Heaven Help Me – ROM
Heaven Help Me
50100 / 70000 words. 72% done!
Query:
Dear Reader:
Most humans assumed angels were shimmery beings stalking them around for their moment to spray them with heavenly dust; some sort of divine intervention. For Melody it meant inserting herself into the life of a misguided man to show him what love was so that the next girl he met wouldn’t get away. Her life was one monogamous relationship after another until she met Cable Meyer and her opinion of being the precursor fling was anything but tolerable. Melody’s faith was never truly tested until Cable’s brother Gabriel opened a whole new set of problems; being as he was a demon trying to recruit his brother and his new found girlfriend back into the fold.
HEAVEN HELP ME is an adult paranormal romance in progress at (TBD) words. Melody is an angel looking to earn her wings only to have her memories erased by a demon in hopes of corrupting her into being his toy bird. Will she come to her senses in time to save the man she truly loves or will Gabriel’s tricks convince her that being a demon isn’t all that bad?
After frequenting the serial monogamous daters club for many years the author has graduated from the University of dedacted with a BA in English Literature Fall 2009. And if that wasn’t enough crazy this novel’s first forty-five thousand words were completed during the chaotic month of NaNoWriMo. Dedicated and absolutely in love with everything angel and demon alike Stevie McCoy birthed this novel HEAVEN HELP ME.
HEAVEN HELP ME is similar to FORGOTTEN by Cat Patrick and HALO by Alexandra Adornetto.
Romance Paranormal fiction novel HEAVEN HELP ME
Excerpt: Chapter 1
Breaking Phases
Trying to pay attention to the words bulleting at me from across the table was anything but easy and all I could feel were the tears near to toppling from their confines. What my soon to be ex-boyfriend was saying to me right now shouldn’t have surprised me because destiny meant for it to work out this way; unfortunately it didn’t cushion the blow when it did.
“I’m not emotionally ready for what I know you deserve right now.” Trent averted his eyes because I knew, even if he didn’t yet, that it hurt him to see me in pain.
Because I was, in pain.
Every time was worse than the last. I sniffled back a whimper because I wanted to seem stronger and took the napkin to my eyes to prevent any stray drops of my expressed pain from revealing themselves.
“I’d like to say I understand.” I forced my lips to turn up in a smile but I’m sure that it turned out more like my lips curved but pressed together like a sour puffer-fish. I was never good at lying about my feelings. “But, I don’t. Tell me that I don’t make you happy.”
I honestly didn’t want to ask that question. It was my training that told me if I didn’t fight a little then Trent and every other guy would never learn and come to realize their mistake at taking love for granted. Just enough to make them think twice down the line. It was my job here on Earth afterall.
“You do, but I can’t give you what you need. It’s me, I just can’t do this,” His hands waved between us swishing the air, “Whatever this is.”
I wished we weren’t in a public place. The couple a table over could hear us, and thankfully have both decided to remain quiet avoiding eye contact.
Why do break-ups have to happen in public places? It’s like people wanted to make sure the other didn’t make a scene but it ended up being embarrassing for both of us.
I breathed in taking a moment for myself, “I appreciate your honesty.” I delicately placed the napkin previously clutched in my hand back on the table. My hands shaking I pushed out from my chair trying to remain calm.
“I do hope you enjoy the rest of your dinner. I have lost my appetite, myself, and will be leaving now.” I pushed the chair back under the table and then took each step away further from his gaping mouth with determination. I kept on walking not looking back. Each movement deliberate and as much as I hate to admit it probably stiff and ungraceful.
I was just happy I didn’t run into any chairs or doors with how blurry my vision was from the water filming over my eyes.
This was just another mission.
I won’t know if it’s successful until later when Trent Revlin decides to contact me again. A successful mission would mean my heart would break again when he would come back to tell me that he was an ass and wanted me back because he was wrong. Because he loved me.
Only for me to gather all of my strength to reject him with, ‘It’s too late.’
It was the fate of every angel with a duty to re-ignite the love in a human’s heart. I was like a human in almost every way but I’m working to change that. I just have to earn my wings.
I opened the door of the restaurant to the cool autumn air. He had to break it off before the holidays. Before winter. I suppose there really isn’t a good time, winter or not.
“Phase 2 completed,” I murmured, feeling the fresh tears cold as icicles run down my cheeks. I know it’s my duty to change these human’s lives but I can’t wait until I finally earn a new purpose.
How many more men must I teach to love again before earning my wings?
I pulled the wool coat closer around me and turned up the collar to protect my neck from the wind. And I walked, just walked.
It’s what I always did after phase two. I couldn’t stay still not if I wanted to keep my mind from wandering too much. I learned to care for every guy, even Trent. I stared at the puddles on the side of the road between the cars and the elevated walkway.
Odd. I suppose I’m similar to the in between; just a puddle that occasionally got stepped in or ran over before the final destination. I was thinking too much again.
It’s not my place to question my purpose.
I looked away from the puddle from this morning’s rain. The clouds were still grey preparing themselves for another round.
I turned quickly as I caught a car in my peripheral vision coming particularly close to the sidewalk.
Too late.
The dirt ridden water sprayed from the turning wheel of the escaping SUV. This was not the time to be wearing a non-treated wool trench. It was also a prime example of why I would rather have a higher ranking purpose.
This wouldn’t have happened to an angel with the gift of perception and a dash of grace.
But I shouldn’t think like that.
Those thoughts were probably why I haven’t earned my wings.
The dirt particles clung to my face as the water dripped from my hair. Like a drowned rat rushing to the brick wall behind me I stood shocked resting against it. Did I need that? Possibly not, but I got a good dose of ‘wake up and stop moping’ flung at me.
“How long will you be standing there?” A man’s voice mocked and I turned my head slowly to the side seeing him lean against the open glass door. His brow raised and amused at my predicament.
He must’ve seen the whole thing.
Just my luck.
“Until I compose myself.” I narrowed my eyes, “Does it matter?” I squeezed the ends of my hair free of any excess water. Either he was the owner of this shop and didn’t want me scaring away customers or he was just trying to get under my already sensitive skin.
“You look composed.” He smiled and I noticed his green eyes light up. Again mocking me. How could he not be when obviously being drenched in puddle water with my eyes puffy from tears was a far cry from composed.
“Composed enough to leave is what you’re getting at?” I sighed, “Don’t worry I won’t be stalking the establishment for long.” I pressed my hand to my chest to calm my nerves.
“No, not that type of composed more like the composed of a composition in a picturesque moment,” He held out his hand as if to stop me from moving and whisked away back into the shop. I leaned over at the sign on the door, it was an art gallery.
He re-emerged quickly with a camera and before I could protest it clicked and flashed. I was captured.
“I do not approve.” I frowned at him, “This is no time to be documenting my torment.”
“You don’t look tormented though that would add to the depth and edge of the photo.” He lowered the camera from his face and he laughed. His eyes opened enough to look into my very stern expression and he coughed, “I was just joking after all.” With his free hand he grabbed the back of his neck and scratched then worked his way to scratching his head.
“I think I’ve endured enough for one night.” I looked into his eyes with intensity, “If I’m in any way discernible in that photo I’ll not be pleased.”
“You have my word.” He bowed and I turned away to hear another click behind me.
He had the nerve to take another photo. I refused to turn around and dignify him with any more of my time and of course any more opportunity to disparage me.
I’d say he had a charm about him but his gall had me too fumed to even think on the topic more.
I had a purpose and it wasn’t with him.
After fifteen minutes of walking I passed the park. I usually liked to sit on a bench or watch the pigeons scramble around aimlessly. As long as the birds stayed grounded I didn’t worry about having a hat. Though I could use some more luck in my life I’d rather not receive it with a pigeon’s present on my head. That would be too much icing on the cake.
“Excuse me.” A gentleman mumbled as he brushed passed me. His shoulder nearly knocking into me as we both twisted our torsos to avoid a collision I looked into his eyes, they seemed distracted even then.
“Sorry.” I spouted unconsciously. I should’ve been paying attention to where I was going but I figured what else could go wrong today? And as far as things going wrong that was a very minor offense.
He turned away and walked on without another thought. It happens every day. No thought necessary.
I took a breath and told myself that walking turned out to be a bad idea this time. No peaceful revelation. No relaxing. And certainly no better for the adventure.
Wet, hurt, and exhausted I finally opened the door to my apartment.
“I’m home.” I called out to the empty space.
I know the only one listening to my call was Jeremiah, my guardian, but he listened to all of the Angels on Earth.
“Please tell me when I’ll be given the opportunity to prove myself?” I peeled off the soggy coat and hung it over the bar chair at the kitchen table. All I wished for was to earn my wings and finally have a purpose that didn’t involve making a man realize the power of love and then leaving them to find ‘The One.’
How many more times must I be the go-between-girl?
“Just once.” I closed my eyes and heard the words resonate in my mind.
“Just once?” I repeated out loud feeling a warmth surround me. I knew without opening my eyes that I was being enveloped in the light and communicating with Jeremiah.
“One more and you’ll be given a new purpose.” His voice was soft like the flutter of a humming bird’s wings. Un-audible to most but to those who concentrate and of course angels like me.
“Finally.” I smiled and waited for his instructions.
“You’re next duty is the man you met today on your way home.”
I squeezed my eyes lids trying to prevent myself from opening them and breaking the connection. It was too late. I was too worked up. It can’t be him. How could it be him?
“There must be a mistake.” I felt my heart pounding in my ears and knew then that I wouldn’t be able to hear Jeremiah even if he was speaking to me. I couldn’t concentrate.
This was it, my chance to earn my wings.
I couldn’t let the bad first impression stop me from returning. I had to go back to the art shop and I had to meet the guy who couldn’t even give me the kindness of a, ‘how are you?’ or perhaps the dignity of leaving my terrible day un-documented with a camera in my face.
I would go back and I would show him what true happiness was all about.
But first I had to re-discover happiness for myself.
I couldn’t go back to him while my heart still ached for Trent.
I would wait until Trent realized his feelings and entered phrase three.
Then I would go back to the art gallery.
Not a moment sooner.
