Teresa Tysinger, Author

Now Accepting Applications for Beta Readers!

Well, friends, I have reached a super fun and also slightly nerve-wracking (ahhhh!!) phase of writing Suddenly Forever, the second book in the Laurel Cove Series that is coming out sometime this fall! I’m ready to put together a small team of beta readers to help me make the book the absolute best it can be! And YOU can now “apply” to join the team!

I’m not quite ready to give a synopsis of the book just yet. But Suddenly Forever takes readers back to Laurel Cove, North Carolina, the charming fictional mountain town where Someplace Familiar was set. The themes of the story are grief, healing, the challenges of moving on, and letting God restore life through love. Some familiar characters return from the first book, but the main characters are both new to the scene! Are you excited yet?

Before I share the application with you, let’s chat for a minute about what exactly a beta reader does and does not do.

WHAT A BETA READER DOES

Some authors use beta readers in different ways. For me, here’s what I ask of my beta readers:

Beta readers do carefully read a completed (but not yet ready for publication) manuscript of the book within about 2-4 weeks of receiving it.
Beta readers do watch for and note places in the book where details don’t match up, inconsistencies, places something is unclear/questionable, etc.
Beta readers are familiar with Microsoft Word and are comfortable using it. You are welcome to use the Comments tool to note feedback on particular lines/passages.
Beta readers thoughtfully completes a provided questionnaire and return by a specified deadline.
Beta readers agree to let me use your remarks, if chosen, in promotions.
Beta readers promise to not discuss the book or share any part of the book until I begin promoting it.

WHAT A BETA READER DOES NOT DO

Beta readers do not provide extensive editing. I am working with an editor and proofreader to help polish the book. But, if you catch an error or an inconsistency please feel free to note those!
Beta readers do not act as a formal endorser of the book. If you are an author or editor and are interested in providing a formal endorsement, please note that on your questionnaire.
Beta readers do not receive compensation for your help. I can’t be more grateful for the time and thoughtful energy beta readers put into this amazing task! While I do not pay beta readers, there may be some special fun treats for those who participate.
Beta readers do not talk about the book before I begin promoting it (same as last bullet point above; it’s important to note twice!!).

READY TO APPLY TO BE A BETA READER?

If this all sounds good to you, then I invite you to fill out the application by clicking the button below. It will be available until June 24. Applicants will receive an email letting them know if they’ve been chosen by July 1. To keep this process manageable;e for me, I’ll only be choosing 4-5 readers this time. If you are not chosen, don’t worry! You’ll be added to a list of possible beta readers for future projects.

SUDDENLY FOREVER BETA READER APPLICATION

Birthday Bash Open House: WINNER!

Well, it’s hard to believe that today is June 1. Another month has come and gone. Thank you so much to all of you who partied with us to celebrate so many wonderful books turning THREE YEARS OLD! I think I can speak for all of my author guests of honor when I say that all of YOU readers make celebrating our book babies extra special.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

In case you missed any of the books and authors featured during our Birthday Bash Open House, you can visit the posts by clicking on the author names below. (Any comments added today and into the future do not count for the giveaway.)

BECKY WADE: Celebrating True to You turned 3 on May 2
PATRICIA BEAL: Celebrating A Season to Dance turned 3 on May 6
MELANIE DOBSON: Celebrating Catching the Wind turned 3 on May 9
LAURIE TOMLINSON: Celebrating With No Reservations turned 3 on May 9
TAMARA LEIGH: Celebrating The Vexing turned 3 on May 12
SARAH MONZON: Celebrating All of You turned 3 on May 15
MIKAL DAWN: Celebrating Count Me In turned 3 on May 16
AND ME: Celebrating Someplace Familiar turned 3 on May 30

BIG GIVEAWAY WINNER!

All you crazy party goers left more than 150 birthday wishes and happy comments for our guests of honor! You are AWESOME! Thanks again for being such a faithful and encouraging tribe. One of you will receive a copy of each book, a book tote and bookmark and sticker from E.A. Creative, and a bag of my absolute favorite treat: Birthday Cake Drizzled Popcorn from Safe + Fair. This is a true PARTY PACK!

AND THE WINNER IS…

The winner of the Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway is ATTENNOS39! To claim your winnings, please send me an email HERE with your name. I’ll follow up with more information so you can get your books and goodies soon. Congratulations! And thanks again to everyone who celebrated with us!

Winner was chosen at random using a Random Number Generator after entries were collected.

Birthday Bash Open House: Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger

It worked out great, as the hostess, that my own book would be the last in our month-long Birthday Bash Open House! Someplace Familiar‘s 3rd book birthday is actually tomorrow, May 30, but I want to get the post out there before the weekend and give folks through the end of tomorrow to enter our big GIVEAWAY (see below).

Someplace Familiar is my debut novel. Of course, as book mamas we never play favorites, but there’s something about your first book baby. I thought I’d share some fun little-known facts about this sweet story with you.

I wrote the first draft in 30 days during National Novel Writer’s Month in November of 2014!
It took more than 2 years of big rewrites and edits, including an entirely new opening chapter, to finish it.
The original title was Good Graces, until an early editor asked “Aren’t all types of grace good?”
Livy’s grandmother’s cottage is greatly inspired by my great-grandmother’s charming bungalow home in West Palm Beach, though obviously the book is set in the mountains of North Carolina.
Jack’s last name (Bowdon) was my great-grandparents’ last name.
Laurel Cove is a fictional town inspired by Burnsville, NC, which is the hometown of my best friend. It became my home away from home during college and I fell in love!

Anything on this list surprise you? It’s so fun to revisit the book and the memories of writing it. I’ve been doing that a lot lately as I write Suddenly Forever, book two in the Laurel Cove Romance series, which should (God willing!) release this fall! The characters and their journeys have both haunted and inspired me. I can’t be more excited to share more about it with you in the coming months.

For now, I’m so excited to celebrate Someplace Familiar turning three among all the other fun three-year-old titles we’ve already partied over this month! Thanks SO MUCH for celebrating with us!

Happy Birthday, Someplace Familiar!

ABOUT SOMEPLACE FAMILIAR
Available on Amazon

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?

About Me

I’m a wife, mama, and full-time communications professional who loves Jesus, coffee, and traveling whenever possible! While attending college in the mountains of North Carolina, I was taken by the beauty and peace of the landscape. The charming towns, friendly people, and southern hospitality have inspired her stories ever since. Now living in North Texas with my husband, daughter, and pup, North Carolina is never far from my heart or my writing.

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. After leaving a comment on this post, check out the full list of posts HERE. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: Count Me In by Mikal Dawn

Next up as our guest of honor at our month-long Birthday Bash Open House is author Mikal Dawn! I don’t want to play favorites, but Mikal has a special place in my heart as one of my original critique partners. Years later, we’re still great friends and are writing together. She’s a blessing to me in so many ways. Her debut novel Count Me In published on May 16, 2017 and turns THREE YEARS OLD today! Help me wish Mikal and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, Count Me In!

ABOUT COUNT ME IN
Available on Amazon

Allegra Spencer has been living a careful life. Her safe job as an accountant is bookended by going to church and the gym. Okay, sometimes the gym. Fine. She goes to church. And the coffee shop. She avoids risk at all cost, preferring to stay safe in her cozy condo. Until her accounting firm goes belly up and she’s out of a job.

Tyler Hawk had a glorious career as a star NFL tight end. He retired on a high note and now lives a second dream of owning his own business and leading others on extreme outdoor adventures. But he needs help with his books—and his heart. When Allegra takes the job, sparks fly.

It’s a case of safety zone versus danger zone, and in their minds, never the two shall meet.

About Mikal Dawn

Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast, and proud military wife. By day, she works as an administrative assistant for an international ministry, serves in her church’s library, runs her kids to all their sports, and drinks lots of coffee. By night, she talks to figments of her imagination as she attempts to write while dinner is burning. And drinks lots of coffee. When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand, of course!) for wedding ideas for her characters.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Mikal now lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two of their three children, and one ferocious feline.

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: All of You by Sarah Monzon

We continue our super fun Birthday Bash Open House with a celebration with author Sarah Monzon! Her novel All of You published on May 15, 2017 and turns THREE YEARS OLD today! Help me wish Sarah and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, All of You!

ABOUT ALL OF YOU
Available on Amazon

Sometimes the past reaches forward to bring hope to the future.

England, 1944: With the world at war yet again, Alice Galloway rejects her father’s traditional expectations and offers her piloting expertise to the Air Transport Auxiliary. She may be a woman in a man’s world, but when she overhears key intelligence, she must find the strength to transcend boundaries and her own fears…or countless people may die.

Maryland, Present Day: Jacquelyn Rogers can rebuild anything…except the shambles of her past. A restorer of vintage planes, she’s worked hard to earn the reputation of being one of the guys. The last thing she needs is a cocky former Navy pilot fighting his own inner demons stepping in to defend her from dangers she thought she’d outrun long ago. Some battles must be fought alone.After a freak accident severs Lieutenant Michael “Finch” Carrington’s military dreams, as well as two limbs, he’s left with nothing but a fragile faith and a duty-bound promise to watch out for his friend’s baby sister. A promise she insists is as unnecessary as it is unappreciated. But when she turns the tables and begins to weld together the broken parts of his life, it may be his heart that is in need of protection.

About Sarah Monzon

A Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.

FOLLOW SARAH
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: The Vexing by Tamara Leigh

Our special guest for today at our Birthday Bash Open House is Tamara Leigh. Her novel The Vexing, published on May 12, 2017, turns THREE YEARS OLD today! Help me wish Tamara and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, The Vexing!

ABOUT THE VEXING
Available on Amazon

USA Today best-seller Tamara Leigh returns to the medieval Age of Faith series with a romance three years in the making—Sir Durand’s tale.

A VEXING LADY
Answering her father’s summons to return home, Lady Beata Fauvel must evade capture by noblemen who seek to wed a great heiress. But when she falls into the hands of Queen Eleanor of England, she discovers her sovereign has plans of her own for the lady known France over as The Vestal Widow. Now Beata must not only escape the knight entrusted with ensuring she does not wed without permission, but survive a storm-tossed sea and revelation of a long-buried secret that could destroy her family. And what of a heart that wants what it cannot have? Will it only ever beat for the queen’s man?

A REPENTANT KNIGHT
For years, Sir Durand Marshal has faithfully served his queen as penance for betrayal of the Wulfrith family. When he rescues a woman pursued by vassals of the French king, he is charged with delivering to England the nearly scandalous lady who has only a name in common with the one he once loved. Though he never expects to feel anything beyond annoyance for the outspoken Lady Beata, he finds himself drawn to yet another woman denied him. Can he fulfill his duty to his liege? Or will he forsake his redemption and forever ruin his reputation—more, the lady’s?

About Tamara Leigh

Tamara Leigh signed a 4-book contract with Bantam Books in 1993, her debut medieval romance was nominated for a RITA award, and successive books with Bantam, HarperCollins, and Dorchester earned awards and places on national bestseller lists.

In 2006, the first of Tamara’s inspirational contemporary romances was published, followed by six more with Multnomah and RandomHouse. Perfecting Kate was optioned for a movie, Splitting Harriet won an ACFW Book of the Year award, and Faking Grace was nominated for a RITA award.

In 2012, Tamara returned to the historical romance genre with the release of Dreamspell and the bestselling Age of Faith and The Feud series. Among her #1 bestsellers are her general market romances rewritten as clean and inspirational reads, including Lady at Arms and Lady of Conquest. In late 2018, she released Merciless, the first book in the AGE OF CONQUEST series, followed by Fearless and Nameless in 2019, unveiling the origins of the Wulfrith family. Watch for Heartless in Spring 2020. Psst!—It all began with a woman.

Tamara lives near Nashville with her husband, a German Shepherd who has never met a squeaky toy she can’t destroy, and a feisty Morkie who keeps her company during long writing stints.

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: With No Reservations by Laurie Tomlinson

Our second guest for today for the Birthday Bash Open House is Laurie Tomlinson. Her novel With No Reservations, published on May 9, 2017, turns THREE YEARS OLD today! Help me wish Laurie and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, With No Reservations!

ABOUT WITH NO RESERVATIONS
Available on Amazon

There can be more than comfort in food…

What could well-known and wealthy Graham Cooper Jr. have in common with a blogger like Sloane Bradley, a woman with secrets she’s kept firmly out of the public eye? That is, besides a love of food. Sloane still can’t believe Cooper’s the chef at the restaurant she’s been assigned to promote. But she’s boiling to prove to him that her “little blog” can put his place on the map. She can also fall head over heels for the guy, who has secrets of his own, it turns out…except for one thing. She can’t get past the post-traumatic stress disorder that keeps her walled up in her home studio.

About Laurie Tomlinson

Laurie Tomlinson is a wife and mom from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who enjoys stories of grace in the beautiful mess. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and regular contributor to TheWritersAlleyBlog.com. Her work is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary, has won two Genesis Awards, and was runner-up in the 2015 RWA Lone Star Contest.

FOLLOW LAURIE
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson

Today we have two book birthdays to celebrate in our Birthday Bash Open House! I want to give each book its own spotlight, so let’s start with Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson! This beauty originally published on May 9, 2017. Help me wish Melanie and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, Catching the Wind!

ABOUT CATCHING THE WIND
Available on Amazon

What happened to Brigitte Berthold?

That question has haunted Daniel Knight since he was thirteen, when he and ten-year-old Brigitte escaped the Gestapo agents who arrested both their parents. They survived a harrowing journey from Germany to England, only to be separated upon their arrival. Daniel vowed to find Brigitte after the war, a promise he has fought to fulfill for more than seventy years.

Now a wealthy old man, Daniel’s final hope in finding Brigitte rests with Quenby Vaughn, an American journalist working in London. He believes Quenby’s tenacity to find missing people and her personal investment in a related WWII espionage story will help her succeed where previous investigators have failed. Though Quenby is wrestling her own demons―and wary at the idea of teaming up with Daniel’s lawyer, Lucas Hough―the lure of Brigitte’s story is too much to resist. Together, Quenby and Lucas delve deep into the past, following a trail of deception, sacrifice, and healing that could change all of their futures.

About Melanie Dobson

Writing historical and time-slip fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to immerse herself into the past by reading old books, interviewing experts, and exploring fascinating places across the United States and Europe. Melanie is the award-winning author of twenty historical romance, suspense, and time-slip novels. She enjoys teaching at writer’s events, conferences, and as an adjunct professor at George Fox University. When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys teaching, dancing, and reading inspirational novels.

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal

Our next honored guest for the Birthday Bash Open House is Patricia Beal. Her novel A Season to Dance, published on May 6, 2017, turns THREE YEARS OLD today! Help me wish Patricia and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, A Season to Dance!

ABOUT A SEASON TO DANCE
Available on Amazon

Ana Brassfield has her path to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House all figured out until her first love, renowned German dancer Claus Gert, returns to Georgia to win her back. Despite a promising start towards her ballet career and pending marriage to landscape architect, Peter Engberg, Ana wonders if her dreams of dancing at the Met are as impossible as her previous romantic relationship with Claus.

Then, an on-stage kiss between Ana and Claus changes everything.

Convinced the kiss is more than a one-time mistake, Peter breaks off their engagement. With an old dog crippled by arthritis and dreams deferred but not left behind, Ana moves to Germany to be with Claus. But the ghost of his late wife, Ana’s own feelings for Peter, and the pressure of earning a spot in a large ballet company are a high price for a shot at success. Ana seems on the verge of having everything she ever dreamed of, but will it be enough?

About Patricia Beal

Patricia’s biography is a bit longer than I would usually include in a post, but hers is so fascinating that I think it’s all important! Get to know Patricia with me…

Patricia Beal is from Brazil and immigrated to the United States in 1992. She fell in love with the English language while washing dishes at McDonald’s, and she learned enough to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). She put herself through college working at a BP gas station, and she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 with a B.A. in English Literature. She was the news editor of the university newspaper for two years.

After an internship at the Pentagon, she worked as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army for seven years. She was a spokesperson for five general officers, providing statements for television, radio and print.

Patricia was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, when the first Operation Enduring Freedom detainees arrived, and the stories she filed during the early days of the detention operation there gained national attention. Writing from Iraq in the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she focused on feature stories for Army newspapers, and a feature on a day in the life of “Bad Luck Squad” won her a Keith L. Ware award in print journalism.

She fell in love with a handsome airborne infantryman during a stint at Fort Bragg, married him, and quit her special operations speechwriting job to have his babies.

Soon came the desire to have book babies, too. Gloria Kempton and Writer’s Digest author Jeff Gerke have been great coaches and mentors. Patricia is an American Christian Fiction Writers member, a 2015 Genesis semi-finalist, and a 2015 First Impressions finalist. She became a Christian as an adult and writes about searching for God with compassion, humor and understanding.

She has danced ballet since her childhood and has performed with pre-professional companies in South America, Europe and the United States. Her dance experience brings great flavor and authenticity to her first novel, A Season to Dance. She’s been stationed in Germany twice, and that experience, too, brings great flavor and authenticity to that story.

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Birthday Bash Open House: True to You by Becky Wade

The first Birthday Bash Open House guest of honor is Becky Wade. Her novel True to You, published on May 2, 2017, turns THREE YEARS OLD today! Help me wish Becky and her book a happy birthday…

Happy Birthday, True to You!

ABOUT TRUE TO YOU
Available on Amazon

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he’s diagnosed with an inherited condition, he’s forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother.

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John’s already dating someone and Nora’s not sure she’s ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they’re seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

About Becky Wade

Becky’s a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market before putting her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves writing funny, modern, and inspirational contemporary romance! She’s the Christy and Carol award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, and the Bradford Sisters Romance series.

Birthday Bash Open House Giveaway

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
On each Birthday Bash Open House post leave a comment. One entry per person, per post. The winner will be drawn at random and announced on June 1 here on the blog.

*Sorry to international readers, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.