Diamond is finally out on her own, away from her family, and on her way through college. She can now fully dedicate her life to her studies, without her pesky, older brother, annoying cousins, and, most of all, her stubborn parents. But before she can retreat into her intelligent mind, people she barely knows suddenly start bugging her for attention. And, for some reason, she kinda...likes it.

Hitting On Boys

Not only does Di have to deal with a bunch of new and demanding friends, but a guy she's met seems to feel the need to impose on her time, as well. Edric is so mysterious, that Di can't seem to help but want to solve the mystery he presents. Will their be a romance in their future? Or will Di not permit such a deviation from her studies?

But Hitting On Murder?

There's only one big problem with Di's new college experience: the increasing amount of dead bodies she keeps stumbling over, on and off campus! But can she solve this mystery before the killers kill her, too? Is she enough like her family to be able to find a murderer before it's too late? Or will she die trying?

Care to find out what happens in this story? Click Here: Puzzling Developments!Or you can click the image at the top of the page or the to be continued link at the end of the excerpt...

If you would care to e-mail me, the author, click on the link, or e-mail me at LilLaTLuv@hotmail.com

I walked into the little convenience store, ignoring everything around me, feeling invisible as usual. I walked to the back and picked out a few drinks, some junk food to pig out on, and some breath mints.

I carried it all to the counter, letting the man ring I up for me. I started out the door and into the parking lot. I was suddenly stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I stopped, thinking I had forgot my change or something, and turned around with a smile on my face. My eyes widened when I saw a very big man leering down at me. But I continued smiling, not understanding why he stopped me.

“Yes, may I help you, sir?”

His grin widened at my comment, and I felt a rush of fear spurt in my veins suddenly. I didn’t understand why. He wouldn’t harm me. Would he?

“Well, yes, little missy, I do believe you can. And it’ll only take a second of your time, too. So, if you don’t mind…”

He didn’t continue. Instead, he clapped his hand over my mouth, surprising a squeal out of me, that was muffled. His large arm wrapped around me and lifted me up and started to carry me to…something that remotely resembled a car. I stared at the hunk of metal for a second. Then I started to struggle, to fight. Anger started to come forth, terror, too, but anger was much more welcome. I kicked, I clawed, I bit (what I could), and I shook every muscle I could, trying to loosen his hold. But he only laughed, and held me tighter, still dragging me, towards the vehicle, still seeming to enjoy himself.

The terror started to raise its ugly head then, overwhelming even the rage. I was going to be raped. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. This just can’t be happening. Not to me.

No, it just wasn’t possible.

But it was, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. Tears filled my eyes, even as I continued to struggle. I might have felt the impossibility of the moment immerse me, but Diamond Princess Devarro did not go down without a fight.

But, then, something miraculous happened. It came in the form of a hand. A familiar hand. A beautiful hand. And this hand was curled into a fist. And this fist slammed into my ugly attackers already smashed up face, causing the jerk to drop me quite abruptly. I grunted when I hit the ground (hard, I might add), but rolled back to my feet backing away from the man who had only seconds ago been holding me, dragging me, forcefully.

My breathing was ragged, and the scent of the man was still in my nose, the reek of beer, cigarettes, and sweat, both dried and wet. I felt bile rise in my throat. I swallowed it down, and turned to study my fearless defender.

Wait a second! Fearless defender?! Did I really just think that?

Eck, you’d think this was some cheap romance novel!

I mentally rolled my eyes, as my real ones widened, not believing the sight they saw. It took a moment for my mind to register what I was seeing, but when it did, shock spread quickly.

It was the boy, the one from the party, the one with the sweet but serious green eyes. What had he said his name was again?

I wracked my brain, forcing my scattered thoughts to concentrate on something it could handle at the moment, something it could compute. Aw, there it was. Edric Forrester. His name was Edric Forrester.

And, damn, did he know how to fight. I watched in shock as he pounded the giant until he was whimpering in pain. Then he stopped, and turned away, an impassive look on his face. He walked over to me, and his eyes instantly filled with worry.

“Are you okay? He didn’t, uh, hurt you, did he?”

I shook my head, still staring at Edric with shock. This was too much, too fast. How was a girl expected to keep up?

I like to think I can keep my head while under pressure, but even I have my limits. And this, apparently, was one of them. And I blame the circumstances, and the shock, for the absolutely atrocious, completely terrible thing I did.

I fainted.

TO BE CONTINUED...