Terri Reed Interview

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?  

A. I sold my first novella in 2001 and my first book to Love Inspired in 2004.  I’ve had so many different jobs over the years.  The highlights would be gymnastics coach and print model for Land’s End, Sears, Kmart, JCPenny as well as hair ads for Clairol and the cover of a couple of magazines. 

Q: Do you write in only one genre and if so which one and why? If not, which ones and why?

A:  I write inspirational romance and inspirational romantic suspense.   I am thrilled that I can combine my faith with romance and suspense (my two favorite sub-genres).  I have ideas for women’s fiction and bigger, grittier thrillers but for now I’m pretty busy writing for Love Inspired.

Q: How does your faith play into your writing?  

A. Since faith is so inherent to who I am, it comes out in my characters.   

Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?

A. I usually pick somewhere I would like to go to or know more about.  I love to travel and any excuse to do so I will.  But when I can’t physically go to the place then the next best thing is seeing pictures of the area and reading about the place.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?

A: The characters are a figment of my imagination but there are traits and characteristics that creep in from real life people.  But no one character is any one person.  Its easier to make up a character than try to emulate an actual person.  Human’s are so complex and I like choosing the way my characters are. 

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release?  

A:  The Deputy’s Duty is the sixth book in the Fitzgerald Bay continuity series by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line.   The series focuses on the Fitzgerald family and the small town of Fitzgerald Bay.  Murder, mayhem and love mix for six exciting stories, each book written by a different author. And there is an added bonus novella by Jillian Hart at the end of my story.  

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for The Deputy’s Duty?

A: Since it was part of a continuity series I was given the characters and the general story idea. Half of the fun of writing a continuity series is taking what the editors come up with and fitting it all together to make a full story.  It’s like piecing together a puzzle.  When you’re done you have a complete and beautiful story.  The other half of what makes writing a continuity fun is the other authors. 

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: Themes of forgiveness and redemption run through this story.  I would hope that readers would glean a better understanding of forgiveness. 

Q: Tell us what you like about the main characters of this book.

A:  Deputy Chief Ryan Fitzgerald was an interesting character to write.  As eldest of the Fitzgerald siblings, he was ultra responsible and took the weight of the world on his shoulders.  He was protective of those he served in the community and also of his family.  It took a lot for him to let down his guard and let Meghan in.

 Meghan Henry was feisty, brave and wounded from her past.  She was a complex character that put Ryan through his paces.  Getting her to open her heart to Ryan was a fun challenge.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?  

1. I’m working on two books right now.  The first is titled, The Cowboy Target—book four of the Protection Specialists series for Love Inspired Suspense.  Set in Wyoming, rancher Wyatt Monroe is being targeted by an unknown threat.  Its up to feisty, bodyguard Jackie Blain to protect this widowed father from danger but will she be able to protect her heart in the process?
2. The second book I’m working on is Scent of Danger—book five of the Texas K-9 Unit continuity series for Love Inspired Suspense.   Narcotics detective Parker Adams and his K-9 partner, a beagle named Sherlock team up with Cold Case Detective Melody Zachary to bring down a drug ring, solve a murder and find the courage to risk their hearts.

Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?  

A. I’d take a European holiday, hitting all the castles I could and seeing all the art available. 

Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?  

A.  When I was in my twenties I worked at a bank.  On morning I got up and dressed in the dark because my husband had the day off so I didn’t want to wake him.  When I got to work I realized I had on two different shoes.  Different color and different heel size.  I hadn’t noticed.  One of my co-workers had to tell me.

Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?  

A. Motherhood!

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?  

A.  I’d love to know what makes readers pick up a book?  The cover?  The blurb on the back?