Q & A with Gina Henning

Today I'm very happy to welcome Gina Henning on Sky's Book Corner. And I'm also delighted to be part of her blog tour, Gina answered me some questions and I can guarantee you the answers are worth reading this Q&A. 

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1.    Did you always dream of being a writer?

The short answer yes. The long answer, I’ve been writing poems, stories, and plays since I was very young. I started writing my first book over fifteen years ago. I put it on hold, when the idea for How to Bake the Perfect Pecan Pie came to me. I have since finished that first book, but alas it needs more editing before it can be read by others.

2.    Your newest novel is called How to Bake the Perfect Apple Pie, what is it about?

How to Bake the Perfect Apple Pie is a standalone book, however is the third book in my Home for the Holiday Series. Each book features Lauren Hauser and her growing romantic relationship with Jack Walker.

In this book, Lauren is returning from the holidays to a new promotion and a new ring. As in a diamond on her finger. She has to navigate between the role of being a manager and being a fiancé, and on the side she tries to plan her wedding.

Readers get to see how she tries to balance both roles and the curveballs that are thrown her way all the while trying to create her own spin on her grandmother’s apple pie recipe as she gears up to compete in the annual fourth of July pie baking contest in her home town.

3.    What was your inspiration for the book?

Each one of the books in my Home for the Holiday Series is centered on a holiday. This one is the Fourth of July. The ultimate Fourth of July dessert is apple pie. As Jane Austen said “Good apple pies are considerable part of our domestic happiness.”

4.    Can you tell us more about the main character(s)?

Lauren is a sensible gal that is falling hard for the very swoonable Jack Walker. But she doubts things based upon her own insecurities and history. Jack is a business man that has never had to discuss his plans with anyone. Can they meet in the middle?

5.    Where and when do you write your stories?

The majority of my writing takes place in my writing spot in our game room and at night. If I’m in our backyard then it takes place on our patio table. If I’m working on a deadline, I will take my boys outside or to a indoor play area so they can play and I can write.

6.    What do you do and enjoy when you’re not writing?

I love to read and run-sometimes simultaneously. On the weekends, my husband and I have coffee chat time where we sit and drink coffee while our boys play. I’m a huge fan of the movies and the ballet. I also write for a local magazine, where I dine at restaurants and check out things in our community and then write about them. Though, it’s still a writing position, it is truly fun!

7.    The first book in your Home For the Holidays series  is called How to Bake the Perfect Pecan Pie, what is it about?

This book is where the story begins, Lauren has been tasked with making her grandmother’s pecan pie recipe for Thanksgiving and she crashes into the very swoonable Jack Walker.  However, there meeting isn’t exactly perfect as the story unfolds, readers get to see if these two have chemistry and if Lauren will accomplish the challenge of baking the pie or ruin Thanksgiving for her family.

8.    How about book #2 How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake?

The second book picks up where the first left off, now Lauren thinks she’s found the perfect guy, but can it work? And can she make the perfect Christmas cake?

9.    If you could switch places with a characters from a book, who would it be and why?

Wow, this is a great question. If it were my books, then it would be Lauren.

Based off of book boyfriends, excluding my books and using my most recent reads, I would choose Catrin from Trying Too Hard by Molly Ann Wishlade.

I wouldn’t want to be Beth from Kierney Scott’s Firing the Line Series, but I would want to be with Torres, so that is a tough call.

I would like being Natalie from Katie Oliver’s Prada and Prejudice because I liked her and there is Rhys.

I haven’t read Samantha Tonge’s Game of Scones yet, however I wouldn’t mind being in Greece and having two men fight over me while enjoying tasty treats!

I did enjoy Ollie from Karen Aldous’s The Chateau…but I don’t think I would want to be in Gina’s shoes, however this is a brilliant read.

I would enjoy being Joy for the most part in Beneath the Moon and Stars by Holly Martin and of course there is Finn…swoon.

If I had to choose between the two sisters in Twin Piques by Tracie Banister I think I would go with Sloane, her slight edge over Willa is completely because of Gav.

In The Gingerbread Café Series by Rebecca Raisin, I would love to be Lilly she is such a warm character and of course she is accompanied by Damon and desserts!

10. What books have most influenced your life most?

The book that I fell in love with is Katherine by Anya Seton. I’m also a huge fan of Truman Capote, Jane Austen, and William Shakespeare (as given in my fun double date, can you imagine that on video?!?!?!)

11. What are you working on at the moment?

I’m finishing the final instalment of my Home for the Holiday Series.

12.What do you enjoy most about writing?

I love getting into the scene and seeing my characters say things that make me laugh or swoon.

13.What does your perfect day like like?

For starters, the coffee is already made. Then a nice breakfast with my family, followed by a run and reading a good book. The next item would be having a great chat, going Scuba diving, playing with my boys at the beach, followed by a fun dinner and then wine with my husband at night.

14. Imagine How To Bake the Perfect Apple Pie would be turned into a movie, who would you cast for the main characters?

Lauren: Kat Dennings

Jack: Liam Hemsworth

Luke: James Franco

Megan: Blake Lively

Brian: Jesse Eisenberg

Aurora: Ellen Page

Brianna: Phoebe Tonkin

Mom: Diane Keaton

Dad: Robert De Niro

Grandmother: Helen Mirren

Trent: Henry Cavill

Elaine: Ady An

Javier: Andy Garcia

           

15. Pick three authors you want have dinner with and tell us why.

This is such a tough question because I am so lucky to have so many author friends that I would absolutely love to have dinner with. Given that, I will choose authors that technically I’m not able to have dinner with since they are no longer alive. Even limiting myself to the deceased is difficult. But, I’m going to go with Truman Capote, Jane Austen, and William Shakespeare. It would be like a double date, ha!

16. Coffee or tea?

I have to have my coffee in the morning, but I also enjoy both hot and cold tea. Oh my goodness, and I have to say there is a HUGE difference when you order iced tea depending on where you are in the US…for instance you have to say unsweetened tea in Georgia or you will be put into a sugar shock…as in oh my goodness what am I drinking??!?!?!

17. Paperback or e-reader?

So funny, I remember when e-readers first came out and I thought “there is no way I could read like that…I want to touch the book etc.” And now, though I have a kindle, I actually read 99% on my phone. It’s always with me and I can read at stop lights, car pool lanes, and doctor’s appointments etc.

18. Mountains or the sea?

I do love the mountains, but the sea is the place for me.

19. Summer or winter?

Ooh, tough choice, I love so many things about both, but I will go with the summer.

20. Sweet or salty?

Salty.

The blurb

A scrumptious pie. A long distance guy. 4th of July fireworks guaranteed.

Lauren Hauser has it all…nearly. With a shiny new job and sparkly new engagement ring on her finger, the only thing she’s missing is her gorgeous new fiancé by her side. Should she be worried? Jack’s kisses are as sizzling as always and, sure, long distance is hard but, she and Jack are solid, right?

Of course the stress of planning a wedding—or not—is nothing compared to the stress of baking an apple pie. Because it’s not just any apple pie that Lauren must bake for the 4th of July contest; it’s her grandmother’s famous, award-winning apple pie! Yet Lauren is determined to make this pie her own and a little apple pie should be no problem for the Hauser clan dessert queen…!

But with her new job taking up so much time, a prize pie to perfect and the growing distance between her and Jack, Lauren begins to wonder if she can really have it all… Only one things for sure, there’ll be fireworks this 4th of July!

Available Here:                                                                                           

Amazon US -  Amazon UK - Nook 

Nook GB - Google Play - Kobo - iBooks

Author Bio:

Gina Henning currently resides where bluebonnets line the highways in the spring, but she prefers the rock flower anemone from under the sea. Above the ocean's surface Gina likes to dance with her three boys and travel to exotic places like the grocery store with her husband. Her pooch Schatzi is a mix between German Shepherd and possibly pig. One of Gina's favorite pastimes is running. She recently completed her one-and-done marathon. At the end of the day her glass of wine is always half-full.

Website: http://www.ginahenning.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ginahenningauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/henningland

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