Meet the Author

Meet Sara Beth Williams: Author Insights and New Releases

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Good morning. Today I am interviewing Christian author Sara Beth Williams.

Sara Beth, thank you for being my guest today.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I live in the Sacramento area, in Northern California, and am married with two girls and three cats. I love being creative in many facets, including playing music, writing, gardening and so on. 

What is your newest book about?

My latest book is an outdoorsy adventure about Jesse, an avid rock climber and trained EMT and firefighter with a bit of a hero complex, who is seriously injured and begins questioning his purpose in life. When he reunites with an old childhood friend, he begins to find some hope and light again and begins to heal both inwardly and outwardly.

Childhood friend Renee has grown up with a growth hormone deficiency disorder and has a hard time with not being taken seriously. She also loves the outdoors and has pursued a degree in education. 

What is the inspiration behind your story?

I think there are several things that inspired this story. I love the outdoors, and I always love writing characters who love the outdoors. But Renee was influenced by several different people I’ve met in my life, and even partially, by myself. While I don’t suffer from growth hormone deficiency, I am quite short. Also I think the deep need to be validated, and taken seriously, is universal, and sometimes women who are very short and look very young can find that extremely difficult.

What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

I think that I love to both consume, and to tell, really good stories. I have written many copycat stories from around 5th grade and onward, and I’ve always loved deeply thought-provoking and emotional stories. Sometimes the best stories serve to both answer questions, and leave you with more questions. I have loved creating characters that represent facets of everyday people, influenced by people I know, or people I’ve met or experienced life with in some way, shape, or form. 

Do you have a day job?

I am currently a small-time reporter, and so finding time to write fiction is very difficult right now, but I have several projects already written that I am revising and hope to publish this year. 

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I started out as a pantser, but I really do not have time anymore to do that so I have morphed into more of a plotter. I kind of enjoy a hybrid blend of both though, when time actually allows, because I have learned over the last 10 years that pantsing for me takes a lot of time (at least 4-hour blocks of time) but it is the most rewarding and exciting experience. 

For the time being, when I come up with a story idea, I usually create a plot outline in paragraph form. The only time I don’t plot is if I’m starting a completely brand new series, because pantsing for me is a very exploratory method of basically writing as much as I can as fast as I can to explore the merits of the storyline, to see if it’s viable, and to see if more will come forth. If a story truly wants to be told, I’ve found it will build upon itself the longer I sit and write consecutively (that’s why I need at least 2 to 4 hours of uninterrupted writing time).

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

I can’t exactly remember, but I’m almost certain it was my Mom who first read most of my first manuscript. I’m not entirely certain I gave her the entire manuscript, but either way, she was the first person to read through most of my early writings.

If you didn’t write books, what would you do for a living?

That’s hard to say, as I have a lot of different pursuits I really enjoy. I love music, theater, journalism, and education, and also worked as a children’ s entertainer for several years. Writing is woven into so much of my life, including my day job and writing fiction, but if I wasn’t writing, I’d probably be teaching preschool or kindergarten, or music. 

Do you experience writer’s block? What do you do to get through it?

When I experience writer’s block, which happened a LOT last year, the first thing I do is wait it out. You need to fill your creativity well in order to produce creative writing. – so I do something else fun or energizing, like gardening, walking, playing music. Advice from many people online suggest to find and write to random creative writing prompts, but I find taking time away from writing helps me more. For me, it’s about digesting the work in progress while it’s away from me.

The second thing I do is purposefully schedule or orchestrate blocks of time to write uninterrupted. And I really do need 2 or more hours to get into the groove. It also helps if I’m somewhere extremely quiet. Though I used to be able to write with noise around me, it’s harder now, not sure why. It helps to set a timer or participate in what people call writing sprints. Sometimes an hour and a half will do but anything less and I feel like I’m stopping just when i’m getting started ‘sigh’

The third thing I do is focus on technical aspects of writing, instead of purely relying on just ‘inspiration’ or ‘feelings’ to guide me. There is a time and a place for both – writing with total inspiration is a beautiful exhilarating feeling! But that is not the norm and if you want to finish and succeed in this thing called authoring —- you have to pick apart your work and apply proper tried and true writing techniques and knowledge to your work in progress. To do this, I start by reading/rereading/studying writing books. My go-to absolute favorite is The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman. I also like the Rock your Plot series which is relatively inexpensive and found on Amazon. 

Lastly, I would like to add that every writer approaches writing, editing, revising, and addressing writer’s block differently and it’s okay if only some or none of these things work for you and some things may work at one point in your life, and not work at another point in your writing journey. I have been experiencing a lot of writer’s block lately, as the last year and a half hasn’t been the greatest. Though going into 2026, I have a strangely peaceful and positive outlook on the new year.

You have shared some fascinating insights into your writing methods, Sara Beth.

So tell us, what’s next for you as an author?

I am hoping to publish a box set of the first three books I published and then republished last year – When Hearts Collide, A Worthy Heart, and Anchor My Heart. So if you like box sets, sign up for my newsletter and keep an eye out for that.

I”m also hoping to revise and possibly publish another first in a series, this is a beachy romance that I have been working for several years but it is long and needs a good revising and edit. If you love beachy romances and rock star heroes, subscribe or follow me on socials to find out what my next series is all about.

Where can readers find you online?

Visit my website, sarabethwilliams.com

I am on Instagram, X and Bluesky.

I’m on Facebook but I detest my Facebook business page. More likely you’ll find updates on Instagram, and my personal Facebook account.

It’s Always Been You: A Trinity Lakes Romance – Buy Link – 

She’d always been the still mountain beneath his changing skies.

He was a fool for thinking he could stay away.

After suffering severe burns, avid outdoorsman Jesse Hernandez faces a long recovery, and the longer it takes, the more he questions his purpose in life. Seeking solace, he returns to the hills above Trinity Lakes to settle his late grandfather’s property, but soon finds himself torn between family pressure to sell and his longing to hold on to the only place that felt like home.

Renee Somers has spent her life fighting to be seen. As a master’s student and after-school program director living with a growth hormone deficiency, she’s used to being underestimated. But she finds rejection stings most when it comes from those she highly respected.

When a sudden blizzard traps Renee and her friends on a lonely mountain road, she never expects her rescuer to be the childhood friend who once promised he’d always look out for her. As they reconnect and unexpected attraction surfaces, both must confront past wounds and buried secrets that threaten to pull them apart.

With family tensions rising and harbored secrets revealed, Jesse must decide whether to cling to the past, or embrace the future God has been preparing all along.

A friends to more, small town, contemporary Christian Romance, part of the Trinity Lakes Romance multi-author series, set in the charming, fictional town of Trinity Lakes, Washington State.

Balancing Writing and Life: Tips from Allison Pearl

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Good morning, today I’m interviewing author Allison Pearl.

Allison, thank you for being a guest on my blog.

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

Hi! I’m Allison Pearl, a Romantic Suspense and Cozy Mystery writer. I love writing about close-knit worlds in both small towns and big cities inspired by the many different locations in which I’ve lived. When not plotting fictional crimes, I run an online book club (https://allison-pearl.com/allisons-book-club/) and regularly release a newsletter (https://allison-pearl.com/home/newsletter-signup/) with bookish blog posts, giveaways, and reading updates.

What is your book about?

Battered & Torn centers on Nora, a woman hiding from a murderous family while working at a billionaire’s estate, and Archie, the guarded heir who can’t ignore his growing attraction or the secrets surrounding her. As their connection deepens and danger closes in, trusting each other could lead them to the truth or cost them everything, including their lives.

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

During my non-fiction writing hours, I write executive resumes and social media content for professionals looking to transition to a new role. Finding time to write fiction is not easy, and based on my progress balancing both, I only have bad advice 😉 I’ve tried better scheduling, getting up earlier, and more, with unpredictable success. What works today often doesn’t work tomorrow. At the end of the day, I just try to write when I can.

Are you a night owl or morning person?

Definitely not a morning person, but not the most successful night owl either given how much I love an early bedtime. I have some concentration and attention issues that make consistency a challenge which means everyday seems like a new game plan. The older I get, the more I realize that the harder I try to put myself in a box or rigid schedule, the quicker I fail. Ultimately, I’ve learned to give myself permission to adapt day by day.

That’s great advice for all of us.

Are you a plotter or a panster?

Definitely a pantser. I have so much respect for writers who plan and wish I could be them when I grow up, but I just end up turning story plotting into procrastination and avoidance. The only reason my books get finished is because I sit down, start writing, and see what happens. Honestly, my plot twists shock me as much as they shock my readers.

Do you experience writer’s block? What do you do to get through it?

All the time. How I get through it changes case by case, but one strategy I always try when I’m really stuck is good old pen and paper. I close my laptop, sit down with a notebook, and just start writing something. I don’t know why it works for me, but something about writing that way always helps me find my way out of whatever maze I’ve trapped myself in.

Another great tip!

Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

Sometimes, I reward myself for finishing a chapter 😉 Some days the words come easily, while other days you have to fight for every one of them, so rewards feel like a necessity. I’ll usually go grab a treat or a coffee, or sometimes even take a walk around the store.

What does your family think of your writing?

I think their reactions usually fall somewhere between pride and confusion. Let’s just say a snarky, sailor-mouthed woman revealing a career writing faith-based romantic suspense may have seemed a little inexplicable, but despite the confusion, my family has been incredibly supportive and the best marketing team a person could have.

Allison, it was really great chatting with you.

What’s next for you as an author?

Right now, I’m working on the start of a cozy mystery series about a Pittsburgh-based mobile bookstore owner who has a knack for continually finding herself in trouble.

And before we go, where can readers find you online?

Readers can find me online at allison-pearl.com, where I share book updates, blog posts, giveaways, and newsletter sign-ups, as well as on social media under my author name, Allison Pearl.

Meet the Author: Cynthia Beach

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

I met today’s guest at an author expo at my local library. Like myself, she is a Michigan author.

Cynthia was a delight to have as my next-table neighbor. I got to know some of her life story that day, but I wanted to find out more. So today Cynthia joins me to talk about her novel: The Surface of Water.

Cynthia, it was great to meet you in person. Thank you for being my guest today. Let’s start by you telling us a little bit about yourself:

For thirty years I was a busy professor of creative writing and English. My job let me be a student of writing. Not only did I have to read a flood of writing books, but I could learn about process strategies—that is, how to do our writing—as I watched my students struggle or shine.

In the cracks, I wrote both nonfiction and fiction. With a journalism master’s, I contributed to books like Media Ethics and Zondervan’s grief bible, Hope in the Mourning.

I also drafted novels, which was my happy place. Later in life, I did a Master of Fine Arts in fiction craft. This degree gave me strong tools for story craft.

Creative Juices for Writers, second edition, is my book on writing that focuses on story power, process tools, and soul care.

Let’s take a look at your novel, The Surface of Water. What can you tell us about this story?

The only person who can uncover his secret has arrived.

Matthew Goodman is tired, and his one wish is for something he can’t have. Instead, he focuses on his work as pastor of Chicagoland’s Calvary Community, including hiring new administrative assistant, Trish Card. Trish watches him with somber, lake-clear eyes. What he doesn’t know about Trish and her real reason for appearing will dismantle his world.

The Surface of Water is about a megachurch pastor, a famous evangelist’s son, living in a world beyond his control. It’s also a story about a young woman trying to understand her complicated life. In the #ChurchToo era, this novel invites readers to see life’s shadowed edges—isolation, power, and abuse—illuminated by the light of truth.

What is the inspiration behind The Surface of Water?

When I was in high school, English teacher Mrs. Quinn taught me the E.A. Robinson poem, “Richard Cory.” This short poem shook my world. Why? Because Richard Cory was the town celebrity: handsome, rich, mannered. People envied him. They wanted to be him. And at the end of the poem—Richard Cory suicides.

I didn’t know. Someone who seemed to have it all together may not. That person who seems to have it all may have a very different internal experience. Richard Cory haunted me. Then, probably twenty years later, the question arrived: What if a megachurch pastor was a Richard Cory?

I find it’s difficult to set aside time to write. How do you find time in your day to write?

Before I left teaching this past June, I had little free time. I was grading writing after all. But what helped me complete The Surface of Water was this simple trick: small goals. I did not have blocks of time. Few of us do, right? But I could write 350 words four times a week or proofread 25 pages a week. Small specific goals energized me—I could do them. And small specific goals gave me another benefit: I knew when I was finished.

Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

For sure! Celebrating our accomplishments is vital, me thinks, so, when I finished edits on Surface, I gobbled up a hot fudge peanut parfait. De-lish!

Who was your favorite character to create?

Instead of one favorite character, what was utterly fascinating to me was seeing the same events through different characters’ eyes. I loved moving from Matthew Goodman’s point of view to Trish’s. The fiction term is “viewpoint character.” A trend these days is to have multiple viewpoint characters, which is as interesting to read as it is to write.

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I write where my ideas are clear—with little or no planning. This puts me squarely in the Pantser Mode. The catch? While I draft quickly, I revise long because I have such a mess. I found I needed to strengthen my Pantser Process by taking a small step toward Plotter Mode. NYT bestselling novelist Elizabeth George, a devout plotter, offers many planning tools in her writing book, Write Away. Doing scratch outlines of plot flow served a pantser like me well.

Do you experience writer’s block? What do you do to get through it?

For me, block occurs because I’m feeling unsure either from a lack of needed research or from fear. As a pantser, I postpone most research until after my first draft when I know what I need. The weakness, of course, is that I need to tweak subplots. But research always helps me find my way.

Fear desires to hamstring my writing. Thankfully, Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way helped me recognize when fear is talking. A more recent helpful habit I’ve found is to journal my fears. Writing about what I’m feeling and perhaps why diffuses the block, and I’m free to move forward. 

What’s next for you as an author?

My novel The Surface of Water ends with characters Matthew and Trish in jeopardy. What happens next? In answer, I’m happily researching and revising the sequel, A Thousand Wings of Light.

Just slightly off stage await my two Irish novels—historical fiction, a first for me. I drafted two novels for The Seaborne Series. Recent local events like Ada’s Fur-Trapper Encampment delivered very helpful research. From the descendant of the famous settler Rix Robinson, I learned how to twist rope from plants. This stirs the fire. I can’t wait to return full-throttle to this series. Of course, I’ll need to figure a way to get myself back to Castlerock, N. Ireland.

Cynthia, thanks so much for doing this interview with me. Before we go, where can readers find you online?

cynthiabeach.com

Cynthia on Facebook

CynthiaBeachAuthor on Instagram

Here is a link to buy Cynthia’s book:

The Surface of Water

Meet the Author: Susan TeBos

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Author Susan TeBos

I recently met Susan at an author event near my hometown in Michigan. Susan, it was a pleasure to meet you and learn about your book. Thank you for joining me on my blog today.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a homegrown Michigan author with a not so common story.  This may surprise you, but becoming an author wasn’t on my bucket list.  I didn’t intend to write books. But when the need arose in our family (we adopted 3 children from Russia within 5 years) writing, researching, interviewing, and the hope to offer help to our family and others urged me forward. In the beginning, I knew very little about what was involved in writing a book, such as taking an idea to the page and then to a publisher. All this felt a bit overwhelming. I had to learn how to write creatively. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Eventually, I signed up for a writing class and then another, junior and senior level courses I could take at a local college. It was a writing game changer. I guess you can say I am persistent, if anything, and that’s a good attribute for being a writer.

What is your book about?

My recent book is for adoptive and foster families and anyone who wants to understand the heart of an adoptee.  It’s called We’ve Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens. I believe that every adopted child reflects on their adoption and needs guidance to process and express their emotions and thoughts. If not, many feel isolated as they ponder what happened to them, their self-worth and identity.

My favorite thing about this book is the interviews. This is a collection of 34 stories told to me by teenage and young adult adoptees from around the United States. They open up about things that they rarely talk about and things they wished others would have told them. Plus, they offer encouragement and some good advice for teens on their own journey of self-discovery and healing from loss.  I learned so much from these amazing people.

What did your family think about you writing this book?

My daughter, who was adopted at 18 months, was 17 years old at the time I was researching and writing this book. Imagine a teenager hovering close by, sometimes reading over my shoulder while I was typing up the interviews. That says a lot. She longed to know what adoptees like her were experiencing and how they were handling things. One day I asked her if she’d share a story, and she leaped into the air yelling yes!! She had her own story to share about grieving her birth family that she felt others would resonate with. Two of my three kids contributed stories.

The collection is written in a journalistic style. It is written for adoptees first, but also for families and anyone who wants to understand the heart of an adoptee.

Who would like your book?

There are millions of people with adoption or foster care in their story, so many of us are connected or know someone that is adopted.  Additionally, counselors, social workers, therapists, adoption agencies, church adoption ministries, libraries, families, grandparents, and of course adopted people of all ages.   

How do you find time in your day for writing?

Set small goals. 300 words a day. I commit to 300 words each day of the week even if I don’t feel like it or have nothing to say. From my experience, if I can free write crappy copy 300 words this exercise turns into 700 words or more. Goal setting like this keeps me accountable.

Are you part of a writing group?

Not formally. Mostly, I have writer friends that like to meet for coffee and talk about everything from writing to platform to book proposals to selling books. Being in a community is helpful, even if it is informal.

Do you have a favorite author or book?

My favorite genre is historical fiction, regency period. Jane Austin and books like hers serve as a retreat for me. I get lost in the pages and time slips away. My brain cells appreciate it. I also read books like A Gentleman in Moscow.

Have you experienced writer’s block? If so, what do you do to get through it?

Yes, I do get blocked. There are a few things that help me. I free write with a prompt. Just stream of thought. No edits. Just move the pen on paper. It works. Also, I have paper and a pen next to my bed. It is common for me to have some pretty great ideas appear at 3:00 am

What’s next for you as an author?

I currently don’t have a book idea. However, I’m writing a couple of articles here and there for publication, and trying to improve my book visibility on my website.  I also am a podcast guest and speak at adoption and foster care conferences.

Susan, thank you so much for being my guest today. Before we go, where can readers find you online?

You can find me at susantebos.com and  https://www.facebook.com/SusanTeBos.Author/

https://www.amazon.com/Weve-Been-There-Surprising-Insights/dp/0825447313 

Susan’s book is also available at any bookseller and at libraries.

Meet the Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers contains Powerful Stories of Life’s Emergencies.

For more than 35 years, veteran EMT Andrea Jo Rodgers has been helping people in their most terrifying and vulnerable moments—and bearing witness to the miraculous power and handiwork of God.

In this new collection of unforgettable stories, Andrea shares more heart-pounding accounts of rescues and interventions from her vast experience as a first responder. Whether it’s a boy fallen through thin ice into freezing water, an old woman and her walker stuck at a railroad crossing, or a loyal dog playing guardian angel for his incapacitated owner, join Andrea as she responds to incredible scenarios that testify to God’s power and love.

Not only will you be astounded by the courage exemplified by Andrea and other first responders, but you will also be inspired by her faith, empathy, and hope—even amid the most daunting circumstances. These powerful stories will encourage you and deepen your awe for God’s amazing mercy and grace.

Meet the Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers.

Andrea, thank you for joining me today. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am the kind of person who always keeps busy, and writing is something I enjoy in my scarce free time. I’m a happily married mother of two, and family means everything to me. I enjoy working as a physical therapist, and I specialize in pelvic floor rehab, oncology rehabilitation, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I love serving my community by volunteering with my local EMS squad as an emergency medical technician. I’ve been volunteering since high school (over 9,700 rescue calls), and now I’m blessed to be answering calls with my twins, who are also volunteer EMT’s.

Are you a night owl or morning person?

I am most definitely a morning person, which is a good thing, because I have to be at work by 6:30AM. I am high energy all day (I seriously don’t even drink caffeine), but I am ready for bed by 9:30PM. However, when I respond to  multiple nighttime emergency first aid calls with my rescue squad, I am sometimes a little sleepy the next day!

Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

Well, to be honest, I don’t wait until my book is finished. Chocolate is my favorite treat during the writing process! In my opinion, there’s nothing like a crème filled chocolate to keep the creative juices flowing.

I agree. Chocolate is a great energy boost.

Are you part of a writing group?

I was briefly a part of a writing group in the past but had to give it up because there are simply not enough hours in the day between working, writing, caring for my family, and volunteering with my first aid squad.

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

My husband and sister are the first ones to read my books. They are a great support system, and I feel blessed to have their input.

Do you have a favorite author or book?

My favorite author is Jane Austen. I have read Pride & Prejudice many times, and I can never resist re-watching the 1995 BBC version.

What book or author has inspired you the most?

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the books by James Herriott, which relate true stories from his experiences as a veterinarian. Currently, my family and I are watching the series All Creatures Great and Small, which is based on his books.

What’s next for you as an author?

Right now, I’m working on a book about healthy aging, drawing on my experience and knowledge as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I also have several  short stories being published by Guideposts.

Andrea, thank you for being my guest today. Where can readers find your book:

https://amzn.to/46U4JZs

Where can readers find you?

www.andreajorodgers.com.

https://www.facebook.com/AndreaJoRodgers/

and amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrea-Jo-Rodgers/author/B00SAAQM18?isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true