About the Book
Date Published: July 14, 2016
WHEN IS THE PRICE TOO HIGH, EVEN FOR TRUE LOVE?
4Ever Girl, Book Two in the Stratford High Series. Inspired by Shakespeare’s controversial comedy, The Merchant of Venice.
Benji Merchant, has only one desire – to take the beautiful and spirited, Portia Belmont, to their senior prom. But first, Benji must win her heart. He enlists the help of his twin sister, Toni Merchant, in a wild scheme to impress Portia. Toni has reservations, especially when she learns that her brother’s plan involves the elusive tattoo artist, Shiloh Lender. Shiloh agrees to help Benji, but only if Toni concedes to Shiloh’s unbelievable terms. Will Toni accept the challenge and support her brother in his quest for Portia’s love? Or will Toni refuse Shiloh’s conditions and let her brother down?
Read an Excerpt
Benji had found a prime parking spot right in front of the Venetian D’Lights Tattoo Emporium. No big surprise, though, considering that it was four o’clock on a Thursday. Who got inked on a mid-week afternoon? I stood on the sidewalk and studied the mural painted on the front glass window of our town’s only tattoo parlor.
An almost life-size gondolier was poised on the rear of a gondola, his mouth open as though he were singing. In the background, the painted lights of Venice seemed to be flickering with life. The artistic details were surreal, from the intricate arches on the canal bridge to the tiniest wrinkles on the gondolier’s hands. And the colors! The vivid red of his shirt, the murky blue-green of the water, the pearly white of the marble columns on the buildings. On a block full of auto part stores and used car lots, this mural sparkled with energy. It drew me into the scene like a kind of Italian siren song.
“Oh, now it makes sense.” Benji’s voice broke the enchantment. I was once again on the sidewalk, watching him point to some lettering stenciled on the glass in the lower right-hand corner of the window.
Owner, Dominique Lender.
Benji nodded. “Shiloh’s mom is the D in the D’Lights.”
“So glad you figured that out.” I grabbed him by the hood of his hoodie. “Let’s get this over with. You first.” I opened the front door and pushed him inside. A guitar strummed and then a deep tenor’s voice belted out, “O Sole Mio.”
About the Author
Her YA series, Stratford High, revolves around modern retellings of Shakespeare’s plays. Ruined, Book One, is inspired by the Bard’s classic romance, Much Ado About Nothing. 4Ever Girl, Book Two, is inspired by Shakespeare’s controversial comedy, The Merchant of Venice.
Marian’s debut YA, Eastland, is based on the real-life story of the 1915 Eastland boat disaster in Chicago.
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Ruined and 4Ever Girl will be $0.99 on Kindle during the week of 9/06 - 9/13