Beauty only goes skin deep in this summer’s must read beach novel

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

Melissa Groeling’s first novel BEAUTY MARKS is on the shelves

Philadelphia – July 15, 2009– Overcoming the past and living for now is a simple concept yet few of us use it. In this summer’s must beach read, BEAUTY MARKS (James A. Rock & Company Publishers), author Melissa Groeling shows how finding love when you least expect it and discovering that everyone is vulnerable and flawed, whether the flaws are visible or not, is the most beautiful life lesson of all.

The age-old saying “beauty is only skin deep” is proven in this page turning paperback. Beautiful is boring at least that is what Anne “Bumps” Martin tries to tell herself every time she looks in the mirror. She has her own version of what beauty should be, although it’s been the subject of torment and ridicule for most of her life.

It is a big reason why she’s always losing herself in the violence and music of Trok’s, the city’s legendary mosh-pit bar. There, within the walls of pounding music, fighting, sweating bodies, playing the role of both bouncer and bartender, Bumps finds her niche, away from prying eyes and cruel comments that only serve to ostracize her from everyone, except her mother and her best friend, Kim. It is also there that she meets Evan Felds, lead singer in the band, Level Four that plays frequently at the bar. Up until a chance encounter, he and Bumps never had any reason to speak. He spends his time in the company of adoring fans, beautiful groupies and music, enjoying the rock-and-roll lifestyle that any up-and-coming band would take advantage of. She spends her time trying to buy Trok’s from her boss and make it her own before the man she unfortunately has to call “father” tries to steal it out from under her.

But Bumps invokes a challenge in Evan that no other woman ever has, just as Evan’s blunt honesty awakens feelings inside of her that she never thought were possible. In a world where beauty is key, can relationships like this thrive or are they doomed to fail?

Melissa Groeling is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a degree in English. Previously she was published in The 21st Century. BEAUTY MARKS is her first novel. She lives outside of Philadelphia, where she is close with her family and friends. She is currently at work on her second novel.

For a review, copy or more information on Melissa Groeling or Beauty Marks, please contact publicist Michelle Blackley at 917/916-3030 or michelleblackley@literarypublicist.us