Quick Fix

September 07, 2021

Quick Fix

Quick Fix

by Louise Cypress

YA Thriller

Three teens are caught in a bioterrorism plot to destroy Seattle involving a diet drink that kills.

After accidentally breaking up with her boyfriend, Marley is ready to do anything to get her life back on track. When a new health clinic called Quick Fix opens in Seattle offering probiotic elixirs that supposedly burn off extra weight, Marley becomes their willing victim. After her first treatment, she loses five pounds in one week—and becomes so sick that she faints at work. But Marley is thrilled with the results, especially knowing that her ex-boyfriend is mobbed by girls every day.

When Marley’s best friend Ellie finds out the truth about Marley’s sudden weight loss, Ellie is concerned for her friend’s safety. Ellie knows better than anyone that there’s no such thing as a quick fix, but Marley’s not so sure. For Marley, the risk seems worth it—until the elixir takes control. By the time Marley discovers the truth about Thin Shot, she’s almost dead, and the only person who can save her is the last person she thought she could trust.

Melt away unwanted pounds with a probiotic elixir.

Thin Shot—the diet drink that kills.

NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99.

EXCERPT:

“Move aside, miss” barked a paramedic. “So we can get to—” The man stopped short when he saw Katie. “Hazmat team needed!” he shouted to his crew. “I repeat, this is a hazmat situation! Someone call the CDC!”

“Ellie!” Marley called again. “We need to go!”

The paramedics sprang into action, and I was clearly in the way. I stumbled toward the locker room, and Marley grabbed the back of my robe and pulled me to the shower. The faucet gushed with hot water. “Use as much soap as possible,” Marley told me, “to get the germs off. And hurry! We need to get out of here before they quarantine the place.”

“What?” I held my hands to my face, too shocked to move.

Marley yanked off my bathing cap and shoved me under the water, robe and all. Then she unhooked a bottle of shower gel from one of the stalls and squirted me with soap. “Clean yourself off, Ellie! I don’t want you to die like Katie did.”

“Katie’s not dead!” I pulled off my robe and rubbed my body vigorously with soap. “The paramedics will save her.”

“Um…” Olivia said from the edge of the shower rooms.

“What?” Marley asked.

Olivia spun around. “There’s no more time for soap. Put your clothes on and let’s go.”

I turned off the faucet and wrapped a towel around me seconds before the paramedics rolled the gurney past the shower area and through the doors to the locker room.

Katie’s body was covered with a white sheet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Louise Cypress is the pen name of Jennifer Bardsley for her YA books.

Jennifer writes the column “I Brake for Moms” for The Everett Daily Herald and is the author of the young adult novels Genesis Girl, Damaged Goods, Narcosis Room, and the Fight or Flight and Puritan Coven series. She lives in a book-filled house near Seattle with her family, and poodle, Merlin.

An alumna of Stanford University, Jennifer puts her psychology degree to good use writing fiction. She has a lifelong fascination with mind control. That focus also comes in handy in Jennifer’s role as a mother—but so far her children haven’t noticed.

Q&A With The Author:

1) When did you first consider yourself to be a writer?

I've always enjoyed writing but it wasn't until I saw my name in print as the "I Brake for Moms" columnist for the Daily Herald of Everett that I truly considered myself to be a writer. Seeing my first paycheck made it even more real. Nine years of columns and multiple books later, it's much easier for me to admit that I'm an author.

2) What advice do you have for a new writer?

Begin with the end in mind. Don't start writing anything until you know what your ultimate goal is, otherwise you'll ramble, like in a boring holiday letter.

3) What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?

Revising is the easiest part of writing for me. I'm good at identifying a plot gone wrong. Editing is the hardest, especially spelling and typos since I have a learning disability related to dyslexia.

4) What is your favorite part of this story?

My favorite part of QUICK FIX is when Ellie and her boyfriend are quarantined together and have a case of too much togetherness. We can all relate to that!

5) Which Character was the most fun to write about? Why?

I love writing scenes with Marley and Cole since they are brother and sister. Sibling banter is fun to write since I have a son and a daughter who joke around.

6) Which Character was the hardest to write about? Why?

Dean can be a tricky character for me to write because he has a (cured) speech impediment. I had a speech impediment too as a child, and it sometimes come back If I'm tired.

CONTACT:

GIVEAWAY

Louise Cypress will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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