A warm Love Bytes welcome to Serena Yates stopping by our blog to talk about her new release “The Baker”
Serena talks about how the Baker came to excist , shares an excerpt and there is a giveaway to enter!
Welcome Serena 🙂
![Baker[The]LG](https://creativemindpromotions.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/bakerthelg.jpg?w=200)
Title: The Baker
Series: Workplace Encounters
Author: Serena Yates
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Length: 40000 words
Release Date: July 15, 2015
Blurb: Ian Wallace works as a baker for his tyrannical father in their family owned Scottish Bakehouse in Casper, Wyoming. He wants to represent the bakery in the upcoming Tartan Day competition, but his father refuses to reveal the secret ingredients that make them so successful—unless Ian gets married and has a son, proving he is fit to continue the family line.
Just before New Year’s Eve, Cameron Lewis, a former Marine turned police detective, comes into the bakery for donuts for his department and some black buns for himself. Cameron is hooked, and as his visits become more frequent, they stir Ian’s father’s suspicions. But threats can’t stop Ian from donning his kilt and entering the competition anyway—to show his father what he can do on his own. Though he might not have the secret ingredients, Ian and Cameron might still discover a recipe for happiness.
How “The Baker” Was Born
The “birth” of a book idea is always an exciting event for me. Most of mine have their origins in a dream, some happen when I do other things like watching TV or taking a shower, and some pop into my head when I least suspect it and am really busy doing something totally unrelated to writing. Once the idea is born the hard work of figuring out the details follows, but even that can be fun—especially in the case of the Workplace Encounters series where each new profession brings its own challenges for me in terms of research.
So how did The Baker come into existence?
After looking at some of the more “technical” blue collar jobs like those of elevator mechanic, bricklayer, and carpenter, I was ready for one that had more of an artistic slant. And what can be more artistic than baking? A few things, probably, but I have a particular liking for food, so it seemed like a good idea to tackle cookies, cakes, and other baked goods.
For a while now I’ve also wanted to write another story with a man in a kilt, so I already knew one main character would be of Scottish descent. That decided, I went hunting for a location. Each of the Workplace Encounters books takes place in a different state, so a few were out already, but more than enough are left. Before I could get very far in that research, this really cute baker in a kilt pops up in my head.
“Hello there.” He grins.
“Oh, hello.” I sharpen my proverbial pencil. “Are you going to tell me who you are?”
“Yep. That’s why I’m here.” He straightens his kilt before sitting down in the virtual leather armchair I keep around for my muse and any characters who happen along and want to talk.
“Let’s begin at the beginning. What’s your name?” I figure it must be something Scottish with that kilt and the super-white skin peeking through the slightly open white chef’s jacket.
“I’m Ian Wallace.” He leans forward. “And before you ask, I live in Casper, Wyoming. It’s one of the states with quite a high percentage of people with Scottish ancestry.”
“Wyoming?” Not a state I know all that much about. Good, more research!
“My great-grandfather, Neacal Wallace, was a second-generation American who figured he might as well use his ancestry to sell more bread and cakes. He was only twenty when he started the Scottish Bakehouse in 1925.” Ian lifts his hand to his mouth, looks around as if someone might overhear us, then continues in a mock-whisper. “Family legend has it that he needed a way to make money so he could feed his expanding family.”
“Really? Do I sense a scandal here?” I love juicy details like that.
“All I will say is that my grandfather was born only four months after the wedding.” Ian winks and leans back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Perfect.” I smile. “So can I assume you work in the Scottish Bakery, since it’s a family business?”
“Yes, I do. My father is in charge though, and nothing happens without his say-so.” A darker expression briefly flits across Ian’s face.
“Is the bakery doing well?” I need to keep Ian talking so I can find out as much as possible about him in this first encounter. I’ll explore all the possibilities behind that statement later.
“We can’t complain. My father ‘invented’ this gimmick of having secret ingredients. It keeps people coming back because they want to find out what it might be. It’s gotten a bit ridiculous now, but at least our customers are happy.” Ian shrugged. “I think it’s a bit risky, to keep it all secret. I mean, what if something happens to him? But what can I do?”
Definitely a story here!
“Anyway, enough of that, I need to get back to making black buns. They’re one of my favorite things to make…” Ian rubs his hands, then fades into nothingness before I can ask any more questions.
Doesn’t matter though, he gave me enough information to get me started. And thus the idea for The Baker was born.
You can find out more about the book’s development in my upcoming guest posts during this tour (three more are planned), as well as read a total of six totally exclusive short excerpts.
Just before nine things had slowed down to a manageable level, and Ian was about to take a short restroom break, leaving the store to Senga. But then the doorbell tinkled yet again, and the most gorgeous man Ian had ever laid eyes on walked into the store. He was tall, probably over six feet, had blond hair in a ruthless buzz cut, and his warm brown eyes invited Ian to trust him. The man was well built, muscular like a Marine, and wore a smart dark green suit, covered by an open black winter topcoat. His facial expression seemed guarded but curious as he looked around the store. Ian had the strangest feeling he was cataloging exits and potential sources of danger.
Thank God Senga was busy with a group of women unable to decide what they wanted so Ian had an excuse to talk to the guy.
“What can I do for you, sir?” Ian’s voice sounded suspiciously hoarse, and for the briefest moment, a spark of heat appeared in Mr. Good-looking’s eyes.
“I’ve never been to this bakery before….” The stranger trailed off as he examined Ian with the same curiosity and concentration he had used to assess the shop.
I know you haven’t. I’d definitely remember you!
“A colleague at the station recommended your stuff, so I came to have a look.” The stranger tilted his head. “You’ll probably laugh, since this is such a cliché, but I’m looking for donuts.”
“Station? Donuts?” Ian’s brain refused to function for a moment.
“Yeah, I’m a cop. Well, a detective actually, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I love donuts, and so do my colleagues.” The stranger laughed, and the deep, resonant sound thrilled Ian to his core.
“Ah. Right, well, we do sell donuts.” Ian pointed to the display. “It’s not a great selection, since most customers seem to come here for the more Scottish specialties, but I hope you can find some you like.”
“I’ll take two dozen, please.” Mr. Detective smiled. “And what else do you think I should get so my colleagues can find out about your wonderful work? It does smell amazing in here.”
“Thank you.” Ian started to put the donuts into a box and, without thinking, blurted out the first thing he could think of. “Would you like to try my buns?”
“Your… buns?” Mr. Detective’s eyebrows rose, a twinkle appeared in his eyes, and an amused smile curved his dark red lips.
“Yes. The black ones.” Ian pointed at the cakes, only to realize what the stranger must have meant when the man couldn’t stop grinning. Heaven above, was the gorgeous specimen of male beauty gay? But who else would have gotten the joke? Not that Ian had meant it as a joke. He was deep enough in the closet he didn’t know how to begin looking for the door, never mind find it. He definitely wouldn’t mind trying if this guy were on the other side, waiting for him. But Mr. Detective probably wasn’t out either, even if he were gay. A gay cop, or detective, wouldn’t make it out here in the wilds of Wyoming. Ian could feel himself blush even as he realized he was now babbling in his own head.
“Oh, I see.” Mr. Detective bent toward the black buns and grinned. “They look kinda cute. Are they as Scottish as they look with that flag painted on them?”
“Yes, they’re a traditional cake eaten during the traditional Scottish Hogmanay celebration on New Year’s Day.” Ian finished packing up the donuts, closed the box, and placed it on the counter. “Would you like to try one?”
“Yes, please. I have no idea what’s inside, but I like surprises. I’ll try to figure out what the ingredients are.” Mr. Detective looked back up. “Gives me a fun mystery to ponder.”
“Okay, I’ll get you one in a small box.” Ian wasn’t going to ask about the other mysteries, the not-so-fun ones, in the man’s life. He might be a homicide detective, and eww, Ian wasn’t going there. “Anything else I can get you?”
“Nah, I’m okay for now.” Mr. Detective grinned again. “But if your stuff tastes as good as it looks and smells, I’ll definitely be back. Can’t believe I’ve worked here for five years and have never noticed this place. Don’t tell anyone, or they’ll take my badge.”
Ian laughed as he rang up the purchase and took the guy’s money. As far as I’m concerned, you can come back anytime, Mr. Detective!
I’m a night owl and start writing when everyone else in my time zone is asleep. I’ve loved reading all my life and spent most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book. Although I always wanted to be a writer, financial independence came first. Twenty-some years and a successful business career later I took some online writing classes and never looked back.
Living and working in seven countries has taught me that there’s more than one way to get things done. It has instilled tremendous respect for the many different cultures, beliefs, attitudes and preferences that exist on our planet.
I like exploring those differences in my stories, most of which happen to be romances. My characters have a tendency to want to do their own thing, so I often have to rein them back in. The one thing we all agree on is the desire for a happy ending.
I currently live in the United Kingdom, sharing my house with a vast collection of books. I like reading, traveling, spending time with my nieces and listening to classical music. I have a passion for science and learning new languages.
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THREE Winners win: $10 Amazon/ARe Gift Card.
THREE Runners-up win: E-copy from Serena Yates’ backlist!
July 13
Fangirl Moments And My Two Cents
July 14
July 15
July 16
Wicked Faeries Tales And Reviews
July 17
Molly Lolly: Reader, Reviewer, Lover of Words
July 20
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
July 21
July 22
July 23
Because Two Men Are Better Than One
July 24
I really do love the sound of this book! You have a marine, a baker and a dad, that I hope will be put in his place, what’s not to love.
A Scottish baker would probably be my ideal!
What is the secret ingredient???
love the cover and blurb sounds interesting
Great post! Loved the excerpt and thoroughly enjoyed the Men Of Riverside series. Thanks for the chance!
I really want to get my hands on this book because it sounds great.