About the Book

Book: Unauthorized, a prequel novella

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Faith-Based Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 7, 2025

Daisy Blackwood has always played by the rules. As a meticulous budget analyst in Nashville, she’s built a life of quiet routines and steady work—until one discovery shatters everything. She uncovers evidence of embezzlement at her firm and sets off a chain of events that leaves Daisy framed, frightened, and fighting to clear her name.

With her career—and freedom—on the line, Daisy finds an unexpected ally in Owen Mackenzie, a sharp-witted IT auditor who’s more comfortable behind a screen than in the middle of corporate chaos. As danger closes in, Owen steps out of the shadows to protect her, and a slow-burning connection sparks into something deeper.

Set against the soulful backdrop of Nashville, this heartwarming romantic suspense blends ”wrongfully accused,” “slow burn romance,” and ”protective hero” tropes into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love.

As Daisy and Owen dig deeper into a dangerous conspiracy, they’ll have to risk everything—including their hearts—to uncover the truth.

* Unauthorized is the prequel novella to book one in Sherri’s The Silas Holcomb Legacy series, coming out in the fall of 2025.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sherri Wilson Johnson writes romantic suspense from her home in Georgia where she lives with her husband, their two dogs and spoiled Bombay cat. Sherri loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, reading or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot romantically suspenseful novels around the clock.

More from Sherri

When I started dreaming up the Silas Holcomb Legacy series, I knew I didn’t want to write about traditional heroes and heroines. You know the type—confident, charismatic, effortlessly brave. Instead, I wanted to explore the quieter, quirkier people we often overlook. The dependable coworker. The quiet thinker in the back of the meeting room. The ones who aren’t flashy or bold or naturally brave. The ones who doubt themselves more than they should. The ones who never imagined they’d find themselves at the center of a high-stakes mystery… or a love story.

That’s the heart of The Silas Holcomb Legacy series, and specifically the vibe you’ll feel in Unauthorized, the prequel novella. Daisy and Owen are the kinds of people who don’t usually get the spotlight—but should.

Daisy is a sharp-minded budget analyst working in the competitive corporate world of Nashville. She’s smart, driven, and meticulous—but doesn’t exactly stand out in a room. (Well, to Owen—the quiet, nerdy guy from IT—she does, but she doesn’t know that!) After the recent death of her estranged grandfather, she’s emotionally raw and not at all ready to play detective. But when she stumbles across an embezzlement scheme and someone tries to frame her for it, she’s forced to step into a role she never imagined: the one who solves the mystery.

And she doesn’t do it alone.

Owen is not your typical romantic lead—he knows more about server logs than small talk. He’s not suave, he’s not smooth, but he’s steady and loyal and brilliant in all the ways that matter. Together, they dig into the company’s secrets, unravel a trail of deception, and prove that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to change the story.

This story is about rising to the occasion, even when you don’t feel like the kind of person who’s supposed to save the day. It’s about finding strength when you’d rather hide. About realizing you were never a side character—you were just waiting for your moment to lead.

And yes, it’s about love that grows not from charm or swagger, but from courage and kindness. Daisy and Owen prove that sometimes, the least likely heroes are exactly the ones we need. Their journey is close to my heart, and I hope their story encourages readers to believe in their own quiet kind of brave.

And the most exciting part? This is the first book in a thrilling and mysterious new series that brings an estranged family back together. Will they stay together? Well, you’ll have to stay tuned for the rest of the series to find out!

I can’t wait to show you what’s next.

Sherri

Author Interview

Can you tell us a little bit about what readers can expect from your books?

Readers can generally expect my stories to be a blend of faith, adventure, and heartfelt romance. Characters often grow spiritually, learning to trust God through trials, hardships, or loss, although the themes of faith may be more subtle in some of my books than in others. My main characters are typically courageous women and strong, dependable men facing challenges that test their resolve and faith. Readers can expect satisfying, hope-filled conclusions where love and faith triumph.

What is the greatest advice you have ever been given about writing?

Not to treat your first book as if it’s the only book you’ll ever write. Finish it and then write the next one. It’s the best way to perfect your craft and find your writing voice.

What book made you fall in love with reading?

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks.

Can you share 5 random facts about this book?

It’s the prequel novella to the Silas Holcomb Legacy series.

It was dreamed up while I was on a trip to Nashville.

The heroine has a Maine coon cat, and I’ve always wanted one.

The series was supposed to be about four male cousins who were businessmen in suits, but Daisy quickly became the fourth cousin instead of a male because I loved her quirky and smart character.

The book is set at Christmas time, and this is my first Christmas book.

What was the inspiration behind it?

A week in Nashville on business, meeting in corporate offices with colleagues.

Can you share something interesting or surprising you learned while researching for the book?

I learned a lot about computer programs and how someone can cover their tracks when committing fraud and embezzlement. I was quite surprised to learn that this kind of thing happens all the time.

What was the most challenging part of bringing this book to life? 

Time constraints. I work two jobs plus help with my elderly mother-in-law. It seemed that every time I had ideas, I had no opportunity to write. And when I had opportunity to write, my brain was too tired to be creative. But once I got going, the words flowed pretty quickly.

What was the most rewarding?

Writing The End on another book! Oh, and then plotting the next book in the series, which releases in December.

What do you hope readers will take away from the book?

I hope readers will feel inspired by Daisy’s perseverance during the trials she encountered in her quest to prove her innocence and to find out who was trying to set her up. I hope readers will know it’s okay to ask for help if they need it and to trust their discernment if they feel like something is wrong. And if they encounter dismissiveness from someone who doesn’t believe them, that they’ll press on until they feel heard.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Before you go, where can readers keep up with what’s next?