March Madness, Deborah Hall-Branch...

All that glitters isn't gold. Or is it? That's the question that popped into my mind when I read Deborah Hall-Branch's excerpt from Theona. I can't wait to learn more about what happens between her and "Mr. Gray Suit."

Deborah is giving away an eBook copy to the first three people who can guess what Nomed's name really means. Start reading so you can start guessing...this one'll be fun!

Blurb:  Alone on the elevator, Nomed glanced at her.  His stare seemed to burn through her soul.  She felt a sudden strong passion for him within her loins.  It drew her body closer to his.  Finally, she’d found the man of her dreams.  Her knight in shining armor … Mr. Gray suit.  Overtaken by him, she made a decision to ignore what her mother called “a woman’s intuition.” 

Excerpt:

The sound of rain drummed against her condo windows as if trying to get in. She could hear a faint chirp coming from the alarm clock her father bought for her when she was in college. “I hate this clock. Sounds like a wounded bird. Where’s the snooze button? Hmmm, be nice to sleep in late—cuddle up with a good movie, hot herbal tea and warm hands. Oh well, must not keep my clients waiting.” Theona staggered into the bathroom. The shower massager caused the hot water to fall evenly across her back. Her body felt alive. She slowly lathered her body as she closed her eyes and listened to her breathing shorten. A few minutes later, her body shuddered as she pressed her hands against the glass door. Turning off the pulsating water, Theona stood there for a few moments. Embarrassment flushed her face. She cried in silence.

Discomfiture remained with her on her drive to work. She took a quick survey around the well-lit parking lot. “Hmm, something’s wrong with this picture; no Marsha this morning. I guess all the excitement has worn off.” Theona held her briefcase tight to her as she ran for the elevator.

“Hold the elevator please!” At that moment, a dark hand reached out and held the doors ajar. They reopened with a soft hiss sound. Adorned in an unassuming nature, Mr. Gray Suit handsomely stood there, alone. He reached out to hold them at bay. Theona gasped for breath as she stepped on. “Rain’s really coming down. Thank God we park inside and, wow, the elevator finally works.”

He cleared his throat quietly before he responded, “Although he aims to please, I’m sure God had nothing to do with you being able to park your car inside. I think that was just wise planning when they built this building. As for the elevator, I’ve been on here for more than ten minutes, pushed every button, but it just sat here. Perhaps it was a mechanical problem, or do you have some kind of magical powers …”

Theona didn’t pay any attention to his comment. Instead she gave him an unimpressed glare. She extended her hand towards his, “Theona, my name is Theona. Magical powers, hardly, although my parents questioned it a time or two when I was a kid.”

“Theona, that’s a nice name—unusual for a young woman. I take it you were named after your dad or a favorite uncle?”

Stunned, she responded, “Good guess. Not too many people get that right away. Yes, after my Uncle Theopholus. Of course, you have not told me your name yet.”

“Nomed.”

“Nomed—and you call my name unusual. Hmm, sounds Hungarian. Were your parents born in the United States or were you named after a favorite uncle?” The contemptuous glint in Theona’s eyes signaled her disapproval. In an amused tone, he responded, “No, actually, my dad is from a small English town called Painswick and my mother was born here in the United States… The elevator door opened. Well, Ms. Theona, this is where I get off.” He reached over and touched her right hand, holding it firm within his. A sense of warmth embraced her body and tenderness in the way he touched her. “Nice to officially meet you, pretty lady. Maybe we will run into each other again.”

Overtaken by his charm, her hand searched for the elevator’s gold buttons as though she were in darkness. With a slight grin he said, “Here, let me get that for you. What floor?” Warmth continued to flash through her body. Unbuttoning her wool jacket, she said, “Woo, it seems a little warm in here. Feels like the air vents are blocked. Have to give maintenance a call. I’m sorry, fourteenth floor please. Thanks.”

Still dazed, Theona stumbled into her office. Her body fell limp as she sat down in the soft tweed chair. She slowly laid her head back and closed her eyes. The warm sensation lingered.

“Is it me—am I just horny?” she wondered as she blushed in embarrassment. “I feel like a silly little girl fondled by a boy for the first time. Theona, get yourself together.”

A few moments later Theona noticed the pink signature paper sitting on her desk. She immediately recognized Marsha’s handwriting. The note read, “Theona, can you meet me for lunch; my treat.”

“Just what I needed after such an arousing experience with Mr. Gray Suit; lunch with church girl. Oh well, it can’t hurt. Beats eating alone, but, for right now, Mr. Gray Suit shall remain my personal secret. No need to share our little interlude with her right away.” She smiled wistfully at the thought.


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
The first three people who can guess what Nomed's name really means will win an eBook copy of "Theona."

GET THE BOOK:
http://www.amazon.com/Through-Eyes-Abuse-Forgiveness-Redemption-ebook/dp/B00T6TC1VW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1453600145&sr=8-2&keywords=through+the+eyes+of+abuse
http://www.amazon.com/THEONA-Deborah-Hall-Branch-ebook/dp/B017RSJIUK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1450730538&sr=1-1&keywords=theona
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/theonaebook-2015-deborah-hall-branch/1122948452?ean=2940156687251

ABOUT DEBORAH HALL-BRANCH

Deborah Hall-Branch was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  A unique author whose promo tag is “Sometimes Fantasy.  Sometimes Reality.  Always Spiritual.”  After working many years in the health field, a job separation nudged her to begin writing about her life’s experiences.  Deborah is also a multi-genre published author, co-author, and motivational speaker who teaches about abuses warning signs, its devastating aftermath, how to break free from their low place to women, children, and men.  Her first book, Through the Eyes of Abuse was published in 2009.  She has written more than several published five star articles.  Her compassion to help someone else be healed from this horrific stigma became her mission and to share her most intimate stories with others has opened many doors such; as, C.O.P.E. (Coalition of Prison Evangelists) a well-known organization throughout the United States of America, CASA, a nonprofit network supporting and promoting court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children, Youth and Teen symposiums, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Zeta Mu Chapter) “The Morning Aphter” Programs.  A licensed/ordained Elder in the ministry where she serves, her addressees has also been those of leadership positions within the Christian denomination.  Married nineteen years, mother of three adult daughters, and grand mom to three handsome grandsons, and one beautiful granddaughter.  Deborah and her husband now reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

In November 2015, Deborah published her first women’s faith-based novelette, THEONA available now on e-book format.

Connect With Deborah:
  
www.deborahhbranch.com
deborahbranch@att.net
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/deborahbranchha
www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-hall-branch-7480581a
www.pinterest.com/deborahhallbran
Facebook:  Author Deborah Hall-Branch

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Living Life Beautifully Inspired!
Chelle Ramsey