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.
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?
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.comA Family Under the Christmas Tree: A Novel - Amazon
A Family Under the Christmas Tree: A Novel - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Good morning, Lena, thank you for hosting me today. I hope your readers will enjoy this interview.
ReplyDeleteHi Terri....Hi Lena.....Merry Christmas to you both. Don't enter me for the book as I have read it and loved it!!
ReplyDeleteJackie in GA
What a great book! And I just love the cover! Merry Christmas Terri and Lena! Melanie Backus, TX
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie, thanks for stopping in! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, I love the cover too! I got teary-eyed when I saw it for the first time. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI am eager to read this Christmas story! Thanks so much for sharing the lovely interview and giveaway, ladies. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBritney Adams, TX
What an inviting cover and an intriguing first page to really pull you into the story! Thanks for sharing the interview and providing more information on a new to me author. Merry Christmas! Cathy - TX
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful Christmas story. I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeleteLinda in So Cal
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win, read, and review this!!! It sounds SO good and I just LOVE furry additions! ;)
ReplyDeleteAmada from NM, amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom
I am excited to read this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Connie from KY
cps1950(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This books sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance :)
Merry Christmas from Canada ;)
I saw this book featured on another blog and later wished I'd pinned the cover. Doing that right now!
ReplyDeleteDianna in TN
Merry Christmas ladies! When the editor first sent me a mock up of the cover the dog was HUGE and the people really tiny in the background. I liked it even if the dog overwhelmed the page. Though I do think once they balanced out the dog and the couple it really turned out lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing where everyone is from. I'm in Oregon. We've had some unusually cold weather here.
This sounds like a charming Christmas novella. I always love to read a few during the season (and sometimes even in the summer). This little boy in the opening page sounds like he will be the true heart of the story or grandma.
ReplyDeleteI'm in North Carolina and would love to be a reader of this "Oregon author's" book.
Vera in NC
Love the cover! Sounds like a fun book. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBeth in Montana
I love reading Christmas stories! That puppy on the cover looks like mine :-)
ReplyDeleteCheryl in IL
Looking forward to reading this book. north platte nebraska.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great Christmas story.
ReplyDeleteSusan in Texas
This sounds like the perfect story for Christmas season reading.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.
sounds like a great read! Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com I'm from MS
ReplyDelete