A Family Under The Christmas Tree
by Terri Reed
David Murphy never knew much about kids. But when his brother dies unexpectedly, David is granted custody of his six-year-old nephew, Troy, who he’s only seen once a year since he was born. He already has his hands full running his business, and he has no idea how to help the grieving boy. When Troy runs off one day, David finds him at a park playing with an adorable and rambunctious Bernese mountain dog—who leads him to Sophie.
Sophie Griffith has spent her life travelling around the world as a photojournalist. She has never stayed in one place for long, and her new assignment—helping her grandmother for a few weeks—is just temporary. Once Christmas day comes, Sophie is off the hook and can leave for a new adventure. Caring for her grandmother is a piece of cake—but caring for her new Bernese mountain dog, Riggs, is a different story. It doesn’t help that Riggs strikes up a friendship with a lost little boy one day at the park—and leads her to David.
Neither David nor Sophie have time for romance. But as they spend more time together, they start falling for each other even though they know it can’t go anywhere. Sophie will be gone after Christmas, and the last thing David needs is another distraction as he tries to comfort Troy. But as their faith and growing love for the boy and dog unites them, they wonder whether it’s more than a holiday romance…and maybe Troy might finally get his Christmas wish for a family.
with Terri Reed
Like many writers, I was making up stories from a young age. I would create worlds and adventures for my dolls and stuffed animals as a way to entertain myself. When I out grew that stage, I began writing my imaginary character and their adventures down. In my late twenties I took a writing class at the local college and then joined Romance Writers of America where I learned the craft, networked with authors and other in the industry. I began submitting with the hope of publishing in 1996. In 2001 I sold my first novella and then in 2003 my first novel. Forty plus books later, I still enjoy writing.
When I first started writing toward publication, I had three part-time jobs: I taught an exercise class, did daycare out of my home and worked at Nordstrom department store evenings and weekends. Not long after I sold my third book I was able to step away from retail and decided I liked taking exercises classes more than I liked teaching them. I did the daycare until my youngest reached high school. From that point on I have been blessed to write full-time.
The self-promotion. I don’t relish the limelight. I’d rather write the books and have someone else promote them.
I was able to give up my part-time jobs, I’ve been blessed to meet the most interesting and generous people through the years and I’ve also been blessed to travel, even if it’s only from my desk chair.
I write romance and romantic suspense for the Christmas market. I wanted to tell stories from my worldview and I love happy ending as well as adventure and mystery.
I zip lined on Catalina Island, 300 feet above a canyon floor, over trees with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. It sounded fun. But I realized that I have a little issue with heights. Especially, dangling from a cable above the treetops. I was so out of my comfort zone and ready to quit after the first run but there was no other way to get to the bottom, so I gathered my courage and made it down the canyon. I don’t need to do that again.
Listen to your college professor when he tells you, you should pursue writing and take him up on the offer to introduce you to a romance author.
While I was in the early stages of plotting A Family Under the Christmas Tree, my mother passed away. She’d had an inoperable brain tumor for many years so it wasn’t totally unexpected but still a shock. I was with her the day before she passed which was a blessing to be able to say goodbye and tell her I love her. In honor of my mother, I named the grandmother in the story after my mom.
Let all that you do be done in Love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
As we move into this busy and sometimes stressful season this verse is a good reminder of the attitude I want to have in all I do.
Terri Reed’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publisher’s Weekly top 25, Nielsen’s Bookscan top 100 and featured in USA Today, Christian Fiction Magazine and Romantic Times Magazine, finaled in RWA’s RITA contest, National Reader’s Choice Award contest, ACFW’s The Carol Award contest.
Contact Terri @ www.terrireed.com or
P.O. Box 19555 Portland, OR 97224 |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
One signed copy of A Family Under The Christmas Tree, yummy Chocolate, & a Bookmark