I’m very excited to welcome fellow Winslet Press author, Heidi McCahan, to my blog today! Heidi has also offered to give away a copy of her debut release UNRAVELED. See specifics below on how to enter.
Please welcome her!
Hi Heidi! Thank you for stopping by today. Can you tell my readers a little about yourself?
I’m a wife to one fabulous husband and a mother of three wonderful young boys. I’m also a Pacific Northwest girl transplanted in the South and when I’m not taking care of my family, I love a great cup of coffee and a good book.
Congratulations on your debut release! How exciting! Could you tell us about your journey to publication?
My kids are going to roll their eyes if they ever read this, but we didn’t have any electronic entertainment when I was a preschooler. I don’t think I watched TV until third grade. I was fascinated by books and had a very active imagination. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making up stories in my head. I had lots of unfinished stories written down and shoved under my bed. But sports and an interest in health care captured my attention in college and I had a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer. It wasn’t until three years ago when an idea that I’d saved on my computer’s hard drive really started coming to life. While I certainly can’t claim that I heard an audible voice from God, I did feel like it was time to use the gifts He had given me instead of letting my own fear and doubt hold me back. So I wrote a lousy rough draft, entered a few contests and hired a freelance editor to help me polish the story. Unraveled found a publishing home with Winslet Press last Christmas and was released April 29th.
What inspired UNRAVELED?
I grew up in a family business in Alaska and during the summer tourism season, we met a lot of very interesting people. I thought it would be interesting to write a story about a girl who thought she wanted to escape all of that. While Unraveled is fiction, it is inspired by the people and the breathtaking scenery of the place I will always call home. However, early in the novel, a character calls the heroine by the wrong name and the whole story went in a completely different direction.
That’s what I love about writing stories! They tend to take us on journeys we don’t anticipate. What are you working on right now?
In the midst of re-writing Unraveled, I came across a prompt for a story set in Tokyo, involving a bat, a bell, and an angel. That inspired my current WIP, a sweet romance about a beautiful female sportscaster pursuing an interview with a reclusive American baseball player who is attempting to re-start his career in Japan. It’s been an absolute blast to write and I kind of hate to see it end. But I also think it’s a great story and I’d like to share it with my readers.
Sounds fascinating to me! Which authors do you enjoy reading? Have any influenced your writing?
Someone gave me a copy of Catherine Marshall’s Christy when I was a teenager. I remember finishing it and dreaming of writing a novel like that one day. I’m not at all suggesting that I can compare my writing to the brilliant Catherine Marshall, but that whole story inspired me to keep putting ideas on paper. I like Denise Hunter and Lisa Wingate’s novels very much, as well as Nicholas Sparks and Jan Karon. Their ability to take us deep into the lives of their characters is so enjoyable.
What’s on your reading list right now?
Too many great books. Ha! I’m a voracious reader. The Fault In Our Stars (John Green), Lost Lake (Sarah Addison Allen), Bloom (Marilyn Grey), Chain of Mercy (Brenda S. Anderson), Meant To Be Mine (Becky Wade).
Sounds like a great list. I just finished Becky Wade’s Meant to Be Mine. So far, it’s my favorite novel from 2014. And my daughter recently picked up an autographed copy of The Fault in Our Stars from a Tardis Free Little Library. 🙂 When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
In addition to reading and watching sports, I like to scrapbook. Although I don’t have much time for it these days. There’s something about archiving our family memories that appeals to the storyteller in me.
We share a love of baseball. Which team do you follow? Do you have a favorite player?
I will always be a Seattle Mariners fan. Jamie Moyer was my favorite player for a long time. But he’s retired now so I guess I’ll have to declare a new one. I enjoy watching Max Scherzer pitch, but I can’t honestly say that I watch a lot of Detroit Tigers games.
And the most important question: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or no chocolate?
I’ve never met a piece of chocolate I didn’t like, but if I was forced to choose, I’d go with dark chocolate.
~~~
About Heidi~
A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Heidi was blessed to spend her childhood in Alaska. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband, Steve. They live in North Carolina with their three boys. Heidi is a big fan of coffee, dark chocolate and heartwarming romance.
About UNRAVELED~
Blind-sided by her questionable fiance, Lauren Carter returns to the one place she’s been avoiding, the place she used to call home. As she’s forced to look into the eyes of her past and even worse, her unraveling future she discovers that running only leaves you out of breath on a dead end street. Will she choose to unveil the secrets that haunt her? Or will she bury them once and for all and embrace a new life so different from the one she once held dear?
Blake Tully, wildly successful and breathtakingly winsome owner of a new rafting business, finds Lauren’s unexpected reappearance confusing. As he torments himself with what if’s and what should’ve been’s, he can’t mistake the feeling that crawls down his spine every time he looks at her. Although she broke his heart once, he longs to give his childhood sweetheart another chance, but can he convince her to stop running away when life gets tough? And can he forgive her when he discovers the reason she’s been hiding?
Follow the story of these two shattered hearts as they discover the beauty of grace and forgiveness.
Get in touch with Heidi~
- Website: https://heidimccahan.com/
- Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/heidimccahan
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiMcCahan
Where to purchase UNRAVELED
*** Book Giveaway ***
Heidi has graciously offered to give away (1) copy of her debut release UNRAVELED (US ship only).
To enter, in the comments section, please let us know if you enjoy baseball and, if you do, what is your favorite team?
This contest ends Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 11:59 pm CST. I will post the winner on Monday, May 19, 2014. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.
Comments 35
Sounds interesting, Heidi, and what a gorgeous cover. Yay, Go Mariners! (Which we longsuffering fans keep shouting into the wind . . . )
It is a gorgeous cover, isn’t it? I’m anxiously waiting for my copy of the book!
It’s a rough life being a Mariners fan, isn’t it? Thanks for the compliments on the cover. George did a wonderful job.
postscript:
Ms. McCahan, I was so caught up in leaving my note for you today, that I had forgotten that the Book Cover was one that I wanted to talk about! 🙂 I am most impressed with Winslet Press’s ability to feature cover-art which not only is in tune with the story inside the covers but gives the reader something positive to look forward too again! A lot of publishers are not spending nearly as much time on their book cover art, and half the time I am vexed that not even a piece of the cover applies to the story OR the character!
As I am reading “Chain of Mercy”, the cover image is not only a direct connection to the heart of the protagonist but it is a key to the entire heart of the novel’s central message! I therefore would presume the same is true for “Unraveled”!?
Winslet Press is definitely a new publisher I want to keep my eyes on, as they are putting out wicked stellar new authors & books which this reader is enjoying discovering! 🙂 🙂
Love, love, love the book cover! And, the back jacket description of the synopsis! Beautiful! 🙂
Hey Jorie, thanks again for all of the comments and positive feedback you are sharing about Winslet Press and their new releases. Word of mouth is a powerful tool and we are grateful that you are keeping the conversation going. Yes, the cover is wonderful…George does incredible work. My hope is that readers will take a look at Lauren on the cover and embark on a journey of discovering what she is all about.
I love baseball! The Atlanta Braves are my team, but I don’t get to watch them much anymore. I downgraded my cable package and don’t get the Fox Sports that I watch them on. We also have a minor league baseball team in Greenville. The Drive are an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and I usually get to a few games during the summer.
A Braves fan, huh? Dare I mention that I was at Game #7 of the World Series in 1991 when the Twins beat the Braves 1-0 in 10 innings?
But the Braves probably have a much better record than the Twins since then.
Patty,
Thanks for stopping by. We cut our cable this year and went with an antenna and a Roku box. It’s great for our family but I do miss having a wide variety of sports to watch. However, the boys are finally big enough to attend minor league games and I’m looking forward to that.
I’m not a fan of baseball unless a child or grandchild is playing.
That’s a perfect time to enjoy a game, Connie!
Love the Texas Rangers! Love that my favorite quarterback is on their payroll.
A quarterback on the Rangers? I’ll have to check that out.
Russell Wilson, drafted by the Rangers. Love Russell. The Rangers? Not so much. ;(
Patty,
Thanks for stopping by. We cut our cable this year and went with an antenna and a Roku box. It’s great for our family but I do miss having a wide variety of sports to watch. However, the boys are finally big enough to attend minor league games and I’m looking forward to that.
I wonder if he’ll play baseball after football? It was fun to watch the Seahawks with Russell as the QB.
Seattle all the way!
Seattle seems to be a favorite here… 😉 I think I need more Twins fans to chime in.
Congratulations, Heidi, on your debut novel. I’m a Minnesota Twins fan.
Yeah! Finally a Twins fan!
Hi, Kay! I think the Twins versus the Mariners at Safeco in Seattle a few years back was my last trip to a major league game. Oh, that’s so sad. But it was fun to watch them. Thanks for stopping by.
As Heidi’s crit partner on her Tokyo novel, I can vouch that it’s a great story. Heidi is a talented and entertaining writer and I can’t wait to read Unravelled which I purchased a few days ago. May this be the first of many, Heidi.
Hi Marion. The story description for Unraveled sounds so intriguing! I hope my copy arrives soon!
Hi, Marion! Thanks for stopping by and giving a shout out to my Tokyo story.
I’m really not into baseball or any sports actually. But I sure love to read and Unravel sounds like a good book. Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome, Katie J!
I am not really a baseball fan, but my husband more than makes up for it. He is an avid Cardinals baseball fan, but loves ALL baseball and watches ALL the games! :>)
I’ve heard Cardinal fans are about as die-hard as they come. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Becky!
Yes, I’ve heard Cardinals fans are extremely faithful. I’m sorry you don’t enjoy watching. I guess that means you have time to read great books, right? 😉
Good afternoon, Ms. McCahan,
I was meant to swing by the other night, but between snuggling into Chain of Mercy and editing an Author’s Interview, time took me away for a short bit! 🙂 It was quite lovely finding you on Twitter, as I am happily full of joy each time I get to interact with an author in the twitterverse as its become such a lovely interface for the bookish to enjoy bubbly chats with each other! Hence why I have an entire list dedicated to tweetchats on a weekly basis! Laughs.
The Pacific Northwest is quite the ideal place to visit, as I loved being there when I was 18! The entire experience left a strong impression on me, as I grew up in the SouthEast, which is such a difference from where the sun is positioned in the sky, to the trees which sprout heavenward, to the climate! My best bits of being there were not only the local Indie shoppes & farmer’s market (in/around Seattle) but the atmosphere of life which was quite friendly & wickedly engaging! 🙂 I did enjoy having the sun on ‘hiatus’ from my view too, as the lovely rains which washed down without lightning was pure bliss for a girl who is used to severe storm seasons!
I actually have a badge on my blog that says “this blog runs on coffee” — you should grab it for yourself if you have a blog too! 🙂 I did not generate a taste for it until my late twenties, but I love a wicked smooth latte! OR an Americano Misto of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe which is by far my favourite bean! How do you like to take yours? (the badge I refer to is offered for free by Squeesome Designs, they make lovely blog badges for bloggers!)
Alaska is one state I most definitely want to visit as much as most of British Columbia! Such a beautiful part of North America — what I loved about your debut novel’s premise is the fact you took a small towne girl’s life and presented her with what I presume is the alternative to a close-knit community!? That is one thing that I miss myself where I am right now: the inter-connectedness of community & the genuine neighbourly love for everyone inside the towne. Not every towne embraces community spirit, and I think that is why I am always drawn into small towne stories! 🙂
I read Christy when I was in middle school I believe!? (we must be near the same age!?) I loved the tv series with Kellie Martin who was one tv actress I grew up appreciating due to the roles she took and characters she breathed to life. A bit like how I loved watching Nancy McKeon! I think Christy is what set my heart for historical fiction set on the fringes of the frontier as much as the books I was reading which took place in that setting as well! Dana Fuller Ross, Judith Pella, Cameron Judd and others had a way of conveying the era & the straits of those who were forging a life in a place where time was a bit stopped from progress and/or were just starting to shift forward. Easy to see why I love the “Love Comes Softly” saga & “When Calls the Heart” on Hallmark right now! And, Dr. Quinn prior to both!
Baseball — ooh still my heart! I was doing pretty well keeping up with Spring & Autumn games (via tv telecast) from 2004 to 2006 or thereabouts!? As you see, I became a bonefide Red Sox Nation girl during the World Series in which the Sox took the crown jewel! Being caught up in that entire inertia of joy was something I will not soon forget, as when “Fever Pitch” was released I felt as though I was given this gift to walk back through the pulsing excitement of watching just how far the Sox could go! Learnt the back-story of how the film was centered & filmed during the exact same World Series and then, after watching “MoneyBall” realised how the win the Sox captured was made possible by a switch-up in their training & recruiting of players! Once you get caught up in baseball you do not want to let it go! I’ve been a ball girl for most of my life, as I tried to play on little league (girls were not as free to play back in the 80s!), played third baseman in PE like it was my professional job, and attended live games growing up. My dream would be to go to Fenway and experience a true-blue Red Sox moment being with fellow fans & embracing the spirit of the Sox! 🙂
Yes, I am a baseball girl!
And, bookish too! Laughs.
I still have a desire to play baseball — did you know they have an adult amateur league for baseballers!? Never ask me to play ‘softball’, it is just too insulting! Give me a baseball, a leftie glove, and I’m golden! 🙂 🙂
I so love your enthusiasm, Jorie!
Life wouldn’t be the same without baseball & books, would it? 🙂
I’m not that big on baseball as a sport, but I absolutely loved going to see the Yokohama Baystars while we lived in Japan. What a fun experience. Of course I enjoyed watching my 1st grader hit homeruns in the little kid league. And I can’t help but root for our Minnesota Twins if my husband wants to watch. I would also love to win your book. Debra
Yeah! Another Twins fan. 🙂
There’s nothing like watching our kids play in Little League, is there?
Debra, I watched a baseball game in Japan in 1997, Hanshin Tigers I believe. What an amazing experience. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Heidi! Your name is special to me as I have a little four legged friend with the same name. I am intrigued by your book and the cover is just beautiful. Being a Texas gal, I am going to have to go with the Texas Rangers. Thank you for sharing your talent.
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Melanie, believe it or not, we had a dog named Heidi for most of my childhood. No, my parents aren’t cruel, she was a gift and we couldn’t bring ourselves to change her name. Thanks for saying hello.