HP 926ISBN 978-1-61626-113-9
CONTEMPORARY
Being beautiful has its drawbacks.
Tonya Brandt wants to marry a man who will complement her own beauty. But she’s dated every good-looking guy in town without finding someone who loves her for her mind and talents.
Murray Twichell knows his chances with Tonya aren’t good, but somehow he can’t get her out of his mind. Although her self-absorption drives him crazy and she doesn’t give him the time of day, something about her keeps drawing him back. If only he could get to know the real Tonya without her discovering who he is. . . .
When a secret admirer begins sending Tonya gifts and letters, her heart melts. But who is this mystery man? She loves his personality, but what does he look like? When Tonya finally discovers her secret admirer’s identity, will she reject him? Or will she learn that true beauty is more than skin deep?
“…Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7 KJV.
A blue light flashed in her eyes, and she glanced in the rearview mirror.
“Oh no!”
A Wyoming Highway Patrol car, lights flashing, drove behind her. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Tonya turned right onto Bighorn Avenue and stopped, letting the engine idle. The state trooper pulled up behind her.
Tonya expelled a breath. Now she’d be late for sure. She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror and fluffed her hair. Her gaze roved her face, noting the perfect eyebrows she had tweezed an hour ago, the twilight shadow that shimmered on her lids and brought out the blue in her dark eyes, and the midnight mascara that separated her eyelashes perfectly. The state trooper would probably be an old married guy, but even married men gave her face a second glance.
Hopefully she could use her beauty to full advantage and get out of a speeding ticket.
Behind her the patrol car’s door opened. Tonya grabbed her purse and rummaged inside for her driver’s license. When a tap sounded on the tinted window, she pushed the button to roll it down. A dark green uniform came into view, and she looked up into the homely face of Murray Twichell.
“Murray!” She swiveled left to face him. “Please don’t give me a ticket! I’m already late for work, and Aggie threatened to dock my pay if I was late one more day.”
He raised reddish-brown eyebrows. “Maybe you should get up earlier, Tonya.”DONNA REIMEL ROBINSON is a member of JOY Writers, a local critique group. As a pastor's wife, she heads up the music ministry of their church. In her spare time, Donna enjoys sewing, reading, and watching DVDs of Murder, She Wrote. The Robinsons have four children, two children-in-law, and three grandchildren. They live in Denver, Colorado. Visit Donna's website at www.donnarobinsonbooks.com.
Question of the Day: Have you ever been stopped by a policeman for speeding? How did you feel?
I'm so excited that my book is being reviewed at Heartsong Connection this week!
ReplyDeleteOne note: The "Bio" by my picture is from my first book, which was published in April of 2009. We now have SIX grandchildren! And our son, Philip, has taken over the Music Ministry in our church. The Bio in the front of my second book, The Thing About Beauty, is correct. (I should have told you, Jeri!)
Donna
I read this story synopsis on the Heartsong Presents website this week, and thought it was so intriguing. I'm dying to know Murray's secret!
ReplyDeleteAs to the question of the day, I've never been pulled over. I think I'd want to expire!
Another delightful story from a talented author. Thank you, Donna!
ReplyDeleteDonna, you're writing is so witty and fun. I love having you as a crit partner and friend.
ReplyDeleteHave I ever been pulled over for speeding? Um...is my hubby reading thia? LOL Yes, I have. Once on an AF base where the speed is ridiculously low. I was coming from choir practice, so I think the MP realized I wasn't a terrorist. Once off base, on my way to Bible Study. That made the policeman's lips quirk. I wondered if he thought I was just trying to make myself look good. And, at another AF base by my friend's husband. That is the one that stung. Getting pulled over by someone you know really chips at your ego!
Donna, Donna...congratulations! So GREAT seeing you at the storycrafters seminar in Northglenn Saturday. Thanks for the book! Keep writing your beautiful words. I am going to send you something I wrote about a speeding ticket I got just recently and the lessons I've learned! -marla Lindstrom benroth
ReplyDeleteErica, I'm glad you're intrigued by the story. Actually, Murray doesn't have a secret, but he ends up as Tonya's secret admirer, and no one knows that person's identity except Murray--and the reader. It's a fun story, if I do say so myself!
ReplyDeletePaula, Kathy, and Marla: thanks for writing in to comment. I really appreciate it! Marla, it was great to see you again, too. Kathy, you'd better watch that leaden foot! Save those stories for your grandkids when they learn how to drive!
I have been pulled over--more than once. Charles Swindoll says our left foot is the last body part to be saved! For me that is too true.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Jeri! My husband was pulled over in Wyoming by a Wyoming Highway Patrol officer about 4 years ago, and that's where I got the idea to make Murray part of the WHP.
ReplyDelete