It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas 2025: Author Interview with Heidi Gray McGill

What made you decide to write a Christmas-themed book?

That’s such a fun question. Everyone loves Christmas, don’t they? There’s just something about the season that makes everything feel a little more urgent. Emotions deepen, miracles seem closer, and stories move faster. For me, Christmas is the perfect setting for redemption and second chances, which are at the heart of every book I write. I love exploring how God meets us in our most ordinary moments… even when those moments are wrapped in tinsel and snow.

Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
Of course! A Place to Belong follows Josephine Blake, a woman carrying more baggage than a Christmas sleigh. She’s alone, pregnant, and desperate for a fresh start when she arrives in Shumard Oak Bend. There she meets Jeremiah Remington, a war veteran missing an arm and carrying emotional scars of his own. What I love most about their story is that it’s not about perfection; it’s about grace. Josephine and Jeremiah both learn that belonging isn’t something you earn; it’s something God freely gives.

If that sounds like the kind of story that warms your heart, now’s the perfect time to purchase A Place to Belong. During the month of November, the eBook is just $0.99 — a little early Christmas gift from me to you. I hope readers will not only enjoy the story but also be reminded that no one is beyond God’s grace and that we all have a place in His plan.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Confession time: I do not enjoy decorating. I know that’s strange, but all that extra “stuff” feels like clutter to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing other people’s beautiful displays and how much joy it brings them. But for me, the candlelight service on Christmas Eve is what fills my heart. There’s something sacred about singing those old hymns surrounded by your church family. When the house lights go down and the sanctuary glows with candles, I’m reminded that Jesus truly is the Light of the world.

What’s your next book project?

I'm glad you asked! I have a special Christmas surprise coming soon, exclusively for my newsletter subscribers. There’s still time to join in the fun at heidigraymcgill.com/free_book.
I’m also hard at work on Book 6 in my Discerning God’s Best series, Keeper of My Heart. I’ve known Cecelia Shankel since she was a little girl in Book 1, and now she’s all grown up and more than ready for her own story. She’s strong-willed, capable, and just might meet her match in Jimmy Reeves, a book-smart pharmacist who’s learning life lessons that can’t be found in any textbook.

And if your readers are near the Carolinas, I’d love to meet them in person! I’m coordinating the Carolinas Christian Book Event on April 18 in Fort Mill, South Carolina. We’ll have special guests like Misty Beller, Amy Clipston, and Vincent Davis, plus a host of wonderful authors… including yours truly!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given?
This one’s easy: Know your why. Writing is not for the faint of heart. Reviews can make your day or ruin it. Publishing, traditional or indie, requires patience, perseverance, and prayer. If you don’t know why you’re writing, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. My “why” has never been about numbers or recognition; it’s about Jesus. I write so readers can see Him more clearly, feel His love more deeply, and maybe encounter Him in a way they never have before. That purpose steadies me when everything else feels uncertain.

What do you know now about writing and publishing that you wish you’d learned sooner?
Great question. I wish I’d known how much more there is to this than just writing a good story. You can have the most beautiful book in the world, but if you don’t understand the business side (marketing, metadata, audience, and presentation) it won’t reach the readers who need it most. Even if your heart views writing as a ministry, your mind must treat it as a business. Learn from others, attend conferences, find a critique partner, read loads of craft books, and read widely in your genre. It’s the best education you’ll ever get.

Any last words or tips?
If God has called you, He will equip you. I didn’t start out as a writer. I was the founder and director of an English as a Second Language program. My degree wasn’t in English, and I barely scraped through college writing courses. But when God planted the desire in my heart to share Jesus through story, I simply said yes. He supplied the rest. Your obedience is what He blesses.

What’s your newest release that you’d like to tell my readers about?
Thank you for asking! Keeper of My Heart is coming soon, and it’s one I’m especially excited about. It’s set in 1877 Missouri and follows Cecelia Shankel, who’s been part of my series since childhood. She’s a fiery, capable frontier woman—strong enough to break a horse and stubborn enough to think she doesn’t need anyone’s help. Enter Jimmy Reeves, a thoughtful, slightly awkward pharmacist learning herbal medicine on the frontier. Their worlds collide in unexpected ways, and together they’ll face both physical and spiritual challenges that test their courage and faith.

I’m so grateful to you, Christine, for giving me the chance to share about my stories and my heart for writing. It’s always a joy to connect with readers who love faith-filled fiction as much as I do.

That's all for today's interview. If you’d like to keep up with Heidi's latest books, devotionals, and behind-the-scenes fun, here's how you can connect with her.
https://heidigraymcgill.com/
https://Store.heidigraymcgill.com/
https://www.amazon.com/author/heidigraymcgill
https://www.instagram.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20851872.Heidi_Gray_McGill
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heidi-gray-mcgill?follow=true
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill
https://twitter.com/HeidiGrayMcGill

And here's a special bonus for my readers... Sign up for her newsletter which you'll find on the top left once you open https://heidigraymcgill.com/ I just did that and look forward to reading that story.
  
Audiobook fans can enjoy her stories on all major retailers and subscription platforms, borrow them through your local library, or listen free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1

It's beginning to read a lot like Christmas 2025: Author Interview with Sarah Lamb

What made you decide to write a Christmas themed book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

I usually write a Christmas book a year. Last year, I somehow ended up writing several! But is there ever a bad time for a story that fills you with hope and love and joy? I don't think so! I love all things Christmas, but especially how there seems to be so much more kindness in the world during that time. 

The holidays aren't easy for many people, and it always makes me glad to be able to do something for others, even if it's just checking on them or writing a story to make someone feel inspired to reach out to someone else. Christmas can really be the season of miracles if we open our eyes to them, and help make dreams come true for others.

The Christmas book I'm sharing is called Away in Deepwater. Samantha was living the perfect life, until she was betrayed by the man she thought was protecting her. Taking refuge in a tiny town, she plans to hide there, hoping to be left alone. However, she learns that Deepwater is filled with others who also arrived desperate to heal heartaches, and that the talents she's longing to hide might be just what they need.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Every year in November, I donate 25% of all of my book sales and KU page readers to "Toys for Tots." In addition, our family makes sure to seek out other ways to help in our community. We also own a huge pile of children's Christmas movies and books, and even though my babies are now 18 and 13, we still read them and watch them together. Except for the Grinch! My youngest is still terrified of him! My husband is in charge of the outdoor decorations, and we all work together on decorating the tree. This year, we have two new kittens, so I'm not sure how that's going to go...

What’s next in publication for you? 
2026 is going to be an exciting year! My first series, The Red Ridge Chronicles will be wrapping up. I've been overwhelmed by the number of readers who've enjoyed those books. I'm creating a series set in Deepwater in 2027, to join all of the standalones I've written, and I'm very excited about that. It's a town that's special to me, since we all need a safe place to go and heal from life's heartaches, and find hope.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Ah! I love this question! Do you know, I'm actually a book editor as well? And I was one long before I was an author! Something I wish I'd known when I first started was to surround yourself with those in the writing community who encourage and support you. There are far too many people willing to tear you down because of jealousy. There's room for all authors, and all books. The success of one doesn't mean failure for another. If you are an author yourself, find those who will cheer you on, while you cheer for them. It will make difficult days so much nicer!

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I felt fairly well prepared in most areas when I started writing. However, there is one thing that I think did come as a shock, and that's how absolutely hard it was to get to know others to cross promote. We authors aren't always outgoing. I'm certainly not! I've had to learn to be a bit more bold, and it's amazing the lovely authors who've taken time to answer my questions or let me get to know them. I appreciate each of them!

Any last words or tips?
Yes! For both readers and authors! If you are an author, the most important thing that you can do is to believe in yourself and keep going, even on the toughest of days. And if you are a reader, you reading our books and leaving reviews means far more than you know! It can be incredibly hard for someone without thousands of dollars to spend on advertising to be seen, and your rating stars are often what helps us to appear to other readers.

What’s your next release you’d like to tell my readers about?
My newest book is about to be book 4 in my Red Ridge Chronicles series, and it's titled, The Doctor. Dr. Aiden Rycroft is new to town and counting down his days to leave when a mysterious illness sweeps through. With no medicine and the sickness spreading, he has to form an uneasy truce with one of the local gunslingers, a man who has already warned him to stay away from his sister but realizes she might be the only one to help the doctor.

That's all for today's interview, but I've got a special bonus from Sarah...
I'd love to offer everyone a free book! I've several to choose from, and there's no email sign up required. Of course, if you'd like to get my twice a month newsletter, you'll be first to have a chance with a monthly giveaway, more free books, and .99 sales. You can find all those free books right here: https://sarahlambbooks.weebly.com/get-a-free-book.html

And, if you'd like to follow her on Facebook, she had both a page and a reader community.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084836772631
https://www.facebook.com/groups/267880235688121

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sarah-Lamb/author/B098H3SGLK