Monday, July 20, 2015

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.


17 comments:

Wall-to-wall books said...

Hmmm I've never heard of this author before. This book looks great!
Just added it to my wish list.

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angelachesnut246@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would love to read your books. I would also love to win. Brendaaguinaga2000@yahoo.com

Debbie Curto said...

This book sounds like a great read! I would love to win!

meuth09 said...

This book is really interesting. Teresa Ives Lilly is one if my favorite authors, and I look forward to reading all of her books. I would live to win!
Meuth09@gmail.com

Mary Preston said...

This sounds like such a lovely read.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Melanie Backus said...

I love this Christmas in July giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity! The book sounds great!!!!

mauback55 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Thank you for introducing me to a new author and series. I've never been to Maine or anywhere in the North East and the area sounds like a great place for your series. Definitely going to check out "In Harbor Inn Maine".
grandmabkr at yahoo dot com

Gail Pallotta said...

Thanks for the interesting interview about Christmas in July. This book sounds like lots of fun. I'm fascinated with coffee shops and hope they're able to save this one as well as see their romance blossom.

Sonja said...

Hope I am not too late to enter, have been away from my computer for a week! This sounds really good and I would love to read this one. Even the title sounds like a good read.

Shirley said...

This sounds like a wonderful read. Thank you both for the interview and the chance to win the book. Blessings to you.

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a story that I would thoroughly enjoy, including Allison.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Robin in NC said...

I really enjoyed the excerpt & interview! Thanks for sharing the chance to win too!
rw620 AT aol DOT com

LouisePledge said...

I really like Christmas-themed books and, even more, when they're Christian-oriented! I appreciate authors like you who give us that option.

Vicki said...

I love that the author took her daughter to Maine because she'd wanted to go there since she was 5, and it sounds like they had a great trip!

If I ever get to Maine, I'll look for Flo's Hot Dogs since I do love a good hot dog.

Two of my favorite things are the water and lighthouses. I have a huge lighthouse figurine collection and a lot of pictures of the beach and lighthouses hanging on my walls, so naturally I love the cover.

Thanks for the chance to win the book!

Library Lady said...

Our Church Library Readers love books about Christmas. What a neat idea to help promote our Christmas books but to do a display in July. It will have to wait until next year though.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Congratulations, Vicki! You are the winner of this fun Christmas novel. I know you'll enjoy it very much.