|
"The Quiet Strength Within"
(Read Excerpt Below!!!)
|
When Marcia Clarkston left South Carolina twelve years ago after the death of her mother, she not only left her home, she left the love of her life, Michael Mathis.
Back then the odds were against them, he being the rich kid and her the hired help. Leaving had been devastating, and her life after South Carolina didn't seem to improve much. She even had a few scars to show of an abusive marriage that ended in divorce. She had baggage to say the least.
Now, maybe they were even more different. She'd found God and peace...he was still searching. She was a waitress...he was a successful corportate tycoon...the list went on.
But she couldn't deny the way he made her feel! The connection they had all those years ago remained intact. Could she get past her trust issues and share the Quiet Strength Within, or would that trust be betrayed and crush any hope of them loving again. |
ISBN #: 1-4241-0126-3
or call 301-695-1707
(You can order by ISBN #, Author Name, or Title)
Also available at most major online bookstores:
Official Release Date: July 17th, 2006
_________________________________________________________________________
EXCERPT
(Prologue not included)
Chapter One
"Why did I let you talk me into this?" Marcia asked, exasperatedly. Within seconds, she winced as she turned her ankle again for the third time.
The heeled sandals she wore were a terror to walk in, especially on sand. Finally she planted her foot and continued begrudgingly behind her friend Katrina, who practically ran down the private beach...ignoring her.
Marcia continued to gripe mostly to herself. "I should have listened to myself a week ago when you and Roxy were talking about this party. I didn't want to go then--" Marcia stopped and this time impatiently gathered the long skirt above her calves, which tangled around and underneath her shoes. "Now, seeing all of this, I really have my doubts," she huffed.
"Will you stop complaining and come on, the transport boat is about to leave." Katrina shot an irritated look over her shoulder.
Watching her friend proceed ahead, Marcia noticed Katrina having an even tougher time than she. Katrina's higher heels and exceptionally tight dress pushed her knees together making her appear pigeon-toed and quite awkward.
Marcia giggled and decided to keep the thoughts to herself, Katrina prided herself on her poise and posture.
Katrina continued, "You are the only person I know, Marcia Clarkston, who complains about having fun." Katrina quickened her pace even more toward the transport boat.
Marcia increased her pace as well and eventually caught up with her friend. Breathing laboriously, she attempted to catch her breath before speaking. "I'm sorry...if I don't find it appealing...to attend a party with people I don't know."
"Marcia, you don't party at all," Katrina said in a matter of fact tone. "You are such a hermit and old fashioned to top it off. Why do you think we have bars and clubs?"
Marcia could see Katrina's questioning raised eyebrows even in the dusk of nightfall. She hunched her shoulders not knowing where her friend's logic was about to go. Katrina had a strange way of seeing things. Marcia braced herself.
"That's the point!" Katrina yelped. "You don't know the poeple, so who really cares if you get a little tipsy and puke all over the bar or on the Creep trying to pick you up. You'll probably never see them again." Katrina's laughter rung out across the beach.
Marcia rolled her eyes at Katrina's words, her cavalier attitude never ceased in shocking her. Marcia shook it off. "Well some of us have a conscience and morals, " she said and sullenly stumbled down the darkening beach.
Already late evening, the sun had set about thirty minutes ago and a light breeze swept off the expansive Atlantic Ocean. Marcia allowed the wind to cool her rising apprehensions. She couldn't believe she'd agreed to come here tonight, she scolded for the hundredth time.
A few moments later, they reached the waiting transport boat just as the last guests entered the vessel.
"Name please?" a handsome guy with muscular arms asked. Marcia assumed the obvious, that he must be the boat operator. He looked capable enought she prayed. Her life would be in those big hands and arms.
"Right there," Katrina pointed to their names on the list the man checked and of course, she allowed her manicured nails to linger longer than necessary.
Averting her eyes, Marcia hid her nervous smile. She felt silly waiting there especially with the people in the boat staring at them.
She wished Katrina's blatant antics didn't embarras her as much. Marcia thought after five years of friendship with the other woman, she would be used to her obnoxious behavior by now. "You're shameless," she whispered when Katrina hooked arms with her and pulled them both toward the small boat.
"What?" Katrina replied innocently just before they stepped into the overcrowed boat.
The seating space was limited. Marcia settled next to a blonde, model looking woman while Katrina manueuvered her busty, hourglass figure into the adjecent seat. The blonde shifted and Marcia noticed how she clutched her date's arm more possessively. She'd observed women reacting to Katrina in this manner on more than one occasion.
Admittedly, had she not known Katrina, she too would have mistaken her as a "man taker" or "home wrecker" type. Katrina was a striking woman and total high maintenacne. Salon nails...perfect tan...and $5,000 breast made for the 'full package deal,' she often commented about herself.
Modesty wasn't a part of Katrina's vocabulary. She was the type who retrieved the mail and went to the grocery store in heels and fully made-up. She'd bought into the Miami hype that beauty and wealth was just about everything.
It only took Marcia two years into their friendship to ask Katrina why she so readily accepted the superficial attitude. She recalled Katrina's very serious response, "One never knows when Mr. Rich will come along."
Marcia later learned that Katrina had developed this viewpoint from her own mother, who was a 'kept' woman, as Katrina explained it. The trophy piece or decorations on her wealthy man's arm, Katrina would say. At times Katrina let on that she resented her upbringing,but her actions belied that she wasn't willing to change that family cycle...just yet.
Marcia had come to understand Katrina and tried not to judge her. Nonetheless, she still questioned their friendship. They really couldn't be more different. Her Christian views and beliefs and Katrina's worldly attitude and opinions unsurprinsingly clashed often.
At times she felt like she should abandon their friendship, but then this overwhelming guilt and sense of obligation would engulf her. She had to remind herself that even though they didn't see things on the same level and they bantered back and forth on their views, she still loved her friend.
She knew God wanted her in this friendship for a reason and that He had a plan for Katrina's life. What that plan included, she wasn't quite sure about yet. Not to mention Katrina's deaf ears to Marcia's hints at her changing her lifestyle and doing things the right way. She'd given up preaching to Katrina a while back and relied on living out an example for her. She prayed regularly that one day a seed would start to bud in her friend's life.
Now, Marcia bit her lower lip in consternation as she wondered if she was compromising. She didn't have time to think about that issue as the engine roared and the boat lurched into motion bringing her out of her musings.
A few moments later Katrina tapped Marcia's shoulder and nodded towards the boat attendant. "That guy, he's small change compared to what's on that big beauty out there." Katrina fixed her eyes intently straight ahead.
Marcia followed her glazed over expression and turned slightly toward the object of their destination. Her stomach somersaulted with anticipation and her trepidations grew the closer they neared the big yacht in the distance...
under my name or ISBN #: 1-4241-0126-3
(Thank You and God Bless!!!)
| 
Miriam Adams- Washington
