Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. Her debut novel with Sunrise Publishing gave Kelly the opportunity to work with Lynette Eason as her mentor and lead author. Defending Honor, part of the Elite Guardians series, was published in October 2022. Defending Honor placed third in the Romantic Suspense category for the Selah Awards, and recently became a finalist in the Carol Awards. She also writes book reviews for her blog Best in Suspense and is an active member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you have to read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with her golden retriever, a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
INTERVIEW
Tell us about your upcoming release.
Christmas in the Crosshairs is a novella collection which takes the characters from the last three Elite Guardian novels and throws them into a bit of danger right before Christmas. In Silent Night Siege, Laila and Preston are back, but are stranded on a mountain after a plane crash.
What was your inspiration for this book?
I had the honor of being part of the last Elite Guardians Collection and work with Lynette Eason as my mentor in her story world. In Defending Honor, Laila and Preston create a fake relationship when Preston’s life is threatened, but in Silent Night Siege, their real relationship is tested. The inspiration for Silent Night Siege came from wanting to see what happened if Laila couldn’t rely on all her training as a Mossad agent. What if she couldn’t be a bodyguard with all the specialized training and survival skills? It gives Preston a chance to show what he’s made of and shine.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I love collaborating with other authors! With the Elite Guardians collection, I worked with Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo and Sami A. Abrams. Writing can sometimes be a lonely process, and having author friends who are writing and dreaming in the same story world as me helped me feel connected.
Your least favorite?
Edits can be a challenge. It’s time consuming and you may have to deconstruct scenes and rebuild them. But as I go through and make changes, I keep telling myself that with each change, my story gets better and better.
Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
As a suspense writer, I do love surprises. Here’s three things
My first job ever was working at Disney World. I worked at the theme parks through high school and college. Growing up in the Orlando area had its advantages.
When I was five years old, I lived in a funeral home. I was born in New Hampshire and didn’t move to Orlando until I was 12. But my dad was a funeral director in a small town. We lived in the apartment above the funeral home. It always seemed normal to me! Maybe it’s the origin story for my suspense writing.
My serious flaw: If I see someone fall, I laugh uncontrollably. I can’t help it. I think it’s a medical condition or some sort of automatic reflex. But I’ve been in a few situations where human decency would require me to check on the fallen person and instead I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. But this explains why I get tagged in every reel where people are falling on an endless loop. Am I the only one with this problem?
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Free time? What’s that? I love spending time with family and friends when I’m not writing. Game nights, cookouts, or just hanging out. I live in Florida, so there’s always the occasional trip to a theme park. You’d think I’d make it to the beach since it’s 45 minutes from me, but I hardly ever do. But I also have a nine-month-old golden retriever puppy, which might as well be a full-time job. She’s adorable, so I love dog parks and playing with her.
What are you working on now?
More Elite Guardians! In 2024, there will be three more Elite Guardian novels, now set in Savannah, GA. I’m working on my favorite – edits! I can’t wait for readers to meet bodyguard Juliette Montgomery in fall of 2024.
Where can your readers learn more about you?
My website is kellyunderwoodauthor.com where readers can sign up for my newsletter. But I’m on Facebook and Instagram @bestinsuspense.
CHRISTMAS IN THE CROSSHAIRS
It’s Christmastime and love is in the air. But when these three Elite Guardians walk into the crosshairs of trouble, they find themselves fighting not just for justice, but for the lives of the men they love in this riveting thriller collection!
Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo
“Come out to Savannah, she says. It’ll be fun, she says. Boss can be in the nativity pageant, she says,” Yeah. Great idea.
Bodyguard Christina Sherman and her fiancé, former spec ops air commando Grey Parker just want to sneak away to beautiful Savannah, attend a Nativity Pageant, maybe set a wedding date. But when a group of terrorists take over the church and the whole thing is live streamed, they find themselves in a hometown version of a Die Hard Christmas movie. But will they make it to the happy ending?
Silent Night Siege by Kelly Underwood
Billionaire Preston Whittaker and bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz just can’t get a break. Not only are their schedules so crazy they’ve put their relationship on simmer, but on their way to the mountains for much-needed togetherness…yep, their plane crashes. Suddenly they’re stranded on a remote mountainside in freezing temperatures, minimal food, wildlife, and no hope of rescue.
And then, the real danger starts. Someone deliberately caused the wreck, and that person is hunting them through the wilderness.
Now, it’ll take more than togetherness to survive…
Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams
It’s finally time for bodyguard Lizzie Tremaine to tie the knot with the man she’s loved for years—fellow bodyguard Charlie Lee.
But maybe fate is still against them, because on the eve of their big day, a snowstorm hits. And, while it’s kept the guests away, it’s brought trouble in the form of a woman from Charlie’s past. More, she’s on the run from a killer…
A man who will stop at nothing to make sure Charlie and Lizzie never make it to the altar.
Now Lizzie and Charlie must battle the storm, stop the killer, and defeat the doubts that suddenly have them wondering if they are truly meant to be.
Three epic love stories. Three edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Three Christmases caught in the Crosshairs inspired by best-selling author Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardian series.
Tell us about your upcoming release.
What was your inspiration for this book?
I had the honor of being part of the last Elite Guardians Collection and work with Lynette Eason as my mentor in her story world. In Defending Honor, Laila and Preston create a fake relationship when Preston’s life is threatened, but in Silent Night Siege, their real relationship is tested. The inspiration for Silent Night Siege came from wanting to see what happened if Laila couldn’t rely on all her training as a Mossad agent. What if she couldn’t be a bodyguard with all the specialized training and survival skills? It gives Preston a chance to show what he’s made of and shine.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I love collaborating with other authors! With the Elite Guardians collection, I worked with Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo and Sami A. Abrams. Writing can sometimes be a lonely process, and having author friends who are writing and dreaming in the same story world as me helped me feel connected.
Your least favorite?
Edits can be a challenge. It’s time consuming and you may have to deconstruct scenes and rebuild them. But as I go through and make changes, I keep telling myself that with each change, my story gets better and better.
Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
As a suspense writer, I do love surprises. Here’s three things
My first job ever was working at Disney World. I worked at the theme parks through high school and college. Growing up in the Orlando area had its advantages.
When I was five years old, I lived in a funeral home. I was born in New Hampshire and didn’t move to Orlando until I was 12. But my dad was a funeral director in a small town. We lived in the apartment above the funeral home. It always seemed normal to me! Maybe it’s the origin story for my suspense writing.
My serious flaw: If I see someone fall, I laugh uncontrollably. I can’t help it. I think it’s a medical condition or some sort of automatic reflex. But I’ve been in a few situations where human decency would require me to check on the fallen person and instead I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. But this explains why I get tagged in every reel where people are falling on an endless loop. Am I the only one with this problem?
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Free time? What’s that? I love spending time with family and friends when I’m not writing. Game nights, cookouts, or just hanging out. I live in Florida, so there’s always the occasional trip to a theme park. You’d think I’d make it to the beach since it’s 45 minutes from me, but I hardly ever do. But I also have a nine-month-old golden retriever puppy, which might as well be a full-time job. She’s adorable, so I love dog parks and playing with her.
What are you working on now?
More Elite Guardians! In 2024, there will be three more Elite Guardian novels, now set in Savannah, GA. I’m working on my favorite – edits! I can’t wait for readers to meet bodyguard Juliette Montgomery in fall of 2024.
Where can your readers learn more about you?
My website is kellyunderwoodauthor.com where readers can sign up for my newsletter. But I’m on Facebook and Instagram @bestinsuspense.
CHRISTMAS IN THE CROSSHAIRS
It’s Christmastime and love is in the air. But when these three Elite Guardians walk into the crosshairs of trouble, they find themselves fighting not just for justice, but for the lives of the men they love in this riveting thriller collection!
Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo
“Come out to Savannah, she says. It’ll be fun, she says. Boss can be in the nativity pageant, she says,” Yeah. Great idea.
Bodyguard Christina Sherman and her fiancé, former spec ops air commando Grey Parker just want to sneak away to beautiful Savannah, attend a Nativity Pageant, maybe set a wedding date. But when a group of terrorists take over the church and the whole thing is live streamed, they find themselves in a hometown version of a Die Hard Christmas movie. But will they make it to the happy ending?
Silent Night Siege by Kelly Underwood
Billionaire Preston Whittaker and bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz just can’t get a break. Not only are their schedules so crazy they’ve put their relationship on simmer, but on their way to the mountains for much-needed togetherness…yep, their plane crashes. Suddenly they’re stranded on a remote mountainside in freezing temperatures, minimal food, wildlife, and no hope of rescue.
And then, the real danger starts. Someone deliberately caused the wreck, and that person is hunting them through the wilderness.
Now, it’ll take more than togetherness to survive…
Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams
It’s finally time for bodyguard Lizzie Tremaine to tie the knot with the man she’s loved for years—fellow bodyguard Charlie Lee.
But maybe fate is still against them, because on the eve of their big day, a snowstorm hits. And, while it’s kept the guests away, it’s brought trouble in the form of a woman from Charlie’s past. More, she’s on the run from a killer…
A man who will stop at nothing to make sure Charlie and Lizzie never make it to the altar.
Now Lizzie and Charlie must battle the storm, stop the killer, and defeat the doubts that suddenly have them wondering if they are truly meant to be.
Three epic love stories. Three edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Three Christmases caught in the Crosshairs inspired by best-selling author Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardian series.
Leave a comment for your chance to win an eBook copy of CHRISTMAS IN THE CROSSHAIRS.
Kelly Underwood is a new to me author. This book sounds so thrilling and I love the colors! lesncyn@att.net
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book to read. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book to read, thank you for the chance. jhdwayne@peoplepc.com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great! I have the book on pre-order, so don't enter me!
ReplyDeleteThese stories sound so good!
ReplyDeleteduellonlysis ay aol dot com
The book sounds fabulous! I’d love to be entered. I’ve read The Elite Guardian Series and loved it. Kelly is a new-to-me author and I always enjoy finding new authors!!! Oh, and I have done the laughing thing at the wrong time, too.Horribly embarrassing, but oh so funny, but not so funny…you know? I do have compassion and mercy…. Barbara Diggs englishathome01@ gmail.com
ReplyDeletefun interview
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
This sounds like a great way to get to read some new authors! I’m familiar with Lynette Eason but haven’t had the pleasure of reading anything from the other authors. That’s a winning situation!
ReplyDeletePerrianne Askew
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
I can't wait to read Christmas in the Crosshairs. The other Elite Guardians books were great!
ReplyDeleteeclitton at gmail dot com
I look forward to reading Christmas in the Crosshairs and I enjoyed the interview. mizztaraw at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to CHRISTMAS IN THE CROSSHAIRS.
ReplyDeleteLove the Elite Guardians series! Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteThese sound so good!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Kelly Underwood, but I love Lynette Eason, so this looks like a perfect place to start!
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas anthology sounds great. Can’t wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win :)
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite series. This book is on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has a 9 month toy poodle and training has been interesting.
Sonnetta (sonnetta2380(at)outlook(dot) com
Thanks for the great interview, Kelly and Nancy! I always enjoy getting to know more about an author. I love reading Christmas and Suspense stories, so Christmas in the Crosshairs sounds like a win/win and a book I would really enjoy! I'm looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDelete