Behind the story of Trouble Brewing by Heather Day Gilbert

Heather Day Gilbert is an award-winning author of mysteries and Viking historicals. She enjoys writing about authentic family relationships and heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Trouble Brewing is her fifth Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery.

A personal theme woven throughout Trouble Brewing

“I don’t address many heavy issues, since I know cozy readers love a great escape, but at the end of TROUBLE BREWING, there is a scene where the cafe baker is finally able to adopt her grandson from foster care. This is a very important issue to me, because we adopted our daughter from foster care. The foster/adoption theme is woven throughout the Barks & Beans Cafe series.”

Beyond the page

Heather noted that her books are clean reads, which means no cursing or graphic scenes. She said she’s had readers thank her for this and is happy that teens are enjoying the series, too. For this book, she added a little Halloween flavor. “I was fascinated with the story of the ‘Greenbrier ghost’ (you can read up on it online), and my husband and I brainstormed how to work it into this book that’s set at a Halloween ‘Spooks and Screams’ getaway at an inn.”

In writing the Barks and Beans Cafe mysteries, Heather combined two of her favorite things. “I love dogs and coffee, so merging the two with a cafe where customers can get to know shelter dogs made so much sense. Plus, I love visiting the real town of Lewisburg, West Virginia, which is within driving distance of me. I hope it stirs a love and appreciation of my home state in readers who’ve never visited wild and wonderful West Virginia before. I strive to portray the state—and my Appalachian heritage—realistically.”

Heather’s research isn’t always just furry friends and travel. She said, “I once had my daughters close me in a car trunk so I could feel what a character would experience. I also had my family wrap my wrists in duct tape to see if I could break free (I did—there’s a YouTube tutorial on how to do it if your hands are in front of you).”

Learn more about Heather Day Gilbert at www.heatherdaygilbert.com. Did you like this interview? If so, click here to read more Behind the Story interviews from your favorite authors.