Christmas in July with Romance Author Teresa Ives Lilly

While the northern part of the world has a cold snowy Christmas, the southern has a warm sunny Christmas because the seasons are in reverse. Because of this, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina have made it a tradition to celebrate Christmas in July in order to have Christmas with a winter feeling, but they will still celebrate Christmas on December 25. The first time Christmas in July was celebrated in the states was in 1933 at Camp Keystone for a girl's summer camp in North Carolina.

Author Teresa Ives Lilly lives in Texas although she was northern born. She has been writing Christian novellas for many years. She has also authored over two hundred unit studies and written a variety of magazine articles. Her true love is writing Christian romance novellas. Her books can be seen at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Smashwords, and Lovely Christian Romance Press.

Welcome back to my blog, Teresa. Please tell us about your new Romantic Christmas novel, Christmas in Harbor Inn Maine.

When Penny Trent, Owner of Cake Time in Harbor Inn Maine, meets Kyle London, a famous writer who has come to to close down his Grandmother’s coffee shop Just a Cup, there is an immediate attraction between them.

Penny, busy cooking for the Mayor’s Christmas party, the town’s annual Bake Off and trying to persuade Kyle to keep Just a Cup open, doesn’t have time for holiday traditions or to embark on a new relationship, even if it is with the man of her dreams.

Will Kyle be able to convince Penny to enjoy the holidays and believe in his desire to get to know her better? Will Kyle and Penny be able to save the coffee shop by combining forces and find a lasting relationship by Christmas?

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

This story was inspired when I took my 21-year-old daughter on a trip to Maine, which had been her dream since she was five years old. Several characters are based on real people we met along the way. Flo's Hot Dogs is a real place and does have the best hotdogs in the world.

Hotdogs are one of my favorite foods. Yum! What kind of research did you do for this book?

The trip to Maine was enough.  I found that along the coast there are so many quaint, small stores and squares.  I just had to write about one.

Please tell us about one of the main characters in this story and what you like about him or her.

Well, honestly, I like my irritating character Allison Benner who tries to come between Penny and Kyle the best.  I enjoyed writing her parts the most.  She is so blinded by her own self worth that she can’t see what is going on around her until it’s too late.   Sorry, Allison.  Maybe I’ll write a follow up and get you someone to love….

Haha. It sounds like you’re really close to your characters. ahaHHere are some links where my readers can find you online.

Teresa Ives Lilly, Author and Dreamer

Lovely Christian Romance Press

Amazon

A Novel With Fantasy, Romance, and Mystery--Raving Reviews!

Serena Clarke is from sunny Southern Utah.  She has loved writing since she was young and has taken several writing classes.  She loves fantasy with a hint of romance and wishes to contribute to the genre.

Serena has a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and is a member of the Red Mountain Shadows Publishing team.  She is passionate about learning, reading, art, and design.  She enjoys designing her book covers as much as writing her books.

Hello Everyone! Here is the scoop about this new fantasy series.

Fantasy has become one of the most popular genre, simply because you are taken into a completely new world… a world of magic and mystery… where almost anything can happen. In this new series by Serena Clarke, we have an enchanting kingdom and mystical creatures that reside in the forests.

The Treasure of Isian is the first book in The Isian Series. Prince Garin is a brave, proud, adventure-seeking prince. Elani is his most trusted servant and she would do anything for him. Their quest to find the mystical Treasure of Isian is immediately interrupted and they find themselves confronted by giants, elves, dragons, and a vengeful water-witch. Elani must face her greatest fears to save her prince and her kingdom. Will they be able to make a great sacrifice to save the kingdom?

“The Treasure of Isian was a stirring tale of an enchanted servant and a handsome prince,” wrote Author Charissa Stastny. “The adventures they face together as they search for the fabled treasure of Isian that will grant the bearer any wish they desire. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. The author did a wonderful job pacing the story and connecting me to the characters. Superb story that brought a smile to my face and helped me remember that sometimes, we can overlook the most valuable treasures in life if we’re not careful.”

In The Alliance of Isian, Isian decides to make an alliance with their long time enemies.  Isian sends a proposal, offering their daughter to the prince, in order to ensure an alliance. Princess Gabrielle and Prince Alec must learn to work together and trust each other in order to triumph in the approaching war. With a mysterious beast attacking the kingdom, their lives in danger, and overcoming their vast cultural differences, will love grow despite their trials?

“The Alliance of Isian is an enchanting story and very difficult to put down. Gabrielle is a strong character and I could feel the emotions she was experiencing. I could feel her frustration in being forced to marry someone she did not know, and whose background was totally so different from her own. Alec is likewise a strong character and has his definite opinions, but he is also very sensitive to Gabrielle's feelings of inadequacy in marrying a stranger. As time passes, I could see the respect they gradually develop for each another and how they learn to understand one another's differences. They learn to accept one another's faults and failings. I noticed the change in both characters, a change for the better, as Gabrielle and Alec fall in love. This is one of the best fantasies I've read.” –Author Linda Weaver Clarke

For more information, to read a sample chapter, or purchase a book, visit http://serenaclarke.wordpress.com.