About the Book
Book: Grasping Hope
Author: Heather Greer
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Release Date: March 2019
When dreams turn into nightmares what’s left to hold onto?
Katie McGowan knows her fears are irrational. They’re also beyond her control. Her mind says her fiancé is faithful, but the betrayal of her past love ignites a fear stronger than her trust. Attempts to overcome it are unsuccessful. Nothing banishes her panic attacks for good. Dreading Austin’s response if he finds out about her struggle to trust, Katie hides the truth nearly destroying their relationship.
It takes a lesson in hope to start healing. Katie is released from the nightmares holding her captive to enjoy the blessings God has given. But when tragedies change her life forever, Katie’s understanding of hope is challenged. Unresolved anger and disappointment leave Katie doubting the sincerity of her beliefs. Desperate to prove her faith and minimize her failure as a believer, Katie buries her feelings beneath all the right words. Katie must learn where true hope is found or risk losing her faith under the weight of the things she has lost.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Heather Greer is a pastor’s kid and pastor’s wife from southern Illinois. Though her nest is quickly approaching the empty stage, with three of her four children out on their own, she enjoys the times she gets to spend with all her children, husband, and grandson. Equal mix geek and romantic, you could as easily find Heather watching an episode of Doctor Who as the latest Hallmark movie. Of course, you may find her baking, reading, or crafting too!
Heather’s writing and teaching ministries revolve around a passion to see believers grow in their faith. Though God has used her most often with teens and adults, she has worked in ministries reaching all age groups through the years. It is Heather’s prayer for God to use what she writes in her books and on her blog to challenge and encourage readers in their faith walks.
More from Heather
Often, we throw around the word hope as if it’s a fancy replacement for a wish. Nothing could be further from the truth. Godly hope is more than wishing our circumstances were different without any indication that our desire could become reality. When our hope is based on who God is and what He has promised in His word, it becomes something to anchor us in the troubling times we go through. It is what allows us to give the circumstances that weigh us down to God and go on living life even though physically there may be no changes in what’s happening.
Hope isn’t pretending the bad stuff isn’t there. And it isn’t acting as if the hard things don’t hurt. Hope doesn’t erase the hurt or ignore the problems, but it does free us from allowing our emotions and circumstances to control us. Hope lets us have peace that makes no sense to the rest of the world. Hope allows us to rest in the middle of the trial. Hope based on scriptural truths allows us to live with joy even when things aren’t going our way.
As I wrote Grasping Hope, God took me to places that challenged and grew my own understanding of what it means to have hope as an anchor to our souls (Hebrews 6:19). When I started writing, I had no idea the path God would take me down to show me just how little I understood about hope. It’s something I never want to repeat and wouldn’t wish on anyone. But the lessons I learned grew me as a believer, and it is my prayer that what I learned through this difficult time in my life comes through clearly for everyone who reads Grasping Hope.
Author Interview with Heather Greer
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I don’t know that I’ve ever intentionally visited the places I’ve read about, but there are several books that have prompted a desire to visit specific places. Books set in Ireland and Scotland have increased my determination to visit there one day. Regina Merrick’s books set in the Carolinas bring to mind everything I loved about a family vacation we’d taken several years prior. Several of Kristen Heitzmann’s books make me want to travel to Colorado. And every time I pass the arch in St. Louis, Missouri I can’t help thinking about the portal in Erin Howard’s Kalila Chronicles series.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
I don’t know that I’m necessarily a good judge of what constitutes an under-appreciated novel. I’ve read several by newer authors that haven’t developed a strong following yet, but that’s not to say those who’ve read their work don’t appreciate it. I really enjoyed Cynthia Roemer’s Prairie Sky series. She’s a relatively new author who a lot of people may not know about. It’s a historical romance series set in the 1800s in Illinois. I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I wouldn’t have let negative comments from teachers discourage me. Instead, I would have realized their comments had nothing to do with technique because I always got a good grade on the assignments. Their overlooking my work in favor of others was due more to them not being my intended audience. I think understanding that would have been freeing and encouraging. Also, I would have sought more opportunities to take writing classes and enter contests.
Who is the author you most admire in your genre?
I have a favorite author of all-time, and anyone who follows my social media will have no problem filling in that blank. But currently one of the authors I’m really into in the contemporary romance genre is Jennifer Rodewald. I’ve read three or four of her books, and I enjoyed each one. Two of them were a little heavier in theme, but the latest two were a little lighter. The Cupcake Dilemma is the one I’ve read most recently. It’s fun and sassy, and I can’t recommend it enough.
If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?
That is a very difficult question. The obvious answer would be Jesus. Who wouldn’t like to sit down at dinner with Him? My favorite fiction authors or actors would also be easy answers. But I’m going to try for a little more creativity. I think I’d like to sit down with Sheila Walsh. I know she’s an author, but I knew her first as a speaker. I’d like to share with her how hearing her message at a Women of Faith conference years ago made a huge difference in my life. I’d love to tell her how much it means that she shares her struggles with complete honesty. I’d thank her for the allowing God to use her to bring hope into people’s dark times. As for what I’d serve, I have no idea. I’m not a great cook. I only do a few main dishes really well. Maybe I’d have my husband barbeque some ribs and put together a salad and baked potatoes. Of course, I am a baker. So, I’d have an assortment of sweets to choose from for dessert.
Thank you Heather, for your time and letting us get to know you better!
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 3
For Him and My Family, April 4
Inklings and notions, April 5
Truth and Grace Homeachool Academy, April 6
deb’s Book Review, April 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 7
Older & Smarter?, April 8
Rebecca Tews, April 9
Texas Book-aholic, April 10
Pause for Tales, April 11
Through the Fire Blogs, April 12
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 12
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 13
Artistic Nobody, April 14 (Author Interview)
janicesbookreviews, April 14
Quiet Quilter, April 15
For the Love of Literature, April 16
Blogging With Carol, April 16
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Heather is giving away the grand prize of $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f8ae/grasping-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway