Guest Blog: Heidi Gray McGill and Keeper of My Heart **2 Books Free with Sign-Up

Dear Readers, I hope this message finds you well!

I apologize for this appearing later in the day--I just got home from a writer's retreat! The weather was beautiful and the beach evidence of God's glory--and I got some writing done. I can't wait to share this new project with y'all, but I will have to do so--until I can find a publisher who is interested or get the hang of independent publishing. I'm working on both!

Please join me in welcoming back Heidi. She's a member of the Charlotte chapter of ACFW and an amazing person! Thank you in advance for your kindness to our guests.

Heidi Gray McGill and Keeper of My Heart

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.

I’m Heidi Gray McGill, and I write Christian fiction, both historical and contemporary. I’m from the Carolinas, where storytelling tends to show up whether you plan for it or not.

And if we ever meet, you will probably notice my gray hair right away. I get so many compliments on it, which still makes me smile. I let it grow out in 2020, and I have not looked back since. Turns out what I once debated became one of my favorite decisions.

2. Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.

My newest release is Keeper of My Heart, and these characters kept me on my toes because they do not make life easy for each other.

Back Cover Blurb:

Cecelia is strong, capable, and perfectly content handling life on her own. She is not trying to prove anything. She simply knows who she is and what needs to be done.

Jimmy, on the other hand, is thoughtful and precise, far more comfortable with books and measurements than unpredictable people. When he arrives in town to study medicinal plants and assist at the clinic, the last thing he expects is to be working alongside a woman who challenges him at every turn.

When illness spreads through the community, their very different approaches begin to clash, and then slowly begin to work together. What starts as frustration grows into respect, and possibly something neither of them expected.

At its heart, this story is about trusting God’s plan, even when it looks nothing like the one we would have chosen.

3. Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.

Jimmy was definitely the biggest challenge for me, but also one of the most meaningful to write.

He is what we would recognize today as neurodivergent, but that was not something understood or defined in his time. I had to be careful not to place a modern label on him, while still portraying him with honesty and care.

So I focused on showing who he is through his actions, his patterns of thinking, and how others respond to him. It took research, and it took prayer. I wanted readers to see his strengths just as clearly as his struggles, because both are part of who he is.

4. OR share an excerpt.

If I include one, it will likely be a scene where Cecelia and Jimmy are not quite seeing eye to eye. That seems to happen rather quickly with them.

5. Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two.

This book sent me deep into the world of herbal remedies and old wives’ tales, and let me just say, some of those had me raising an eyebrow.

So now I have to ask. What is something your grandmother or someone in your family swore by? I am talking about the kind of remedy that sounds a little questionable, like putting butter on a burn or onions on your feet to draw out a cold. I still cannot decide if that one is brilliant or just very committed.

I remember hearing a few growing up, and at the time you just nod and go along with it. Now I look back and wonder who tried it first and thought, yes, this is the solution. I would love to hear yours because I have a feeling there are some good ones out there.

And here is another one for you. Cecelia is a strong woman, but not in a loud or attention-seeking way. She is steady and confident in who she is. Women like that were not always celebrated in her time, but they quietly shaped the world around them.

Can you think of a woman, past or present, who carried that kind of strength? Someone who did not need to announce it, but you knew it the moment you saw it.

6. Share your social media and buy links!

Start reading Keeper of My Heart today:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C

Before you go, be sure to grab your free book when you join my email list here:https://heidigraymcgill.com

If you enjoy audiobooks, subscribe on YouTube so you do not miss the next release:https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1

You can also visit my website for more about my books and to read my Choose Joy blog:https://heidigraymcgill.com

And if you like to stay connected, you will find me here as well:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorheidigraymcgill

ps. If you read the blog post early, you may notice that it completely changed...Heidi and I miscommunicated as we both were vacationing at the same time. It's good now!