Priscilla the Great: The Kiss of Life (Book #2)

By Sybil Nelson

The hottest girl in River’s Bend, PA is back with a new adventure. The Sumner family is living in hiding but still continues to fight against specimens created in the evil Selliwood Institute. Their battles take them all over the world, but their greatest threat yet, may be a bit closer to home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sybil Nelson
• Release date: Apr 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458034724

Sybil Nelson

Sybil Nelson lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband and two children. She currently attends the Medical University where she’s earning her PhD in Biostatistics.

Book preview

Priscilla

the Great

The Kiss of Life

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Sybil Nelson on Smashwords

Priscilla the Great The Kiss of Life

Copyright © 2011 Sybil Nelson

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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Chapter 1

Letters

Dear Priss,

It's me Kyle. How are you? I’m okay. I’d be much better if you were still here in River's Bend. I really miss you. Max misses you too. I tried to explain to him why you had to leave but I don’t think he understood. That’s probably because he’s a dog. Honestly, though, I don’t really understand either. I just know there was a reason and it had to be big. I know you wouldn't leave me if it wasn't. I'm just glad you still agreed to be my girlfriend even though we can't see each other or talk to each other every day. The letter writing thing is cool. I can live with it. It feels like we're in some old movie from an ancient time like before they invented computers and internet and cell phones. You know, like the 80's.

Anyway, things in River's Bend are just about the same. That creepy math teacher Mr. Witherall is gone though. I don't really know what happened to him now that I think about it. We got a new teacher now Mrs. Abernathy. But she's so mean we all call her Mrs. Uber-Nasty. Apparently, she doesn't realize that math class is supposed to be my time for catching up on old school games of Tetris on my iPhone. She actually called on me in class for like three days in a row. And when she handed back a test that I had failed, she actually stapled a Burger King application to the front of it. Yeah, right. Like I would ever work at Burger King. Chick-Fil-a maybe. Burger King never. Their french fries are terrible!

Who needs math anyway? I'm gonna be a famous actor one day. The only math I'm gonna need is addition to count up my millions.

After the embarrassing test thing, I decided to sit behind Susie Chambers just like you used to. Now she doesn't even know I'm there because she can't see me behind Susie's big head.

Tai's doing okay. I know she misses you too, especially since the eighth graders are so mean to her. Yesterday, Jimmy Vee took her favorite calculator, froze it in a block of ice and then set it on her desk this morning. Eighth graders stink! Next year when I'm an eighth grader I'm not gonna be like them. I'm gonna treat the seventh graders with a little respect.

I couldn’t let him get away with treating Tai like that so during lunch Spencer and I took care of him. We filled his bicycle seat with ketchup. When he sat on it he flipped out. He thought he was bleeding to death or something. It was priceless.

Tai thinks the real reason they don't like her is because she's black. I think it's because she's smart and the rest of them are morons. Anyway, I know she's your best friend so I'll keep looking out for her.

I can't wait to see you next weekend. I'm sorry it can't be this weekend, but you know I'm in the school play. I wish you could come, but I understand if you can't. Well, I guess I understand. It still isn’t fair though. Anyway, I thought for our date, we could see a movie, and then go for a walk around your town. Where is your town again? For some reason, I can never remember. I always have to give the letters I write to you to Tai and she mails them for me.

Anyway, write back soon, okay?

Kyle

P.S.

I can't wait to kiss you again

Dear Kyle,

It's me Priss. I'm fine and I miss you too. I really wish my family didn't have to move away from River's Bend, but it was just too dangerous to stay. You see, our old math teacher Mr. Witherall wasn't really a Mister, he was a doctor, a geneticist to be exact. And he worked at a place called the Selliwood Institute where my mother was born. They performed all kinds of genetic experiments on her and turned her into a super weapon. When she was 17, my father went to work there as a guard. They fell in love and my dad helped her escape. They moved to River's Bend and lived in hiding while starting a family. Neither of them knew that I would inherit a lot of my mother's DNA and start some genetic mutations of my own. Josh has powers too. We don't know about the twins yet. They're still too young.

Well, long story short, Dr. Witherall and Colonel Selliwood found out about me and tracked me down to River's Bend. Mr. Witherall just posed as our teacher in order to keep an eye on me and study my powers. (Haha! Get it? He kept an eye on me. He only had one eye!). Then they attacked and kidnapped my entire family, Mom, Dad, Josh, the twins, and even Tai. The only reason they didn't get me as well was because I was at the town square gazebo with you when it happened.

So then, I went and broke into the Institute. I was able to save my family and the other children they kept there for their genetic experiments. Even though I blew up the institute, Dr. Witherall and Colonel Selliwood both escaped. Since they knew where we lived in River's Bend, we had to move to Missouri for our own safety. They probably still want to kill us.

Sorry, I couldn't tell you. But if you knew the truth you would be in danger as well. I mean, Dr. Witherall and Colonel Selliwood are still out there. I overheard a conversation between the two of them in which they promised revenge, especially against the President of the United States. He also said that he figured out a way to control his Specimens once and for all claiming that their biggest fault was that they thought too much. That means he's probably coming after us. I'd hate for you to get caught up in it too. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you because of me.

I stopped writing and scratched out the entire letter. Yeah, right. I wish I could send this letter to Kyle. I wish I could tell him the truth. But I couldn't. I didn't want to put him in danger. I also didn't want him to think I was some sort of freak.

I crumbled up the piece of paper, tossed it in the air, and then destroyed it with a blast of fire from my index finger. He could never know.

Chapter 2

It's Bananas

I spent three hours trying to write the perfect letter to Kyle. I even considered going to the grocery store and seeing if Hallmark had created anything for letting your boyfriend know you were a genetically mutated freak that might accidently fry him to a crisp the next time you kissed him. Probably not.

I would've preferred to just see him in person. I wish I could go to his play. In just three short hours, he was going to be the cutest Romeo ever. But, no, my parents wouldn't let me. They thought it was too dangerous for me to go back to River's Bend given the whole genetic-mutants-trying-to-kill-me thing.

I finally gave up trying to communicate my feelings to Kyle and decided to get a snack. I was totally bummed on my way to the kitchen. My life stunk. I had no friends out here in the middle of nowhere Missouri, I rarely got to see Kyle and Tai, and I wasn't even allowed to go to school. Not that I especially liked school, but anything would've been better than being stuck in the house all day with a bunch of stinky brothers.

Speaking of stinky brothers, where were mine? The silence in the house gave me the feeling the twins were up to something. Not that I have telepathy or anything so I didn't know for sure. Josh was getting so good with his psychic powers that he could even sense danger sometimes. But no, it wasn't any special powers that let me know that the twins were up to something. I mean, come on, they were the twins. They were always doing something sneaky and most likely disgusting.

I finally spotted Charlie and Chester dashing out of the kitchen toward their bedroom.What are you doing? I yelled after them. Ryan and Peter were right behind. All four of them were laughing hysterically. Ryan and Peter were a set of eight-year-old twins that I had rescued from the Institute. For some reason, they enjoyed hanging out with my five-year-old twin brothers. It was probably because they didn't have much of a childhood in the Institute so my brothers were showing them what it was like to be kids…annoying kids.

Nothing, Charlie and Chester said in unison, giving their best puppy dog expression.

This was bad.

We ain't do nothin, Miss Priss, Ryan said taking off his cowboy hat.

Yes, we have not done anything, Peter added. I couldn't quite pinpoint Peter's accent. I'm thinking it was Norwegian or Icelandic or something. Even though Peter and Ryan were twins, Selliwood had programmed them with completely different accents. It was pretty funny to see the looks of confusion from strangers when they realized one twin sounded like John Wayne and the other sounded like Leif Ericsson.

I crossed my arms and stared at them trying my best to look intimidating.

Sorry, Miss Priss, we was just seein' what would happen if -

Charlie jabbed an elbow in Ryan's stomach. Shut-up. She's bluffing. She can't do anything to us.

Ryan quickly zipped his lips. This was gonna take a little more than my scary-big-sister stare in order to get them to talk. I held up my hand and lit a flame. Talk or somebody's getting toasted. Nicely toasted.

Charlie and Chester screamed and started running around in circles. Ryan and Peter started levitating. Did I mention they could fly?

Mom, Priss is trying to kill us! Chester yelled.

Priss, don't kill your brothers, my mother called from her bedroom. And don't use your powers in the house either.

Fine. I shut off the flame. But I'm watching you, I said to my brothers.

Charlie and Chester gave their evil grins then ran to their room with Ryan and Peter following close behind.

I entered the kitchen slowly. I knew they had done something in there so I wanted to be ready in case I slipped on some strategically placed slime or something. Once I was convinced it was safe, I grabbed a glass out of the cabinet and set it on the counter. Still looking around the kitchen, I opened the freezer and that's when it happened. I heard a series of ropes being pulled. I looked up just in time to see a huge bowl of banana pudding drop onto my face.

I screamed as the thick banana scented glob slid down my body. I started to run out of the kitchen in search of those blond bombers, but instead I slipped on the some of the pudding that had spilled on the floor and landed on my butt with a thud.

Ugh! I was so stupid. I should have been looking up instead of down. I thought Charlie and Chester would be too little to do something above my head. I forgot they had the help of flying eight-year-olds.

My giant of a father burst in through the back door with a rifle in his hand. What's going on? Are you okay, Priscilla? Dad was always a bit protective of me. My scream probably scared him to death thinking I was in danger or something.

I glared at him. Do I look okay?

Realizing that I wasn't in any real danger, Dad put the safety on the rifle then said, Is that my banana pudding? I just made that this morning.

Is that all you're concerned about? Look at me. I'm gonna smell like a monkey for a week!

Don't be ridiculous, Priscilla. Monkeys don't smell like bananas. They smell like...monkeys. Then my father started laughing. He was laughing at me! I heard more snickering from behind. I turned and saw Charlie and Chester in the doorway doubled over and nearly crying with laughter. Ryan and Peter were enjoying themselves as well as they flew to the ceiling and

Reviews for Priscilla the Great

[scoshie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

OK I know this is a Tween book but it was a really excellent story. The characters sounded true and it was laugh out loud funny. I can not wait to read the next installation of our newest Superhero Priscilla Sumner. Well done and and it was a great way to spend an afternoon inthe sun

[melgaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a good book for a older middle school reader. Very good pace and written well from the middle school point of view. There will be a movie playing in your head as you read this. I enjoyed it and will let my daughter read it when she's a little older.

[tanyaj101 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great read. I read it after my daughters did so that I could write my review, but we all loved it. We look forward for more to come!!!

[madamediotte · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic novel that will be sure to please teens and adults alike! I especially enjoyed the main character's humorous musings. Looking forward to see what happens in the next book!

[dranea_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fire flinging fingertips, making armored, killer guards rock out to some pop music, and an invisible jet. Man, the lifestyles of the not-so-rich and super-powered. Priscilla is just like any other 7th grade girl. She's got a mop of red hair, a overprotective father, a football playing brother, and a set of twin brothers. She and her best friend, Tai, have been plotting ways to get Priss' crush to finally crush back on her. Then, one day, Priss isn't so normal anymore. Right before school at the coolest pool party, her extremely hot crush makes her feel REALLY hot, hotter than she has ever felt before, her face is red and her body is definitely feeling 'off'. Pass it off as hormones, stress, or nerves, but when you can set fire to a bathroom towel by touching it, something has changed. Priscilla learns at this point that she may never be normal again, and this fire thing? Is she going to scorch something every time she sees her favorite guy? This cannot be happening, and who is she going to tell? Who will believe her? The answer to that: more people than she realized, and it's an awful lot for her to understand. Oh yea - she is kidnapped and about to be killed now, did I forget to mention that? And her so-called super powers decide to take a vacation, not too super after all, huh?I flew through this book! I loved the whole journey. It was fun, it was funny, it was exciting. I can't wait to keep going with this series. The way the author ended it was a cliffhanger I am too weak to resist. We get to see a real family in this story. With all of the ups and downs of sibling relationships and parent/child drama. It all feels very real, even with the super powers thrown in. You can tell the family has a real dynamic to it. Who hasn't loved and hated their siblings all at the same time. The same is true in this family. One of my favorite parts is when a booger war is invoked to help the older brother out, even if he didn't realize it at the time. (Every family needs to experience a good booger war!)Young adults and some of us not-so-young adults will rush to end of the book, when my Kindle said that I had hit the 100% mark...I was not a happy girl. I couldn't believe I finished it that quickly. I WILL be joining the gang for round two of Priscilla the Great!

[releanna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this is a very original and funny start of series.I enjoyed it pretty much, but:the characters seemed to be at least 15 but surely not 12.sometimes it is too much over-the-top for me, too surreal even for a fantasy.And the cliff-hanger is really bad - I'm sure to read the second book *g*

[jynxpierce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Priscilla is not your average 12 year old, she is not even your average superhero! Priscilla has to juggle school, dating and bratty brothers with discovering her super powers. Funny, exciting and a “super” read! Glad there is a sequel!

[wendallyn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book with my pre-teen daughters in mind and loved it. Priscilla is not your ordinary girl, but she is facing some pretty ordinary middle school problems. She learns the hard way that she really is special. A very entertaining read, I will definitely pass this on to my daughters.

[nicnac63 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What an engaging main character! Priscilla isn’t like a normal tweenage girl. She has special powers. What kid wouldn’t want super powers? Well, they contribute to mishaps and dangers, but the unique situations keep the reader glued. Priscilla’s friends and family develop nicely throughout this story. The author did a fine job of introducing each one. I feel I know them, and I care about their outcomes. I’m especially drawn to her best friend Tai. She’s a brainiac girl who can easily relate to Priscilla’s idiosyncrasies. I also liked Priscilla’s twin little brothers. They are mischievous little demons who are annoying, yet fun and entertaining. This is a fast read, filled with adventure. It dipped me back into my middle school years when imagination, coming of age, and first loves are at their peak. I’m not crazy about cliff-hanger endings (the only reason I rated a 5 rather than a 4), but thankfully I have book #2 to delve into without delay.

[blehner_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Admittedly I don't read YA, or books for an even younger audience, all that often. In this case though, I'm more than glad that I did and I thoroughly enjoyed the novel even as an adult. This first part of Sybil Nelson's series about the teenage girl Priscilla grabbed me right from the beginning. Starting with a twelve year old girl who suddenly shoots fire out of her fingers this story could have gone many ways, but this one is certainly unusual. Definitely not your average girl-becomes-witch kind of book, which you might expect upon starting to read, but a fun X-Men kind of story with lots of twists and turns.Not only is it a highly entertaining and well-written read, it is also so much fun to dip into the teenage state of mind with Priscilla. I absolutely loved her snarky personality - she's just really cool (unless of course she fires up her fingers) and extremely likable. And do I really need to mention that with the cliff hanger at the end I was glad I had the second book in the series to continue right away? In short: A super fun book for young readers!

[abcarroll_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Priscilla is a typical teenage girl, except for the small thing of being able to shoot fire from her fingers. When Priscilla discovers she has superpowers no one is more surprised than her. This is a fantastic story of the adventures of a teenaged supergirl and her family. I enjoyed each and every page...a must read in my opinion!

[cwaldrum_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We are introduced to Priscilla (Priss) M. Sumner as she is gearing down her summer vacation and preparing to start grade 7. Our darling heroine is only a whopping 12 years old when this novel begins (13 when it ends). She's also going through the onset of puberty, ya know with the "lady's days" and all! The changes within her body aren't just those of a normal pre-teen, she's also got a wicked case of the hot flashes, complete with flammable fingertips! You see Miss Priss isn't just a normal kid, she's also a mutant.Then again not just any mutant, she's a second generation (and she didn't even know!) mutant. This is all a surprise as she was not aware of her mother's special abilities and how they got passed along to her, at least some. Priss is quite unique in some of her talents, things her mother cannot do. What kid doesn't love being able to do something cooler and better than their parents?Priss' story has the usual pre-teen drama with her crush liking her BFF and her guy friend liking her and she's not quite feeling the same (at least not then, wink wink nudge nudge). Also the typical over-protective father (okay not really "typical") who wants her to be safe and the "my mother doesn't understand me" schtick that every girl goes through. Throw in a government conspiracy with super-duper mutant assassins and you've got a great read.It was great that the author, Sybil Nelson, allowed Priscilla the role of not only budding mutant, but a wickedly cool super hero. She saves the day and saves the lives of other experimental mutants that her oft-absent mother was trying to save too. The best part of her heroics is that they were done in the a 12 year old mentality. Nothing that she did or said would have been out of character for someone of that age (okay maybe the fingertip fire), and her solutions to the situations she faced were genius and right up the alley of a 12 year old girl.I loved the story. It was written for the age group that Priss is but as an adult I found much humor in her body changes and the love triangles that were connected. It was fun and interesting and a new spin on the whole created vs. natural super hero (our Priss is a comic book lovin' freak too!). For any pre teen I think it would be a perfect read to exaggerate the body changes during puberty and make it easy for them to accept their changes, considering the crazy side affects of Priss' (if she kisses a boy she might light him on fire!).

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Priscilla is a 12 year old girl her best friend Tai lives across the street. She has fighting with her mom for the past 3 years after she missed her 10th birthday party because of work. She is gone quite a bit. Priscilla is at a party which she talks to a guy she has a crush on and gets hot. she ends up lighting a towel on fire with her hands. Thats her first hint that something weird is happening to her. Her Father is over protective. So she realizes it has to do with her hormones that she developed powers. Her older brother is josh who helps her when she needs it. and 5 yr. old twin brothers. Its a cute book and a fast read. I won the sequale of this book in exchange of a review and sent me the first one to read. I am looking forward too the second book. I did not want the first to end especially how it ended so I will read the second tonight.

[thebookwormsorg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I honestly thought that Priscilla the Great was going to be totally goofy and I would enjoy it but it would be just a side read…NO WAY! Well yes it was goofy, but in the best and funniest way possible! Once I started it there was no stopping me. It was an awesome book!Priscilla was a fun character! I loved that she’s that shy kind of girl that thinks she’s probably an outcast and add in that she’s hotter than Hades – literally – and assassins are out to kill her doesn’t help the situation. Priscilla is a kick-butt 7th grader who’s got the best sense of humor and wits, which she uses to get out of any situation.Priscilla has one older brother who sings Christina Aguilera all the time and two crazy little twin brothers. Her dad is a stay-at-home dad and her mom has an ‘important’ job which causes her to always be away from home and Priscilla is so angry at her. But, when Priscilla finds out what she is and her best friend Tai can’t find answers or explain what’s happening, things seem to go downhill and Priscilla is captured by creepy doctors! Her family comes together and she finds out secrets that she didn’t think were possible.I couldn’t stop reading, it was definitely a page turner! I couldn’t help but to connect to Priscilla, because I was wishing I was as awesome as she was when I was in 7th grade! I also laughed out loud multiple times. This books was witty and fun and I recommend it to all ages!

[readingfanatic09 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a great middle grade read! The characters were go much fun to get to know; I really loved Priss. She was an awesome protag! The storyline is easy to follow with the right combination of suspense and action with just a little side of romance. :-) Highly recommended!

[hollyrae_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book it was such a cute read. The author did a good job keeping the pace of the book I would def recommend it. very cute and easy read : )

[emeraldpools · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was cute! I feel immediately in love with the Priscilla character! The opening of the book caught me right away. I felt I had to find out what was going on! But I hope there is another book because the ending left me hanging!

[cramundson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Priscilla the great was a very entertaining and age appropriate story of a 12 year old girl, her family, and friends. I found each of the characters charming and well rounded and the plot was entertaining. I would not hesitate to let my 12 year old read this book.

[marisol_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Snagged a copy of this for the Kindle via a LibraryThing giveaway - and I'm so glad I did! I'm 30, but an occasional reader of high quality YA, and I LOVED this book. It's a fast paced page-turner of a superhero story, with an awesome twist, as the superheroes are Priscilla and her mom and brothers! Believable characters, compelling action, and enough mushiness/dating awkwardness to give the characters depth.The language is very believable -- Nelson has a definite knack for writing as kids speak without patronizing them. My young teenage friends and nieces are going to love this book!

[scsproatt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought Priscilla was such an engaging heroine, because she was funny, clever, and adventerous. I loved how she had a very tomboy-ish personality, but she still wore skirts and dresses, and wasn't afraid to acknowledge her crushes on boys. Priscilla wasn't the only engaging character; they all had something going for them. I especially liked the way her relationship with her mother evolved, and how her best friend never hesitated to help her out. Everything about this book was well thought out, and Nelson leaves us with a cliff-hanger that will want the reader wanting more. I would recomend this to anyone who enjoys middle grade fiction; especially if they're looking for a book that can make them laugh out loud.

[skyelark31 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As a Children's Librarian I am fully immersed in what kids like to read. "Priscilla the Great" is a book that will completely capture the female pre-teen audience. Priscilla is a hilarious and likable character that the kids can connect to. I can easily see Priscilla becoming a long-loved character in a series. I plan to recommend the book to my kiddos!

[euphoria13 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

All of the reviews that I've read about this book, have given it 4 or 5 star ratings. Many people who've read this book really enjoyed the story and that was one of my main reasons why I decided to review this book. Of course, the description intrigued me as well. Priscilla seemed like an interesting character to read about and I must say that I wasn't disappointed with her. She was just an ordinary seventh grader who suddenly develops into a super enhanced girl! She literally plays with Fire!Priscilla then starts to uncover the truth behind her parents odd behavior, especially her mother who is always out of the country working. She's also no longer safe because of her powers. Strange people have been following her and trying to kidnap her, in order to obtain her powers. Now she has to figure out a way to keep her family and herself safe from the crazy lunatics after her.Priscilla was funny, likable and a bit of a goof but she was a cute character to read about. Certain parts in dialogue were also really funny in this book, such as Priscilla's random thoughts about her family and best friend. Not to mention how every time she discovered something, she would say "Holy Hotdogs!".The book was also a quick read. A VERY quick read, which I wasn't expecting as well. The story itself wasn't bad but I didn't think it was fantastic or great like other reviewers claimed it would be. It felt like a kids version of X-men (Which isn't a bad thing but it really didn't catch my interest much). This would make a great read for middle school kids. I'm sure they would enjoy reading about Priscilla!