Review: Someone Found by Teresa Tysinger

Series: Laurel Cove # 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Good Day Publishing
Released: June 8, 2021
213 pages

About the Book:

Life’s detours can be the most important steps we’re meant to make.

Injured and stranded, hiker Quinn McAlister is stuck recovering in Laurel Cove, North Carolina. The quiet mountain town and its polite residents are a far cry from the stifling home and painful disappointments back in Maine. When her handsome rescuer offers her a place to stay, she’s faced with coming to terms with her past and putting faith, for once, in a hopeful future.

Camp director Eli Moreland has devoted his adult life to serving others. The summer takes an unexpected turn when the beautiful hiker staying in one of the cabins sparks a deep desire for more. Giving her advice about faith comes easy. What’s hard is deciding if he’s ready to reopen his heart to love.

Being lost is worth the pain when being found is so sweet.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quinn set out to hike the Appalachian trail in hopes of feeling closer to her father who she lost years ago. She had made it from Maine to North Carolina when a fall causes her to stop and recuperate in Laurel Cove. Eli is the one that finds her and is able to get her to help. Even though Quinn is pretty rude to him at the beginning he still offers her kindness when she is stuck in town. Quinn ends up staying in a cabin at the camp that Eli runs so the two are forced to interact a bit. We find out that Quinn doesn’t trust people, specifically church goers, due to the way she has been treated by her grandmother. Once I got to know a bit more of Quinn’s background, I found myself caring about her and hurting for the way she has been treated by her grandmother. I loved how the community and Eli showed her love and friendship even when she tried to keep herself closed off. A romance begins to bloom between Quinn and Eli and I enjoying watching this relationship grow. It was a sweet story were they each help each other deal with past experiences and move forward together. There were some very romantic moments throughout. While I liked all the secondary characters it was that character of Otis that captured my heart the most. He comes across as a little gruff and grumpy, but Quinn brings out his softer side. The gift he gives to Quinn just made me like him more. The reminder I take away from this story is that every time we interact with someone, we enter their story and have an impact on their lives of some kind, we may never know the results of that impact, but it is important to keep in mind that our actions affect someone else. Quinn discovers what a difference being treated with kindness can make in someone’s life.  I loved the story ended with Quinn discovering a connection to her father that she never expected.

 

Favourite Quote: 

“Love can't heal a multitude of sin and hate. Only Christ can do that. But love sure can help soothe the hurt.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Someplace Familiar - Laurel Cove # 1

Suddenly Forever - Laurel Cove # 2

Review: Suddenly Forever by Teresa Tysinger

Series: Laurel Cove #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Good Day Publishing
Released: Oct. 6, 2020
353 pages

About the Book:

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 Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This could have been a very sad and depressing read as the three main characters are all walking through periods of grief after losing someone special in their life. However, there is hope and laughter mixed in during the times of sadness and hardship that it helped the story not feel depressing. The central theme I took away from the story is that even though everyone deals with grief differently it is important to lean on God during the struggles and be open to those around you, closing yourself off only makes the struggles harder. It has been almost three years since Cora lost her husband suddenly and she is still dealing with flashbacks and nightmares, the pain still feels just as raw. Ina spent 70 years with her husband before losing him a few months ago and Luke lost his mother last year. These three are brought together as they own the only 3 houses on this part of the lake. Cora has been looking out for 93-year-old Ina since Ina’s husband passed away by getting her needed items once a week. When Ina takes a fall and is told she can’t go home alone Cora makes the decision to move her into her home. Ina speaks her mind and at times Cora is embarrassed by Ina’s comments, but she also gives Cora very sage advice throughout. Luke’s first few encounters with these two women don’t go very well, but he wants to help them and the three end up forming an unlikely friendship. I loved how he was patient with Cora and asked questions about her husband, making her feel like she did not have to forget him in order to move forward in life. Some hard and difficult moments happened but I really felt these characters and was cheering for them to be able to move forward and find peace and happiness. The encouragement and wisdom Ina gave these two endeared me to her. I hurt for Cora’s pain, feel in love with Luke and couldn’t wait to see what Ina would say next.  I enjoyed that Jack from book one made an appearance, and we got a little update on him and Livy.

Favourite Quote: 

“The past is not something to give up or to hold on to. It just is the past. Nothing you do from this day forward can change or replace the wonderful life you had with Christopher. ... Let Christopher be a highlight on your life's timeline. Just don't let him be your only highlight.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Someplace Familiar - Laurel Cove # 1

Review: Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger

Series: Laurel Cove # 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Good Day Publishing
Released: May 30, 2017
358 pages

About the Book:

Artist Livy Johnson needs a fresh start. That's what a broken heart and forgotten dreams can do to a person. On little more than a whim, she reclaims her grandmother’s old home in quaint Laurel Cove, North Carolina and vows to restore its original charm. When she literally collides with childhood friend, Jack Bowdon, Livy wonders if she’s back for an entirely different reason.

Jack can’t believe his childhood crush is back. As the owner of Bowdon's Supplies, and once again the town's most eligible bachelor, he offers to help Livy with repairs. Together they embark on the project—and an undeniable whirlwind romance.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Can they survive the destructive pain of their pasts to discover God’s grace waiting to renovate their hearts?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my second time reading and I loved it just as much as when I read it the first time. Can I come to Laurel Cove and spend time with these characters and visit the coffee shop, inn and hardware store?

This story encompasses a few themes – learning to forgive, healing from hurts, and new beginnings all found by trusting God. Livy has arrived in Laurel Cove after buying her grandmother’s old home. During the renovation process she hopes to be able to find a fresh start and rediscover her dreams after experiencing a bad relationship in New York City. Until the house is liveable, she is staying at the local inn which is run by Jack’s aunt. Jack grew up in Laurel Cove, runs the family’s hardware store with his brother and volunteers at the inn as a handyman for his aunt. He is recovering from having gone through a divorce he never imagined and is struggling to find peace. I fell in love with Jack, Livy and the community around them very quickly. Experiences in their pasts have left them both broken and with no interest in getting involved with anyone else, however from the moment they run into each other at the inn (literally) they feel a connection. It turns out that they once played together for a summer when they were young kids. I loved that Jack’s friends welcomed Livy into their group just because she was a friend of Jack’s, but they were not just friendly to her they fully accepted her as part of their group. Through the girls Livy found friendships she had never experienced with others. Each time the girls were together I felt like I was right there with them sharing in the fun and entertainment. Jack’s ex, Claire, was determined to ruin any possibility of Jack & Livy’s relationship succeeding but by being honest and open with one another they were able to overcome her attacks. I found myself cheering for these two to be able to overcome their past trust issues and was delighted with the way the story ended. I was really touched by how Livy was able to forgive Claire and even reached out to her to try to help her through her struggles. 

Favourite Quote: 

“When you feel peaceful about something you would usually fear or doubt, it is God giving you a budge to walk along the path He has set out for you.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

   

Originally reviewed on blog March 4, 2018 

Review: Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: Oct. 1, 2010
370 pages

About the Book:

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.

When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.

When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story encompasses a mix of romance, danger and action. Adelaide arrives Gideon’s ranch hoping to get a job as the governess for Isabella after her dreams are crushed by an impulse decision she made. Adelaide has spunk and will speak her mind but she also has a very caring heart and when she discovers that Isabella is in danger she will do anything to protect her. Gideon was a wonderful character. He has taken custody of a child, Isabella, he only met briefly prior to the death of her mother. He treats Isabella as if she were his own flesh and blood. He is from England but has moved to Texas to set up this sheep ranch. He is trying to make his own way in life instead of living off of his family’s money. He treats his staff, particularly Adelaide as more than employees. I loved the spark and banter between Adelaide and Gideon, their interactions just made me smile. As much as I enjoyed the two main characters, I loved the character of James Bevin. He is a good friend to Gideon and provides quite a bit of wisdom to him, but it was his cunning way with Isabella’s uncle that made me really like him. Isabella’s uncle is a dangerous character is only looking out for his own wants. Thankfully he is stopped and Gideon, Adelaide and Isabella can look toward a positive future.

There is a strong faith message about turning to God for direction, trusting Him and letting Him lead you. Over the course of the story Adelaide learns to control her impulse reactions and to wait for God’s direction. She learns that God’s timing is always perfect. One negative I had was that I found it hard to believe that Isabella was supposed to be 5 years old, she came across as a much older child. 

Favourite Quote: 

“God's way might not always be clear, but it could always be trusted.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

A Worthy Pursuit

Full Steam Ahead

To Win Her Heart

Heart on the Line - Ladies of Harper's Station #2

More Than Meets the Eye - Patchwork Family #1

More Than Words Can Say - Patchwork Family #2