Chatting with Teri Wilson

Author photo

I am so pleased to have as my guest today, the wonderful Teri Wilson!  Teri’s a great gal, she’s one of the nicest people I know!  She’s got a new release out right now, Unmasking Juliet and I really loved the story she tells.  I thought it would be a great time to invite her to share more about her book with us because I know all my readers will love it too.

Please help me welcome Teri to JaneBlog!

Please tell us about your new book.

Unmasking Juliet is a modern-day version of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet with a chocolaty twist. Our starcrossed lovers are chocolatiers working for their rival family-owned chocolate businesses. The story starts out in Napa Valley, California, and then the action moves to romantic Rome, Italy.

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What led you to write this story?

I was trying to atone for the C that I got in Honors Shakespeare when I was in college. Ha.

Actually, I just love Shakespeare (despite the C). And Romeo & Juliet is the quintessential romantic couple. I couldn’t do a series of classic retellings without writing a version of Romeo & Juliet. It was great fun to write. I loved the setting, the chocolate, the quirky characters…I was sad to see it end.

Tell us something personal that not many readers know about you.

I was once bit by a lion.

On my arm.

It happened in Vegas, and the lion was only 5 weeks old. But it left a bruise, so it totally counts.

What are you working on next?

All of the trade paperbacks I’m writing for HQN are light, modern retellings of classics. In January, I have Unschooling the Professor hitting shelves, which is an updated version of My Fair Lady. The gender roles have been reversed, so Professor Higgins is a woman. She’s an art history professor, and Tom Stone, the brooding hero with a secret painting prowess, is the perfect blank slate for her artistic touch.

Right now, I’m writing a retelling of the beloved classic film Roman Holiday. It’s called Royally Roma and is scheduled for release in June 2015. I adore Roman Holiday, and I was lucky enough to visit Italy twice this year, so I’m really enjoying working on this manuscript.

Name five items sitting on your desk right now.

My pink laptop.

A writing journal with a gorgeous Florentine paper cover that was given to me by the leader of the writing retreat I recently attended in Florence, Italy.

Four Sharpies in various colors.

A stack of Unmasking Juliet books with matching bookmarks.

My dog, Finn. (He’s a mama’s boy.)

Name 3 books you hope to read soon.

The next 3 books on my to-be-read pile are:

Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen, which is a historical fiction book about a love triangle between Edgar Allen Poe, his wife and his mistress, a fledgling poetess. I love poetry, so I’m really excited about this one.

Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins. Kristan is a long-time favorite of mine. She is a genius when it comes to writing romantic comedy.

The Art of Falling by Kathryn Craft, about an injured dancer who uses her love of movement to pick up the pieces and start her life over. I love to dance and take dance lessons myself, so when I heard about this one, I picked it up immediately.

Title and author of the latest book you read?

The One & Only by Emily Giffin. Emily is one of my favorite authors. In fact, as I’m writing this I’m sitting in a hotel in Houston because a friend of mine road-tripped here with me to attend Emily’s signing. We heard her speak, got our books signed and then went out for a great Italian dinner at a really cute artsy Italian place. Red wine, pasta and words. My kind of evening.

Five favorite things to do on a weekend?

Read, go to movies, knit, binge on reruns of The Gilmore Girls and dance. I take ballet barre classes and also dance in a belly dancing company.

Your favorite desert or snack?

That’s easy…cupcakes. I write in a cupcake bakery in my neighborhood. It’s like my office. It’s called Bird Bakery and is incredibly gorgeous. The décor makes me feel like I’m in Paris, and the people there are so good to me. Ooh la la.

Last song you listened to?

For a few days now, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack of The Fault in Our Stars on constant repeat in my car. The music is great. Soulful and melancholy. I love John Green’s book. It was one of my favorite reads last year, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the movie when it comes out later this week!

Best book signing moment?

At my launch party for Unmasking Juliet two weeks ago, I had a reader attend via Skype. It was a reader named Dawn who follows me closely on Facebook. She lives in another city, but her daughter lives in San Antonio, so she brought Dawn along on her cell phone! It was great. She made me stand up, back away from the phone and twirl around so she could see my dress and my shoes. I loved it.

 

Teri Wilson grew up as an only child and could often be found with her head in a book, lost in a world of romance and exotic places. As an adult, her love of books has led her to her dream career—writing. Now an award-winning romance author, when Teri isn’t traveling or writing, she enjoys baking, ballet, knitting and having fun with friends, family and her four dogs. Teri lives in San Antonio, Texas, and loves to hear from readers! She can be reached through her website at www.teriwilson.net

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Thank you, Teri for sharing with us today!  Such a pleasure to have you visit!  Readers, I hope you enjoyed hearing from Teri and please be sure to look for her book.  You’re in for a treat!

To help Teri celebrate her new release, I’ve got a great summer treat for you!  I’m giving away an Amazon gift card along with a totebag full of really great summer reading, cool treats and reader goodies and a copy of Teri’s Unmasking Juliet!  For a chance to win, tell me if you’re a fan of Romeo and Juliet’s love story, or tell me what book you’re currently reading!  Contest runs through Thursday night with winner announced on Friday. Good luck!

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