THE GIFT by Mary Marvella

Hello, Pink Fuzzies and visitors. Happy Thursday!

I have a new book going live! This is my third book and I'm excited! Party time! Who brought the donuts?

I can't wait to share this story with you.

My stories are about family, responsibility, and love. My heroes and protagonists are protective, devoted, and loyal to a fault.

I like to include HOT SEX! I also write southern and old fashioned. Think Love, Lust, and Southern Comfort

Edna Mae in THE GIFT came to me and made me care about her, insisting I tell her story. She is the kind of person who loves and craves love. As a child she wanted her parents' love and approval. Her parents had given up on having a child. They loved each other deeply. Then came the surprise, a change-of-life baby. If this child had been beautiful, or brilliant or talented, they would have been happy, maybe. But when Edna's mama became ill, her daddy blamed the late pregnancy. Bless her heart, Edna was plain and not special enough for the parents to have bragging material or a special child to make them look good. Her sick mama wanted all of Edna Mae's attention. She also blamed this child because her health had been good before she had a kid. Though there was no excuse for denying the little girl love and attention, her parents had their reasons and the child began to believe she owed them.

Why am I telling you this back story? More than anything else Edna wanted her parents to love her. So? Doesn't every kid want love? How much will a person give up for love? How far will a person go to get love?

Edna Mae gave everything to her parents, hoping she would finally have their appreciation and love. As a teenager she had no social life, because she looked after her sick mother and then both parents. Was she weak because she didn't get fed up and leave them when she was old enough? Was she a wounded heroine or protagonist who couldn't walk away from the hope she would finally gain love?

Can you relate to people who give up everything for a parent, or child, or even a friend? Do you know anyone who stayed in a bad relationship because she or he had been brainwashed to believe things would change? Even heard about abused people still loving their abusers?

THE GIFT excerpt

The forty-year old virgin was a virgin no more. I stretched under my covers, sore in places never used before last night.

Staring overhead, I listened to the whirling ceiling fan. No cranky voice yelled my name like a curse this morning. Never again would my father’s voice wake me with his complaining. “You move too slow, girl! Where’s my medicine? I’m hungry!” Relief outweighed regret for me.

I rubbed my face on the cool pillow and breathed in its freshly laundered scent, a hint of Fragrance Free Bounce Dryer Sheets. Memories of last night teased their way back through my drowsy thoughts. Did I actually sit in a restaurant last night, sipping a sweet, frothy drink from a delicate stemmed glass? Edna Mae Withers, plain, gawky daughter of the late Jonathan and Maggie Withers had eaten with a man.

Defiant for the first time in too many years, I’d left my house with the last of father’s mourners and headed to a mall, enjoying the forty-mile drive away from people offering their condolences. The warmth of the late March evening required only a light sweater over my brown dress. Georgia days could begin short-sleeve warm and end up jacket cool by evening.

After a free makeover at the Macy’s cosmetic counter and wearing a new blue dress, I tossed the ugly brown dress into the first trashcan I passed. With new-found courage I ventured to the nearby Ramada Inn Restaurant and Bar. The huge neon sign had drawn my attention to my growling stomach.

Inside the restaurant piano music drifted from a bar and the scents of garlic and tomatoes made me even hungrier. The music changed to something that sounded like a recording. I caught myself humming softly with the music.

For the first time in my life, a man looked at me with desire in his eyes. The delicious memory made me shiver with anticipation. Having a drink from the bar, another first, I answered the man’s smile with a shy one of my own that had come more naturally than I’d expected.

Crinkles around his gray eyes matched his crooked smile. “Waiting for someone?”

I remember fidgeting with my top button, round and smooth against my rough fingertips. Clearing my dry throat, I answered. “No, no one.”

His smile lit his face and I smiled I return. “Mind if I join you?” His deep voice vibrated through me.

When he sat, I nearly panicked. What could I talk about with this handsome stranger? What could we have in common?

blurb

On Edna Mae's 40th birthday she buried her controlling father and lost her virginity in a one-night-stand with a stranger she never expected to see again. Her life is about to change in more ways than she can possibly imagine.

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00631OX6W

Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/tFy77u

Smashwords http://bit.ly/tIxD4m

Comment and win the FIRST free copy of this book! Be sure I can reach you by email or check back and see who wins.

www.MaryMarvella.com

MMARVELLAB@aol.com