EXCERPT
Deceptive
by M. D. Melai and C. S. Leigh
Deceptive is the first book in the Deceptive series by M. D. Melai and C. S. Leigh. Also available: Fugitive.
Deceptive is currently on tour with Reading Addiction Book Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
Twenty-one year old Liliana Dapprima was living her life exactly how she planned. She had an amazing job as an interior designer and lived with her best friend Violet in Toronto. But, everything changes when her father forces her to move to New Jersey to re-design his businesses in New York City. Upon her arrival in New Jersey, she finds out she must live with her old flame, Emilio Amante, who had completely tore apart her heart.
She must learn to live alongside Emilio as she tries to start a new relationship with the new man in her life, Lucas. And to make matters even more complicated, Emilio is Lucas’ boss.
Dealing with a love triangle is hard enough, but then Lily must also deal with secrets from and about her family. She is constantly lied to and when she gets attacked multiple times by a rival family, she wants answers and will go to any extent to get them.
Liliana has been living in a world where everyone and everything is not what it seems.
What will happen when tragedy strikes and secrets are revealed?
Excerpt
“Liliana!” Emilio’s voice came from behind me. I slowly turned and watched as he jogged up to me. “I’m really sorry,” he said apologetically.
“I know you are,” I said placing my right hand on his arm.
“It was so stupid. I lost my temper. I don’t know why I do that sometimes.” He paused for a second and shook his head in shame. “I’m an asshole and I am beyond upset with myself.”
“I told you it was a damn accident.”
“It wasn’t an accident! It was a direct consequence to my actions.”
I was starting to get upset with him. How many times did I have to tell him that it was just an accident?
“What do you want me to say?” I started raising my voice. “That you always let your temper get the best of you. That I always end up hurt in some way or another, because you can’t get a grip! That this is one of the reasons we don’t work!” My heart started beating faster and my adrenaline was increasing. “Does that make you feel better?”
“I’m an ass. I know that. I’m so sorry Liliana. Will you ever forgive me?” he asked.
I knew he was asking for forgiveness for more than just this accident. I nodded my head, but kept it down. I felt his hand press against my cheek as he lifted my chin and looked into my eyes.
“I love you Liliana,” he whispered as he kissed my cheek.
“I know you do,” I said backing up from him. Violet was standing a few feet away from me as she waited. She wrapped her arms around my waist as I walked to her side.
Don’t look back.
I knew he would be standing there watching us. I couldn’t stop myself though. I turned and faced him.
“La mia vita, il mio cuore,” ‘My life, my heart.’ I said loud enough for him to hear. He looked at me, shocked. I used to say it to him all the time. I turned and headed toward the doors.
“Ti amo più della vito stessa,” ‘I love you more than life itself.’ He called back just as Violet and I reached them.
I stopped in my tracks for a moment, but I didn’t turn around.
“Come on, let’s go home,” Violet said as she tugged on my arm.
Home sounded great, back where I belonged. I had everything I needed to start working on the projects my father had brought me to New York for. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to come back for a while, and if I did, the goal would be once again… avoid Emilio at all costs. I could do that. I took a deep breath and leaned in to Violet.
“Let’s go home,” I replied.
Praise for the Book
"Wow! This was such a great book! It pulled me in and was impossible to put down! Can't wait to read book 2 and see what happens next to Lily and her family!" ~ Megan Scudder
"Best book I have read in a very long time! Can't wait for the next book to come out." ~ Jean M
"Kept em coming back. Couldn't put the book down. Just waiting for part 2. Can't wait!" ~ Olivia
"I'm not a book reader at all. A friend told me about this series and so I bought both books. The first one was so great. The ending left me so intrigued that I was thankful I already had the 2nd book. If you're looking for something to keep [your] interest all the way through, look no further. The authors did an awesome job with this series!" ~ Stephanie Everman
About the Book
Back in 2009, M. D. Melai and C. S. Leigh had a class together in college. They would spend countless hours together each day. One day they came up with this amazing idea for a book and thus Deceptive was created. Both of them worked very hard and got half the book written, but then life got in the way. Several years passed and they would periodically write every now and then.
In the first part of 2014, Leigh came to Melai and said that they needed to finish the book, so throughout the rest of the year they completed the book. At first they were hesitant if they wanted to release the book, but after a lot of thinking and praying they decided that this is what they wanted to do. Deceptive has now been released, along with the next book, Fugitive. The third book will follow shortly.
About the Authors
M. D. Melai and C. S. Leigh are a cousin writing duo living in North Central Texas.
They are the self-published authors of the Deceptive series. Deceptive, the first in the series, was published in February 2015. Fugitive, the second in the series, was published in July. They are currently hard at work writing the third book in the series that is slated to be released early in 2016.
C. S. Leigh has a degree in business administration. When she isn’t writing she is working her day job, which she enjoys as well. Leigh loves shopping and being adventurous.
M.D. Melai is a full time stay-at-home mom. When she isn’t writing, she is chasing around her very active five year old.
Both Melai and Leigh believe family is of the utmost importance and enjoy spending their free time with them as well as with friends. They are both devout readers and read as much as time will allow them.
Their love for books and storytelling is what inspired them to tell the story of Liliana.
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