Inspy Romance

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Playing it (Not So) Cool & #Giveaway

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Playing It (Not So) Cool by Teresa Tysinger

Hello, new friends! To say I am excited to share my very first post as an Inspy Romance author is a huge understatement. In fact, when I received the invitation to join the incredible community of IR bloggers, I most definitely did not play it cool.

I happened to be visiting my parents for my 40th birthday back in January when I received the message asking if I would be interested in joining. Talk about a fun and unexpected birthday present! I squealed and danced around the kitchen with my mother. It felt a bit silly and over the top, but I think playing it cool in life is underrated. Celebrating the little stuff is just as important as celebrating the big. Don’t you agree?

Teresa in her writing space.Let me tell you a little bit about me. I have been Eric’s wife for the last nineteen years and Emma’s mom for the last twelve. In addition to writing contemporary Southern romance, I am a full-time communications and public relations director for a national non-profit. I’m blessed to work and write from the comfort of my home! (See my little writing space in the photo.) While we currently live in Texas, I went to college and spent the first ten years of our marriage in North Carolina. That’s where I consider my roots to be planted and it’s where a big piece of my heart still resides.

Laurel Cove Romance Series Books by Teresa Tysinger

Maybe that’s why my books are set deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I started out as an indie author when I published my first book, Someplace Familiar, back in 2017. It’s the first stand-alone of my Laurel Cove Romance Series. You can also visit the fictional town of Laurel Cove, NC in the second book, Suddenly Forever, released last fall. The third, Someone Found, will be available June 8 and the last in the series is coming in early 2022. I’ve also had so much fun publishing with some of my author friends in the following collections.

Collections by Teresa TysingerRead more about Something Borrowed and Once Upon a Summer collections. You’ll notice some other familiar Inspy Romance names on those covers.

I’m passionate about writing stories that readers will find both charming and relatable. It’s important to me that my characters are flawed, struggling with real issues, and looking for grace and hope—just like the rest of us. Of course, there’s also that sigh-inducing happily ever after.

Finally, a rapid-fire get to know me to finish up our time together:

  • I am a “functioning introvert” who loves time with friends but needs lots of quiet to recharge.
  • I’d be content eating crusty bread and good cheese the rest of my life.
  • I hate, hate, hate olives.
  • I love traveling and, so far, my favorite place on earth is the San Juan Islands in Washington.
  • I cry at everything: songs, movies, commercials, memories, anything nostalgic, etc.
  • I design all my own book covers but usually go through at least ten versions of each one before I land on what I like!
  • I read a lot, but don’t keep many books. In fact, I often give them away to followers on social media. Watch for my #FromTTsBookShelf giveaways and you might snag one!

I cannot wait to start sharing more with you in the coming months. In the meantime, you can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, and my website. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter, which I call “The Little Blue Cottage,” where I visit each month with readers and other writers.

Now it’s your turn to tell me a little about you.  Anything you’d like to ask me or see me share about in the coming months? Let me know! As a little get-to-know-you gift, I’m excited to give away an eBook copy of one of my books (winner’s choice) to someone who comments below. US and international readers may enter. Comment by Monday, May 3 at 12PM EST. I’ll contact the winner by email.

So nice to “meet” you, friends!

Teresa Tysinger (34 Posts)

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.


Comments

  1. Hi Teresa Welcome to Inspy and its good to get to know you. I just have to say you have the most amazing eyes they are so expressive and welcoming.

    I am an Aussie and I had a penpal from Anacortes in the San Juan Islands. I got to Port Orchard in Washington State but didn’t get to meet her. She passed away a few years back.
    I have 2 cats that keep me entertained. I don’t like olives either but then I am a really fussy eater. I would say I am an introvert. I like to get out and chat with people in shops etc but often at a church function or somewhere with a quite a few people I am often the one in the corner or on there own. Being single I tend to get over looked and find it hard to push just go join in some groups. I also am comfortable on my own.

    Do you have any pets?

  2. So glad to meet you, Teresa! I look forward to reading your books. I’m a functioning introvert, too, and you can give me all the olives. :-)

  3. Welcome to Inspy Romance! Do you think you will someday move back to North Carolina and will you be writing any more books with other authors this year?

  5. Welcome to Inspy Romance, Teresa! This retired high school English / German teacher and avid reader enjoyed your story Somehow, this Christmas in the boxed set Something Borrowed. Really could relate to the line, “perfect events come from many imperfect moments strung together.” So true in life. Looking forward to reading your story in Once Upon a Summer, which is preordered. I was born in Berlin, Germany and grew up reading Grimm Fairy Tales in the original German. As an avid reader, I am intrigued with retellings of timeless tales. Once Upon a Summer will make a nice birthday read. My question is: in the boxed set Once Upon a Summer, which tale is yours and what inspired your writing to retell a timeless tale. Looking forward to your upcoming blogs. Prays for the storms in Texas. Hope all is well. Happy Writing.

  6. You’re so sweet! And It’s so fun that you’ve been to Washington. I do have a pet! My sweet rescue dog, Ruth, is a terrier/miniature schnauzer mix. Thanks for reading today!

  8. Hi Lori! My husband and I hope to retire in the NC mountains. But who knows, maybe we will make it back sooner! And yes, I will be publishing with another exciting collection this year. You may want to keep an eye on my social media next week. (Wink, wink.)

  11. Renate, thanks so much! My story in Once Upon a Summer is titled Gwen and the Three Dates. It’s inspired by, you guessed it, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and mixes Southern charm, online dating, and a pair of best friends both looking for love. Thanks, too, for the prayers. Always welcome!

  13. Thanks for all you do to make fans aware of exciting new books and authors!📚🥰💻🖊

  18. Hi! I cry at everything, too! My family thinks it’s so funny, but I can’t help it!
    I look forward to reading one of your books!

  21. So nice to meet you! This is an amazing group and I can completely understand your excitement! I am an avid reader have been since a kid, and love Christian Fiction romances the best!

  24. I think we have a lot in common, Teresa! I see it’s Milla and Elly who’ve offered to take everyone’s olives – here you go, ladies, you can have mine, too.

    The heel off a fresh, warm loaf of sourdough bread with butter and sliced cheddar should be one of the seven wonders of the world.

    And my favorite place on earth is the west coast of Vancouver Island, not far from the San Juans, and sharing much of the same beauty. Hoping covid dies down so we can visit again in September. It’s been way too long since I’ve seen the ocean.

    Welcome to Inspy Romance! We’re glad to have you.

  25. Sounds like we’re destined to be fast friends, Valerie! I’d love to sit and chat over that warm loaf of sourdough on the porch of a cottage on one of the islands. Let’s go!

  28. Welcome! I’m a retired missionary. We used to haul a suitcase full of books with us every time we’d been home… Now I just have an overloaded Kindle :-)

  30. Hi Teresa , I am already following you, very nice to see you here. I am married (almost 44 yrs.) we have 2 grown children ( 1 daughter and 1 son) and they both have little families of their own, We have 1 granddaughter and 2 grandsons. We are retired and we have a 7 yr old half Schnauzer (or so we thought) our daughter in law sent us a DNA kit for him and our half Schnauzer isn’t even half Schnauzer, he has a lot more poodle in him , his DNA shows he is actually 13 breeds. Anyways, we love him to pieces I love to garden , I love to plant the flowers and my husband plants the veggies. Your book series sound very intriguing and I love your book covers, they are Gorgeous! ( I am not entering your giveaway as I don’t read ebooks, I am not tech savvy at all, but Thank you) Have a Great weekend and stay safe.

  32. So nice to “see” you here, too, Alicia! That’s so interesting about your sweet pup. We don’t think ours is more than maybe 15% schnauzer by the look of her. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

  34. Welcome Teresa! I really like your book covers, you did a great job on them. I look forward to getting to know more about you through this blog. I always enjoy learning behind the scenes stuff about books and authors.

  35. Already stalking on Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads, Facebook, and your newsletter! I’m not sure how I found you, could have been a giveaway, it could be Mandi Blake’s fault, I just have no idea! lol!! Great to see you here, though!

  36. Having a rescue animal is great. My two Libby (short for Liberty) and Henry are both rescue cats. I looked after 2 cats for a lady who has become a good friend for what was going to be a couple of weeks and ended being 8 months and knew I had to have a cat again. They were both at the local vets branch 30 mins away and had bonded. Henry had been there for over 4 months (although he did escape for a week and came back) and Libby for about 3 months. They were there so long cos they were both shy and Henry had been abused. Now they own the place.

  37. Hi Teresa. Welcome. I am so glad you are here. We have been married for 32 years. I am a cat mom to three. We are living in the home that I grew up as a child. Thank you for sharing your time and your talent. God bless you.

  38. Welcome Teresa! I happen to have “Someplace Familiar” on my bookshelf….sadly neglected waiting for me to get around to reading it. *Sigh* so many books, so little time!

    Anyway, I’m so happy to meet you on IR! I think I’d call myself a functioning introvert too, because I like to be around people I know well, but need lots of down time afterwards. Small talk wears me out (I just never know what to say) and crowds of people I don’t know terrify me!

    My husband & his sister had a family reunion in San Juan Islands WA years ago. I wasn’t able to go with him, but maybe someday :-) He took lots of pictures and it’s definitely a place I want to visit.

    I read a lot too, but once I’m done with them, I give them to my sister-in-law or the library. I never re-read a book. There’s just so many waiting for me on my physical bookshelf, Kindle and want-to-read list…lol!

    I enjoy Christian fiction & read quite a variety. I couldn’t possible name a favorite troupe or setting because I love each one for different reasons. I definitely have my dislikes though, lol!

    Thanks for sharing a bit about you, I can’t wait to see more from you in the future!

  41. Welcome to the family, Teresa! I really enjoyed the “Something Borrowed” collection and especially Cate and Noah’s story in “Somehow, This Christmas”. I just re-read the highlights. Max the awful cat makes you want to invest in a very small pet carrier with a very small hole for food! All the creative solutions to the seemingly unending stream of problems was a writing tour de force. So well done.

    I’m an introvert as well and all my olives go to my wife, who seems not to understand that they are the oral equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard. :-)

    I am a former aerospace software engineer with creative experience with acting, photography, languages, graphic design, cartooning, writing (1 novel, some poetry and many little snippets along the way), voice-over work and sharing the truth about a Savior who would love somebody as messed up as me!

    I’m looking forward to checking out your other Laurel Cove stories and Once Upon a Summer. And thanks for sharing such a wonderful smile. Does a heart good.

  42. Welcome!!! I’d love to get your books. I would love to see more about you & photos. Also, contests & giveaways with even photos of pets & special things in our areas.

  49. So nice to “meet” you, Lincoln! Yes, Max certainly needed tending to, didn’t he? Ha! I love all of your creative outlets, too. Thanks for the nice comment!

  51. Congrats, Teresa!
    It’s so fun to have you here!
    I’ve enjoyed reading ALL your books and I know you will be a wonderful addition to IR.
    As for something new about you that I didn’t know – WHAT? – you don’t like olives? How can this be! hehe! I guess we can still be friends, but it will be hard!
    Oh, I forgot to tell you about me . . .
    I’m one of your street team readers.
    I’ve been a Special Ed. Assistant for 17 years.
    I’m retiring in 7 weeks.
    God has been re-directing my side business and I’m excited to see how it takes off.

    FANTASTIC POST!

  53. Hi Teresa, Welcome to Inspy Romance! We’re glad you’ve joined us. When I was 15, I hated olives. Then I worked for a couple of years in a Deli after school and on weekends. By the time I graduated high school, I’d acquired a taste for olives, lol. Greek salad with olives is one of my favourites. 😊

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