A FAMILY UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE - Terri Reed - One Free Book

Welcome back, Terri. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I write Christian romance and romantic suspense novels because I enjoy the genres. I love a happy ending and including my faith in the story is so rewarding. And I relish the action and mystery in the suspense books. I enjoy exploring relationships and the dynamics involved.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? 

The happiest day of my life happened twice. The days my kids were born.  Becoming a parent has blessed me with so much joy and contentment. That’s not to say there haven’t been rocky times but I wouldn’t change anything in my life if it meant not having my son and daughter.

How has being published changed your life?

After becoming published, I was able to give up my part-time jobs and write full-time from home, which gave me the ability to set my own schedule, allowing me to be available to my family and to serve at my kids’ schools.

What are you reading right now? 

I’m reading The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight

What is your current work in progress? 

I’m writing a novella as part of the 2017 Classified K-9 Unit series for Love Inspired Suspense. There’s an arsonist plaguing the city of Billings, Montana. Baker Vickie Petrov sees the arsonist. It’s up to FBI K-9 agent Tim Ramsey and his arson detection dog, Frodo, to protect her and sniff out the arsonist.

Sounds interesting. I’d love to feature it on my blog. What would be your dream vacation?  

Holed up in a mountain cabin with my family and a ton of books to read.

That sounds wonderful to me, too. How do you choose your settings for each book?

I try to find places that interest me and that I want to learn more about. I wrote a book set in Niagara Falls because I am fascinated by the falls and it was so exciting to learn about them.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’d want to sit with Helen Mirren. She’s a terrific actress and I’m sure she has an interesting life story.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I’ve been training my dog in agility which has been fun. I also like to dance and exercise. Currently, I’m doing Barre 3 online classes.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Writing the middle of the book is the difficult spot for me but the only way to get to the other side is to push through, little by little until I reach the point where the words come faster as I near the end of the book.

What advice would you give to a beginning author? 

Learn your craft, be persistent, believe in your work and stay teachable.

Tell us about the featured book. 

A Family Under the Christmas Tree is the story of two very career oriented people who find themselves in circumstances where they must put aside their own needs and wants for the sake of a child.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Sophie Griffith brought her rented car to a stop in the driveway of her grandmother’s house. The midday gloom of a rainy December tinted the world in shades of gray. She turned off the engine and looked toward the front door, and smiled as she spied Grandma sitting on the porch, wearing a red and white Santa hat. Little tufts of silver hair peeked out from under the hat, and a green fleece blanket was tucked around her. She waved as Sophie climbed out of the car.

A surge of affection hit her, and Sophie waved back. It had been too long since she’d made the time to visit Grandma. She missed this place. She missed Grandma. She was frustrated that it had taken this for her to make the trip.

Then, she blinked with surprise as she realized Grandma had company. There was a man on her porch. Well, there was a man on a ladder in front of her porch. A man with dark hair and long lean legs, wearing jeans and a black weatherproof jacket, clung to a ten-foot-tall ladder, stringing a stand of icicle lights along the eaves. Shouldn’t he be tied off with a safety harness or something?

She held her breath, sure any second he’d topple over as he reached for the little hooks attached to the house. Sophie returned her narrowed gaze to Grams. Hmmm. Two days ago Grandma had called saying she’d fallen and needed Sophie’s help. But she seemed okay now. What was up?

Movement on the lawn drew Sophie’s attention. A small boy of about five wearing a blinding yellow beanie streaked across the fenced-in front yard. A muddy dog chased him, close on his heels. Wait, were those reindeer antlers on the dog’s head? The child’s sweater could compete in any ugly Christmas sweater contest. His jeans and rain boots were caked in mud.

Who was this kid?

Yes, who is that kid? My readers and I want to know. How can readers find you on the Internet? 

www.terrireed.com

https://www.facebook.com/terrireedauthorpage/?ref=bookmarks

Thank you, Terri, for sharing this Christmas title with us. I just love reading Christmas novels and novellas. I start reading the new ones in September.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

A Family Under the Christmas Tree - Christianbook.com
A Family Under the Christmas Tree: A Novel - Amazon
A Family Under the Christmas Tree: A Novel - Kindle

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