contemporary

Meet the Author: Rachelle Paige Campbell

/ Carol Underhill / 1 Comment

My guest today is Rachelle Paige Campbell, author of Her One in a Million, a Christian romance. Rachelle, thank you for joining me today. Let’s start with you telling us a little bit about yourself.

I write contemporary romance novels filled with heart and hope. I believe love and laughter can change lives, and every story needs a happily ever after. I earned my masters’ degree in Fine and Decorative Arts from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. I love to include Art History elements in my novels so I have an excuse to research. This book was a great opportunity for that!

What is Her One in a Million about?

While renovating a historic mansion, Samantha Holt discovers three hidden vases. If she sells the pottery with her family’s auction business, she can bring in a commission for her parents and help get funds for the mansion’s restoration. She calls an expert from Chicago, Zach Reynolds, for his opinion and is shocked that he wants to take the pieces back to the city. They both need the pottery for professional reasons, but the situation is complicated by their growing admiration and feelings for each other.

That’s a great story, Rachelle. Now for some questions about you:

Are you a night owl or morning person?

I am a morning person through and through! I love to get up and get going every day. My kids are early risers, too. This was an added complication for getting words in when they were little. Now that they are both in school, however, it’s perfect. After they are out the door, I can focus on my projects for a few hours and get a lot of dedicated time for writing in during the week.

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

I don’t always reward myself when a book is finished because sometimes I don’t have time or opportunity. But my favorite treat is a nice manicure. It’s lovely to get a hand massage and a new coat of nail polish after my fingers have been hard at work typing a story.

Were there any surprises that came up as you wrote your story?

I love historical romance and historical fiction. I have read a lot of both and really enjoy the genre. When I first started writing, I attempted a Regency era novel but the book fell flat. My writer voice is too modern. I had fun on this project creating a historical journal. I finally had a chance to incorporate a tribute to the genre but in a way that was genuine to the story. It was a wonderful surprise to me as I started crafting the novel.

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

The first people to read any of my completed books are my writing friends. Known as the Panera Supper Club, from the pre-Covid days when we would meet at Panera and write, I am blessed to be part of a very supportive group of incredibly talented, hard-working, and kind authors. We write different genres but are cheerleaders for each other’s work.

What book or author has inspired you the most?

I loved the Anne of Green Gables books so much as a kid. I continue to be inspired by Anne. I think I’ve been trying to be Anne Shirley my entire life. What I’ve always loved most is that she makes mistakes, takes responsibility, and learns from the experience.

What’s next for you as an author?

The fourth book in the Home to Harmony series is coming! I’m not sure when, yet, but it’s a Christmas book and ties the series together in an unexpected way. I’m really excited to share it with readers. I have loved writing these books and am so appreciative of the positive response.

Thank you for being my guest today, Rachelle. Before we go, where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3jKH9s0

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3KRvKCy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachellepaigebooks/

Newsletter: eepurl.com/dEjzZz

Website: https://rachellepaigecampbell.com/

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3U9lqep

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3U7d6f7

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3qB2yr1

Apple iBooks: https://apple.co/3BF8xl7

Friday Feature: Substitute Family

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Recently I published an updated version of my full-length Christian romance, Substitute Family. This was previously published under the title, No Longer a Substitute. If you read the first version, you will find this one almost completely different. The characters and story line are the same, but it has been revised and updated throughout the whole book, with a surprise ending.

Even if you haven’t read the previous version, I think you will enjoy this one. Substitute Family is a story about adorable twin toddlers and their widowed father, and the nanny who steps into their lives and falls for all of them.

About the book:

Kindergarten teacher Emily Riley volunteers to babysit her late cousin’s twin toddlers for the summer. She doesn’t count on falling in love with their daddy, Garret.

When Garret transfers across country for a three-month trial period to set up a new office, he decides to leave the twins behind until he gets settled. Emily takes a leave of absence from her teaching job to become the 24/7 nanny while he is gone.

Garret decides not to tell his new employees that he is a widowed father of two. At first he calls home every week, but then a month goes by without a phone call, and he won’t return Emily’s messages.

She worries that Garret might like his freedom so much that he will decide to leave the twins, and Emily, behind permanently.

This book is available for purchase on Amazon as a Kindle book or in paperback.

Friday Feature: Christmas Novellas

/ Carol Underhill / 1 Comment

Today I’m featuring author Katy Eeten’s three Christmas novellas. They are unrelated to each other, but each is a heartwarming holiday story. You can find out more about the books in the details below:

Wrong Turn Christmas (Anaiah Press 2021)

April is desperate to eliminate her dad’s cancer bills so her family can enjoy the holidays. But, on her way to get legal assistance, she ends up at the wrong house. There, she finds a warm and caring soul… but a boyfriend won’t solve her family’s financial issues.

Jake is surprised to find a beautiful woman on his doorstep asking for help. It’s a case of mistaken identity, but after spending just a little time with April, he knows they are perfect for each other—even if she does have bad taste in football teams. Except April is facing an uphill battle, and he believes he has nothing of real value to offer. Or does he?

One wrong turn might just end up turning a Christmas crisis into a Christmas miracle.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Wrong-Turn-Christmas-Anaiah-Romance-ebook/dp/B09L4J3PDZ/

First Class Christmas (Pelican Book Group, 2020)

When Mandy Brockman flies home from her friend’s destination wedding, her heart is on empty at the thought of spending Christmas alone. It doesn’t help that her ex is on the plane, seemingly unaffected by their breakup. But the kind-hearted man seated next to her seems to have it all together—and he’s handsome to boot. She knows her emotional healing won’t come in the form of another guy, but will the source of this man’s peace and joy help Mandy find the Christmas she’s looking for?

CJ Hawkins is captivated by the beautiful, feisty woman he meets on his flight. The only thing is, she’s fresh out of a relationship, and he has no interest in being anyone’s rebound. But the more he learns about Mandy, the more he’s drawn to her unique mixture of compassion and spunk.

Can he figure out how to make their relationship take off before this First Class Christmas is grounded forever?

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/First-Class-Christmas-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B08KSJHMW4/

Christmas In Meadow Creek (Anaiah Press, 2018)

Sarah Laughlin left her big-city life and dead-end relationship behind for a fresh start as a fourth-grade teacher in the small, Wisconsin town of Meadow Creek. And it feels like home, too, despite the persistent troublemaker in her class and the lack of familiar faces. But the holidays are going to be lonely this year. Until she meets firefighter Lincoln Thompson. Suddenly, the hope of spending Christmas with someone she cares about is within reach.

Lincoln loves his home town of Meadow Creek, but ever since his long-time girlfriend left him for a better life in the city, he wonders if he’ll ever find love in this small town where everyone knows everyone. Then he meets Sarah during her class’s field trip to his firehouse, and a spark is lit. But when they discover that Sarah’s troublemaking student is none other than Lincoln’s beloved nephew, their newfound relationship is put to the test. Can they navigate through the complexities of family dynamics to find a love that will last?

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Meadow-Anaiah-Romance-Novella/dp/1947327305/

Meet the Author: Katy Eeten

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Today I’m interviewing Katy Eeten, author of five published books including her recently released Christmas novella, Wrong Turn Christmas. Katy, thank you for joining me today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

 I am a wife of 19 years, a mom of two boys, Team Lead of the Account Administration Department at my company, and an author of five published books. I love to write, read, go for walks and bike rides, dine out with my family, and play board games with my kids. I live in southeast Wisconsin, where I hibernate for most of the winter. I also love to travel and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.

What is your book about?

April is desperate to eliminate her dad’s cancer bills so her family can enjoy the holidays. But, on her way to get legal assistance, she ends up at the wrong house. There, she finds a warm and caring soul… but a boyfriend won’t solve her family’s financial issues.

Jake is surprised to find a beautiful woman on his doorstep asking for help. It’s a case of mistaken identity, but after spending just a little time with April, he knows they are perfect for each other—even if she does have bad taste in football teams. Except April is facing an uphill battle, and he believes he has nothing of real value to offer. Or does he?

One wrong turn might just end up turning a Christmas crisis into a Christmas miracle.

What is the inspiration behind your story?

I can’t remember where I first got the overall story idea from, but after it started taking shape, I definitely drew from my own experiences with my dad, who also battled cancer when I was around April’s age. The way April felt, the issues her parents faced, the frequent hospital visits – it was all something I was very familiar with.

Are you a night owl or morning person?

I like to say that I’m neither but that as a working mom, I’m forced to be both. That said, I am much more likely to be alert and productive early in the morning than I am late at night!

Who was your favorite character to create?

I really enjoyed creating April. She finds herself in an uncomfortable situation a few times throughout this book, so I had fun showing how she responds. But I also related to her as a new adult dealing with some serious family health issues.

How did you come up with the names of your hero and/or heroine?

The name of the hero was actually an important element in this book, as there is a case of mistaken identity that revolves around his name. I had to use a name that could be shortened so that the mix-up was more likely and so that there weren’t two characters with the exact same name. That’s how I decided on Jake (aka Jacob).

Are you a plotter or a panster?

I’m a mixture of both. I typically have one scene or concept prepared ahead of time, and then start typing to see where the story takes me. Once I’m in the flow, I start to think ahead to where I want the story to go and will type out a general outline of sorts. But I’m flexible in changing things up as the plot develops.

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

I sent it to my mom and sister at the same time. They’re great about offering honest but non-judgmental feedback and encouragement, and they are my target audience. I also had my brother read it, and believe it or not I even read it to my kids!

What’s next for you as an author?

I have a completed manuscript that’s a little different from my norm. It’s still a contemporary Christian romance, but it follows four intertwining love stories from six points of view (all former college friends) instead of the standard two. I haven’t yet submitted it to any publishers, but I hope to soon. We’ll see how that goes!

Where can readers find you online?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatyEeten/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KatyEeten

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KatyEeten/

Website: https://katyeeten.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Katy-Eeten/e/B0796L1CVK

BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L4J3PDZ/

Sneak Preview: May I Have This Dance

/ Carol Underhill / Leave a comment

Chase wondered how Brooke was dealing with the gossip. On Monday night, after he’d tucked Maddie into bed, he sat in the screened-in sunroom alone. He had his cell phone in hand. He brought up Brooke’s contact information. Was he being a fool to think that she’d felt the connection between them?

She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hi, Brooke, it’s Chase.

“Oh, hi, Chase.” She sounded breathless, and nervous. “I didn’t save your name in my phone.”

“Hey, I wanted to call and apologize for getting involved Saturday night.”

 “Involved?”

 “Yeah. When Ben started in, I should have left it alone.”

 “Oh, okay.” Her tone was disappointed. “I thought it was nice that you stood up for me.”

  That was a relief. “You did?”

 “Yes, I did. But it seems to have become the news headline.”

 “I know. That’s why I called. I was hoping you were handling it okay.”

“I don’t like that they have blown it all out of proportion. Especially when my sister told me Megan said you had your hands all over me in the pickup.”

“Technically, it was just your waist.” He realized how stupid that sounded, and was glad to hear her laugh.

“Who would have thought we would be linked? Valedictorian and homecoming king.” Brooke sounded like she could not believe they could go together. “Makes quite the tabloid headline.”

He laughed. “If we’re in the tabloids, then Megan is the paparazzi.”

It sounded like Brooke choked and then laughed. “I’ll tell her you said that.”

Chase grimaced. He did not want to give Megan any more to gossip about.

“No, don’t. Not that it matters. The damage is done.”

Now she wasn’t laughing. “Have you told anyone that I invited you in for coffee? I didn’t tell Megan that, or anyone else. I mean, if you already told people, I guess that’s okay. But I’m not sure what they will say when they hear that I invited you into my house.”

At the worry in her voice, he quickly told her, “The only person I told was my younger brother, and only because he asked me outright. He wouldn’t have believed me if I’d lied.”

Brooke sighed with relief. “I’ve lost count of the times I’ve lied and said you left after you dropped me off.”

“I haven’t told anyone else, because I was worried about your reputation. I’ve been the subject of gossip before, but you just came back to town. I hate that Ben caused a scene and started this whole thing.”

“It will all blow over, eventually.” Brooke sounded hopeful, but not convinced.

He leaned forward and rested his forehead in his hand, feeling the shakiness in the hand that held the phone. “What if I don’t want it to blow over?”

“What do you mean?”

 “Would you go out with me this Friday night?”

 “On a date?” she squeaked.

 “Yes, a date.” He felt his heart pounding in nervous anticipation.

 “Why?” Brooke asked in disbelief.

 He was going to have to explain something he didn’t understand himself. He took a breath and steadied his nerves.

“I enjoyed our conversation.” And the dance, and the coffee, he wanted to add, but left that out. He would tell her that when he could see her face and gauge her reaction.

“Well, that won’t put any rumors to rest.”