I have a big favor to ask. You see, I’ve been sitting on a contemporary romance story idea for a long time. One that will likely eventually kick off a new series! In fact, I’ve even started writing it. However, for several months I’ve let other things take top pilling over getting it done. Important things, mind you. But I’ve found that with every passing week that I don’t have the chance to work on it, my excitement for this book wanes a little more.
I thought maybe if I share a bit of the opening scene with you, and you get excited, it’ll inject some life into my own enthusiasm. That may seem like fishing for a compliment—I promise it’s not! I’m just a writer who needs to remember there are readers out there to consume what she’s imagining.
So, will you do this in-limbo author the favor of taste testing her little opening?
Yeah? Oh, good! Thank you! Don’t feel obligated to leave any sort of feedback in the comments, though I’d gladly accept your thoughts. I’d also love to hear what you’re reading right now, since these days I’m reading more than I’m writing.
Without further ado…
From the Opening Scene of Loving Penny
There were good looking men, and then there was the jaw-dropping specimen who jogged past Kentworth Manor every morning and made Penny Braverman want to forget her manners.
“Right on cue,” she whispered into her mug just before taking a sip of delightfully bitter coffee, her eyes fixed due West. A block and a half away, he’d just rounded the corner from Main Street onto First as the hint of church bells still clung to the summer’s muggy air.
Never had she been so tempted to cat call as when he glided effortlessly down the sidewalk like a wild stallion one minute after seven. He and his predictable exercise routine were single-handedly responsible for accomplishing what nine years in the restaurant business never could: make her a cheery morning person.
The first time she’d seen him was five days ago, the morning after she’d arrived in Belle Harbor, a quiet town on the coast of North Carolina. She had just stepped onto the wrap-around porch from her second-story bedroom still in her favorite threadbare Queen shirt—old t-shirts made the best pajamas—when she’d spotted him. All six-foot whatever of him, looking like a Roman statue-in-the-flesh and wearing running shorts like it was his job. The respectable length offered just a tease of chiseled quad muscles like she’d never seen.
Every morning since, Penny made sure she was in position by a quarter ‘til the hour for prime viewing for the main feature. Coffee was her popcorn. The creaking single-seat swing her movie recliner. Suddenly his eyes, as deep blue as the nearby Atlantic, locked with hers.
Oh, sweet mercy.
The opportunity to teach culinary classes less than a mile from the beach at The Cookery, a celebrated cooking school owned by her mentor Cozy Fairchild, had been enough to lure her from the mountains a few hours away.
The smooth, half-smile and gentle nod from Mr. Don’t Look Directly at Him Or You Might Combust as he passed on the cracked sidewalk below could be enough to make her want to stay.
***
Like many of you, I’m both sad to see Inspy Romance come to an end and grateful for the community it has provided for so long. It’s been a joy for me to be a part of this space full of writers and readers who enjoy similar stories of hope and love and happy endings.
I’d like to express my appreciation to Valerie, Elizabeth, and Narelle for their leadership and organization. They’ve done so with grace and kindness and I won’t soon forget the fabulous opportunity they granted me when inviting me to join the IR family.
I hope we can keep in touch. If you don’t already, I’d love to have you follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook. Joining my newsletter community is always a fantastic way to keep in touch too, and how I share exclusive content, book news, and more. For these and other ways to stay in touch, use the buttons that follow my bio in the gray box below.
Thank you, friends, for reading throughout all of these years. Happy reading!
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 professional. Teresa is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, the Association for Women in Communications, and the Religion Communicators Council. She’s an introverted Enneagram 4 (if you know, you know) and loves coffee, traveling, and 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.
So far, so good. I enjoyed the first of the story with the wit and humor. I’m sure the rest will be as good. I believe this will be a fun read.
Have a great day!
Fabulous as always, my friend! I cannot wait to read Penny’s story! She’s such a hoot. (Leah’s bestie from SIFG, right?) yay!
Thanks so much, Bonnie! I’m going for more of a rom-com style with this one, so I’m glad to hear you picked up on the humor! :)
Yes, that’s Penny! So many readers wanted more of her (me too!).
I loved this scene!
Thanks, Jessica!
I’m hooked already…please continue writing this. I’m signing up for your newsletter so I can check on your progress. I will miss inspyromance. Thank you so much for participating in it.
I loved it so far but now I need to know more!
Oh, I like this!! I hope you decide to move forward with it!! Already stalking you, too!
Oh, Heather, I’m so glad!! Thank you for signing up for my newsletter. Looking forward to keeping in touch.
Haha! That’s the idea. *wink*
Haha… in this case, stalkers are fun. Thanks!
It made me smile! I do love it when the characters have a sense of humour and would love you to be inspired once again to feel the passion and guidance to create it! Thank you for amazing posts. :)
Yeah? and then?!?!?! I can’t wait for more! Signing up for your newsletter, this is one story I wanna read.
Aw, thank YOU Dianne! :)
LOL I love it! Thanks!
Hi Teresa, I really enjoyed that scene, I like the rom com vibe. I’d love to read about how they actually meet! Good luck with your writing.
I’m signed up to your newsletter so will look forward to hearing about everything. Thank you for all your posts on InspyRomance.
Hi, Wow, I can just picture this scene and I would really love to read more and more of your upcoming story it sounds Great, please continue to write it! You have got me hooked . I am already following you on most. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.
Fantastic! Thank you!
Yay, Alicia! Thanks!!
Teresa, I love it. Please continue. It sounds like it is the beginning to a fabulous book. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Thank you so much, Debra. I will keep working on it! God bless you too!
You have to finish this book!!! Don’t leave me hanging with that little excerpt. Seriously, I would buy it right now if it was so finished.
I do like the start. I laugh at the name Penny since I started following someone who shares cat videos with her cat Penny (who talks or looks like she talks so when I see Penny shes the first thing I think of). But I love how she’s a morning person to see this guy jog pass.
Its been really good getting to know you and I have signed up for your newsletter. All the best for the future.
Ha! Aw, that makes me SO EXCITED!! Thank you!
Same to you! Thanks so, so much!