Title: Melanie’s Evanescent Journey
Author: B Truly
Series: The Sonar Series (1.5)
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, SciFi
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 25 2014
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
This book is told in the first person.
Rating:
Disclosure of
Material Connection: I received this book
for review from RBTL World of Books Blog Tours and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to
write a positive review. The opinions I
have expressed are my own. I am posting
this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".
Blurb/Synopsis:
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.
Book Links:
Smashwords
My Thoughts:
Melanie has an interesting way of meeting Jason for the first time
– one she wishes never occurred. Mel
shows the reader what it’s like being the new kid. Something that some teens may be able to
relate to. The author starts this book
off with our young female character having a typical teenager’s life.
Jason’s life – not quite as typical. What a great way to get the reader interested
so that they’ll want to see if they can figure him out. And then the author puts in a twist that will
lock in the reader’s fate – you had better get comfortable. The twist gets even more complicated and not
something that I saw coming. But if you
want to continue reading a book, you want an author who will surprise you.
And I was glad to see this is a series because the ending isn’t
really an ending. Even though you could
read this book on it’s own, the author has used Melanie’s story to tie her
other two books together. So if you
liked this story, you may want to go back and read Sonar The Crashing. I think
she did a great job in what she was trying to accomplish. It’s a book that both older teens and adults
might like to read.
Excerpt:
True love may cost a price
(Chapter 7)
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.
“Hey, Jaden.”
“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.”
“Okay.”
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?”
“Nothing.”
“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.”
“I don’t buy it.”
“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.
“See yah,” she replied.
“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.”
“Hey, Melanie.”
“Hi, Simon.”
“How have you been?”
“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.
Giveaway: e-book copy of book:
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 the great review and your thoughts, Ms. Lynn. I am glad you got what I was trying to accomplish. Thanks again.
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