Friday Feature: New Release

April 16, 2021April 13, 2021 / Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Today’s featured book is my own Christian contemporary romance, The Reluctant Billionaire.

Author’s inspiration:

I originally wrote this story in 1994 late at night while my infant and toddler were asleep, but I really didn’t do much with it once it was finished. I got busy with life, raising my kids, working, etc., and the story essentially fell by the wayside. I began reading and loving billionaire books and decided that I would try my hand at one. So I dug this story out, dusted it off, revised it heavily to make Liam a billionaire (and to bring it up to date) and eventually sent it to Anaiah…

About the book:

With her husband’s ultimate betrayal, and the finalization of her divorce, Jessica Palmer’s dreams for her life go up in flames, leaving her devastated and lost. Now, she’s leaving Chicago and moving back into her parents’ house in an effort to rebuild her life. Longtime neighbor and friend, Liam Engstrom, is the only reason she hasn’t completely fallen apart, but the closer they get, the more she realizes the depth of his feelings.

Liam has loved Jessica since they were teens, but she never noticed him as more than a friend. Now that she’s single, he’s determined to show her how much he cares and that not all men are like her ex-husband–if she’ll let him.

Jessica is reluctant to trust again after what her husband did to her, and Liam refuses to be the rebound guy, but their attraction is hard to deny. So, together, with a little help from God, they decide to give love a chance. But between Liam’s recent inheritance and an unwanted public billionaire status that has people lining up with their hands out, and Jessica’s ex-husband monitoring her every move, their relationship is off to a rocky start. And when tragedy strikes, Liam pushes everyone away—including Jessica. Can they both learn to forgive and grow, or are they doomed to be alone?

Excerpt:

“Liam’s here.” Her dad’s voice carried from the living room, jarring Jessica from her thoughts.
She took a deep breath and left her bedroom. Despite this being a fake date, there was nothing fake about the way her heart started racing when she walked into the living room and saw Liam standing there. He looked red-carpet ready in his black tux. It fit him as naturally as his work clothes or swim trunks. His white shirt set off his suntanned face with his trimmed beard.
His mouth gaped as his gaze swept over her. “Wow, you look great.” He walked over and stood in front of her.
“You’re too tall for Liam,” Julie said. “You should ditch the heels for something shorter.”
He put his hand on Jessica’s shoulder, and she blushed. “It’s okay. I like to be able to look her in the eye,” he said.
“Are you sure? I have a different pair of heels that would put me a couple of inches shorter.”
“You’re fine.” His voice was husky.
Jessica held up a necklace and a string of pearls. “I can’t decide which to wear. What do you think?”
Liam pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. Jessica gasped when he opened it, revealing a silver necklace with diamonds and sapphires. The necklace was obviously a Douglas Engstrom original and probably worth a fortune.
“Would you consider this appropriate?”

“It’s beautiful.” Jessica lightly touched the gems. “But it’s too valuable to wear.”
“I thought you could wear it in memory of Dad.”
“Oh, but—” Her gaze flew to his. “You should save this for someone special.”
His face paled, and she could tell he struggled with what to say.
Jessica’s dad stepped forward. “I think it’s a great idea. Fasten that thing around her neck.”
Liam hesitated. The velvet box moved as his hand trembled. He was nervous.
“I can do it.” Her mom took the necklace out of the box. “Turn around, Jessica.”
When Jessica turned her back to Liam and her mom, she met Julie’s enraged expression. And her dad’s gentle one. He seemed pretty pleased Liam was asking her to wear the necklace. Did her dad have an ulterior motive in mind? Was he trying to be a matchmaker? That was an unusual thing for him to do.
She walked over to the hall mirror. The reflection was of a sophisticated woman with her hair swept up and perfect makeup. Her dress shimmered in the light, and the diamonds and sapphires sparkled at her throat.
Liam appeared in the mirror behind her. His admiring gaze nearly took her breath away.
“I guess I’m ready.” She spoke a little too loudly, stepping away from the mirror and picking up her silver clutch.

About the author:

Carol Underhill lives in rural Michigan a few miles from the farm where she grew up. She is mom to three adult children and a spoiled Lab. Her household also includes several rescued cats. She likes finding new authors on Kindle and binge-reading all their books. Carol rewards herself for meeting deadlines with a cup of fudge-flavored coffee. She enjoys quiet mornings and spending time with her family.

https://facebook.com/authorcarolunderhill

https:twitter.com/@carolunderhill7

Website and blog: https://authorcarolunderhill.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57493857-the-reluctant-billionaire

Bookbub: @carolunderhill26

Buy Link:

For Print copy: https://www.anaiahpress.com/product/TheReluctantBillionaire/91?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2

For Kindle copy:

Release Day

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021 / Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

THE RELUCTANT BILLIONAIRE

IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The day that I’ve been waiting for has arrived. My new book, The Reluctant Available, is now available to the public.

What is the book about?

https://anaiahpress.com

Author media links:

https://facebook.com/authorcarolunderhill

https:twitter.com/@carolunderhill7

Website and blog: https://authorcarolunderhill.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57493857-the-reluctant-billionaire

Bookbub: @carolunderhill26

Buy link:

https://www.anaiahpress.com/product/TheReluctantBillionaire/91?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2

Beauty from Ashes

April 12, 2021April 25, 2021 / Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Beauty from Ashes describes my writing journey. It began in second grade, when I started a new school. My problems began on the first day. The maintenance person came around to raise the desks of taller students. Trying to fit in, I asked him to raise mine too, even though I was very short. A couple of other students laughed, and I was embarrassed.

The day ended worse than it started. When it was time to go home, I couldn’t remember which bus to ride, and I cried. That was the beginning of many episodes of crying as I failed to adjust to my new school.

I attended sessions with a school counselor. Two other students were in the group with me. We played a game where she started a story, and we went around the circle as each one added to it.

One day, the counselor told us to go home and write a story. I wrote about a real bunny that we’d brought into the house to take care of because it was so small. The counselor had me read it aloud to the kindergarten class.

An author was born.

From that moment on, I was hooked on writing. I continued making up little stories until seventh grade, when I wrote my first romance. In high school, classmates and teachers read my stories as fast as I could write them. However, when I went off to college, I became wrapped up in the excitement of living and pursued other interests.

It wasn’t until I became a stay-at-home mom that I started writing again. I worked on my novel late at night after the kids were sleeping. Then I’d get up before they did and write some more. I set it aside as I got busy with life and raising my kids.

In the years since I wrote that novel, I’ve experienced my own heartache and loss. My husband passed away in 2010 from a work accident. I’ve had to discover what my life could be without him. I spent the first few years concentrating on my kids and helping them get settled in life. When it was time to put myself first, I didn’t know what path God wanted me to take.

I worked different jobs and wrote in my spare time. I read a lot, also. I liked the billionaire books and realized the novel that I wrote in 1994 would make a good billionaire story. I brought out the manuscript, dusted it off, revised and updated it, then sent it to Anaiah Press. A few days later, they sent me a contract .

In my book, Jessica, the main character returns home after her divorce, devastated by her husband’s betrayal. Her longtime friend and neighbor, Liam, who has been in love with her since they were teens, is there to help her pick up the pieces of her life. Beauty from Ashes describes their love story.

Having The Reluctant Billionaire published is my own Beauty from Ashes story. I’ve had a lifelong dream of becoming a published author. I’ve gone through heartache and grief, but God has blessed me by making this dream a reality.

Years ago, I wrote these words in my journal. They are true for the characters in The Reluctant Billionaire, and also for myself.

There were so many broken dreams,
so much sadness,
And yet she felt the hope she had in Christ.
God could build beauty from ashes.
God had a plan for her life,
But He willed her to be patient
As He healed her heart.
She knew that she could trust God
With her future.

Friday Feature: Soul Hacker

April 9, 2021April 1, 2021 / Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

This week our featured author is from Michigan (my home state). I’m especially excited to feature her YA dystopian novel. If you have a teen or young adult, this book will take them on an fascinating adventure. Or maybe you’d like to read it yourself…

Author’s Inspiration:

Inspiration for Soul Hacker came from real life experience at an international border crossing into a country with extreme security check points and high level community monitoring. I had also recently seen a news story about an environmental disaster that caused an entire town to permanently evacuate due to ongoing toxic fumes seeping from the ground. After reading an article about biohacking with nootropic drugs to increase mental capacity, the story elements of Soul Hacker came together. An environmental disaster leading to tightly regulated human habitation within high-rise structures where intelligence is valued above all else.

About the book:

When environmental disaster leaves the world ruined, humanity must survive within seven cities of interconnected high-rises. Students must study rigorously for a final exam which irrevocably places them within a social caste.

Recent graduate, Anna, has earned an esteemed position working in genetic science, but risks her coveted placement when caught smuggling restricted goods to her lower-level sister. Troy, the militant border guard, blackmails her into stealing classified lab materials for his underground team of biohacking revolutionaries. When the lead lab technician, Darion, discovers Anna’s theft from the lab, he is sure to use his government rank to coerce her into marriage. Becoming a high-riser’s wife is the last thing Anna wants when her heart is yearning for freedom, but marriage to a man of influence could work in her favor if she can convince him to help her stop the government from culling a percentage of the population she’s grown to love.

Anna cheats, steals, and smuggles to receive a better placement within the high-rise, however she hadn’t counted on finding redemption and risking everything for the love that finally captures her heart.

Excerpt:

Anna straightened, still clutching the pack. Even though she expected him, his sudden nearness filled her with a rush of new anxiety. She steadied herself, keeping her gaze set out the window on the sinking sun. “Is this going to be the end of your demands?”
Troy sighed and followed her gaze out over the foggy landscape.
There were few people in the terrarium. Anna shifted and rubbed a palm on her thigh. Someone would notice them talking here. She wanted to leave, but she still had so many questions. “What are you doing with these?”
Her gaze was drawn to the pack. If he wanted the slides for some biohacking experiment, it would be a serious offense if he were exposed. They’d imprison him, beat him, or banish him, unless they thought Level 1 would be a worse punishment. Then that’s where they’d put him. There was no way she would make that kind of accusation against him without firsthand witness. No one deserved that suffering.

Troy didn’t answer right away. He put his arm over the back of the bench and leaned closer to her. “I’m looking for answers. Thank you.”
“Thank you? I didn’t do this out of the goodness of my heart.”
“I don’t believe that.” He almost allowed a smile.
Anna’s eyes narrowed. She shifted on the hard bench. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“Sure you did. You care about your sister. You want her to get better. That’s why you bring those puny oranges through the border, risking your credentials each time you pass through security.”
Anna’s internal alarm fired. Heat ran up through her insides. She needed to get away from Troy, the sooner the better.

“I’ve noticed you coming through the checkpoint now for three months. Every time you entered with a full pack, you sped through the area, focused—determined…and then you’d leave empty handed,” Troy said.
Anna’s lips parted. “You’ve known all along and never stopped me?”
He shrugged. “You dropped your pass this time. I had to get it back to you.”
“So breaking the law is irrelevant to you?” She glanced around the terrarium again, still not enough traffic to cover their conversation.
“Some people break the law for their own benefit. Some break them for the greater good.”
“And this law?” She tightened her grip on the pack.
He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “People are suffering. You are your sister’s hope. Hope that life is still worth living, or will be someday.”
“And if she doesn’t get better, then what will her hope be?” Anna said cynically.

Troy glanced to the pack and back to her. “That’s where I come in.”

About the author:

Sarah lives in Northern Michigan where she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and meandering the gorgeous Lake Michigan beaches. Her interest in writing grew from reading The Chronicles of Narnia, and Anne of Green Gables novels as a young girl, and reignited after discovering Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series.

Sarah writes romantic speculative fiction for modern readers who enjoy a fast-paced, character-driven story set in extraordinary worlds. Current works in progress include a time-travel and an urban fantasy.