Today I am so pleased to welcome Pat Henshaw to Joyfully Jay. Pat has come to talk to us about her latest release, A Handful of Joy. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

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Excerpt

I should have known Matt would be seated and fawned over once they heard he was dining with me. I didn’t even need to ask if Mama had met Matt already. She had probably bustled past everyone in the kitchen, wiped her hands on her apron, fluffed her hair, and walked out like a queen to greet him.

He seemed to be scanning the menu when I walked up. On closer inspection, I noticed he looked like he was hiding. His cheeks were rosy and his eyes downcast.

“I see you met the family,” I said as I sat down opposite him.

“This is your favorite restaurant, right? You’re really well liked here.”

After I shrugged, he laughed.

“Hope they didn’t scare you off.” I gestured at the menu. “Everything’s excellent here. And they’ll give you leftovers even if there aren’t any on your plate.”

From my vantage point, I saw Mama push her son Enzio out of the way with the back of her hand as she marched toward us.

“Have you figured out what you want, Matt? Or rather don’t want? The chief cook is about to accost us.”

Matt looked up. I nodded toward Mama. He grinned.

“No problem. I think I’ve got this.”

“Teodore! Teodore! Is so good to see you again.”

I guess she hadn’t been out to meet Matt after all.

She smiled, sidled up next to me, gave me a one-armed hug, then turned to look at Matt. “He is a handsome one, your new friend, Teodore.”

We peered at Matt while he looked back at us. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He stood and bowed a little, holding his hand out to her. With a gasp, she reached for his fingers. When he held hers, he bent a bit further and placed a light touch of his lips on the back of her arthritic hand. He straightened, not letting go of her.

“I’m Matthew Gordon Patterson, madame. It is my great honor to meet you.”

He released her hand and sat. Standing next to me, she sighed.

“You are so full of the bull moose, Mateo. I like you. You will keep Teodore on his feet.” After one lingering glance at each of us, she stood taller and clasped her hands. “What will you like to eat?”

Matt handed her back the menu.

“Whatever the special is tonight.” He winked at her. “This is a special night.”

She laughed and turned to me.

“You be careful with this one, Teodore. He will lead you on a merry dance.”

If she only knew.

After she left, I was still staring at him, stunned. What was I to make of someone like him? He was so far out of my experience, I might as well have been at a restaurant in Italy.


Blurb

handful of joy coverWhen does never turn into happily ever after in the search for love?

Top accountant of Manzanita Imports in Sacramento, Ted Abbott stopped participating in the love game after he turned thirty quite a few years ago. He’s not tempted by the cute young new hires or the product reps his loyal staff suggest he ask out on a date.

Chicago contractor Matt Patterson is on the verge of giving up too. He’s worked his way up from apprentice carpenter to co-owner of a thriving business. At forty-something, he’s considered a lucky catch for anybody looking for a sugar daddy, which he knows only too well.

The chance of them meeting is nil until Matt’s uncle who lived in Sacramento dies and leaves his estate to his nephew.

After they meet in a dilapidated bar called The Roost, could their paths actually merge and become one?


Bio

Pat Henshaw, born and raised in Nebraska, has lived on the U S’s three coasts, in Texas, Virginia, and now California. Before she retired, she held a number of jobs, including theatrical costumer, newspaper features reporter and movie reviewer, librarian, junior college English instructor, and publicist. She also loves to travel and has visited Canada, Mexico, Europe, Egypt, and Central America as well as almost all fifty US states.

Now retired, she enjoys reading and writing as well as visiting her older daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren on the East Coast and playing havoc with her younger daughter’s life in NorCal. She thanks you for reading her books and wants you to remember that every day is a good day for romance.

For more information, please visit pathenshaw.com.

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Giveaway

To celebrate the release of A Handful of Joy, Pat is giving away a $10 voucher for JMS Books (Open Internationally) Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

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