EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Troublemaker
(A Songbird Novel Book 6)
(A Songbird Novel Book 6)
by Melissa Pearl
Troublemaker, the latest book in Melissa Pearl's new adult Songbird series, has just been released. Also available: Fever (FREE; read my blog post), Bulletprooof, Everything, Home, True Love (read my blog post), and A Songbird Novel Box Set (Books 1-3) (ON SALE for $0.99 to 6 February). Note: All the Songbird novels can be read as standalone books.
To find out about Melissa Pearl's young adult series, see my blog post on I Know Lucy and my blog post on Set Me Free.
Description
Troublemaker is Marcus and Kelly's Story ...
Kelly DeMarco is out of Marcus Chapman’s league. When they met in high school he was besotted with the blue-eyed goddess, but she never gave him the time of day.
High school is now over and the tide is turning.
Five years later, Kelly is job-hunting and the best she can find happens to be Marcus Chapman’s personal assistant. He is thrilled by this second chance and determined to win the beauty’s affections, but Kelly has no intention of falling for the “class clown.”
What you’re looking for can be hiding right in front of you.
In spite of her resolve, Marcus’s playful charm begins to chip away at Kelly’s protective veneer and she starts to realize that tall, dark and mysterious isn’t a requirement, and sometimes Mr. I Don’t Think So can actually be Mr. Perfect.
Will Kelly’s obsession with keeping up appearances push Marcus away or will he have enough drawing power to convince his favorite girl that honest love can outclass anything?
Excerpt
“Hi.” She stood in the doorway smiling at me, looking a million times hotter than the last time I saw her.
It’d been graduation day—over five years ago.
Her smile was still the same though. My heart did a weird little hiccup.
“Hello,” I squeaked then cleared my throat and strode toward her with my hand extended. “Hi there.”
Her long fingers wrapped around mine, her squeeze firm and confident in spite of the slight dampness of her skin. The towering heels she wore made her taller than me, and I felt every inch of the difference. I swallowed and let her hand go, still gazing at her perfect face. The faint dimple in her chin appeared as she tipped her head and smiled at me again. She was probably trying to figure out why I was acting like a mute fool.
“Mr. Chapman, right?” Her full, pouty lips pulled into a stunning smile, and all I could do was nod.
She didn’t remember me.
Disappointment flashed inside. The way I’d dogged her in high school, I would have thought I’d left a permanent impression, but…
My eyes narrowed at the corners.
Wait a second.
She didn’t remember me!
Yes!
I didn’t have to be nerdy Marcus Chapman anymore, the weird guy with pimples and a goofy grin. For the first time ever, the dynamic between us had shifted. For the first time ever, I had something she wanted.
I stood a little straighter and beamed at her.
“Please come in.” I pointed to the couch in the corner of my office. “Would you like a drink of something? Coffee? Tea?”
“No, I’m good.” She smiled and drifted onto the couch like a swan gliding on a lake. Everything about her was elegant and beautiful. She really was the goddess I remembered.
Her blue gaze dressed me down, her shaped eyebrows rising as she waited for me to find my voice and start the damn interview.
“Right.” I cleared my throat…again.
“Right.” I cleared my throat…again.
Pull it together, man. Not many people get to make a first impression twice!
My red-hot reprimand gave me the boost I needed. I switched into work mode.
“Right, okay, let’s do this.” I smoothed down my tie and took a seat opposite her. Flicking open her file, I scanned the information and decided one last test was in order. “I see you went to Beverly Hills High School.”
“Yes.” She nodded, clasping her hands together.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“It was okay.” She shrugged then dipped her head with a chuckle. “Actually, high school was a breeze.”
er smile faded and she pressed her lips together. Her knuckles went a little white and I had to ask, “How about college?”
She shuffled in her chair then picked a little nothing off her sleeve. “College wasn’t for me.”
“I see you did three years of business studies at Stanford.” I gazed at her file. Curiosity sizzled as I tried not to be affected by the flash of sadness I caught in her eyes. “What made you quit?”Her delicate nostrils flared, and she glanced down at the coffee table between us. “Personal reasons, which I’m sure are not pertinent to this interview.”
“Of course.” I gave her a light smile, hoping to ease the angst radiating off her. If she got the job, I’m sure I could siphon out the real story.If she got the job. Who was I kidding? She was totally getting the job.
Yes, she was under qualified.
Yes, Marcia would be pissed.
Yes, if exec found out, I’d be a fired man.
But come on, it was Kelly-Freaking-DeMarco.
She was getting the job.
Praise for the Book
"If you are looking for a light hearted escape and a new book boyfriend who is sure to make you crack a smile, Troublemaker is perfect for you!" ~ Amazon Reviewer
"The Songbird series is one of my favorites because it's comfortable. The writing is always easy to read, the characters feel familiar and are engaging, and the music element gives the stories that little something extra that makes them that much more enjoyable. Troublemaker is a great addition to the series with a couple I was rooting for and an excellent soundtrack!" ~ Amazon Reviewer
"Marcus is definitely one of my fav book boyfriends for 2016. I just LOVE this series. With every new book Melissa Pearl makes me fall in love with her characters all over again." ~ Amazon Reviewer
Playlist
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 ranging in genres from Fantasy to Romantic Suspense to Contemporary Romance. She loves the variety and is excited about the books she has coming out in 2016.
"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."
Giveaway
Enter the blitz-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card or a signed Songbird bookmark.
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