Pressure Cooker

by Mel Dau

Fiona and Croy O’Brian were the prototypes of ‘I’ma stick by em’. Their relationship started in an unconventional manner, but it only made the love grow fiercer over the years. Introduced to you by Megatron himself, find out why the saying birds of a feather flock together rings true when it comes to Fiona and Croy.

It’s time to pull out all the ingredients that will create the perfect mix to throw into the pressure cooker. Be careful! We don’t use measurements here. Find out just how tasty love can be when it’s cooked at just the right temperature.

Genres: Audiobook, Urban, African American, Fiction, Romance, African American Romance

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2024

About the author

Mel Dau (Melvin’s Daughter) was born in Vicenza, Italy but raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She is the baby girl and only girl of three. She has always had a love for books beginning with the Baby Sitter’s Club, R.L. Stine, and Christopher Pike. She dabbled in writing as she grew up but never took it as seriously as she should have.

Mel Dau graduated from from Wando High School, then later matriculated to Benedict College (BSW) and Webster University (MHRM). She is a mother of a teenage daughter, a HR Professional, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Her love for Urban Literature did not arrive until Mid-2016.  Reading over 900 books from 2016 to 2017, she was obsessed with reading--an obsession that helped her cope with her father’s illness and death.  In March of 2018, she decided to finally come from behind the wall and submit a short story which resulted in her first Book, Khiaere and Phy: A Charleston Love Story being published under Queens of Lit Presents.  Under Queens of Lit Presents, she successfully published 15 titles that were all debuted in the top fifty on Amazon Top 100.

In May of 2020, she was signed to her new publisher B. Love Publications where she continues her growth as an author. Her purpose as an author is to provide her readers’ with her E³ formula, Entertain, Encourage & Educate. She achieved her first #1 Bestseller with her Erotica title, Pet The Kitty. In August of 2020 she founded Mel Dau Publications, LLC to pursue self-published projects. Penning in a lane all her own, her Informational Dramas fulfills her purpose with every release. Her overall desire is to use her fiction catalog to help change at least one person’s non-fiction reality.

Reviews

[Kameel · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read was the newly released audiobook….🤦🏽‍♀️ i just can’t deal with Lacey Laurel’s narration style

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmm…. I was excited to learn more about Fiona and Croy, as I learned more of their crazy in the last book. I love me so crazy, unhinged behavior, however, it just seemed to be to be too much. Every time we turn around Fiona pulling her Beretta out of her scrubs, or ready to. I knew after she took care of Adam that she was certifiable cray, cray!! 🤯👀

The read felt like it dragged on a bit too long and could have ended earlier without all the Tiffany drama in my opinion. Mel, you my girl, but this one wasn’t for me. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pressure Cooker

It was good to get an origin story on Fiona and Croy after seeing them together in the previous books for this group of friends. I liked that they were friends first and developed a relationship from there. I also like that Croy didn’t pressure Fiona to take their relationship further until she was ready but also that he took control and told her they were exclusive once she kept avoiding making the transition to putting a title on their relationship. I also love that they were literally each other’s best friend and safe space and were down to ride with the other whether it was right, wrong or a bit psychotic.

Once the blast from the past showed up in the form of Tiffany, I knew she was going to cause problems. While the way Fiona and Croya talked to her was funny and deserving, I felt this drama with Tiffany was a bit unnecessary, but I’m guessing the point the author was making with her introduction was to show that even the most perfect looking relationships aren’t without issue or drama, and if so, she achieved that.

As always it’s funny when this crew gets together and I love their unwavering support of each other. This was another pretty good book by this author that is worth a read, especially if you have read other stories about their friends group and are curious to know more about Fiona and Croy. 3.5/5 stars

[Jas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at Walmart shopping and couldn’t wait to rush home and finish this book 😂 i couldn’t put it down omg! A good read for sure and sooo hilarious! Fiona is me in another life time 🤣 very much unhinged!!

[Keesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ I normally really enjoy Mel Dau’s story telling, so much so that I suffered through the audiobook with a narrator on my deaf list 🙉 and one that probably should be. I knew better but it popped up on Libby and I did not have time to eye hustle this one. Imagine my annoyance when I did not get the same sense of satisfaction from this book that I did from others.
The humor that is normally part of what I love about Mel’s books missed me until the final quarter of the book. This one felt all over the place. I’ll take the blame for the narration but not the story…I expected more.

[Brittni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, just something to read as part of the Mega and Dem series. Fiona and Croy are crazy as hell.

I think this would've been better to read in one sitting, but I had things to do so it got spread over 2 days

[Sha Sha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25✨

These folks were CRAZY!!! Especially Fiona…. Didn’t realize I read the second book before the first one. I take it doesn’t matter much.

[Sheronda H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was over the top crazy. It started off a mess and continued throughout the book. Just wild behavior.

[JBucky · Rating 4 out of 5]

CROY & FIONA 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I was a skeptical 🫤 by how this book first started, but once I got about 20% in…. I was LOCKED!

Croy was definitely a man’s man! Fiona was my FAVVVVVVVV!!! Those 2 definitely belong together!

I really enjoyed this book!

[JazzReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

wild story

This story was wild and crazy from start to finish. The FMC didn’t play and games throughout the book. This couple was really riding with eachother to the end.

[Antoinette Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Croy and Fiona don't play!!!

This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I'm going to tell you why. When she tells you, "Come scooch in," you already know what she's about to say is gonna be fire. So when I saw those words, this book cover and blurb I was all in. And baabaay, this book was more than fire. It was an inferno!! Mel Dau gave and kept on giving with this book.

First of all, I do love the backstory about how Croy and Fiona met, fell in love, and became associates of the Enterprise. That was a total eye opener because it revealed how my girl Fiona became unhinged. And I mad at her. Everybody got a little Norman Bates in them. Just some people are more in tune with theirs and don't mind letting him out to play every once in a while.

Hence the magnificence of Pressure Cooker. Life is going well. Married life is amazing, kids are happy, work is good, not a problem in sight. Then, some thirsty heffa decides to step her dirty, muddy, musty smelling shoes on your front porch to try and cause chaos. That's when you know that pressure cooker is beyond whistling and is ready to explode.

I enjoyed this book so much! The drama was so intense and heated that I had to calm myself down just like Croy and Fiona. This book had me in a tight chokehold that didn't let me up until the very end. When I tell you this book was everything and more? I mean, this book was whatever your favorite food or beverage is a thousand and then some. I absolutely loved seeing the whole gang all through this book. It wouldn't be the same without Mega, Ned, Riker and the Ruth, Whimsy, and Shandeli. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.

[Vasaunti Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I was hearing slot about this book and have never read anything by this author yet. I’m glad I read it. This book started out with so much going on and baby Fee was a few bricks short of a building. Then Croy was all goggled eyes about her. He literally was applying pressure starting the book off. There literally was a twist as soon as the book starts and then later you figured out that snapped has nothing on Fiona and Croy. They literally are unhinged together but Fee is on a different level. The fact that she outdoes most men in books I’ve read is a problem that only Croy can tame. The whole crew was a bird of the same feather. It sucks that there had to be the kind of drama that they had to experience but as always Croy was able to love on his wife and let her know he was not coming off her and let her take the lead but within range. I will be back to read anything book from this author.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pressure Cooker was such a fun, chaotic ride from start to finish. I was hooked almost immediately — laughing, gasping, and rooting hard for Fiona and Croy. Mel Dau really knows how to write characters that pull you in and make you feel invested.

Fiona is unforgettable — fierce, loyal, and a little unhinged in the best way. She’s definitely trigger-happy at the slightest sign of disrespect, which made her both entertaining and memorable. Croy balances her perfectly with his steady, protective energy, and their chemistry is undeniable. There’s a lot of spice between them, but it’s grounded in real love, loyalty, and ride-or-die devotion.

I loved watching their relationship grow and seeing the supporting characters add humor and heart. My only small issue was that the pacing dipped in a few spots, which kept this from being a full 5-star read for me.

Still, this was an entertaining, heartfelt, and steamy story that I truly enjoyed. Definitely worth picking up.

[Keeping.Volumes.Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG.... what did I just read? This was crazy as hell 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. When I first started, I was like wait🫷🏾 hold up wtf is going on 🤔. I had to do a double-take, rewind ⏪ because I was confused, and LL's voice wasn't making it any better 😑. Once I listened to it again, I was like Oh, these mofos are crazy🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I was able to push through and I thoroughly enjoyed the craziness 🥴, so what does that make me🤷🏾? I only rated this a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐because it felt like this was a prequel to another story. It should be IJS.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

review

I have to say I loved everything about this book. The characters, the plot/storyline, and the supporting characters all made for a funny sexy read. I hope I get more from this group of friends. I’m gonna scour the authors catalog just in case she already has some out. Highly recommend this book for people who like humor mix with their action and sexy times.

[Tazja Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!! I knew Fiona was THAT GIRL for me…this book solidified my assumption. She was totally and completely UNHINGED!! This woman said she’s POLK C…Possessive, Obsessed, Loyal, a Killer and Crazy🤣🤣. Then told another girl that she had an accessory that would look perfect in her forehead…iykyk

[Cardi Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona is quite crazy. Her background story was crazy. Croy got flaws but that was def miscommunication. Still mad Tip Drill Tiffany still alive 🙃. They had some 🌶️. Lemme find out. Dipping out to the bathroom at the club

[Maya Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona was that girl baby she did not play when it came to her husband & kids.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐ Nice follow up to Mega Man. I wish this story was just a tad bit longer. I enjoyed the relationship between Fiona and Croy.

[Shaye Mighty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good quick read. Didn’t put it down since I started it lol and they are nasty and crazy asf

[Shawberry Likes To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is somebody gonna match my crazy???

Oh we knew Fiona was a little crazy from the other books but this definitely showed that she is certifiable. I did not expect that beginning scene. Croy standing ten toes down behind his women as well. These two compliment each other perfectly. Similar to each of the previous couples, we get to see the relationship origin and how it grows overtime. The love between these two is evident. We see just how they are willing to go about each other.

[SumFire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unhinged was an understatement when describing Fiona. Turns out she was in good company. She had to overcome a lot to get to the level of comfort she had with Croy.

So when his past came knocking and tested the foundation she thought she had, she felt shaken and allowed old insecurities to slip in.

Some would say she overreacted, others would say the past is in the past, and focus on what they have built sixteen years later.


I say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger... This test only showed what this family and friend group was made of.

[Rēē · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline was amazing! It deserved to be a longer story! It was too short for my liking… However I loved the maturity of the characters ❤️

[Latesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Had my attention from start to finish! Fiona wasn’t playing no games behind her man and them kids! Love it!

[Ms. LVW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy, Sexy, Good!

Like the author said this book is a “Pressure cookers full of crazy muthafuckas” and she did not tell one lie. The gang is back and it’s on and poppin again.

Fiona and Croy. My gawd, if two people were ever meant for each other it’s them. They way their eccentric thoughts and action are so in tune and supportive of one another was like a beautiful melody where all the notes blended well. Don’t get me wrong, they’re certified batshit crazy with an awareness that was not delusional. They knew exactly what they were doing and they were brilliant at it their jobs as doctors by day and killazs by night and it really was thrilling read.

I’m just going to say Fiona is gorgeous but deadly with a bad temperament for bullshyt and Croy most def has that BDE at 11.2” L x 5.2” W and Fiona takes it, lawd she takes everywhere with no complaints. They have a colossal explicit sexual appetite and love of neutralizing any threat to them or the ones they love and for the amount of violence, this story is strangely appealing. I was like a deer staring at headlights and I couldn’t put it down especially with the plot twists and drama going on.

This story will keep you entertained with it’s drama full scenes, depiction of friendship, sensuality, love, commitment, protection, threats, toxicity, and unhinged crazy characters that had my eyes wide open with the diabolical things they were doing and I friggin loved every bit of it. Not a full moment!

Get the book and see how much pressure you can take.

[Readaholic Running Realtor · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, any story with MegaMan in it immediately catches my attention and this installment did not disappoint! This one had me laughing throughout. I absolutely loved the sex scene and the way the Black couple’s intimacy and chemistry shined through.

What stood out to me even more was the couple’s success, their ability to navigate big life changes, and their openness to embracing a growing family. It beautifully illustrated that when you have a strong foundation and a deep sense of security in each other, nothing can truly break you.

Of course, challenges and tests will come, but this story shows that when you’re truly anchored in your relationship, you can weather anything together. I finished this book feeling entertained another great addition to the MegaMan universe!

SIDENOTE (aka “Don’t come for my stars!”):
Just a quick heads-up my ratings are based on whether I’d reread the book or add it to my personal collection, not the quality of the story itself. So here’s how I roll:

5 🤩 = I’m obsessed with everything the storyline, the author, and the narrators! I read it yearly and own ALL the copies: physical, digital, and Audible. I can basically recite this book. It lives in my private library.
4 🌟 = Loved the story, the author, and the narrator (if it’s audio). I’d happily reread it when I need a solid comfort read.
3 ✨ = Enjoyed the story, the author, and definitely the narrators. A great addition to my yearly reading challenge likely to revisit if it’s part of a series I need to refresh.

[TrueBookJunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this book would be everything, and I was not disappointed! Croy and Fiona have played the background so well that I knew they would shut it down when their time in the spotlight came!
Fiona has always been my favorite female from this group of characters. I live for a certified yet functioning lunatic 😂 she definitely needed Croy to balance her out, though. Now, my man Croy was crazy but in a subtle way, not as nuanced as Ned but definitely not as bad as Mega) he was the perfect mix of the two, and his love for his family was a bonus 😌
This storyline was great because it gave us more insight into Croy and Fiona as individuals, and with what they faced, I can’t say how I would have reacted even knowing the facts and understanding the situation.
Fiona is still my number one girl because she is definitely a sour patch kid 😂 although she did handle a significant situation maturely, and I’m proud of her. She faltered slightly, but Croy was there to get her right. Their relationship is the most beautiful one of this series. I love how we got to see them in the beginning. It gave a better understanding of who they are and how they became such a dynamic couple. I feel like this is the end of this series, although I hope it’s not. If it is, this was a wonderful experience!

[Lisareadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yup fav couple

When I tell you I already knew that Fiona and Croy would be my favorite couple like I knew. Fiona is always ready to dead a b**** behind Croy. And the fact that tiffany brought her a** out of the woodwork about a daughter he's basically half for 16 years to not get to know her dirt. I liked that Croix and Viona were able to talk out the problem though, I do think that Fiona really did need to take the time to really think about it because I heard that she experienced from Adam's trifling a** a long time ago. And deserve what he got in that first chapter yeah absolutely yes. It might be crazy but the thought she puts into staying calm is a whole different type of unhinged because it takes a level of maturity and calculation that Fiona possesses to exact what she needs to get across. Fiona Warren a b**** don't mess with her and she didn't take that advice. Though therefore she had to pull a page from mega's book and shoot her ass in the hand. I had to give a real quick keep your f****** hands to yourself... Just a great read so solid and I loved every minute of it.

[Angellica · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥 Book Review: Pressure Cooker by Mel Dau

Baby, listen—Fiona did not play about Croy, and I loved every single minute of it! This book had me hollering, clapping, and grinning from ear to ear. The way Fiona loved that man? Whew! She was all in, no hesitation, no half-steppin’.

And Croy? He let Fiona be herself, which made their love even more powerful. That’s the kind of love that feels real—when someone sees you, all of you, and still chooses you every time.

The way Fiona stood up for Corya and stepped into that stepmom role with pride and fire? That’s exactly what being a blended family queen looks like. She didn’t just love Croy—she loved his child too, and that was beautiful to see.

This book had me screaming YESSSS! because I need a man like that, too—so I can be that “my man, my man, my man” type of woman just like Fiona. It was funny, sexy, and full of heart. Mel Dau did that.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(For Fiona’s loyalty, Croy’s love, and a story that brought heat and heart in equal measure)
“Fiona didn’t play about her man—and neither would I.” 💅🔥

[vanessa t brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I rated this with 4 stars because of two things. First that anal scene.....these are medical professionals. They would know that going from anal to vaginal is a no no and that your anus isn't self lubricating. Second, the way Fiona's crazy is set up how was she able to quickly be ok with Croy's past? The way I understand it Croy was really feeling Fiona while tutoring her. He talked about taking her from Adam. He made arrangements for her to get an apartment but he was also out there screwing randoms while screwing Fiona at the same time?? Just because they hadn't made things official? Nawl. I'm calling bs on that logic. Yeah Fiona should've been mad longer than a few days. We should have seen her ACT ALL THE WAY UP!! It seemed like her daughter Sadie was mad longer than her. Croy was more upset that his daughter was upset rather than Fiona. It was like "get over it Fee". It was good seeing all of the crew.