Interview with the Author
Lisa Howeler
The Apron Strings Book series has another new release: book number eight! We’re moving to the 1990s with Cassie by Lisa Howeler!
You can purchase Cassie now on digital or paperback. The Apron Strings Series is a collection of heartfelt inspirational stories featuring a single cookbook that changes hands to different women from decade to decade, from 1920 to 2020. A new title is being released by a different author each month this year.
My book, Kristen, is Book Nine (2000) and will be released in September ‘24. The digital version is available to preorder, but now is the time to introduce you to Cassie and author Lisa Howeler.
First, here’s the back cover copy to tell you what Cassie is all about:
Cassie Drake starred in a popular sitcom over a decade ago, but she hasn’t been able to find a job since the show ended five years ago.
Now it’s 1995 and fired by her talent agency, Cassie decides to accept her sister’s offer for an extended visit in their hometown. Back in Coopers Grove, she’s just Cassie Mason, sister to Bridget Martin, the local volunteer extraordinaire with the handsome husband and three wonderful children.
When an accident at the site for the Martin family’s new café and farm store leaves Bridget frantic for help with the community center open house she’s planning, Cassie feels forced to step up—even though it involves something she’s clueless about.
Cooking.
Even with Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, Cassie fails at every attempt. Fortunately, her sister’s handsome neighbor, Alec Alderson, steps in.
As a former chef, he’s more than capable of giving her some tips. Will his charming smile during cooking lessons be too distracting though?
Watching others use their talents leaves Cassie wondering if God, whom she’s barely spoken to in the last few years, is telling her she was made for more than the career that became her identity.
Here’s my review:
I thoroughly enjoyed Cassie and highly recommend it. Cassie is a lovable and relatable character, and her journey of finding her identity through God rather than her career is both inspiring and uplifting. This novel is a delightful read for anyone who has ever struggled with finding their place in the world or who simply enjoys a well-crafted story about faith, family, and love.
Get to know the author, Lisa Howeler:
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing historical romantic fiction.
I actually don’t write historical romantic fiction normally. Normally I write contemporary romance or contemporary cozy mysteries. This is my first time foray into historical fiction and I really had a blast! The hard thing was remembering that I couldn’t use modern fiction writing crutches like cellphones, texting, computers, and similar conveniences. The 1990s is that long ago, but it is when it comes to technology. I really enjoyed dipping my toe into this genre and I might try it again but for now I am going to leave it to the authors who are experts at it, such as some of those who wrote the others books in this series.
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
Ooh..there are too many to name I think and I don’t want to leave anyone out. I just finished The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery and really enjoyed it. I also just finished Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson. That one was a Christian cozy mystery and it was very cozy. Fairly simple mystery but I loved the characters and their stories so that wasn’t a negative for me. I also love the Jan Karon books – The Mitford series. They are among my favorite books. I can read them over and over and always find something new that I didn’t see before in their pages.
Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
I think the biggest thing I want people to take away is that their career or place in life isn’t their identity. Their identity is in God and in who He says they are, not in who others say they are.
Do you have any odd (writing) habits?
I can’t think of any habits that are odd. Or at least not to me. I guess it is odd for some writers that I sometimes skip ahead in my rough draft and write out a scene that is in my head, even if it isn’t in order of the other scenes I’ve already written. If I have an idea for a future scene, I need to get it down as soon as I can or I will forget it. I will then go back in and fill in the scenes leading up to it.
What is your favorite line from your book?
That’s a hard one to answer because sometimes I can’t even remember all the lines I wrote by the time I’m done with a book (ha!) but I did like these two lines: “Her mom had once told her that God speaks in a whisper. She sure could use a whisper or two now.”
Thank you, Lisa!
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you: may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.