Teresa Ives Lilly is the author of Gambled Away, Where’s the Dickens, Sheriff Bride, Lucky in Shamrock Texas, and quite a few more Christian romances. Teresa will be giving away copies of Sheriff Bride to five lucky readers — leave your comment to enter!
More Than a Review had a chance to ask Teresa a few questions.
MTAR: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Teresa Ives Lilly: I am 50 years old, have been writing seriously for several years now although I loved writing my whole life. I am married, have three grown children and own a children’s resale story in San Antonio.
MTAR: What do you do when you are not writing?
Teresa Ives Lilly: Run a children’s resale store. I actually only get to write between 9 pm and Midnight
MTAR: What inspired you to write your first book?
Teresa Ives Lilly: I discovered Janette Oke. I loved her stories and that inspired my first book, Mamma’s Bells. However, I prefer to write short novellas like Christmas Village Miracle and Lucky in Shamrock Texas.
MTAR: How did you choose the genre you write in?
Teresa Ives Lilly: Christian romance is what I like to write because it’s what I like to read.
MTAR: Which book do you recommend for a reader that is new to your writing?
Teresa Ives Lilly: The first story in the Sheriff Bride Series, just called Sheriff Bride.
MTAR: What books/authors have influenced your writing?
Teresa Ives Lilly: Jenette Oke and Grace Livingston Hill.
MTAR: What was your favorite chapter (or scene) to write and why?
Teresa Ives Lilly: I just love the opening scene in my book Gambled Away, when the young man gladly loses his step sister in a poker game, but the winner thinks he has won a mule.
MTAR: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
Teresa Ives Lilly: Now that the 4 books in the Sheriff Bride series are done, I would like to go back and write a Christmas story with them all.
MTAR: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
Teresa Ives Lilly: I had an acquisitions editor give me two pages of critique on the newest story I am working on, “Orphan Train Bride” but I was pleased to get so much information. Some of the items she mentioned would change the whole theme though, so I am working through them and choosing those that help me without changing the integrity of my book.
MTAR: Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Teresa Ives Lilly: Please consider leaving positive feedback anywhere you can for books. A lot of times, only those who are unhappy with a book will leave comments.
MTAR: What books have most influenced your life most?
Teresa Ives Lilly: The Bible first, but then the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke. They were the first christian books I ever read. I loved them so much I stole the whole set from my church……ooops I was a baby Christian myself then.
MTAR: What book are you reading now?
Teresa Ives Lilly: I’m sort of trying to expand my horizon because I usually just reread Grace Livingston Hills 100 books every year, but I’m trying to find some others that I like.
MTAR: Do you see writing as a career?
Teresa Ives Lilly: No– a dream come true. I also sell unit studies for teachers and that actually pays my bills, but my book writing is my real love.
MTAR: What was the hardest part of writing your books?
Teresa Ives Lilly: Rewriting, rewriting, rewriting and then still finding a few mistakes.
MTAR: What is your favorite theme/genre to write?
Teresa Ives Lilly: I love to write Christian Romance, but I dabble in Children’s Chapter books as well. I have a young adult story in mind…when I get time….