About the Book

Book: A Penny Saved

Authors: Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy & Mystery

Release Date: May 27, 2023

A Move, A Mess, A Mystery

Mason’s world turns upside down when he, his little sister, Olivia, and their mother move into their grandfather’s house.

Mason misses his cool friends. Unfortunately, R.B., the weird kid down the street, thinks he’s Mason’s new best friend.

Mason’s grandfather, a retired professor, stays in his office filled with musty, dusty books. Never realizing there’s a magical treasure hidden in plain sight. An 1860 Indian Head penny, named Penny, who is alive!

When Penny goes missing, Mason helps his grandfather look for her.

Will Mason find Penny and learn her secret? Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terri Gillespie is a multi-award award-winning author and speaker and YouTube personality. Terri lives with her hubby outside Atlanta. They have one adult daughter, who lives in Chicago with her husband and son. Terri was one of the managing editors of the bestselling Tree of Life Version of the Holy Scriptures.

More from Terri

My grandson, DJ, loves to read, but there is a lack of inspirational and clean books with Black protagonists. DJ loves fantasy and mysteries, and as his safta (grandmother), I wanted a book that gives even more, a sense of legacy with a theme of looking past the exterior to the value underneath.

When the strange, awkward R.B. offers to pray for Mason’s grandfather and then brings over his granny’s tuna casserole, Mason is touched and wonders if he has misjudged R.B.

After tasting this recipe, would you change your mind?

Widow Savier’s (R.B.’s granny) Tuna Casserole

2 (5 oz.) cans chunky-type tuna in water (drain well)

1 cup frozen peas

1⁄2 cup milk

3⁄4 cup butter-Ritz-like crackers, crushed or crushed potato chips (R.B. prefers the chips)

4 oz. (about 2-1⁄2 cups) thick egg noodles

1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup

1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder

Bit of butter (it is the south after all)

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cook noodles according to package instructions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain in strainer.
• While noodles are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together soup, milk and garlic powder.
• Stir in the noodles and peas, then add the tuna.
• Transfer to a 1-1⁄2 quart lightly buttered casserole.
• Bake 15 minutes; top with cracker crumbs OR CHIPS. Continue baking 5 – 10 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 4, so Widow Savier doubles the recipe for Mason’s family so they have leftovers.

Interview with Terri

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Golly, it was probably when I was five or six years old. My grandmother was my best friend and a spellbinding storyteller. I remember while my brothers and cousins played outside, I sat on the porch swing with Grandma as she spun tails that sixty-five years later, I still remember.

Somehow, she could see the writer in me. Which was discerning because I had challenges with reading that took decades to overcome.

The definitive moment for me was when she set an ancient Royal typewriter atop a rickety metal table, with a small stack of paper and said, “Write.” that I realized I wanted to write books—and that maybe I could. Below is my first “publication” Jilly the Teddy Bear (1959).

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

As with many writers, I get my ideas from life. Events around me or in me that trigger an emotion—happy, sad, anger, fear. Then I think: What if? What if my hairdresser wanted to fire the beauticians she inherited and start fresh—but couldn’t, legally. What if twins were separated as toddlers by a troubled mother and reunited twenty years later. What if an 1860 Indian head penny that has been passed down through generations is alive, but no one knows?

The more twisty, the better.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

A Penny Saved is a middle-grade book about how appearances can be deceiving. With a bit of fantasy and mystery, the protagonist, Mason, begins to learn that value can be found in the most humbling of circumstances and people.

Having this played out with a protagonist inspired by my grandson was especially meaningful to me as it helped my teenaged grandson and I connect more. A sweet surprise to be sure.

Do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Be observant and open to constructive criticism. Hang around successful authors and watch how they respond to different circumstances. Many times, their behavior is reflective in their writing—are they true to their message? I’m blessed to have author friends who emulate truth in their faith journey and writing. And finally, read, read, read.

What project are you working on now and how do we find your books?

Currently my co-author Cynthia L. Simmons and I are working on book two of the Penny series—working title, A Penny for Your Dreams. My books can be found on Amazon.com and my website www.authorterrigillespie.com/books .

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

Stories By Gina, November 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 20

Vicky Sluiter, November 21 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

A Reader’s Brain, November 23 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 24

Blogging With Carol, November 25

Blossoms and Blessings, November 26 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 26

For Him and My Family, November 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 28 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the prairie, November 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terri is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, signed copy of A Penny Saved, and A Penny Saved Mug!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/28eed/a-penny-saved-celebration-tour-giveaway