Summary

A Better Forever illustrates the challenges couples face after the marriage vows. As with anything, temptation always lurks around the corner.

4-STAR REVIEW: A BETTER FOREVER by Tracey Cramer-Kelly

The Description

Lawson Family: Book 5
Publication Date: July 29, 2021

Tumbling down…

Connor Lawson has always been a nerd. A rules follower. The valedictorian who worked his way up to Chief Financial Officer at his company on the Iron Range in Minnesota—and married the girl of his dreams. But his perfect life is crashing down around him. He could lose his job in a company acquisition. And the wife he deeply loves has discovered the shameful secret he’s hidden for most of his life.

Shattered dreams…

Melina “Mel” Lawson was the opposite of Connor in college, but she fell hard for the man she could talk to for hours. Now, twelve years and two kids into their marriage, life is a blur of hockey practice, drama rehearsals, part-time work and volunteering. Still, she can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. When she discovers what Connor has been struggling with all these years, his betrayal leaves her devastated.

Picking up the pieces…

They’d once vowed before God to love one another for better or worse—but Mel never imagined anything like this. If Connor is willing to work things out, is Mel ready to salvage this marriage in crisis? Can they recapture true intimacy and find a better forever… together?

Excerpt

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The Review

After 12 years of marriage and two children, Connor Lawson is missing the spark that he and his wife Melina used to have. In A Better Forever, author Tracey Cramer-Kelly showcases a marriage in crisis.

As an installment in the Lawson Family series, this story highlights a secret Connor has been keeping that could destroy his marriage. Mel’s discovery and subsequent decision provide Connor with an incentive to finally break free from an addiction that had plagued him since his teen years.

Much of the story focuses on the religious approach to healing a damaged marriage, with Connor being introduced to the power of prayer by his brothers. There’s also a marriage retreat that Connor and Mel attend as well as counseling sessions. These things are important because they illustrate the path back to reconciliation for the couple.

The story hits home the concept that successful marriages require work and solid communication. Work expectations and lack of quality time together contribute to potential chinks in a relationship. Add in an aggressive work colleague, and the temptation almost becomes overwhelming in Connor’s case.

On the surface, the story appears to be rated PG. However, that sense of wholesomeness gets blown to pieces with the inclusion of the detailed, intimate scenes between Connor and Mel. While well written from a spicy standpoint, the scenes don’t seem to mesh well with the spirituality oozing from other parts of the book. Glossing over the sexy details might have led to a more cohesive end product.

A Better Forever illustrates the challenges couples face after the marriage vows. As with anything, temptation always lurks around the corner.

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About The Author

Many experiences influence Tracey’s writing, and she has been known to undertake unusual endeavors (such as firefighter training and learning to fly a helicopter) just for the sake of the experience. Being an Army-trained combat medic (and civilian EMT) and a “biker chick” for over 30 years has had significant influence in her books, but even “ordinary” events have struck a chord or inspired a character or plot idea. To support her writing habit, she also works PT at a substance abuse counseling center and manages the family business (Leader Motorcycle). She’s a soccer fanatic who’s blessed with a very understanding husband and two children who put up with the “embarrassment” of a motorcycle-riding, romance-writing mom!

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Blog Tour Schedule

October 28: The Reading Addict
October 28: Fabulous and Brunette
November 4: Sandra’s Book Club
November 4: Gina Rae Mitchell
November 11: Novels Alive
November 18: The Eclectic Review
November 18: Harlie’s Books

REVIEW AUTHOR

Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson
My name is Amy W., and I am a book addict. I will never forget the day I came home from junior high school to find my mom waiting for me with one of the Harlequin novels from my stash. As she was gearing up for the "you shouldn't be reading this" lecture, I told her the characters get married in the end. I'm just glad she didn't find the Bertrice Small book hidden in my closet. I have diverse reading tastes, evident by the wide array of genres on my Kindle. As I made the transition to an e-reader, I found myself worrying that something could happen to it. As a result, I am now the proud owner of four Kindles -- all different kinds, but plenty of back-ups! "Fifty Shades of Grey" gets high marks on my favorites list -- not for character development or dialogue (definitely not!), but because it blazed new ground for those of us who believe provocative fiction is more than just an explicit cover. Sylvia Day, Lexie Blake, and Kristin Hannah are some of my favorite authors. Speaking of diverse tastes, I also enjoy Dean Koontz, Iris Johansen, and J.A. Konrath. I’m always ready to discover new-to-me authors, especially when I toss in a palate cleanser that is much different than what I would normally read. Give me something with a well-defined storyline, add some suspense (or spice), and I am a happy reader. Give me a happily ever after, and I am downright giddy.

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A Better Forever illustrates the challenges couples face after the marriage vows. As with anything, temptation always lurks around the corner.4-STAR REVIEW: A BETTER FOREVER by Tracey Cramer-Kelly