Welcome, Teresa. God
has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
He has opened the door for me to work with three different
groups of lovely women writers who have helped and inspired me. I see filling
the upcoming year with writing at least five more novellas.
Tell us a little
about your family.
I am married and have three grown children. I have one
grandson whom I watch every week and sometimes after nap he will play in the
playpen and let me write for half an hour.
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes, I used to love to read long historical Christian
novels, but now I find I like to read other novellas, which is also what I
write.
What are you working
on right now?
A Harvey Girl Novella
I love Harvey Girl
stories. What outside interests do you have?
I line dance and visit bed and breakfasts when I get a chance.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I tend to write about stories set in small towns that come
from my own imagination.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I’d love to sit with Laura Ingals Wilder for a night and
discuss life or with Grace Livingston Hill and discuss the Lord.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Not to be afraid to join a critique group. When I finally
did this my writing improved.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
To trust Him in my writing and selling of books and to tithe
even on book money.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Join a critique group, accept their ideas and don’t just
sell a book to a publishing house unless God gives you a clear okay.
Love Found at Harbor Inn, Maine was written because I visited Maine and wanted to capture the atmosphere. The
story is a light, fun Christmas romance and contemporary.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Bundled in her winter coat, gloves, and scarf, Penny Trent
stood in the square of the Harbor Inn Courtyard and watched as soft flakes of
snow drifted from the sky and gently landed on the already cleared sidewalks
that ran around the square of quaint stores. She sighed with contentment.
Morning was her favorite time of day.
The first day of December and all the specialty shops were
already brightly decorated for Christmas. The town’s theme this year was Silver
Bells, and each window display boasted a variety of bells, silver tinsel, and
white icicle lights. She’d decorated her window with a three tiered wedding
cake decked out with silver snowflakes.
Penny shielded her eyes with her hand and turned away from
the shops to the open side of the square that overlooked the ocean. She scanned
the horizon. The coast of Maine
was a beautiful sight on this lovely winter day with its many nooks, crannies,
and crags. She could see the Old Harbor Lighthouse in the distance.
There had been only one cold day since Thanksgiving and the
water along the coast wasn’t frozen, but she imagined it was bitter cold. Only
a few early morning combers walked along the beach just steps away from the
courtyard. The sand was untouched, except by gulls that ran to-and-fro,
searching for breakfast.
Penny inhaled the fresh, frigid air. To hear the gentle
lapping ocean waves was the epitome of the good life.
Even though she’d suffered the past few weeks, she was still
able to close her eyes and lift her face as her heart sang out, This is the
most pleasant place on earth. I’m so
blessed that my aunt left it to me as my inheritance.
“Excuse me, Miss?” A smooth masculine voice at her elbow
broke into her thoughts. She turned, surprised to see a tall, muscular stranger
standing behind. She took a step back.
The stranger smiled. As if struck by a ray of sunshine, the
brilliance of his grin flashed at her. She took in a gulp of air.
“Excuse me, I didn’t mean to disturb you. Are you Penny
Trent?”
Penny studied the man in silence. Regardless of the ugly
Christmas sweater he wore, this was the man of her dreams. He stood within
touching distance. Tall, brown wavy hair, blue eyes the color of a summer sky,
and all housed in a perfectly muscular body. She was tempted to reach out and
poke him to see if he were real.
The man cleared his throat.
Penny’s gaze shot up, her cheeks flushed. She noted the
crinkles next to his eyes. A sure sign he had read her thoughts and was
laughing at her. She stood a bit more erect.
“Yes, I’m Penny
Trent.”
To her surprise, the man reached out, grabbed her hand and
pumped it up and down. “Great, great. I’m Kyle. Granny told me I would find you
here.”
Penny tilted her head and stared at the man, wondering how
it would feel to brush back the curls that fell across his cheek. “And just who
is Granny?”
“Oh, that’s right. I’m the only one who calls her Granny.
She doesn’t like anyone to know she’s a grandmother. Said it made her feel old,
but secretly, she loves being my grandmother.”
Penny continued to stare at him, trying to make sense from
his words. Ugh, too good to be true.
There goes the man of my dreams. It’s a shame he’s slightly touched in the head
and can’t seem to answer a simple question.
“Excuse me, Kyle? You did say your name is Kyle?”
The man nodded.
“I still have no idea who Granny is. I’m sorry. I don’t know
who you are, and I really do have to open my shop.” Penny took a step back then
turned to go.
The man moved in front of her and blocked her path. “No,
wait. Granny told me I’d probably fudge my introduction. I usually do.” He gave
a rueful grin. “But give me a chance, I get better and I happen to know you don’t
open Cake Time for another half hour. You usually get a cup of coffee first.”
Penny shook her head. She was surprised the man knew her
morning routine, but it was also obvious he wasn’t going to make any sense.
Slightly nervous and irritated, her eyes scanned the area. Where are the local rent-a-cops who usually worked this area or even
another shop owner? It was still too early for any of them to be about.
Unlike Penny, who lived above her cake shop, the owners of the closest shops;
Just a Cup, Blue Willow Antiques, Turn the Page Book Shop and By the Sea Gifts,
commuted from the city.
Penny began to back up. Grandson or not, this man didn’t
seem stable. She quickly turned and hurried toward her shop, hoping the man
would take the hint. She was not interested in speaking to him.
The stranger fell into step beside her.
“Yup, I messed up. I’ve gone and gotten you all confused, so
let me start again. My grandmother is known to all of you shop owners as Helen.”
Penny’s head shot around. She stopped in her tracks and
turned to face him. Helen was the owner of the coffee shop called Just a Cup,
well known for great coffee and Helen’s famous recipe for lemon coffee cake.
Kyle had Penny’s full attention.
“Ah, now I’m doing better. You see, my grandmother, err… I
mean Helen, is in the hospital…”
“What? I just saw her the day before Thanksgiving. What
happened? Is she hurt, sick? What hospital?”
Kyle held up a hand. “Whoa! Wait a minute. I don’t want to
get everything all turned around again.”
Penny held her breath, waiting impatiently.
“Granny fell down the stairs in her house on Thanksgiving
day. She is in the city hospital and is doing alright. She broke her hip and
they did surgery, but she also broke a rib and has a slight concussion.”
“Oh, no!” Penny gasped. “She told me she was going to take off
the week between Thanksgiving and December, so I never even thought to worry
about her. I’m so sorry this has happened. I’ll visit her later today if you
think they will allow me to see her.”
He shook his head. “Probably not. I was only allowed to
speak to her for a few minutes. Perhaps a couple days from now, we can drive
into the city together. I have a great old truck, with spare chains in the
back, just in case we get stuck in a blizzard.”
The image of snuggling up beside the handsome, dark haired
man in a truck flashed through Penny’s mind, but she quickly pushed it away.
This was not the time to daydream about a total stranger; especially one who
seemed to live in a constant state of confusion.
Penny shook her head sympathetically and gave the man a
quick appraisal. There was a small resemblance to Helen. “Please keep me
posted. I want to see her as soon as possible. She’s been such a good friend.”
“Yes, she told me.”
Penny frowned. “What about her shop? Will it stay closed
while she is in the hospital? It’s a pity, with the Christmas rush almost here.
There are more and more tourists every day, and by December tenth, the square
will be packed during business hours. Evenings, too. Can she afford to lose
that much income?”
Kyle slapped his chest. “That’s why I’m here. I promised
Granny I would run things for a few days.” He raked a hand through his hair and
mumbled, “Haven’t worked in the shop since I was sixteen.”
“You worked in the coffee shop?”
“Yep. I used to spend the summers with Granny. I grew up in California , but I loved being here in Maine with Granny.”
“She never mentioned you.” It was strange that she had known
Helen for nearly three years and her friend never mentioned a grandson.
Kyle smiled mischievously. “I don’t doubt it. When I turned
seventeen, I told my parents I was too old to be sent off to Maine for the summer. Granny wasn’t happy
about it and she told me she was striking my name off the Good Grind List.”
Sounds interesting. How
can readers find you on the Internet?
www.teresalilly.com
is my blog, Teresa ives lilly author is my Facebook page.
Thank you, Teresa, for sharing this book with us. Many of my readers love novellas.
Here's a link to the book: Love Found at Harbor Inn Maine
Here's a link to the book: Love Found at Harbor Inn Maine
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
22 comments:
would love to win. Oreo and Angela in KY
This sounds like a fun book to read, I was chuckling just reading the first page! Would so love to win a copy, thank you for the chance.
Wendy in FL
wfnren at aol dot com
This book has really gotten my attention. I need to read it to be sure Granny (Helen) is alright . What a fabulous book this sounds to be . Please enter my name in the drawing.
Deanne in Pennsylvania
This is going to turn into a fun book to read from what I have read so far. I'd love to be the lucky winner.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing the first page. It makes the book sound so much fun!
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at) gmail (dot) com
Sounds like a dandy!
Melanie Backus, TX
Thank you ladies for your comments so far. I'm glad that the book looks interesting and hope you all get to read it. However, it is actually listed on Amazon now as Love Found at Harbor Inn, Maine. We decided to put the book into our Love Found series so changed the title....but not the content.....
A wonderful first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I love the title and the first page! The setting in Maine will be very interesting.
Beth from IA
Sounds like a great read! Great first page!
Beth in Montana
Sounds like a fun read. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com. North platte Nebraska.
Enjoyed the interview. Thank you for the chance to win.
Brenda in VA happygrammaof3{at}Comcast{dot}com
I would love to visit Maine again and see the Acadia NP and lighthouses. I see a lighthouse on your book cover. sm wileygreen 1(at)yahoo(dot)com CA
I'm not familiar with Teresa's writing, but this sounds like a fun story. And I'm sure the rest of the novellas are too!
Patty in SC
Teresa and my readers, since Teresa told us about the change in title of the book, I've changed this post to reflect the new title, and I've put the new cover and a buy link in the blog.
oh, sounds like a wonderful book. thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
Oh, I'm already hooked from the first page! Sounds like we're in for quite a story here. I enjoyed your author interview, Teresa & meeting a new writer. The Lord has blessed you indeed & I love that He's put you together with another group of ladies to inspire each others writing! To be among people of like-mindedness is wonderful, isn't it?
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of "Love Found at Harbor Inn, Maine"!
Trixi in OR
Now I need to read the book. I thought I was a rambler but that Kyle really rambled around in his introduction. I started to wonder if he ever was going to explain who "Granny" was.
Edward A in VA
Hello Lena. This is a new author to me but I would love to have a chance to win her book. Thanks for that chance.
Maxie (TX) . mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I love how you always give us the first page of your interviewee's new book in your interviews, Lena! It "sets the hook" to reel us in. Would love to win this book from a new-to-me author
Pam in Ohio
I love how you always give us the first page of your interviewee's new book in your interviews, Lena! It "sets the hook" to reel us in. Would love to win this book from a new-to-me author
Pam in Ohio
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