Writing with Wolves by Teri Wilson

Hi, everyone!

Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to have a brand new Love Inspired book out this month. ALASKAN SANCTUARY was a great joy to write. It takes place on a wolf sanctuary. My son lives in Denver, Colorado, and on a visit last summer, my family went to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide and got to hang out with some amazing animals.

The entire time I was there, I kept thinking, "Wow, this would be such a great setting for a book." So I just kind of moved it to Alaska, where all my books for Love Inspired take place. (What? I can do that. I'm in charge of that fictitious town! And there are totally wolves in Alaska.)

Wolves are incredible creatures. They're often misunderstood, which is why they're currently listed on the endangered species list. I was honored to write about such beautiful animals and incorporate their story into my hero and heroine's romance in ALASKAN SANCTUARY.

Here's a bit about the book:

Piper Quinn is fighting for the future of her wolf sanctuary. A painful childhood has taught her to be more comfortable with animals than humans—especially the beautiful wolves of Aurora, Alaska. So when reporter Ethan Hale arrives to cover her struggling shelter—and deems the wolves a danger to the community—she's ready to prove him wrong. A former park ranger, Ethan's seen just enough tragedy to support his claim. Soon their difference of opinion is front-page news. And Piper and Ethan must reconcile their opposing views with their stubborn hearts that are quickly finding refuge in each other.


ALASKAN SANCTUARY is available on Amazon, at Harlequin and lots of other places. Visit my website for more info.

OH! And one more bit of exciting news!! My book UNLEASHING MR. DARCY is now a Hallmark Channel Original Movie and will premiere on January 23 at 9 eastern/8 central on the Hallmark Channel. I couldn't be more excited about this movie. It's very much in keeping with the spirit of my book, and the whole experience has been a dream come true. Check out the trailer below and set your DVR's!

London, baby!

The UK cover for Unleashing Mr. Darcy

by Teri Wilson

I've just come home from a whirlwind trip to England, where Unleashing Mr. Darcy, my very first international trade paperback, was released on April 4. I have never been so excited about a book release before, because London has a special place in my heart. 

The first words of mine that were ever published appeared in Seventeen Magazine. The year was 1981. I don’t quite remember what exactly my letter to the editor said, but I’m sure it went something like, “Dear Editor, I loved the article in your magazine about Prince Charles’ new fiancé, Diana Spencer. And thank you for the instructions on how to cut her hairstyle. I am taking them to my hairdresser this Friday after school.”

Like most girls my age, I idolized Diana. She was a real girl, set to marry a real prince. She was living a fairy tale. And the stage for this fairy tale was a real place—England.

I’m thinking this must have been how my lifelong fascination with England came about.  Throughout the years, it stuck. Far longer than that Princess Diana haircut did. (For the record, she rocked that hairstyle better than I ever could). I’d just begun writing my first book set in England when I finally made it across the pond. I only had three chapters of Unleashing Mr. Darcy under my belt when I set foot in London.

The night before I left, I was watching television as I packed. A Friends re-run was on. And as fate would have it, it was the episode where the gang goes to London for Ross’ wedding. I was beside myself. I especially loved how Joey kept yelling “London, baby!” much to the annoyance of Chandler and the rest of the gang. The next day when my friend Connie drove me to the airport, I said to her, “I wish I could go to London with Joey Tribbiani. He might be the only person who would be as excited as I am right now.”

Obviously, I knew he was a fictional character. But I’m a writer. Writers love imaginary people. And guess what happened once I got to London…the very night I arrived, I went to dinner at a nice Italian restaurant with my family in South Kensington. I’d only been on British soil for a matter of hours, and when the maître d’ escorted me to my table, he proceeded to seat me right next to Matt LeBlanc. Yes, that’s right. Joey Tribbiani in the flesh.

I’d been enamored by the idea of London since the Princess Di days, but that night sealed the deal. I was officially in love with England. For this reason, Unleashing Mr. Darcy is more than simply a contemporary Austen retelling. It’s something of a love letter to my favorite city in the world. Readers get to experience the excitement of seeing London for the first time through the eyes of our heroine, Elizabeth Scott. They get to eat orange cake at Kensington Palace with Mr. Darcy and travel through the English countryside to his rambling country estate.  They go to Harrods, drink fancy champagne, try on fancy tulle dresses in Mayfair. There are gossiping aristocrats, stolen kisses, breathless moments and one Prince Harry reference.  See if you can spot it.

Oh, and how could I forget? There are also dogs. Lots of dogs.  This is the England of fairy tales and romance.

London, baby!

The US cover for Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Teri Wilson is the author of Alaskan Hearts, Alaskan Hero and Sleigh Bell Sweethearts, all for Love Inspired, as well as Unleashing Mr. Darcy and the upcoming Unmasking Juliet for Harlequin HQN. Learn more at www.teriwilson.net.

Her Secret Valentine, Part 3...

Her Secret Valentine (a Craftie Ladies Continuing Valentine Romance)

Today’s Installment by Teri Wilson

The bell above the door of Cupid’s Corner Creamery chimed as Nancy crossed the threshold. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, which was ridiculous really. She’d thought about Ted a few times since the bowling alley outing, but it wasn’t as though she’d been pining away for him or anything. He hadn’t even been to the church singles group since before New Year’s Day.

Still, it would be nice to know if he’d been the one to send the gifts. As secret admirers went, he would be a nice one. Not that Nancy knew a thing about secret admirers. She’d had one for all of two days.

“Hi, welcome to Cupid’s Corner Creamery!” A woman in a frilly pink apron greeted Nancy from behind the counter. “Can I help you?”

Nancy’s cheeks grew warm. She hadn’t expected an employee. Every time she’d set her designer-clad foot in the ice cream parlor, Ted had been the one to scoop up her ice cream.

The woman smiled at her and waved at the colorful selection of ice cream in the freezer with a Vanna White-style flick of her wrist.  “We have over a dozen flavors to choose from today, along with two sugar-free, fat-free varieties.”

Fat free.

Nancy sucked in her stomach before she even realized what she was doing. Good grief, she was a nervous wreck.

She glanced at the choices and couldn’t help but notice the ironic lack of spumoni.

“Mint chocolate chip, please. Just one scoop.” She smiled and took an exploratory glance around the shop while she waited for her ice cream.

“Here you go.” The woman handed her the cone.  “I’ll ring that up for you.”

Nancy took the ice cream and gnawed at her bottom lip. She was running out of time. It wasn’t as if she could stand around ordering cone after cone until Ted showed up.

She took a deep breath. “Is Ted here?”

“Oh no, I’m sorry. He’s not here right now.” The woman smiled.

It was then that Nancy noticed her nametag. Mint chocolate chip ice cream began to melt down her hand while she stared at the name emblazoned on it.

Donna Spumoni.

Surely that didn’t mean what she thought it meant.

“Perhaps I can help you instead.” Donna Spumoni smiled again. It was a nice smile. A pretty smile. Nancy couldn’t help but wonder if she could bowl, too.  “I’m his wife.”