Summer is in full swing, and so is the search for fun reads for those days when the best thing to do is to curl up under the ceiling fan with a tall glass of lemonade. Today, we meet another author from Scrivenings Press. Heather Greer grew up as a pastor’s kid in rural southern Illinois. She swore she’d never marry a pastor, but when her husband answered the call to preach—she changed her mind. When she isn’t writing or ministering alongside teens and women, Heather loves to bake, spend time with her family or sit down with a cup of cocoa and watch the latest Hallmark channel movie.
Let’s find out more about Heather by asking her a few questions. Afterwards, we will tell you more about her new release “Cake That” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you love watching those baking contests on television, this book is one you will definitely want to check out. It’s chock full of fun!
Jenny: Thanks for joining us today. My readers would like to get to know you better, so here are a few burning questions (sorry, don’t want too many burn references when talking about baking cakes).
First question: What is the main inspiration behind your most recent release?
Heather: Cake That! was born out of my enjoyment of watching food competition shows like Cupcake Wars and Zumbo’s Just Desserts. These are programs my husband and I enjoy together, and they always have contestants with strong, memorable personalities. The spiritual aspect came from my personal experience with trusting God with outcomes and the temptation to let being busy pull me away from dedicated time seeking God and reflecting on His word.
Jenny: Yes, the contestants on these shows fascinate me, too. So, tell us, What do you love doing when you get an unexpected day with no set schedule?
Heather: Though I am trying very hard to be intentional, and I’m staying fairly faithful to goals I set myself, most of my days have no set schedule. Flexibility is part of who I am, sometimes to my detriment. But on those rare days when I have nothing on my to-do list (and those times I willingly set it aside), I choose a good book and lose myself in it. I might also spend the day binge watching Hallmark movies I’ve missed.
Jenny: Isn’t that the greatest? Just getting lost in a good book. On the busier days, though, what type of music do you have playing in the background while writing, or do you require total silence?
Heather: I’ve written in silence more recently, but I love writing to music. There is no set style or soundtrack to my writing though. Instead, the music I choose is music that helps keep me in the mood and tone of whatever scene I’m working on. There was a specific album I listened to over and over when writing Faith’s Journey. Another one served as a mood setter when I wrote Grasping Hope. That book even had a specific song for a specific scene. I made a special playlist of contemporary Christian music focused on God’s love when I wrote Relentless Love. I think Cake That! is the first book I’ve written with songs that change more frequently and even long times of writing in silence.
Jenny: It makes sense that each book would have it’s own “vibe”. What is the favorite feedback you have gotten from a reader?
Heather: Any time a reader tells me the story meant something to them or that they related to one of the characters, I feel like I’ve done what God would have me do. And that’s a special feeling. Also, hearing their excitement when they talk about the stories is pretty special too. Knowing something I’ve poured my heart and energy into brought that kind of enjoyment is rewarding.
Jenny: Yes, I am glad they have taken the time to tell you that. Now, a totally off-the-wall question: What song is going through your head today?
Heather: Well, since I have music playing as I’m doing this interview, that’s an easy one. Currently, and I know this is going to date me, the song is “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips. I’ll go ahead and add, it’s from the album I listened to as I wrote Faith’s Journey. It’s doesn’t have any spiritual significance, but it kept me in the mood I needed to tell the story.
Jenny: Terrific! Hey, thanks again for stopping by today. Now, we’ll learn more about your book. I hope it gets lot of great feedback from your readers.
Ten bakers. Nine days. Only one winner.
Competing on the Cake That baking show is a dream come true for Livvy Miler, but debt on her cupcake truck and an expensive repair make her question if it’s one she should chase. Her best friend, Tabitha, encourages Livvy to trust God to care for The Sugar Cube, win or lose.
Family is everything to Evan Jones. His parents always gave up their dreams so their children could achieve theirs. Winning Cake That will let him give back some of what they’ve sacrificed by allowing him to give them the trip they’ve always talked about but could never afford.
As the contestants live and bake together, more than the competition heats up. Livvy and Evan have a spark from the start, but they’re in it to win. Neither needs the distraction of romance. Unwanted attention from Will, another competitor, complicates matters. Stir in strange occurrences to the daily baking assignments, and everyone wonders if a saboteur is in the mix.
With the distractions inside and outside the Cake That kitchen, will Livvy or Evan rise above the rest and claim the prize? Or does God have more in store for them than they first imagined?
Get the whole sweet story about Heather and her book by following these links:
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