Title: Love’s Gift
Author: Penelope Marzec
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Publisher: Prism Lux
Book Blurb:
In 1903, Amaranth Beach is burdened by her ethnicity due to the Chinese Exclusion Acts. Abandoned on a beach as a newborn and raised in an orphanage, she is a skilled secretary, but the threat of deportation looms constantly and all employers turn her away... until Mrs. Tildon of Sea Haven, New Jersey, hires her.
Soon after Amaranth' s arrival, she discovers that the Tildon family secrets run deep— a reprobate father, a long-lost brother, an obnoxious maid who is never fired for her behavior, and William the son who worries too much about what people will think.
When a series of alarming events occur, it' s up to Amaranth and William to unravel the secrets that threaten to destroy the Tildon family.
Can Amaranth heal the family' s divisions with her faith? Or will a greater danger threaten them all.
EXCERPT FROM LOVE’S GIFT
“Now watch my steps. If I move my foot forward, you move yours backward.” He moved his right foot forward.
She moved her left foot backward.
“Good. Now I’m going to move my other foot to the side. You follow by moving your other foot to the side.”
“This is more like that game Simon Says,” she commented as she followed his move.
“It’s not like that at all.” That disapproving tone edged into his voice. “When you are moving with the music and gliding around on the dance floor, it’s quite enjoyable.”
Amaranth crossed her arms and glared at him. “So far, it seems like I’m stomping on bugs.”
William laughed, which surprised her. “I guess I’m not a good dance teacher.”
“Why don’t I sing? Perhaps that will help me to glide instead of stomp.”
“Good idea. Do you know any waltzes?” he asked.
“No. Only hymns.”
“Any hymns in three-quarter time?”
She thought for moment. “We Gather Together.”
He put his hands on his hips. “Give it a try and watch my feet.”
She sang and tried to follow his moves, but she took large steps. It wasn’t graceful.
“Stop,” he waved his hands. “You need to take smaller steps. Gliding smoothly along.”
“You aren’t taking small steps,” she accused.
He put his hands on his hips and stared at the grass. “Let’s try it the right way. I’ll hold you around the waist.”
His hand slid around her waist. His body drew near to her. She swallowed as heat rose in her. The nuns always warned the girls to stay away from boys.
He picked up her hand. “We hold hands like this, and you put your other hand on my shoulder.”
She did that.
“Now we’re in the correct position.” He smiled down at her.
“We’re rather close.” Amaranth didn’t mind being close to him. In fact, she enjoyed it. The warm scent of him filled her nostrils. How could it be dangerous? She wasn’t afraid or frightened.
“When people dance, they are close,” William said. “Now sing the song again.”
“Hymn.”
“Yes. The hymn,” William replied. “As you sing, I’ll tell you which way to move.”
“We gather together—”
“Left foot backward—”
“To ask the Lord’s blessing—”
“Right foot slides right—”
“He chastens—”
“Left foot slide—”
“And hastens—”
“Right forward—”
After a few minutes, she figured it out. “It’s like making a square shape with your feet.”
“But when you’re on the dance floor with other couples, everyone is moving in a circular motion at the same time.”
“That’s impossible!” She frowned. “No wonder the nuns didn’t teach this to us.”
“Please try it. Pretend Tulip on her cart is the center of the dance floor. We’re going to move all around Tulip. Sing that hymn again.”
So, she did. Soon they were dancing around Tulip, who watched them with interest.
But then, Amaranth moved forward when she should have stepped back, and she tramped on William’s toe.
“Ow.” He shut his eyes.
“Oh my! I’m sorry.” She pulled back. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“I’m fine.” His pained expression contradicted his words. “It happens when people are dancing. Now sing again and we’ll go around Tulip twice.”
Amaranth discovered dancing proved to be a heady experience. Held next to William under the moonlight, gliding in a circle, she grew rather breathless.
When they stopped, she looked up at him in wonder. “I never knew dancing could be so delightful.”
“Yes, it can be...” He gazed down at her as his hand around her waist drew her closer.
Her heart pounded. His heart thundered against hers. He leaned down and touched his lips to hers. She thought she might melt on the spot.
Tulip whined.
William released her. “I should take Tulip in.” He lifted the handle of the cart. “Now you are ready for the big ball.”
“I guess I am.” The breeze from the ocean chilled her. “Thanks for teaching me to dance.”
“You picked it up quickly.” He hurried toward the house.
She called after him. “I’m sorry about the toe!”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loves-gift-penelope-marzec/1145600891?ean=9781522304555
Pelican Book Group: https://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_73&products_id=1678
Author Biography:
Penelope Marzec grew up along the Jersey shore. She started reading romances at a young age and fell hopelessly in love with happy endings. Two of her inspirational romances won EPIC’s eBook Award and another was a finalist in that contest. Her paranormal, Irons in the Fire, was a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award. Her Christian historical, Patriot’s Courage, placed First in the Inspirational category of the 2021 National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest.
Visit her website at www.penelopemarzec.com for more information.
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