Review, Guest Post, and Giveaway

Laurel Cove Romance Book 2

About the Book

Book: Suddenly Forever

Author: Teresa Tysinger

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: October 6, 2020

On the outskirts of Laurel Cove, North Carolina sits a quiet lake tucked into gentle mountains carpeted with the brilliant colors of autumn. Grief binds the lake’s only residents into an unlikely family, where old and new love build a bridge between loss and hope.

For years, best-selling author Cora Bradford has worked tirelessly to tread the unrelenting waves of grief in solitude. That is until a new neighbor moves in down the road and threatens to disrupt what she’s carefully preserved of the life she once knew. Will God ever answer her prayer for peace and calmer waters?

Following a scandal, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Luke Bassett escapes to the one place in the world he’s ever experienced peace—his mother’s cabin on the lake where he spent childhood summers. But the memory of her and the mistakes he made are hardly peaceful. To make matters worse, he gets off to a rocky start with his bitter, but breathtakingly beautiful, neighbor. Was running away from the life he’s always known the biggest mistake of all, or the beginning of something he never knew he wanted?

Spunky, opinionated, and recently widowed Ina McLean is alone for the first time in over ninety years. When Cora and Luke come together to care for their only other neighbor, Ina’s belief in God’s goodness through life’s ups and downs works to restore their hope in learning to live—and love—again.

My Thoughts

This story quickly won my heart over with the town of Laurel Cove and fun characters. I had to laugh as I imagined my favorite character, 93 year old Ina McLean. She is the perfect addition to this sweet story of friendship and healing.

Main Characters

• Popular author Cora Bradford is still grieving the death of her husband three years ago. She seems unable to write and move on with life.
• Luke Bassett is a Pulitzer prize winning photojournalist who is working through the death of his mother, who he didn’t find time to visit before her death. He has come to her house to work through his loss and also a work-related concern.
• And of course the sweet little lady (most of the time) Mrs. Ina McLean, who is a major player in this story. She lost her husband of 70 years and is learning to live with his loss.

Though there are also a few minor characters involved, Teresa Tysinger has created a story with a small-town feel without many players. Her vivid descriptions make this a story easily imagined. And of course that applies to her characters as well. Their emotions and actions feel right-on. Laurel Cove, North Carolina is a place I will anxiously be waiting to visit in her next book.   

My Concerns

None

Final Thoughts

It was only after I finished this book that I remembered it was the second book in a series.  So obviously, it’s a standalone book that’s easy to pick up.

The well-written story that consists of the sensitive topics of loss and grief, and the ability to move on is handled thoughtfully. The characters will stick with you long after finishing the book. And the slow budding of three friendships, understanding and healing is not a book you’ll want to miss out on.

My thanks to Celebrate Lit Tour for the ability to read and review this book. I was free to express my thoughts.

About the Author

Teresa Tysinger is an author of Southern Contemporary Romance inspired by grace. She writes on the fringes of being a wife, mom, and full-time communications and public relations professional. Teresa is a member of ACFW, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She loves coffee, traveling, and prides herself in knowing and loving almost every genre of music. Born in Hawaii, raised in Florida, and educated in North Carolina, she now resides in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.

More from Teresa

Hi Readers!

As an author, I love each of my stories. There’s no denying, though, that Suddenly Forever holds a special place in my heart. I think it always will. The second in my Laurel Cove Romance Series, Cora and Luke’s story came together differently than any other I’ve written.

Most often, a new story of mine begins with a simple notion or seed of an idea. I brainstorm and fit pieces together until a more complete idea begins to take shape. The process usually takes weeks and sometimes months. Suddenly Forever was completely different! One night I could not fall asleep. I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours. Characters’ faces sprang to mind like snapshots. Their personalities, fears, and desires sort of just clicked into place. Scenes played out from start to finish. The “noise” of this waking dream was so vivid that I eventually reached for my phone on my nightstand and punch out the ideas in my Notes app.

By the time I finally fell asleep that night, the entire story was clear in my mind. The next day, I sat down and began drafting Cora and Luke’s story. It was the fastest first draft I’ve ever written! The story just poured out of me. By the time I finished just over a month later, I felt as though I’d ran a sprint, getting the scenes down as fast as they’d come to me so I could get to the next. It was exhilarating and exhausting and super rewarding.

More than once, I wondered why this story had come to me so quickly and clearly compared to others. After some reflection and prayer, I believe it’s because this story isn’t mine at all. It’s God’s. I’ve always approached my writing with a prayerful heart that God would meet me on the pages and fill it in with His truths so readers might see Him. But this felt different. This felt as though God simply needed someone with fingers to type.

And so, my prayer as you read Suddenly Forever is that God’s messages come through loud and clear. To the reader who, like Cora, grieves a lost loved one, may you see God’s healing hand and feel His peace. To the reader who may one day encounter someone grieving, may you see the lessons of patience and compassion cultivated in Luke. May you all be reminded of God’s ever-present love for you!

I hope you’ll join me this summer as I invite you again to visit Laurel Cove. The third book in the Laurel Cove Romance Series, Someone Found, releases in May! Blessings and happy reading!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30

Books and Everyday Life, April 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

Inklings and notions, May 2

For Him and My Family, May 3

Remembrancy, May 3

deb’s Book Review, May 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 6

Blogging With Carol, May 6

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 7

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 9

Britt Reads Fiction, May 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 10

Through the Fire Blogs, May 11

Pick A Good Book, May 11

CarpeDiem, May 12

Labor Not in Vain, May 13

Godly Book Reviews, May 13

**Giveaway**

To celebrate her, Teresa is giving away the grand prize package of a Zippered Book Sleeve (8×10), a “Library” Candle (4 oz), a Suddenly Forever Book Quote Card (4×6), and a $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 Click to Enter Giveaway