What made you decide to write a Christmas-themed book?
That’s such a fun question. Everyone loves Christmas, don’t they? There’s justsomething about the season that makes everything feel a little more urgent. Emotionsdeepen, miracles seem closer, and stories move faster. For me, Christmas is theperfect setting for redemption and second chances, which are at the heart ofevery book I write. I love exploring how God meets us in our most ordinarymoments… 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 carryingmore baggage than a Christmas sleigh. She’s alone, pregnant, and desperate fora fresh start when she arrives in Shumard Oak Bend. There she meets JeremiahRemington, a war veteran missing an arm and carrying emotional scars of hisown. What I love most about their story is that it’s not about perfection; it’sabout grace. Josephine and Jeremiah both learn that belonging isn’t somethingyou earn; it’s something God freely gives.
If that sounds like the kind of story that warms yourheart, now’s the perfect time to purchase A Place to Belong. During themonth of November, the eBook is just $0.99 — a little early Christmas gift fromme to you. I hope readers will not only enjoy the story but also be remindedthat 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, butall that extra “stuff” feels like clutter to me. Don’t get me wrong, I loveseeing other people’s beautiful displays and how much joy it brings them. Butfor me, the candlelight service on Christmas Eve is what fills my heart.There’s something sacred about singing those old hymns surrounded by yourchurch family. When the house lights go down and the sanctuary glows withcandles, 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 thefun at heidigraymcgill.com/free_book.

I’m also hard at work on Book 6 in my Discerning God’sBest series, Keeper of My Heart. I’ve known Cecelia Shankel sinceshe was a little girl in Book 1, and now she’s all grown up and more than readyfor her own story. She’s strong-willed, capable, and just might meet her matchin Jimmy Reeves, a book-smart pharmacist who’s learning life lessons that can’tbe found in any textbook.
And if your readers are near the Carolinas, I’d love tomeet them in person! I’m coordinating the Carolinas Christian Book Event onApril 18 in Fort Mill, South Carolina. We’ll have special guests like MistyBeller, 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, requirespatience, perseverance, and prayer. If you don’t know why you’re writing, it’seasy to get lost in the noise. My “why” has never been about numbers orrecognition; 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 havebefore. That purpose steadies me when everything else feels uncertain.
What do you know now about writing and publishing that youwish you’d learned sooner?
Great question. I wish I’d known how much more there is to this than justwriting a good story. You can have the most beautiful book in the world, but ifyou don’t understand the business side (marketing, metadata, audience, andpresentation) it won’t reach the readers who need it most. Even if your heartviews writing as a ministry, your mind must treat it as a business. Learn fromothers, 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 wasthe founder and director of an English as a Second Language program. My degreewasn’t in English, and I barely scraped through college writing courses. Butwhen God planted the desire in my heart to share Jesus through story, I simplysaid yes. He supplied the rest. Your obedience is what He blesses.
What’s your newest release that you’d like to tell myreaders about?
Thank you for asking! Keeper of My Heart is coming soon, and it’s oneI’m especially excited about. It’s set in 1877 Missouri and follows CeceliaShankel, who’s been part of my series since childhood. She’s a fiery, capablefrontier woman—strong enough to break a horse and stubborn enough to think shedoesn’t need anyone’s help. Enter Jimmy Reeves, a thoughtful, slightly awkwardpharmacist learning herbal medicine on the frontier. Their worlds collide inunexpected ways, and together they’ll face both physical and spiritualchallenges that test their courage and faith.
I’m so grateful to you, Christine, for giving me the chanceto share about my stories and my heart for writing. It’s always a joy toconnect 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.
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