Spotlight on Teri Wilson

Today we get to know Teri Wilson

WRP: Have you ever won any contests? Tell us about that experience.


TW: Cup of Joe, and my current writing project, Rodeo Redemption, won first and second place in the San Antonio Romance Authors 2009 Merritt Contest. I almost didn't even enter the contest because there wasn't a category for inspirational romance. At the last minute, I decided to enter both stories in the Short Contemporary Category. Boy, was I stunned when I found out I won first and second place. Rodeo Redemption even earned the honor of Grand Prize winner across all categories of the contest. To me, this says a lot about the power of inspirational
romance to touch readers' lives!

Goldie thinks she’s prepared for the death of her doting Grandpa who’s
raised her since childhood. But after his passing, she finds herself curled up on the sofa watching television, feet clad in fuzzy slippers. She knows God has a new plan for her life, but she's simply too tired to figure out what it is.

To make matters worse, sweet, shy coffee shop owner, Joe Montgomery, keeps showing up on her doorstep with morning coffee. When she tells him emphatically she doesn’t like coffee—never has and never will—he shows up with a dog instead!

As she takes steps to start a new life, with her new puppy scampering playfully at her side, Goldie begins to realize a cup of Joe just might be what she’s needed all along.

WRP: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

TW: I don't think it's any secret that I'm an animal lover! I always have at least one animal character that plays an important role in each of my books. Usually, it's the heroine's pet. And the little critter isn't just there as window dressing - I make sure to incorporate the pet into the plot, with a very specific mission.


WRP: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

TW: Yes. God can heal your broken heart if you give Him the chance.


WRP: What makes this book special to you?

TW: Cup of Joe was written in memory of my grandpa, Robert K. Wilson. I plotted out the story for the book about a year after he passed away. The character of Goldie's grandfather is based on my own Grandpa. He loved chocolate milkshakes, dogs and hot buttered raisin toast, just like Goldie's grandfather. He didn't raise me, but he was very important to me and I'm thrilled that now my readers can get to know him a little by reading Cup of Joe.


WRP: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

TW: OK, don't laugh…I learned how to become a coffee drinker while I
wrote Cup of Joe. It's true. I somehow managed to avoid drinking coffee for my whole life until I was in the final galley stages of this book. All the drinks sounded so yummy that I just had to try a few. I guess the hero, Joe, is right. Everyone loves coffee. My favorite coffee drink is White Mocha from Starbuck's. This drink was the inspiration for the final cup of coffee Joe offers Goldie at the end of Cup of Joe.
But you'll have to read the book to see what Joe names this special beverage!


WRP: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

TW: The old adage "art imitates life" must be true. Or, in my case, the
reverse! I recently added a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy to my family. Her name is Bliss, just like the dog in Cup of Joe.


WRP: How can readers contact you? Do you have a website?

TW: I love to hear from readers! I can be reached through my website at
www.teriwilson.net or via email at puppylove @ satx.rr.com.

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In addition to Cup of Joe, which will be released in December, Teri has penned Once Upon a Collar, an exclusive, free novella that will be serialized only on our readers' loop. Join today! It's free, so don't miss out on this modern-day fairytale that will be featured this fall.