Tell us a bit about yourself. Include a couple of facts that not a lot of people know about you.
I live in Michigan. I have three adult children and a spoiled black Lab named Rosie. I enjoy flavored coffees, reading and music. I was raised on a farm with four siblings. We attended church every time the doors were open. I didn’t always like to go, especially evening services, but I am so glad now for that firm foundation of faith. I am part of a large extended family on my father’s side, with 297 people descended from my grandparents and their 12 children, more being added every year with babies and weddings.
Tell us a bit about the book that will be published by Anaiah Press.
Serena Cole moved to Chicago to put her past behind her. As she waited downtown at a traffic light, a little girl ran into the street in front of a car. Serena sprinted and pushed the child out of the way, and the car hit her, instead. She woke up in the hospital, not knowing who she is or what happened. Since her purse was stolen at the scene, there is no way to identify her.
Mark Harper is grateful to the stranger for saving his daughter. After his wife passed away, Angelica is his whole world. When the stranger has no place to go, he takes her home from the hospital to stay with him and his daughter. She is just in time to celebrate Christmas with them. Angelica’s Christmas wish is for a new mommy, which might just come true after all.
When and why did you start writing?
In second grade, I had a hard time adjusting to a new school. I saw a school counselor, and one day she had me go home and write a story. I wrote about a little bunny we had kept in our house. She had me read it to the kindergarten class. That started a love of writing for others’ entertainment
Is this your first book? How many have you written? How many have you published?
I have written 6 books in one historical series. I have also completed several contemporary novels. This is the first time I have received a contract from a publisher.
Tell us a bit about your journey to publication.
Since 1994, I’ve always had a story or two going in my head. I have completed a dozen full-length novels during the past twenty years. I’ve submitted some of them to publishers, but not successfully. In June 2019, I decided to write a Christmas story that has been in my head for a while. I started writing on June 4. On June 17, I saw the Twitter post that Anaiah Press was looking for Christian Christmas novellas. Since that is what I was writing, I completed it and submitted it. I am so excited that the story was accepted.
What are some of your favorite books / authors?
I grew up reading Grace Livingston Hill novels. My mom started us girls on them when we were young. I have a collection with 100 GLH books. Lauraine Snelling’s Red River Valley series is also a favorite. I enjoy contemporary Christian and “clean” romances. I like to discover new authors on Kindle and binge-read all their books.
Where do you find inspiration for your books?
Sometimes from a phrase in a song. Also, I’ve had a couple of them that came to me in dreams. Most of the time, though, they are just random ideas that come to mind when I am involved in quiet activities or driving alone in the car.
Where can readers learn more about you?
Facebook: Carol Underhill
Twitter: @underhill7
Anaiah Press 