IT HAD TO BE US
Divorced and estranged for nearly two decades, Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence accidentally met again and rediscovered their lost love. In It Had To Be Us, Harry and Elizabeth share their feelings about the poignant events that brought them back together. Filled with humor, emotion, suspense, and a surprising Las Vegas encounter, this heartfelt romantic memoir proves genuine love can survive any of life’s problems. An amusing new honeymoon revelation and a section devoted to some of Elizabeth’s favorite romantic movies are also included in this expanded version of Harry and Elizabeth’s award-winning E-book.
Thanks to Beverly’s Reviews on Amazon for her Five Star review
Beverly calls our eBook “a sweet, sweet memoir.” Below are excerpts from her review.
"Do you believe that each man and woman has a soul mate? Do you think that no matter where they go, they’ll find each other? I don’t know if that’s true or just a lovely dream, but in the memoir IT HAD TO BE US by Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence, it certainly seems that way.
"Harry and Elizabeth were married for twenty-four years. They had a family, and then they were divorced. IT HAD TO BE US tells the story of their life together and apart, giving us their story from each of their points of view. Each section is dated and begins with “Harry Remembers” or “Elizabeth Remembers.”
"The reader gets a peek into their most intimate moments, why they divorced and how they felt about it. I laughed. I cried. And I enjoyed traveling down memory lane with this delightful couple.
Thanks to Connie Russert, author of Allow It To Be Easy, for her enthusiastic comments about It Had To Be Us. Here is what she says about our award-winning eBook:
"I just finished IT HAD TO BE US. While reading this romantic memoir, I found myself talking out loud to both Harry and Elizabeth, sort of coaching them along, saying things like, 'NO, it’s OK – invite her.' What a fascinating and engaging read!"
5 Hearts for Romantic Memoir
By Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence
November 08, 2007
Review by
Brenda Talley of The Romance Studio
"What an incredibly written story! I am not sure I have enough accolades to describe this true story. Elizabeth and Harry (not their real names) is a couple with a past, to say the least! Their distinctive interpretation of their lives is such a fascinating slant on authorship."
"The book is written in a “He Said/She Said” format. When reading these memories by each of them, it is obvious that men and women certainly view situations differently. I truly believe that, no matter your preferred genre, you will enjoy this book. It Had To Be Us is a marvelous pick-me-up, fast-paced rendition of how lives can come full circle!"
"You will be thrilled if you take time to read this book!"
The stuff that love is made of!
By R. J. Smith
A funny and original memoir, overflowing with detail from both sides of the love story. For this special, romantic odyssey, Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence take turns illuminating events, often shedding light on little moments which the other person might have missed. From their initial encounter to scenes both light and heavy, it's a narrative bathed in the glow of Technicolor. The potential for a feature length motion picture is strong here.
After this short love affair ends, we get some excellent appendices. Readers can indulge themselves in a tasty selection of movie treats, including well-written critiques of romantic fare, such as Music and Lyrics and Love Actually. This tome maintains a beautiful flow throughout, and it's exactly the kind of literature you want to read again instantly.
You'll laugh and wish that all true stories could be this enchanting.
Highly recommended!
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!
Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence (not their real names) live in the same Colorado town where they were born in the early 1930s. They raised a son and a daughter there and have seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. A former educator, Elizabeth now reviews films for various publications as well as for an online website. Harry, once a hardworking engineer, has managed to play golf almost every day since retirement (even achieving a hole-in-one on a very special day). In addition to a passion for movies, Harry and Elizabeth enjoy making each other laugh and reading aloud – especially from the works of Charles Dickens, Ruth Rendell, Martha Grimes, and Dave Barry.
"I loved it!" ~ Debbie Reynolds, Actress
"Screenplay worthy!" ~ Scott Smith, The Pueblo Chieftain
Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence are pleased to donate their royalties from IT HAD TO BE US
to children’s literacy through Dolly Parton’s
Thank you so much for sharing your journey of love and discovery. I was truly inspired. While reading your book I was thinking that there was still hope for me to find true love. I shed a few tears, because your story is so touching. Oh! By the way, I really like your style of writing. Many Blessings.
~Mo Green
