Mutiny (M.E.R. series, #1)
Author: Jacqueline Gardner
Genre: YA/Paranormal
Release Date: February 29, 2012
Book Blurb:
Eric's
life aboard a top secret stealth submarine as a member of the
government’s M.E.R. program has been about discipline, cunning and
survival. As both a soldier and a natural born regenerator, he can heal
from any wound, but to stay alive he must accept a vein-burning serum
that prevents his DNA from over-mutating. In exchange Eric must follow
his Chief Commander’s every order. And never ask questions, no matter
the assignment.
When he goes ashore on his first solo
mission he runs into a complication he didn't expect; Mariella, the
target’s daughter. She’s about to change everything.
Excerpt:
From Chapter 2 - The Missing Guest (Mariella's POV)
"I can't believe she stuck her nose in my business!" My psycho stepmom was already trying to ruin my summer.
"Stepmoms suck, Elle. That's a fact." Carmen couldn't quite contain her laughter.
"Easy for you to say. Your mom doesn't force you to go to boring business parties."
"Just ignore her. Cynthia could care less."
"She'll learn not to cross me . . . eventually," I replied. Carmen grabbed the remote from my nightstand.
"So what do you have planned for tomorrow?" I looked up.
"Ugh! Don't remind me! I'm trying to forget about William's lame
dinner party." Technically, William was my father but you'd never guess
it. We were completely different in every way possible. And yeah, his
friends from work were incredibly dull. "I'm gonna try to get out of
it."
"How?" Carmen switched on the television and found a comfy spot on my bed.
"Stomach ache, flu, I'll think of something . . ."
"You should threaten to dump laxatives in everyone's drinks," Carmen
suggested. "Remember when you did that to Marcy Jenkins in the eighth
grade?"
"Too much work," I replied. "I'd have to sneak into the
kitchen and distract the cooks . . . Besides, you wouldn't want me to
miss our concert next weekend would you?"
"Fine." Carmen was rapidly flipping through channels.
A
sudden banging on the door made both of us jump. My bedroom door swung
open revealing Cynthia, the psycho stepmom. Her cheeks were a fiery
red. I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing. I'd noticed our
housekeeper, Rosa, doing a load of Cynthia's whites. I may have thrown
in a bright blue sweater.
"What's wrong with you, Mariella?"
Cynthia scowled. "Are you aware that you completely ruined my new cream
blouse? I don't know how Rosa is going to get it back to a
perfect
shade of white? Mariella! Are you even listening?" I shrugged and
bit my lip so hard that I pulled off a piece of dry skin. "Your father
is sure to hear about this, young lady!"
"What makes you think it was me?" I asked. "I've been with Carmen all day." Carmen waved her hand for a brief second.
"We both know who did it. Your behavior these past couple weeks has
been completely inappropriate!" Cynthia put a hand on her stomach and
glared at me.
"Completely," I sarcastically agreed. "Maybe you should leave?" Cynthia shook her head.
"If this continues, I won't be the one leaving."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I
don't need the extra stress right now," she complained. "I trust you
haven't forgotten about tomorrow? Iris will be up in a minute with your
dress."
"About that," I began. "I don't think I'll be able to
make it. How about you tell everyone I have the flu or something." I
looked down at the floor and waited for Cynthia to have a meltdown.
"Oh no you don't! Your father made it clear that you are to attend
tomorrow." Cynthia smirked before turning to slam my bedroom door.
"And that is exactly what you'll do!"
"Yikes," Carmen commented
as Cynthia stormed out. "She hates your guts. I'm surprised she didn't
have you locked in the wine cellar or something. What do you want to
bet she bought you the ugliest dress money can buy?"
"Yeah,
she probably did and I don't plan on wearing it. You know I hate
dresses. What do think of jeans and a t-shirt?" Carmen smiled as she
twirled a piece of her short black hair.
"That would really piss her off."
"I know," I smirked. Another knock at the door made Carmen sit up
straight. She was anxious to witness another Cynthia attack. "It's
just Iris."
"Afternoon, girls," Iris said as she entered my room
with a plastic garment bag. Being my dad's assistant meant Iris had to
put up with Cynthia's nagging. I could tell Iris detested my stepmom
just as much as I did. The difference was she had to be polite if she
wanted to keep her job. Iris put the plastic bag on my bed and nodded
at Carmen.
"Well, what did she choose this time?" Iris smiled
and unzipped the garment bag. There was a small shimmer of something
glittery and I knew right away that I would hate whatever Iris pulled
out.
"Your brilliant stepmother requests that you try it on." I stared at Iris as she lifted my dress out of the bag.
"Yeah right," I muttered as I glared at the pink sequins. "So not wearing that."
"You haven't even tried it on," Carmen giggled "Give it a chance."
"Shut up." I held the dress against my shoulders and turned around to
look in the mirror. I looked ridiculous, and even Iris let out a
sympathetic giggle. The pink sequins and poofy skirt made me look like
some kind of deranged ballerina.
"It's not that bad," Iris tried to sound reassuring. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," Carmen continued. "After all, the pink matches the color
streak in your hair." I threw the dress to the floor and shook my head.
The pink streak in my hair was the only amount of pink I could handle.
"There's no way I'm putting that thing on," I argued. Cynthia
was crazy if she thought I'd actually wear something she picked out.
"You can't wear jeans, Mariella. This is a formal party." Iris looked
worried – it was her responsibility to make sure I behaved.
"How about these?" I held up some fishnet stockings that went along
with last year's Halloween costume. Iris was speechless.
"Ummm . . ."
"I'm only kidding!" I threw the fishnet stockings on the floor. The
majority of my closet consisted of ripped jeans and small t-shirts.
"Why don't you wear that?" Iris pointed to the cream colored dress I hadn't noticed before.
"This?" I pulled the dress out and held it against my torso. "Where
did this come from?" Iris smiled. I walked towards the mirror in my
room and glanced at my reflection.
"Well, it's better than the pink one," Carmen said.
"Fine, I'll wear this one. Is that low key enough for you, Iris?"
"It's perfect." Iris put the sparkly pink dress back in its garment bag.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"I'm sorry?" Iris was about to rush out of the room but she paused, confused.
"I said thanks," I repeated. Iris nodded before shutting my door.
"Looks like you're going then?" Carmen giggled as she stared at the
TV. I stuck my tongue out and found a seat next to her on the bed. The
only thing I could hope for now was the opportunity to pull some sort
of subtle prank. It was much more fun to improvise. William's dinner
parties always felt like they lasted for years. And I always left them
feeling like I'd wasted a night of my life.
"I wish you could come with, Carmen. It wouldn't be so bad if I had someone to make fun of Cynthia with."
"You'll be fine Elle. You always are." Carmen was right, but sitting
through party after party was starting to get old. I didn't want to
start my summer that way.
Watch for my reviews of Mutiny and Thoughtless - another great book by Jacqueline - coming soon!
Author Bio:
Jacqueline Gardner works as a Story Editor
for the production company, Labragirl Pictures. Her love of
storytelling began at an early age when she would make up stories with
her grandmother before bedtime. In early 2010, she completed her first
novel and has been stuck on writing ever since. She resides in Colorado
and loves hiking, writing, fantasy fiction, and all things cupcake.
Connect with Jacqueline:
What are your thoughts on the book and excerpt? I know I'll be reading it! Leave a comment!
