Title: A Secret Gift
Author: Tonya Penrose
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
When Halley Bowen learns she has an anonymous benefactor who wants her to live out her dreams and move to the idyllic seaside town of Port Royal, she can't leave fast enough. The one hurdle - in one year's time she must find everlasting love to satisfy the gift.
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Upon arrival in Port Royal and armed with her ‘ideal man’ checklist, Halley rents a bungalow from contractor Ben Shaw, who scores high on triggering heart flutters, but a fail on her perfect guy evaluation. Comic exchanges and mishaps plague Halley and Ben as they endeavor to navigate loves often-choppy waters. To find their happy ending, they’ll have to overcome Ben’s lack of trust in any woman’s abiding love, Halley’s inability even to recognize forever love, and Ben’s uppity, ex-girlfriend’s attempts to sabotage their joining. From synchronistic meetings at the park’s enchanted ‘buddy bench,’ Halley gains insight from a delightfully wise lady. Unbeknownst to Halley, she’s keeping company with her benefactor, Libby, who’s companioning her toward knowing her heart’s desire.
Excerpt:
Chapter 1
“I have a what?” Halley’s expression reflected shock at the words she’d heard. Sitting behind his desk, the portly attorney regarded her with sympathy, his kind manner doing nothing to alleviate her confusion.
He offered a kind smile. “I repeat, you have a benefactor. And might I say, an extremely kind and generous benefactor.” Mr. Langdale leaned forward, glancing at the open file resting on his imposing antique mahogany desk. The trappings Halley saw in the office clearly symbolized a successful law practice. “A benefactor offering a most unusual gift that I’m prepared to now share with you. Let me endeavor to assuage any fears. This endowment is legal and without question serious and most considerable. You have my word on this, Ms. Bowen.” Sam Langdale rubbed his chin. “Yes, I’d say you’re indeed a most fortunate woman.”
Halley stared off into space, willing her mind to absorb what she’d heard. Surprise rained down, matching the deluge outside the attorney’s office window. She grabbed a breath. “Okay, for the moment, I’m going to humor both of us and ask for more details. I’m keeping my skepticism but accept your word on the legitimacy of this gift.” She allowed the leather wingback chair to embrace her growing anxiety. She smoothed the token corporate black pencil skirt and tilted her chin toward the man behind the desk. “Please proceed, Mr. Langdale.”
“Yes, well, to put this succinctly, you have a benefactor that wishes to help you experience your ideal life. I think you call this flight of fancy your ‘dream life.’ Quite the uncustomary gift, I must say.” Langdale cleared his throat.
“Excuse me, but how does this benefactor know anything about what I refer to as my ‘dream life’?” Halley had never felt more baffled yet intrigued.
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Review excerpt: A Secret Gift is a delightful, fun, and frothy sweet romance by author Tonya Penrose. If you want to escape the humdrum or an overload of stress and feel transported to a magical place, grab this book. The author’s style is clear but colorful and her descriptions of the quaint town of Port Royal made me feel I was there. Be assured that it sounds so charming you will wish it was a real place you could visit. All the characters are expertly drawn and very relatable, and the tension between the two main protagonists, Halley and Ben, kept me turning the pages.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon US or Amazon Canada gift card
Open Internationally. You must have an active Amazon US or CA account to win.
Runs August 23 – August 31, 2022.
Winner will be drawn on September 1, 2022.
Author Biography:
As an author, Tonya’s moved by the effect humor and narratives have on readers. That observation illuminates why her stories often convey messages inviting personal exploration. She is enthusiastic about crafting stories with beguiling characters, adding dashes of snappy humor, and engaging dialogue that leaves her fingerprint on each page.
When Tonya relocated to the mountains, she found fresh writing ideas waiting. From her favorite porch chair gazing at a tranquil lake, the nudge to scribe her first novel came calling. From her beach chair, the idea for a cozy series, Shell Isle Mysteries presented. Tonya confesses new respect for a chair’s ability to motivate writers. She chases her writing joy from the mountains to the seashore.
Her fiction and non-fiction stories are published in numerous anthologies, e-magazines, local press, and literary magazines. She’s a member of Poets and Writers. Tonya Penrose is her fiction genre pen name.
The Shell Isle Mystery Series offers three novels: Baubles to Die For, and Red, White, and Boom, and Murder by Numbers. The characters of Page and Betsy keep chattering to Tonya, so expect future stories in this collection.
Other books: Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons, A Secret Gift, and Welcome to Charm.
Venetian Rhapsody releases early 2023.
If you enjoy Tonya Penrose’s novels, tell others. Book reviews are cherished.
Tonya invites readers to visit:
Website: www.tonyawrites.com
Twitter: @TonyaWrites