Author interview: Teresa Ives Lilly

Teresa Ives Lilly, author, is visiting my blog today to talk about her life story and passion for writing inspirational books. 

Here's what's in it for you: Teresa Ives Lilly will give away two .pdf copies of her book Lucky in Shamrock Texas! 

The book giveaway contest starts today, March 1 and will end on Sunday, March 15. 

Contest rules: To enter the contest, leave a comment after reading this author interview. You must include your e-mail address in the comment section below so Teresa can contact you if you win and send the .pdf of her book. The two winners will be chosen by Alexis via an old-fashioned drawing. *New* contest update as of March 15: The winners will be notified on Sunday, March 22 and should receive their free book by Monday, March 23. 

Read on for the author interview (questions by Alexis in bold, answers from Teresa not in bold)...

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Alexis: Why do you write Christian Romance?

Teresa: Many years ago I used to read regular Regency Romance, but then I discovered Christian Romance and fell in love. I knew from the first time I read one that I wanted to write Christian romance.

Do you prefer writing novellas or novels? Explain.

Novellas. I’m not sure why, but God has just blessed me to write shorter stories.

How many books have you written and published?

Thirteen between novels and novellas.

Who is your publisher? Do you have an agent?

I am an Indie publisher known as Lovely Romance Press.

You are the Editor of Lovely Christian Romance magazine and publishing company. What a wonderful initiative! Tell me how that happened.

Well, several years ago I began the magazine and several writers showed real talent and didn’t know how to get published so I worked with them on it. However, this last year I closed both to focus on my own writing and work with ACFW group on editing.

When you were a child, did you think you’d be a writer when you “grew up”? Did you imagine you’d be doing what you’re doing now? Why or why not?

Yes, I wanted to be a writer since I was six. As for how I knew...In school we had to write a poem. I wrote one and when I got home I read it to my mother. She told me it was wonderful and that someday I might be a writer. It's one of the few times she ever verbally encouraged me and the dream was born that day. Since then I have written for magazines, contests, children's books and finally settled into my true love of Christian Romance Novellas.

What’s your writing routine?

I do almost all my writing between 9 p.m. and midnight. I work on the publishing end during the day.

Describe your writing space. What makes it unique?

I have a desk in my extra bedroom, and a television which I basically keep old television shows like The Beverly Hill Billies etc. running while I write.

What books are you reading now?

I just finished several Mail Order Bride novellas published by Love Inspired Historical.

Which one of your novellas that you’ve written so far is your favorite? Why?

Christmas Village Miracle because I based it on the Christmas Village I set up every year, and always wish I could just live in.

If you were not a writer, what would you be doing career-wise?

Well, I was a certified teacher for a while then a mom, then a home school mom, then I ran a children’s resale shop for seven years. Now I am strictly focusing on my writing and I help my husband with paper work for his business.

Give my readers a glimpse into your personal life. Are you married with children? What is your favorite hobby? How you spend your free time?

I have been married for 28 years. We became Christians right before our wedding and have been serving Christ ever since. I have three children ages 27, 26, 23 and now a grandson who is 1 years old. Writing is my hobby…but I love to go to garage sales as well.

Complete this sentence: When my readers reach “the end” of my books, I hope______________because___________________________.

Teresa: When my readers reach “the end” of my books, I hope they want to read others by me because they enjoyed it so much.

Thanks for the author interview, Teresa!

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Author bio:

Teresa Ives Lilly is an inspirational writer. She mainly writes novellas, but has a few novels and a few children’s chapter books in publication.

All her work is available at Amazon.com, BN.com, Smashwords.com.

She had had a variety of articles published in magazines, several items published in anthologies, has written over 200 unit studies for homeschoolers and public schools.

Teresa lives in Texas. She would love to hear from you. Contact her through e-mail, teresaiveslilly@yahoo.com 

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Connect with Teresa:

Author page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/teresalillyauthor

Website - http://www.teresalilly.com/

True Love Stories: Love Online

Here it is, the very first guest post in my true love stories series taking place every day this month of February! Are you excited? I know I am! :) 

Featured on my blog today is Carol McClain, a woman of faith and words. She met her husband on the Internet. Sometimes online dating works for you in a wonderful way, such is the story of Carol and the man she married. 

Curious to know how it worked out for Carol? Read on...

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Love Online

Carol McClain's True Love Story

Living in the northern reaches of New York where even New Yorkers don’t believe anything exists, men are scarce. Couple that with a tiny church populated by two types of people,

1. Happily married

2. Good reason not married (there existed a good reason I remained a single mom for so long).

Then, along came the Internet, and I took my chances. And what was the chance of finding a devout Christian, single, my age, living in my teensy town?

Actually, very good.

I met a man. He wasn’t computer savvy and didn’t realize his profile had gone through on this particular match-making site. After filling out the fifty pages of questions, getting it notarized, signing it in blood, he had gotten a notice that an error had occurred, and his profile could not be posted. He gave up.

Not me. Being computer savvy, I sniffed out that profile, emailed him, chatted, and we decided to meet in real time.

However, being foolish, I violated every principal of online mating. Not only did I have him pick me up at my house for our first date, I invited him in after dinner, as well. After all, he had told me he was a minister, and a quick check of his church proved he didn’t lie. If I couldn’t trust a preacher-boy, life would be grim. Of course, if he murdered me, my life would have been grimmer than a Grimm’s fairy tale.

But—God is merciful.

When he knocked on my door for that first date, I opened it not knowing what to expect—a hideous creature with halitosis or a Prince Charming to salivate over.

I got the latter.

And apparently, he got the woman of his dreams because he flashed me the most enchanting smile I’d ever seen—white, even teeth framed by a distinguished beard and mustache. Topping off that smile were warm, brown eyes, a shock of white hair sporting no baldness at all. I could go on this date and not be ashamed of being seen in public.

We further confirmed our suitability during dinner. We received our menus and forgot to look at them. Our entrée came before we remembered the salad bar. When asked if we wanted dessert, we remembered we were supposed to eat our now cold meal.

At my house after dinner, our conversation continued…and we talked well into the evening. At last, he got up to go since I had to leave for family obligations early the next morning. I walked him to the door. His eyes sparkled with the dawning of love, more than likely reflecting my own. He opened the door. Turned to me. Here it came. I closed my eyes, held my breath, leaned in.

Shook my hand!

Now it’d been ages since I had dated, but shaking the hand was not how a date was supposed to end, even if you were a Christian.

The next morning as I packed my car, I got a phone call. Neil.

“I forgot something last night. Can I stop by? I’ll only keep you a minute.”

“Of course.” What else could a smitten lady say?

Within ten minutes he knocked at my door. Diffidently, he stepped into my living room. “I was so stupid last night. I meant to give you this.” He leaned in, took me in his arms and gave me the first of a million kisses that were to follow.

Almost one year from the day we met, we married. 

Carol's note to blog readers: Have a blessed and romantic Valentine’s Day. As for me—will cuddle with a silver-haired man who has the best teeth in the United States.

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Carol's *new* personalized blurb for her book, DWF: Divorced White Female:

Only Neil’s teeth and the manner we met made it into my debut novel DWF: Divorced White Female. My protagonist meets her date at Porta Bella’s—her town’s swankiest restaurant. They met online, never saw a picture of each other, and she’s smitten with his intellect. When Cheryl meets Carlton, she’s also dazzled by his teeth.

But could those choppers possibly be real? How does one find out if a potential spouse has false teeth? Hmmm.

I’m ashamed to say, that thought plagued me. I had to wait many months to find out. And I’ll let you know: Neil’s teeth are as real and original as our love—even ten years after we’ve been married.

You can read the antics of Cheryl Chandler and her quest to tame her children, her hair and hook a man in DWF: Divorced White Female, a romantic comedy. The e-books can be found wherever e-books are sold. The print copy currently appears only on Amazon.

Buy Carol's book:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1zJmaeo

BarnesandNoble.com- http://bit.ly/1DjwZ4e