the way they do.
I guess without meaning to, I gave Zach the same compulsion. He's always been curious by nature. He wants to be a reporter just like his uncle, so whenever something slightly mysterious happens or he meets someone who seems to have that secretive edge...he wants to know what the story is. So you can just imagine how he felt the first time he spotted Lucy.
Blurb
Lucy Tate is on the run. After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents, she's spent five years in hiding -- taking on different personas and faking her way through life. The authorities can't be trusted, so she remains in the shadows, always one beat ahead of the man who is forever hunting her. That is, until she meets Zach Schultz, a senior at Monte Vista High and the one guy she can’t bear to leave. Suddenly her natural instincts to lie, steal, and run are overshadowed by something else...the desire to stay. It’s her one shot at a normal life. Curious by nature, Zach is immediately drawn to the new girl at school. How can a person look both confident and vulnerable all in the same moment? Determined to learn more about her, he tries to get close, but is thrown into a world of lies and confusion .The only thing that becomes apparent is that discovering the truth may get him killed.
Excerpt
I'm not usually a sap, I swear. My friends give me grief that I'm always attracted to girls with big issues. Like somehow, I think that I can solve all their problems. I don't think that's it. I think sometimes you just see a girl and something about her captures you.
She was walking towards me and Mr. Simmons, Dean of Students, was talking her ear off as they headed down the corridor. He was no doubt rabbiting on about everything the school could offer and how she would enjoy the rest of her year here at Monte Vista High. She was nodding, feigning interest.
Her blue eyes were perfect, not too big and round, just gorgeous ovals that gazed up at Mr. Simmons with slight tension. And yet, there was a quiet confidence in the way she held herself. Her shoulders were held back, her pointed chin up. She nodded and looked the dean straight in the eyes.
She wasn't afraid to be here. She looked determined and focused.
That was appealing in itself, but there was something else about her too. I couldn't even explain what it was and I don't know how I knew it, but there was something mysterious about this girl.
I could taste it.
She glanced at me as she walked past, her eyes touching mine. I grinned and her lips twitched. Not exactly a smile, but her gaze warmed for a second as she hustled past.
I turned to watch her go; I couldn't help myself.
Her paradox enticed me.
She was like an ethereal waif, if there was such a thing. Strength and fragility all blended into one. An intense need to figure the girl out embedded itself in my chest.
Teaser
ZACH...
"This is different, you guys." I shook my head. "I mean yes, she is gorgeous. And yes, I'm attracted to her, but it's not just her looks. There's something about her. She's intriguing. It's like she's not all she appears to be or something."
"You can tell that after two minutes of interacting with her? Give me a break." Elliot balled up his napkin and threw it on the table.
"I know I don't know her at all yet, but I can tell there's something more there." I rubbed my bottom lip.
"She looks normal to me." AJ shrugged.
"I think she's pretty. She looks sweet, but..." Liesl turned to spy her quickly. "AJ's right. She looks like any other transfer student. What makes her so different?"
"It's something about her eyes. There's a story in them. I can't even explain why I think that. I just feel like she's got a lot of layers and I want to peel back every single one of them."
"I bet you do." Elliot raised his eyebrows.
"Not like that." I threw him a droll look. "I just want to solve the mystery that is Danielle Harrison."
"Dude, there is no mystery." Elliot slapped his hand lightly on the table.
"Yes there is. I can feel it."
"Careful, Zachy, your Nancy Drew is showing." Jaeda's green eyes were large and round as she gave me a playful look.
"I don't care." I shrugged, confident in the truth that I really didn't. "That girl over there has secrets and I'm gonna figure out what they are."
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About The Author
Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them. "I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."
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Thank you so much for highlighting I Know Lucy on your awesome blog :D
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