Terri Reed Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.  

A.  I’m a mother and writer.  I live in the Pacific Northwest but grew up in California.  I’ve had a variety of jobs from receptionist to bank teller, pre-school teacher to sales clerk to model, but being a mother and a writer are far more rewarding than anything else I’ve ever done.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. Somewhere around seventh grade is when I knew I wanted to be a writer but it wasn’t until I was pregnant with my first child that I started to pursue writing as a career.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?  

A. I think the highlight so far was having my second book, A Sheltering Love, nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award.  As for my writing break, I was asked by another author if I’d be interested in writing a novella for Barbour Publishing.  Of course I said yes and wrote A Perfect Love, part of the Romance on the Rails novella collection.  It was published in 2001.  Two years later I sold to Love Inspired.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release?  

A. The Secret Heiress is a story of an adopted woman, Caroline Tully, who’s given an opportunity to meet her biological grandfather, only someone doesn’t want her to become part of the family and attempts are made on her life.  She hires a bodyguard, Don Cavanaugh, to accompany her to Mississippi.  Posing as her fiancé give Don the excuse to stick close to his client.  But as danger closes in, he realizes he no only has to protect his client but his own heart as well.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for The Secret Heiress?

A: From my love of Nancy Drew mysteries and old gothic romances.  I wanted to do something a little different so I wrote this book with a very gothic feel, complete with an old plantation house full of secrets, creepy relatives and an old unsolved murder as well as a spunky heroine and heroic hero.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A:  That love and honor and hope are obtainable. We only have to chose to look to God as our source of strength and turn away from our pride, our fear or anything else that holds us back. 

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: I guess my favorite scene is where Don finally realizes he must sacrifice his fear in order to love.  I think we all hold on to fear as a way of protecting our hearts but in order to really love we must let go of any fear and take the risk.

Q: What inspires you to write?  

A. Reading books by authors I admire and hope to emulate.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?  

A: The business side of publishing is hard and confusing.  Writing to deadlines is also more stressful than I thought it’d be.  But I find I write better when I’m under pressure.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A:  Join a writers group, study your favorite authors, and be persistent both in your writing and in submitting.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?  

A: I’m working on two projects at the moment. The first project is the fourth Protection Specialists book slated to be released in February 2013, featuring bodyguard Jackie Blain. This book is set in Wyoming on a ranch with a handsome cowboy framed for murder. The second project is the fifth book in the Texas K-9 Unit continuity series slated to be released in May 2013.  This books features a drug sniffing Beagle named Sherlock, his handsome handler Parker and a cold case detective Melody who’s determined to unravel the mystery of her nephew’s and her sister’s death.

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?  

A. Growing up I was painfully shy.  I still tend to be on the reserved side.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?  

A. I like to exercise, spend time with my family and play with my dog.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

A: I belong to two group blogs. One the Love Inspired Authors at www.loveinspiredauthors.com and the other Craftie Ladies of Romance at http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/   Stop by some time to see what the Love Inspired Authors are up to.