Tonya Claiborne was first introduced in an earlier contemporary romance novel, The Betrayal. She was the seventeen-year-old sister of Annette Claiborne, one of the antagonists. I created Tonya almost as an afterthought. She makes her first appearance about halfway through the story, when a police detective stops by to talk to her mother about a case involving Annette. Tonya’s mother has stepped out, and while they wait for her to return, Tonya chats with the detective. We learn that like her cousin, Emily, Tonya is an aspiring musician. She also has another talent; reading people’s body language.
While only a minor character in The Betrayal, Tonya nonetheless had a significant role throughout the rest of the story. She was an interesting character, worthy of being a lead character in another book. Aquamarine, takes place about three years after The Betrayal has ended. Tonya is now a twenty-year-old music major at The University of North Texas. She’s looking forward to graduating the following year and becoming a music teacher. She’s also in love with a young man named Evan, and they plan to marry once they graduate. However, things don’t always go as planned. Tonya’s life is about to change in ways she could have never imagined.
Tonya is a purely fictional character. However, in my own life’s journey I’ve run across a few rare individuals who excelled at reading body language. I was always amazed at how accurately they perceived other people. It’s a skill I wish I had myself.
Marina Martindale
Aquamarine is currently available on Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com and other online book sellers.
Marina Martindale writes and edits all of her blog posts herself. She does not use AI software or images of any kind. No part of this blog may be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form, or used in any matter by AI, without the express written consent Good Oak Press, LLC. Requests for permission must be addressed to Good Oak Press, LLC, P.O. Box 51244, Denton, TX 76206-1244