Category: Romance Publisher: Long Story Short Publishing Company
ISBN-10: B003WEAIXU
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 125
Copyright: June 29, 2010
Price: $5.99 (eBook)
In this heartfelt romantic memoir, Harry and Elizabeth share their passions and feelings about the poignant events that brought them back together after being divorced and estranged for almost twenty years. Filled with emotion, suspense, and humor --- plus a surprising Las Vegas encounter, this true story proves genuine love can survive any of life's problems.
Romantic miracles can happen! Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence are living proof of that fact. After going through a painful divorce and being estranged for nearly two decades, they never imagined it would be possible to find each other again. Neither did any of their friends or relatives. When Harry and Elizabeth got back together, everyone they knew asked for an explanation of this bewildering event. That's why they wrote IT HAD TO BE US. Because it's a true story, most names and locations have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved. Book reviewer Marilyn Forstot (author of "Sunshine Riches") calls IT HAD TO BE US "a superbly crafted real-life story that renews a person's faith in love." Actress Debbie Reynolds read IHTBU and said, "I loved it!"
This expanded Kindle edition includes an amusing honeymoon revelation plus selected reviews of Elizabeth's favorite romantic movies.
IT HAD TO BE US was adapted for the screen under the title CAKE: A LOVE STORY and can be viewed on YouTube.
Excerpt
From Chapter Three
HARRY REMEMBERS:
I’m home now. My depression is deepening. I can’t eat. My thoughts of Elizabeth keep me awake all night. Tuesday morning I call her and tell her how desperately I miss her. She replies that she has the same feeling. I’m back on the golf course with my friends, but I’m not really there. I have a problem. I force myself to eat. That night I sleep only a few minutes each hour. I lie awake thinking of her.
Wednesday morning I call her in Las Vegas. Bridget answers. She tells me Elizabeth has already left for the train station. Oh well, I’ll be talking to her at 7 tonight. I discover today that I cannot get back into my routine.
I don’t want to get back into my routine.
I only want to be with her.
It’s 7 p.m. Pacific time, but no call. Well, I’m not going to call her. Somebody has met her at the train station and she is with him. At 7:40, I call her. I reach her answering machine and leave a message. I am seething inside and angry at myself for not believing in her. At 9 p.m. she calls. She tells me the train was delayed because of a fatal accident. She also reports that when she got home she noticed a light upstairs and thought a prowler was in her house. When she ran upstairs to check, she fell and hit her nose on a step and is in much pain.
We talk of our love for each other and agree that I will call her in the morning. After we hang up, I begin to worry. Doesn’t she know that if you think an intruder is in the house, you call the police? You don’t go in. She needs someone to watch over her. Now!
Professional Reviews
A RARE THING
IT HAD TO BE US is a strong story that's upbeat without being sentimental, a rare thing. This is a charming story, well elucidated and structured. The reader gets a great sense of loneliness and the tensions of a beginning relationship --- albeit an old relationship in this case. The characterization is lively and engrossing and I particularly liked the form, though occasionally each narrative repeated what the other had said. How they understood each other and the gradual overcoming of fears is extremely well-done. It made me wonder if this was an authentic insight into the nature of men and women and how we all think differently and have different approaches.
--- Jai Clare, Author and Guest Editor for Zoetrope's All Story Extra.
BRAVO!
IT HAD TO BE US is a wonderful memoir. The format and language are excellent. It's such an enjoyable read, and I truly loved everything about it. Bravo!
--- JoAnne Pulcino, Reader's Advisor and Associate Librarian at Denver's Arapahoe District Library
SWEET AND ROMANTIC
I loved this book! Sweet, poignant and truly a romantic tale! Told in a "he said, she said" format, this story of romance rekindled gives the reader a peek inside the hearts and minds of two lost lovers reuniting after 20 years apart. They meet and move forward with great trepidation, fearful of admitting the intense feelings they each still each hold unbeknownst to the other. As they move from friends to lovers, their passion reignites in a way that disallows anything but remarriage the second time around. Most of us wonder, "could it ever be again" with that certain someone from the past - well, this proves beyond a doubt that it can and does happen. In addition to the journalized story, there are great recipes they shared during their new romance and a plethora of wonderful movie reviews of those they most enjoyed watching together. A fun read that proves true love never dies!
--- Denise Cassino, Wizardly Web Designs
The story of Harry and Elizabeth is typical of so many marriages. It begins with a high school infatuation that turns to marriage, children, college and careers. Eventually, what brought the couple together in the beginning changes as life's demands take them on different paths. Eventually, after the children are grown, they divorce.
What is different about Harry and Elizabeth's story is that the original spark of love never dies, but tends to grow as both remarry and then lose their second marriages to leukemia. They both are alone again and become satisfied with their single lives and retirement.
But, a chance meeting arranged by their daughter 20 years later, ignites that ember that had been smoldering in both of their hearts when they realized that their second marriages weren't the same as that high school infatuation. Elizabeth asks Harry to join her in Las Vegas for an event she is covering as part of her retirement avocation, movie reviewer. In this case, what happens in Las Vegas, doesn't stay in Las Vegas, but is revealed by the couple. He reveals in present tense, and she reveals in past tense. But their recollections are strikingly similar in spite of their personal differences.
What results is a whirlwind renewed romance with energy and adventure reminding one of The Graduate.
I highly recommend this short read with this gentle respect for love and its sometimes “wisecracking” humor for those that wish they had a second chance at love, and anyone who is interested in a true romance story.
I had the delightful experience of interviewing Elizabeth Lawrence a few years on my Internet radio program. She is a memorable joy and the little gem, "It Had To Be Us" has stuck with me. The "he remembers/she remembers" format is unique and utterly entertaining. Good things do come in small packages. Buy it, you'll like it.
This sounds so wonderful. I hope someday to be reunited with my first love. It has been 30 years though, but I still have hope. Would have been married 40 years in November.
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