Book Spotlight: Roadtrip Romance Book 2

February 16, 2023 / Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

I’m excited to talk with author Amy Anguish today about her new book, Roadtrip for ~~One~~ Two. Thank you for joining me today, Amy. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m busy, busy, busy. Ha! Seriously, though, I am a wife and mommy. I also teach preschool two days a week and work with a tax firm the other days. And write and edit, too. It keeps me hopping, but I feel so blessed to be able to do it all.

What is your new book about?

Recovering from heartbreak is hard when the ex-fiancé tags along.

Dallas, Texas wasn’t in the plans when Bree Henley set out to use the nonrefundable honeymoon tickets from her canceled wedding. Nor was running into ex-fiancé Nathan Hart. But their mutual friends and the weather have other ideas. A hurricane cancels their cruise and Bree decides to turn the disaster into a roadtrip for one, never imagining Nathan would object.

Nathan is furious when he uncovers the plot to get him back with Bree. But he can’t just let her go roaming around the big city of Dallas alone. Though he knows calling off their wedding was the right thing to do, he still cares for Bree. And before he knows what hits him, he’s volunteered to tag along. Suddenly, it’s a trip for two.

Spending the week together might remind them of why they fell in love. But is it enough to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of “til death do us part”?

Now for some answers to questions readers like to know:

What is the inspiration behind your story?

Several things. One, these characters started in the first book in this series and then needed their own story. Oops. Or not oops? 😊 Second, I had been to Dallas several times, and had also had flights canceled in that airport. So, the fodder was there just waiting to be used. Ta da. And third, well, when the idea of having a broken up couple run into each other and find out they’re both planning to use their un-honeymoon not knowing the other was too, well, it was too good to pass up. And it fit this story so well.

Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

Short answer, I make the time. I find months that aren’t *quite* as busy and I squeeze as many words in a day as possible. I’m a fast writer, and have written a whole (rough) manuscript in eighteen days in the past. I learned to write fast by doing nanowrimo every year and just got in the habit. Which is handy when I don’t have a ton of time to write in normal life.

Are you a night owl or morning person?

I’m a mid-morning person and a mid-afternoon person. Those seem to be the times of day I get the most done. Not sure why.

What does your family think of your writing?

My husband doesn’t always understand (he says, “Wait. You created the characters so how can they take over?”), but he is SO supportive. He makes sure I have time to do video chats and podcast recordings and lets me bounce ideas off him. And my kids have started marketing for me, passing bookmarks to their teachers. 😊

Are you part of a writing group?

I’m actually sort of part of two. One with two girls who live in other states. We get together several times a year to record videos for our Youtube channel and support each other with an ongoing Facebook messenger chat between times. And one group with a local girl here and another who lived here but moved to Arkansas last year. So we keep up in various ways too.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?

Pretty sure it was my sister because I wanted her to edit it. She remarked that my stories were very much like Hallmark movies and I took it as a compliment.

Thanks again for being my guest today, Amy. What’s next for you as an author?

So many exciting things, actually. I have a novella coming out in Feb in a collection called Love Delivered. My story is Romance at Register Five, and is set in a grocery store, of all places. Then, the third book in my Roadtrip Romance series releases in June. I have another book coming in August that’s part of a quadrilogy (four book series) with three other authors, each of us writing about fifty years apart. And then a Christmas book in October. I’m super excited about that one. It’s called My Mama Dated Santa.

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor

Or https://twitter.com/amy_r_anguish

Learn more about her books at https://www.pinterest.com/msguish/my-books/

And check out the YouTube channel she does with two other authors, Once Upon a Page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEiu-jq-KE-VMIjbtmGLbJA)

Christmas Novella Spotlight

December 7, 2022 / Carol Underhill / 1 Comment

Author’s Inspiration:

After my first book was published and family and friends read Christmas Confusion, they wanted the other sisters’ stories. So, I hurried, wrote Sweet Summer, and submitted it to the publisher. The publisher liked the book, but they didn’t have room on the schedule to release a full novel that year. I didn’t want to wait two years for my next book, so I looked around and visited my sister’s vacation home on Hatteras Island. We visited the December after Hurricane Dorian devastated Ocracoke Island. We took the ferry and drove around the island. I wanted to write a story that highlighted the island and its people and all their needs—and courage. Christmas on Ocracoke resulted.

About the Book:

Reeling from the upheaval of a failed marriage, Annie Hanahan is desperate for a new start—and when she inherits a cottage on Ocracoke Island, she may finally get it. Without a second thought, she packs up and leaves everything behind: her first name, her job, and her ex-husband, because more than anything, she wants to get her son away from his father’s partying and neglectful ways. But when she arrives in the Outer Banks, she finds the island—and her promised refuge—ravaged by Hurricane Dorian.

When their parents died in a tragic car accident, Trey Kingsley dropped out of college to raise his sister. Now that she’s grown and moved away, it’s his turn to find a life of his own. As a contractor who has given so much of his time to helping Ocracoke recover from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, it surprises no one when he offers to help the beautiful newcomer, but something is holding her back. Life keeps throwing them together, though, or perhaps God’s hand is giving them a nudge. Will a little bit of divine intervention be enough for a Merry Christmas on Ocracoke?

Excerpt:

What a way to make a fresh start.

Annie Hanahan glanced back via the rearview mirror and said a quick prayer of gratitude that her baby boy was too young to know what was going on right now. She’d die in shame, or eternal pre-teenaged mockery if he was, say, a decade older. Instead, her two-year old son waved his hands in the air and grabbed a toy Brontosaurus from the diaper bag propped open next to his car seat.

The police officer drew even, and she lowered the driver’s side window. Up till now, she’d gone her whole life without a ticket.

“Good morning, ma’am. I’d ask if you knew how fast you were driving, but I’m guessing you figured that out by now.”

Annie concentrated on her breathing and not crying. “Yes, sir. I was going 80 in a 65.” So was every good ole’ boy along this stretch of the road, but if she’d been the low hanging fruit, so be it. “I’m sorry.”

The state trooper started to smile but must have remembered who he was and squashed any close-to-human expression from his face. “Well, ma’am, sorry is a good thing. Can I see your license and registration?”

This morning’s almond milk soured in her gut. “I can give you my license, but I bought this car yesterday and only have a temporary registration. My proof of insurance is for the old car.”

“Just give me what you have, and we’ll go from there.” Cars raced past them, behind his back, undoubtedly confident in their own speed now that one of their own had been sacrificed for the cause.

She located her license and handed the card to the officer.

“Annie Hanahan?” Officer–she squinted against the morning sun–Parker, looked from the license to her. “Any kin to Coach Hanahan?”

Annie grimaced. Switching names was difficult, but leaving behind her well-known family might be impossible.

About the Author:

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. Her published books include Christmas Confusion, Sweet Summer, Christmas on Ocracoke, and Why They Call It Falling. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband, two children and her crazy cat Chessie Mae.

Author media links:

Website/Blog: https://www.christinasinisi.com/

Social Networking Sites:

Twitter: @ChristinaSinisi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christina-Sinisi-Author

Instagram: @csinisi123

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/csinisi/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101218889-christina-sinisi

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christina-sinisi

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/They-Call-Falling-Christina-Sinisi-ebook

Buy Link:

Christmas Novella Spotlight: Northern Hearts

November 17, 2022 / Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Today I welcome Laurie Wood back to my blog. Laurie is author of the romantic suspense series, Heroes of the Tundra, set in Canada’s northern wilderness.

As we begin our interview today, Laurie, there is snow on the ground here in Michigan. A perfect setting for talking about your Christmas novella.

Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a military spouse and the proud mom of two special needs adults. I’m the author of the Heroes of the Tundra series with Anaiah Press, and my fourth book in the series, NORTHERN REDEMPTION, will come out in 2023. When I’m not writing, I’m usually spinning my yarn, knitting, or hanging out with my two dogs.

What is your novella, Northern Hearts, about?

NORTHERN HEARTS is my Christmas book in the series. The heroine inherits a hotel/restaurant in a small town in Canada’s northern wilderness. She and the chef have 30 days to work together to decide who stays, or who goes, or can they work together to continue her aunt’s legacy? It’s set in the real-life town of Churchill, Manitoba, which is the Polar Bear Capitol of the world. And yes, there’s a polar bear in the story!

My publisher, Anaiah Press, rebranded the series this year and designed new covers to feature my handsome heroes for each book. I’m excited to share the new cover for NORTHERN HEARTS below:

That’s a great cover. Very intriguing and what a handsome hero!

Let’s talk about your writing. Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

I’m lucky to be “retired” so that my primary focus is my writing. However, I’ve struggled with several significant health issues these past two years and am still getting a handle on them. I carve out writing time first thing in the morning when I’m fresh after breakfast. I’m not one of those people who can get up at 5 a.m. and be productive! I need my two cups of coffee and a good meal in me before the creative Muse hits.

Who was your favorite character to create?

This heroine, Kali McIntyre, was so much fun to create! I made her a rich girl but gave her enough spunk and nerve that she wasn’t spoiled or a stereotype. She has her own dreams and makes her own decisions, even if they’re not welcomed by everyone else in the story. She learns from her mistakes. And she wasn’t looking for love, which I think a lot of twenty-something’s worry about too much, so when she found it, it was that much sweeter.

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I’ve learned over the past five years to become a plotter. I come up with my characters first, and then figure out what their basic story is going to be, in broad strokes. Plotting out a simple outline and hitting the main turning points gives me a guideline to write towards on those days when my health problems are holding me back.

Also, even my publisher (who knows me) likes to get a synopsis of the book before offering a contract, so learning how to write a good synopsis is a wonderful skill to have in your toolbox. That means plotting your story out from beginning to end.

With NORTHERN HEARTS, I knew they had 30 days to figure out what they were going to do in regard to keeping or splitting the business between them, and I had 30 days to get them to fall in love. It was a fun problem to solve and I enjoyed writing it even though it didn’t have the danger elements my usual books entail.

Please share with us your favourite excerpt from NORTHERN HEARTS:

“He stopped himself from knocking on the closed office door, and entered, letting the door bang on the wall. Just enough to get Kali’s attention. Tripod settled into his corduroy dog bed under his desk.

Kali, however, was chattering away on the phone, her right hand bouncing up and down on the desk blotter, her entire body vibrating with excitement. When she hung up, she leaned back in the swivel chair and crowed out loud.

“Woot! I just made an order for one hundred pounds of veal and pork for Friday, November 30^th!”

“Veal and pork? From where? And why?” Jake walked to the coffeemaker by the window and put in a dark roast pod, slamming down the lid. “Those are two of the most expensive meats you can buy, especially this time of year.”

Visions of their red balance sheet for December’s year end danced in front of his eyes.

“I know,” Kali smiled up at the ceiling, swiveling her chair side to side. “We’re going to make old-fashioned French tourtières – I have a fantastic Québécoise recipe – and if it’s too expensive, we’ll just cut the boar sausages from the menu. And the elk meatloaf.” She tapped her pen on her teeth. “I think we’ll add some Beef Wellington, too. Or, what do you think about using salmon instead?”

“You’re actually asking me for input?” He knew he sounded beyond irritated, but he’d never see her so wound up. Okay, she looked pretty this morning, like a cross between a princess and a New York power executive, with her dazzling blue eyes, blonde hair, and the new icy-blue fleece top she’d bought from Ruby’s. For the life of him, he’d never seen such a small woman with so much kinetic energy.

“I want to add avocados to the salade du l’hiver, as well.” She scribbled on a piece of paper.

“Avocados? We can’t afford avocados…Listen, first we need to talk about the Nativity sets.”

Her head bent over her work, she said, “What about them?”

He muttered a prayer under his breath and took a swig of scalding coffee. He noted the can of diet pop beside her computer. Huh. She’d given in to her caffeine addiction and coughed up the twenty-six dollars for a case of pop.

“Those Nativity sets are a Great Northern Lodge Christmas tradition. We have to put them out.”

“Why?” She kept writing, head down.

“Because, that’s what Cora did every year for the past forty-odd years, and people expect to see them. They were special to her. Little kids love coming to see them and touch them – some of them, anyway – and the staff is upset.”

“The staff is upset? Whatever for?” Now, her head was up, those dazzling blue eyes staring at him.

“I believe you used some fighting words, such as old-fashioned, and tacky, and too religious.” He took another sip of hot coffee. Those eyes were killers. He wondered if she knew how attractive she was, or if someone with all her resources had known it since she was ten.”

You can buy NORTHERN HEARTS here: https://amzn.to/33CFJeE

Thank you for being my guest today, Laurie. What’s next for you as an author?

This is Book 2 of my Heroes of the Tundra series. NORTHERN PROTECTOR, Book 3, came out last year.

Readers can keep their eyes out for NORTHERN REDEMPTION, Book 4, which will be out some time in 2023. It’s the story of Rory Gallagher, the brother of heroine Joy Gallagher from NORTHERN PROTECTOR. He owns a helicopter touring company in Churchill, Manitoba, and ends up trying to survive a crash with Lise Dumont, a Conservation Officer. They crash, get kidnapped, learn to do wilderness surgery, and have all kinds of fun!

I have a couple of other projects under way, and we’ll see where they land.