The Visitor. The Excerpt from Melissa (Ch. 24)

Is something watching you?

Fear of the ghostly unknown...

Fear of the ghostly unknown has haunted humanity for ages. These mysterious entities, emerging from the veil between worlds, provoke endless questions. What is their purpose? Do they carry messages? Or are they harbingers of something more sinister? What secrets do these ethereal beings hold?

The Visitor

The empty house is alive...

Chapter 24 of "Melissa" plunges us into a chilling encounter. 

As night descends, Nathan finds himself face-to-face with an unexpected, mysterious visitor. The sudden appearance of this ghostly figure transforms his familiar surroundings into a realm of terror and uncertainty.

Have a sneak peek into the hunting night of Nathan by the short excerpt from chapter 24:

 Excerpt from chapter 24

A chilling presence

"The oppressive darkness shattered with a spine-tingling crash... Nathan's gaze darted towards the ominous sound, a tremor catching in his throat. 

Swallowing his rising fear, he forced out a tremulous, 'Hello?' 

The silence that followed was an engulfing void, suffocating. Faint footsteps, barely audible over the pounding of his own heart, echoed from the living room.

 The floorboards creaked ominously as the footsteps neared, each groan amplifying his dread. The darkness seemed to press in, a suffocating abyss. 

Yet, a bewildering compulsion drove him from bed, his legs trembling with a mix of terror and determination."

Will Nathan Survive?

Your next thrill

Will Nathan survive the night? 😱  Discover his chilling encounter in "Melissa," FREE on Kindle Unlimited! 📚✨ 🔗https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9YXS12X 

Have you ever been haunted by a ghost 👻?

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Morgue's Embrace: A Gripping Excerpt from Melissa ( Ch. 18)

Moments of bliss, shadows of fate

In the vibrant tapestry of life, our early thirties often represent a period brimming with potential. Careers are flourishing, dreams are being chased, and the concept of mortality feels like a distant horizon, a reality acknowledged but seldom truly contemplated. 

It's a time when we believe ourselves invincible, encased in an armor of youth that renders us untouchable. But life, in its capricious nature, has a way of shattering illusions. 

On the Edge

The unthinkable can happen in an instant, leaving behind a desolate landscape of grief and disbelief.

This is the brutal reality that Nathan confronts in Chapter 18 of Melissa. Struck by a sudden and merciless blow, he finds himself in the sterile, antiseptic embrace of the morgue...

Unveiling a Gripping World (Excerpt 5, Chapter 18)

When Love Meets Loss

The morgue's air was a thick, suffocating blanket of antiseptic fumes, stinging his eyes and constricting his lungs like invisible chains. The chill of the room seeped into his bones like an insidious poison, permeating the very essence of his being...

Nathan's heart clenched in a vise-like grip, his gaze drawn to her lifeless form—the gentle curve of her cheekbone, the strands of her hair framing her face in a heartbreaking parody of sleep.

Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over, a torrent of grief that threatened to overwhelm him. A heart-wrenching sob tore from his chest, a desperate plea against the suffocating silence that enveloped him.

What our readers said: 

"This story took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I laughed, I cried, and I held my breath as Nathan faced unimaginable choices." - Constança Baptista, Beta Tester. 

Join the Celebration!

Our Melissa's launch is just around the corner! Experience the raw emotion of Melissa for FREE on the official launch day, July 30th or download your copy now and embark on a heart-wrenching journey! 

Available on Amazon! Click the link to read it!

#Melissanovel #Jacklynalo #NewRelease #FreeBook #EmotionalJourney #booklaunch #grief #loss #emotionaljourney #heartbreak #humancondition #Melissanovel #Jacklynalo#darkromance #sci-fi #horror

Melissa: The Raven's Handshake

Jeffrey Darrington: More than meets the eye

What lies beneath the surface of a seemingly ordinary encounter?

We often take for granted the casual touches that punctuate our daily lives, assuming them to be innocuous. Yet, these brief moments of contact can serve as portals to hidden depths, revealing truths concealed beneath layers of artifice.

Nathan sought investment, a common pursuit in the world of scientific research. Little did he know that this particular meeting would open a door to a realm far more sinister than any other risk.

Excerpt from the Chapter  14 ( Encounter)

Never trust a raven with a shiny object

"As their skin met, an icy tendril snaked up Nathan's arm, momentarily stealing the warmth from his hand. 

A faint outline, a raven clutching a coin, brushed against his palm, sending a shiver through him that transcended the coolness. Startled, he looked up, the question forming on his lips before he could stop it. 

"Mr. Darrington," Nathan faltered, the lingering chill of Jeffrey's handshake sending goosebumps erupting across his skin. 

Before he could finish, Jeffrey released his hand, the smile replaced by a mask of professionalism as smooth as the exhale of his now-dead cigarette."

For Super-Fast Readers

Want Early Access to Nathan & Melissa's Journey?

The Cover of the Melissa Part I

Unveil the chilling world of "Melissa" before anyone else! Exclusive ARC copies with striking images are dwindling fast. Become an ARC reader and:

• Be among the first to experience this gripping story before it hits shelves on July 30th.

• Help shape the final novel with your valuable feedback.

• Get exclusive insights into Nathan and Melissa's journey.

• Share your thoughts on the new book on Goodreads and Amazon

Don't miss out! Secure your ARC copy today. Spots are filling up fast.

Click Here to Claim Your Early Access: https://rbjal.com/melissa-arc

🎉 Redemption turns 10 today! 🎂

It's hard to believe it's been a decade since Jacklyn A. Lo's enthralling sci-fi novel, Redemption, first captivated readers. The story of Ann, a high-powered tech executive grappling with disturbing visions, continues to enthrall fans worldwide.

A Glimpse into Ann's Extraordinary Journey:

A high-powered tech executive, Ann, finds her world shattered by disturbing visions. Are they echoes of past lives or signs of impending madness? 

Guided by her AI creation and an ancient psychic, Ann plunges into a journey through time. She experiences the raw pain of prehistoric childbirth and witnesses a violent murder that feels all too real. 

As she relives her past lives—throughout Caligula's Rome, Louis XIV's Versailles, and the shadows of WWII espionage—the line between past and present blurs. 

Enter Michael, an enigmatic stranger who seems to know too much about Ann's turmoil.

Help Us Choose Redemption's New Cover Art!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, we're holding a vote to choose a brand new cover for the 10th Anniversary edition of Redemption! We've narrowed it down to a few finalists, and now it's your turn to decide which one takes the crown.

New Cover Art. Option 1

New Cover Art. Option 2

Head over to our landing page to:

✅ Vote for the new 10th Anniversary cover
📚 Discover the time-traveling journey of Ann
💥 Grab your e-book with a special 25% discount

Your vote shapes the future of Redemption. Don't miss out on this chance to be a part of sci-fi history!

Click here to vote and celebrate! ➡️ https://rbjal.com/vote

#Redemption10thAnniversary #VoteNow #SciFiMilestone

"Melissa" Excerpt 3: Can Scientist Play God?

Nathan's ambition: revolution or recklessness?

Ethics, morals, and values walk hand-in-hand in our lives. 

The common perception is that institutions, professional government organizations, religious schools, or leaders provide us with guidelines to follow, helping us avoid regrettable wrongdoings and moral failings. 

But what happens when one denies religion and competes with God itself, creating their own reality? => You get Nathan, a central character in the "Melissa" novel.

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.

World of "Melissa"

In a world where science blurs the lines between creator and creation, who decides what's right? 'Melissa' invites you to question your own ethical boundaries and contemplate the price of playing God.

Excerpt from Chapter 8 ( Readers favorite)

"Inside, rows of gene-editing robots glided with practiced grace, their articulated arms poised with surgical precision. Mark watched in awe as these marvels of AI performed delicate procedures on microscopic subjects.

'Fascinating,' he breathed, his eyes wide with a mixture of wonder and trepidation.

Nathan, with a hint of pride in his voice, activated a holographic projector. It revealed a mesmerizing display of mice's cells undergoing audacious transformations.

Mark's jaw went slack, his eyes widening as the holographic display unveiled the intricate spectacle of genetic engineering transformations before him.

Nathan's AI network, far surpassing any team of scientists, held the potential to revolutionize the world.

Yet, a flicker of doubt crossed Nathan's eyes as he saw the awestruck expression on Mark's face."

ARC Program for "Melissa" 

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

Time is running out! Unveil the secrets of "Melissa" before anyone else. There are only a few exclusive ARC copies with images left!

Become an ARC reader and:

• Dive into this gripping story before it hits shelves on July 30th.
• Provide valuable feedback that will help shape the final version of the novel.
• Get early access to Nathan and Melissa's journey.

Don't miss out! Sign up today!

Click here to secure your ARC copy: https://rbjal.com/melissa-arc

#scifi #psychologicalthriller #suspense #mystery #duality #secrets #darkromance #atmospheric #melissanovel #jacklynalo #thrillerreads #newrelease #upcomingnovel

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

Black and White

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

#psychologicalthriller #suspense #mystery #duality #secrets #darkromance  #atmospheric #melissanovel #jacklynalo #freebook #readmore

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

 

Why Pride, Part IV. Pride's Perfect Partner: Humility ⚖️

Balancing Act

Humility: A buffer between False Pride and True Pride

As we've explored in previous sections, True Pride is a powerful force for personal growth and achievement. 

However, like any potent tool, it requires careful handling. Enter Humility - the essential buffer that keeps True Pride from tipping into arrogance or false pride.

Humility isn't about downplaying our accomplishments or denying our strengths. Rather, it's about maintaining a realistic perspective on our place in the world and the many factors that contribute to our success.

It's the quiet inner confidence that allows us to take pride in our achievements while still remaining open to growth, criticism, and the contributions of others.

In Part IV of our exploration into pride, we'll delve into how humility serves as both a complement and a safeguard to True Pride. We'll examine real-world examples of successful individuals who embody this balance, and discuss how cultivating humility can lead to more sustainable success and deeper personal fulfillment.

Meryl Streep is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of our time, with a record 21 Academy Award nominations. However, despite her immense talent and critically acclaimed body of work, Streep maintains a refreshing humility.

Meryl Streep

In her 2012 Golden Globes acceptance speech, she said: "I really understand I'll never be cheered that way again." 

She recognized her accomplishments while also understanding they were exceptional circumstances worthy of gratitude, not entitlement. Streep has also consistently credited her success to good timing and luck, stating: "I'm an employee. That's how I think of myself. I belong to the theater, and the theater has been very good to me."

Rather than an ego-driven narrative of being a supremely gifted actor destined for greatness, she acknowledges how much of her success depended on getting hired for the right roles at the right time.

Perhaps most importantly, Streep deeply appreciates the collaborative nature of her craft, thanking everyone from directors to costume designers for their crucial contributions in helping her shine. Her humility is grounded in recognizing she did not achieve her legendary status alone.

Like Meryl Streep, Brandon Stanton also demonstrates the power of humility in the face of success.

Brandon Stanton is the author behind the wildly popular photo-blog Humans of New York. After his first book became a bestseller, earning him over $1 million in royalties, Stanton didn't hoard his sudden wealth from sudden success.

Brandon Stanton

Instead, he donated a significant portion to assist the principals of several underprivileged Brooklyn schools through an initiative called the HONY Giving Tour. The funds helped those schools invest in everything from educational programs to washing machines for students' families.

When asked about his motivations, Stanton said: "I'd been given this amazing life because of the loves and sacrifices of many people...The success of HONY was not earned by me alone."

Rather than letting pride over his viral success overshadow compassion, Stanton recognized his achievements were enabled by support from the very communities he was now committed to uplifting. His humility meant true pride was sharing the opportunity with others.

Balance of Pride and Humility

Unchecked pride, can lead to arrogance and a distorted sense of self-importance. This can alienate others and hinder true growth.

Arrogance

However, as we've seen through the examples of Meryl Streep, Brandon Stanton, and others, true success isn't just about individual achievement - it's about recognizing the complex tapestry of factors that contribute to our accomplishments. 

By balancing True Pride with genuine humility, we open ourselves to continued growth, deeper connections with others, and a more nuanced understanding of our place in the world.

Cultivating this balance is a lifelong journey. It requires constant self-reflection, openness to feedback, and a willingness to acknowledge both our strengths and our limitations. But the rewards are immense. By embracing humility alongside True Pride, we can:

• Build more authentic and lasting relationships

• Remain open to learning and improvement

• Navigate setbacks with resilience

• Contribute positively to communities

• Find deeper meaning and satisfaction in accomplishments

Reaching a common goal

Here are some specific ways to cultivate humility in your daily life:

• Practice gratitude: Regularly reflect on the things you're thankful for, big or small. This can help shift your focus away from entitlement and towards appreciating what you have.

• Seek feedback actively: Ask trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors for honest feedback on your work and behavior. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as a learning opportunity.

• Acknowledge your mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes. When you mess up, own it, apologize if necessary, and learn from the experience.

• Celebrate the success of others: Be genuinely happy for the achievements of others. This fosters a sense of community and prevents your own pride from becoming isolating.

• Focus on growth, not just achievement: While celebrating accomplishments is important, prioritize learning and improvement over simply reaching a goal. This keeps you humble and motivated.

Every-day growth

Remember, True Pride tempered by humility isn't about diminishing your light - it's about recognizing that your light shines brighter when it illuminates others as well. 

As you continue on your path of personal growth and achievement, strive for that delicate balance. 

Let your true pride in your accomplishments fuel your journey, but let your humility guide you towards wisdom, compassion, and lasting fulfillment.

In My Novel, "Melissa"

The Price of Unchecked Pride

For a compelling exploration of the dangers of unchecked pride, dive into my novel "Melissa." Follow the journey of Nathan, a brilliant but arrogant scientist whose ambition leads him to cross ethical boundaries. 

As Nathan grapples with the consequences of his actions, readers witness firsthand the destructive power of false pride and the importance of humility in scientific pursuits.

Will Nathan learn to balance his ambition with humility before it's too late? Or will his pride lead to his downfall? 

Discover Nathan's fate and explore these themes further in "Melissa." Sign up now to receive your FREE ebook on launch day: https://rbjal.com/melissa-sign-up

Source of Images: 

Meryl Streep: Just Jafred

Brandon Stanton: Crain's New York business

Other images: Nightcafe Studio

#humilityiskey #balancedpride #successwithhumility #growfromwithin #findyourbalance #learnfrommistakes #MerylStreep #HumansofNewYork #BrandonStanton #inspiration #celebrity #rolemodel