Love and Foreboding: The Duality - The Second Excerpt from "Melissa"

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Life is a tough thing, but it can also offer us glimpses into our future destiny. The following excerpt shows Nathan's foreboding for the coming tragic days.

Author's Bio

Sci-fi author Jacklyn A. Lo crafts captivating tales that explore themes of free will, destiny, and the power of choice.

Her debut novel, "Redemption," is a time-travel adventure, while her upcoming novel, "Melissa," is a chilling exploration of ambition. 

Buckle up and prepare to be transported to new worlds and thought-provoking realities.

Excerpt "Love and Foreboding: The Duality"

"The door swung open, revealing a transformed living room. A whimsical parade of balloons bobbed in the gentle air, while strings of lights cast a soft, romantic glow. The delicious aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, a tempting invitation. Nathan's heart swelled with a wave of gratitude for the effort Melissa had put into creating this special scene.

A sudden jolt of disquietude ran through Nathan as his gaze swept across the room and landed on Melissa's latest painting. The barren desert landscape, strewn with human scalps and bones, created a striking contrast to the cheerful dress-up of the house. At the center of the painting, two nude women—one black and one white—passed a lit candle between them, their faces veiled, evoking a sense of foreboding. The image left Nathan momentarily distracted, its ominous theme lingering in the back of his mind even as he turned back to Melissa.

"And look at this," he said, handing her a dainty velvet box, revealing a heart-shaped golden medallion adorned with tiny rubies and diamonds, delicately engraved with the words "I love you."

This excerpt juxtaposes the warmth of romantic gestures with an undercurrent of unease, hinting at the complexities within Nathan and Melissa's relationship. The stark contrast between the cheerful, celebratory atmosphere and the disturbing imagery in Melissa's painting raises intriguing questions about her inner world. 

From the beginning, Melissa has been an enigma, an enthralling puzzle that Nathan was determined to unravel. This scene suggests that despite their intimacy, parts of Melissa remain mysterious, perhaps even unsettling. It leaves the reader wondering what secrets might lie beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic relationship, and whether Nathan's journey to understand Melissa might lead to unexpected revelations

ARC Program for "Melissa" 

Unveiling the cover art for my upcoming novel, "Melissa"

Witness the near miss firsthand! Become an ARC reader for "Melissa" and dive into this gripping story before it hits shelves. Help shape the final version of the novel and get early access to Nathan and Melissa's journey.  Sign up today! 

Click on the link to Sign up: https://rbjal.com/melissa-arc

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Shattered Plans, Uncertain Future: A Sneak Peek at "Melissa"

Shattered plans, uncertain future

We speed down familiar roads; a comforting melody on the radio creates a false sense of security. However, life throws curveballs. This near-miss experience is a stark reminder of life's unexpected turns and the fragility of our plans.

Author's Bio

Sci-fi author Jacklyn A. Lo crafts captivating tales that explore themes of free will, destiny, and the power of choice.

Her debut novel, "Redemption," is a time-travel adventure, while her upcoming novel, "Melissa," is a chilling exploration of ambition. 

Buckle up and prepare to be transported to new worlds and thought-provoking realities.

Excerpt "A Near Miss"

In this excerpt from my upcoming novel "Melissa," we encounter Nathan racing against time to meet Melissa for their anniversary celebration:

"The deafening CRACK split the air, followed by a bone-jarring CRUNCH.

A massive, decaying branch, as thick as his thigh at least, had plummeted from the trees. Its splintered end lodged itself stubbornly in the car's grill, mere inches from the windshield.

Nathan slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt in a cloud of rotten sawdust. 

The frantic clicks of the blinker, accidentally activated in his panic, echoed the pounding of his heart, still reeling from the near miss. 

Adrenaline surged through his veins, obliterating the wild beating of his heart for a moment.

His mind raced, replaying the scene in slow motion - the plummeting branch, the sickening crunch of metal, the car's jarring halt. 

But he was alive. A wave of relief washed over him, so intense it almost felt like dizziness.

Then, a surge of anger followed. How could this happen? The thought of Melissa waiting for him, their reunion delayed by this stupid accident, sent a spike of frustration coursing through him. He clenched his fists, the anger momentarily eclipsing the dull ache in his chest."

As a writer, crafting a captivating opening scene is crucial. This excerpt from my upcoming novel "Melissa" aims to achieve just that. 

An ARC reader who reviewed the scene commented on its effectiveness, saying: "It leaves you wanting to know more about Nathan and Melissa's story." - Claude,  Advanced Reader"

Unveiling the cover art for my upcoming novel, "Melissa"

ARC Program for "Melissa" 

Witness the near miss firsthand! Become an ARC reader for "Melissa" and dive into this gripping story before it hits shelves. Help shape the final version of the novel and get early access to Nathan and Melissa's journey.  Sign up today! 

Click on the link to Sign up: https://rbjal.com/melissa-arc

#suspense #thriller #mystery #suspenseful #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #psychologicalthriller