The Lady Who Enjoys Romancing the Pet Lover's Soul

Have you met Teri Wilson yet?

Teri Wilson's son once wrote in a third-grade paper, "My Mom loves dogs and Jesus." He may have gotten the order reversed, but the sentiment was right on target. Teri's romance stories are often filled with happy endings, splashes of humor and a loveable critter or two. After all, Cinderella never would have lived happily ever after without a little help from her animal friends!

Teri is thrilled to be the grand prize winner of the 2009 San Antonio Romance Authors Merritt Contest for her inspirational romance Rodeo Redemption. Rodeo Redemption and her other inspirational romance, Cup of Joe, took first and second place in the Contemporary Romance category. Teri is also the winner of the 2008 Pet Sitters International Humor Writing Award, the 2008 Spaniel Journal Writing Contest, the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Angel on a Leash Writing Award and the 3rd place winner of the 21st Annual American Kennel Club Short Fiction Contest.

She lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, son and four delightful dogs. Teri loves hearing from readers and can be reached through her website at http://www.teriwilson.net/  or via email at puppylove@satx.rr.com .

SKC: Welcome Teri. We can see you are not only a writer of fiction but non fiction too. We are anxious to hear about both this week.

Teri: My first published book was a nonfiction Bible Study workbook called All Creatures of Our God and King: What God’s Word Says About Animals. I was looking for a Bible Study workbook for animal lovers and I couldn’t find one. So, at the urging of my son, I spent six months doing the research and wrote one myself.

SKC: That's the way to get things done. Do them yourself. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

Teri: I adore reading and writing inspirational romance! It is both my passion and my calling. And I love to hear what readers have to say about my work.

SKC: How is your family adjusting to your writing career?

Teri: They are adjusting well. My son is about to enter his second year of college, so we are empty nesters now, which gives me plenty of time for writing.

SKC: It makes a big difference doesn't it. As an empty nester wife and mom, what kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy, and how do they fit into your daily writing routine?

Teri: I have fun participating in dog shows with my dogs Angel and Bliss. We show in conformation shows (like beauty pageants for dogs) and in a fun obedience event called Rally Obedience. The way they fit into my writing time kind of goes like this…I attend a dog show for a weekend and feel guilty that I’m not writing. Ha ha. I also love to read, which I feel is very important to any writer. I am also a “greeter” at my church and enjoy going on mission trips.

SKC: I still haven’t read your first book, and I also look forward to this new one. How did you gather up your themes and in what way do you bring the Lord into your pages?

Teri: I usually start with a favorite Bible verse and an idea for one of the main characters and the spiritual struggle he or she is going through. Then, I build the plot from there.

I started this new book, Rodeo Redemption, kind of as an experiment with the idea of a very broken hero. I don’t want to give anything away, but Luke’s struggle to rebuild his life was the initial idea for the plot.

SKC: What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

Teri: I would love the reader to have a better understanding of God’s grace and how His plans for our futures usually exceed our wildest expectations.

SKC: That's great. God is certainly in the business of doing much more than we could ever expect. How did you find your present publisher, or better yet, how did they find you?

Teri: I am thrilled to be a part of White Rose Publishing. I found them when I read a book written by another White Rose author, Betsy Ann St. Amant.

SKC: White Rose Publishing is a wonderful place to be involved with. I've heard that often from others too. I am an animal lover as you are, by the way, Teri, and as I noticed from glancing at your website. And I, too, make sure to get animals into all my writing in some way. When did animals become such a large part of your writing style?

Teri: Animals have always been a part of my writing, since I started with the Bible Study workbook for animal lovers. I guess I always include them in my hero and heroine’s lives because I can’t imagine not having a pet in my own life.

SKC: Me neither. Aside from animals, though, tell us, Teri, where do you plan to go from here? What is next on your plate?

Teri: I just finished writing and editing Rodeo Rescue, the second book in my Rodeo Royalty Series. Now, I am working on the third book in the series – Rodeo Resurrection. I am also writing an Alaskan Christian romance, set amid the exciting world of sled dogs.

SKC: These will keep you busy a long time. The people who come to A Pen for Your Thoughts, usually enjoy the questions that they are asked to ponder so I can include their comments in the weekly drawing for a book. If you could ask anything to a fan, what would it be?

Teri: Here's the question: Tell me how your pet got its name. If you don’t have a pet, why don’t you tell me what you would name a pet if you had one.

SKC: That's a fun question. Now, tell us a little more about the book you are planning to donate. And please be sure to let the readers and other writers here know how they can find you and your material on the web.

Teri: I am donating a copy of my latest book from White Rose Publishing – Rodeo Redemption, the first book of my new Rodeo Royalty Series. Readers can find me at http://www.teriwilson.net/. All of my inspirational romances are available on Amazon and at the White Rose Publishing website at http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/ .

Now, here’s a bit more about Rodeo Redemption:

A Former Rodeo Queen

     Josie Turner spends her days at the local dog grooming shop pampering the pooches of Angel Springs, Texas. When rodeo season rolls around again, the townfolk are excited about who their new Rodeo Queen might be. Josie, on the other hand, finds herself reminded all too often about a night she’d just as soon forget.

A Former Rodeo Cowboy

     Luke Anderson lived for three things – riding, roping and rodeos. Until the day he met Josie Turner, the girl who gave his life meaning, and whose heart he was destined to break. Now, ten years later, he returns to Angel Springs to find the town hasn’t changed much, but the girl he left behind has become a stranger he hardly recognizes. What, he wonders, will she think of him, and the man he’s become?

A Rodeo Weekend

     Determined to break through the wall Josie has erected around her heart, Luke must face

his demons while at the same time helping Josie overcome hers. With the whole town cheering

them on, can Luke mend Josie’s heart and can one rodeo weekend help them both

find redemption?

SKC: Thank you, Teri, for being a part of A Pen for Your Thoughts. It’s a pleasure to be able to share you with the world.

Thank you!

Ok, visitors. So we can put your name in the drawing basket, we look forward to hearing from you. Teri wants to hear about your pets and wants to hear how your pet got its name. And if you don’t have a pet, what you would name a pet if you had one.

Don't forget to add your email address. I hope you are the winner.

Our exciting congratulations go to Anne Payne of North Carolina! You've just won a copy of Teri Wilson's book! I hope you enjoy it. Watch for it in your mail soon.
And thanks for following A Pen for Your Thoughts.