Tomorrow is my nineteenth wedding anniversary! The day has me feeling extra lovey-dovey about having found my someone special. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than giving YOU something: a sneak peek at the opening scene of my newest novel Someone Found plus a chance to win a copy of the book!
(Have no fear, my husband and I have nice dinner plans, too.)
Happy reading, friends!
Sneak Peek Sample of Someone Found
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Quinn McAlister dug her fingertips into the straps of her pack as she eyed the angry charcoal sky staring her down from the west. The Appalachian Trail had proved to be anything but the escape she’d hoped for when she left home without word or warning seven weeks ago.
Despite knowing exactly where she was geographically, Quinn had never been more lost.
A strong gust of wind, unseasonably cool for a June afternoon in the mountains of North Carolina, sent strands of her long auburn hair into a frenzy around her face. She gathered it back in a low ponytail as Sarge, her blue heeler and only companion, darted off from where he sat at her side into the thick brush ahead.
“Sarge, come!” Her voice was whipped away on another strong gust as she lunged off the path in his direction. Was that a raindrop on her cheek? She looked skyward as another drop hit her nose.
Just great.
She hadn’t been on the trail for more than three hours today but would have to make camp again to get out of this storm. But not before finding where Sarge had gone off to. He was her protector, only friend—and often the biggest thorn in her side, always running headlong into assumed danger. The culprits were usually innocent rodents or falling acorns, except for that one time he’d alerted her to a snake on the trail.
Quinn cupped her hands to her mouth. “Sarge!” She caught sight of his neon-orange collar just off to her left, moving down a slight embankment. Growling thunder and an ominous darkening of the forest announced the nearness of the approaching storm.
She let out a growl of her own and kept moving forward. Few things made her cringe more than being wet out on the trail.
Low branches scratched against her arms as she scurried down the embankment, her small, calculated sideways steps aiming to keep her from slipping on the forest floor covered in moss, leaves, and pine needles.
Flash! Quinn’s arms flew up to cover her head as lightning struck too close for comfort. The accompanying explosion of thunder startled her, and she hit the ground with a breath-stealing thud. Her shoulder wrenched with a pop, and she screamed in pain as the awkward landing catapulted her face-first down the embankment, deluged by the sudden downpour.
She flailed her hands, trying to grip any passing branches or small trunks, then twisted to her side. Maybe her bulky pack would anchor her or at least slow her down. Instead, something snapped. The pack disconnected from her left shoulder—the same one searing with a hot, radiating pain.
Was that running water sounding below her, or just the deluge?
This is not good.
Without warning, her ribs slammed into something hard—a rock maybe, from the gray shadow she glimpsed for a lightning-fast moment. Her pack worked its way off her other shoulder as she twisted in what felt like a horizontal cartwheel, her feet now leading the violent descent. Time seemed to slow as she braced for impact.
God, help me.
But He wouldn’t. He never had before. She was on her own, like always.
The slope of the embankment suddenly eased and she slowed some. She looked up just in time to see a dark column materialize through the thick sheets of rain—a huge, black tree trunk directly in her path. Panic stole her already labored breath, instinct forcing her to roll onto her injured side to avoid a direct collision. But not soon enough. She screamed in agony before hitting hard, her right leg taking the brunt of the impact.
She lay on the forest floor in the shadow of the mighty tree. Why did she no longer feel pain? Staring up into the pinpoints of rain falling onto her face, she thought she heard a bark.
Then everything went black.
Win a Copy of Someone Found!
I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into Someone Found and Quinn’s harrowing journey. I can’t wait for you to meet Eli, too. One reader can win a copy of the book! Simply comment below telling me what you think, if you’ve ever been hiking, or about a time you’ve felt “lost.” The winner will be chosen at random on Monday, July 26 and contacted by email.
The winner may choose between ebook or paperback. Due to high costs of shipping outside the US, an ebook will be given if an international reader wins! Thanks for understanding.
Note: Someone Found is the third in my Laurel Cove Romance Series, set in the quiet mountains of North Carolina. Each book is stand-alone and can be read in any order.
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.
I used to love hiking, though I was never the navigator, lol. I have been caught tumbling down an escarpment and it was truly terrifying and incredibly painful though I never met my love at the base. Sounds great, looking forward to reading it. Congratulations and have a wonderful celebration!
Wow sounds very interesting. Yes I’ve done lots of hiking and fell down rain slick rocks into a gulley here in WV.
Oh, this sounds good!!! I really haven’t been hiking, but I do like to go for walks in nature, and we have a few great places for that near me here in FL.
Wow, a great beginning! Thanks for this peek
Mmm, mmm, mmm. No need to include me in the drawing. I’ve got my Tysinger collection up to date! :-) What a great hook for the start of your story. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest!
Wow! Sounds scary! Glad you enjoyed the sample.
Yikes! Hope you were okay! Thanks for reading!
I grew up in FL and didn’t hike until taking a mission trip to Tennessee. Glad you enjoyed the snippet!
Thanks for reading!
You’re so sweet! Happy reading, Lincoln!
Happy Anniversary! No need to enter my name either:)
I’m not a big hiker…critters. I was totally “lost” and felt alone when I went through my divorce after 20 years together. I felt like God had abandoned me. Most of my “friends “ had abandoned me. I look back now and see God was preparing me to find myself again, find true friends and peace
Thanks so much!
What a testimony! Being “lost” is so scary, but I’m grateful God saw you through it!
We are really not big hikers. We may take in a local park for a couple of hours and that’s about it. We did get somewhat “lost” in one of the larger local parks once when our kids were little but fortunately hubby has a very good sense of direction. Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary. We’ve done short day hikes with daughters and sons in law who have a good sense of direction. So thankfully not lost. Just panting trying to keep up. We finally sent them ahead and followed more sedately😊
I haven’t been hiking per say….but my husband & I have enjoyed walking along some trails along various waterfalls here on the Oregon coast. There would just be no way we could do a long trek, not with my legs & his knees anymore. We recently took a trip to Snoqualmie Falls in WA and tried…key word tried…to walk down the lower trail to the falls and neither one of us could even make it halfway, lol! Though in our younger years, we’d be able to walk/hike all over the trails. Aging bodies really stink :-) Sad, because that is one activity we do enjoy doing together. Being out in God’s creation enjoying fresh air and nice conversation is one thing we love.
I have “Someplace Familiar” on my bookshelf so I definitely would like to add this to it. Thank you for the book excerpt & giveaway chance Teresa! Happy early anniversary (we celebrated our 24th) & God bless you two with many more years together! Enjoy your special dinner. :-)
That excerpt has me hooked now! I’ve never been big on hiking but I don’t even want to think about how awful it would be to hike alone, get lost and then be injured. Thanks for the chance to win, the book sounds really good!
Even being turned around for a few minutes can be harrowing! Thanks!
I know that panting well. Ha! And always a good idea to go out with folks who know their way around. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Trixi. Those hikes sound wonderful. One of my favorite spots to hike is Deception Pass up in Washington, as well as all around San Juan Island. Gorgeous area of the country!
Megan, I agree that hiking alone would make me nervous. Really shows Quinn’s determination to escape her hometown. Happy reading!
Hi Teresa,
I don’t hike. I like level walking trails and only in the fall and winter. I don’t like hot or bugs. I don’t have a very good sense of direction. We have lots of woods on our family property surrounding us, but I don’t go walking alone. It’s creepy.
I totally feel you on the heat and bugs! I don’t go walking outside too often at this time of year in Texas for that very reason! Thanks for reading.
Happy Anniversary I don’t hike anymore but I love taking nature walks through the woods Please enter me for this amazing book! Thank you and Blessings Sarahbaby601973(at)gmail(dot)com
I love camping although the only injury I have sustained is when I was four and I fell off a rock, scraped my knee, and ripped my favorite pants. I remember being super sad because I ripped my pants and that’s it.
Sorry I meant hiking😂
What a teaser!!!
Happy Anniversary!!!
I love hiking :) Got lost couple times too…
This is why I don’t hike alone 😂 But my husband and I love to hike together. We plan and communicate so well when we’re in nature.
Happy Anniversary!! I am not sure that I have been lost hiking. I have always been with someone who knew the way. I have been lost when when driving. I was caught in construction and could not get off on the exit that I intended. It was challenging to find my way to a road that I recongized. It did not help that it was dusk. I did not like the feeling. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Happy Anniversary! It sound so good. I love hiking with my family & live in the country so alot of trails. We got lost off a trail once & ended up in high grass & at a towns train tracks lol.
I like hiking for sure.
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Aw! Funny what we remember, isn’t it? Thanks for reading!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!!
That’s great! Thanks for reading!
Oh yes, that’s a bad feeling for sure. Thanks for reading, Debra!
Sounds like a memorable story! Thanks!
Me, too!
Every year my youth group has a hiking trip and it is always so much fun but also exhausting. I like hiking but I get tired easily :)
Hi Teresa, Happy Anniversary! Wow, what a way to start a book, I can’t wait to read it after that sample! I don’t really backpack. I felt very lost the first year I started homeschooling. Although, by the second year, I didn’t any more.
It is very tiring! Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much! And you’re right…sometimes getting some experience under your belt helps you not to feel so lost.
My family went hiking in a TN park last year when we visited for a bit! The mountains were beautiful!
Happy anniversary! My family and I hike always when we’re on a vacation. Last year we went to the Belgian Ardennes. It’s beautiful to hike there.
That’s a gorgeous area! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you so much! And I looked up the Beglian Ardennes and it’s so pretty!