The Beauty Within

(A sequel to Blossoms in the Snow)

De: Paula Freda

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

The Beauty Within, a novel by Paula Freda, a sequel to her novella, Blossoms in the Snow. ... Dorothea's sister Allie and brother Anthony, now grown, are about to experience their own miraculous journey into love, along with Gabriella, their best friend and confidante, a humble, shy young woman, aware of her stark homeliness and in love with Anthony. Resigned to the impossibility of his finding her attractive and desirable, she is content to love him, expecting no reciprocation. ... Allie is engaged to Francis, a young astronautics technician whose idea of religion is, in his own words, "A lot of hooey." Sincerely in love with her, Francis has promised never to interfere with her faith, and in rearing their future children in the Lord's faith. But Allie is afraid their upcoming wedding is a mistake they will both someday regret, so much so, that she is considering cancelling the wedding and giving up the man she loves with all her heart? ...

Excerpt 1: ... Gabriella eyed her reflection in the wide mirror over her bureau and grimaced. Turning her head from side to side, her silky auburn hair, long and wavy, gracefully swept her narrow shoulders, and hid the edges of her square brow and oval jaw. She wrinkled the bridge of her short nose and sighed. Nature had bequeathed her a pleasant feminine voice, average intelligence that had earned her a college degree in secretarial business and the humanities, and copious, lustrous auburn hair, but erred with the inconsistent shape of her face, along with a sallow complexion, pale green eyes, and a figure bony thin. ... She was used to new attendees at the singles parish dance, handsome young men who noticing her from the rear, her long, wavy auburn tresses promising equally beautiful features, hurried toward her. It was always the same as she turned to face them with a welcoming smile on her thin lips, only to hear them clear their throats, bestow an insipid smile, and explain they thought she was someone else, before hastily retreating. ... But if all else, she was persistent. ...

Description 2: ....Gabriella heard Anthony clear his throat and glanced at him. He had not moved. Perhaps, after all, debating whether to ask her to dance or not. This is the moment, she thought, he will make his excuse to leave my side. An undemeaning excuse, close to the truth. He’s too kind to do less so that I won’t suspect he wishes to find a more suitable partner. ... “Well, shall we dance?” he asked. ... Stunned, she controlled the gape, and nodded, accepting his outstretched hand. She followed quietly as he led her to the dance floor. ... Compared to her, he was not only tall, but also broad shouldered, and she had to stretch her arm to place her hand near his shoulder as he made to support her by her waist at the small of her back and found that his hand reached fully around her side. “You do have the slenderest waist I’ve ever encountered,” he said. ... ....He only stepped on her toes twice, and each time apologized. By the middle of the dance, they had synchronized their movements to enjoy its remainder worry-free, and for her to accept his compliment, “You’re a natural, and light as a feather.” ... “Thank you,” she said, adding, “You make it easy, you lead well.” ... “That’s very sweet of you to say,” he replied. ... What a gentle soul, Gabriella thought, as regrettably the dance ended. It felt logical to her for him to excuse himself and seek other partners. But again, he surprised her as the band began to play a modern tune and he asked, “Shall we?” ... Do you believe in miracles? A clean, sensitive, emotion-filled romance for hearts of all ages. Rated "G" for general audience. The Beauty Within, a novel by Paula Freda, A sequel to her novellla, Blossoms in the Snow.