I’m delighted to welcome author Emily Conrad to the blog today! She’s been a supportive and encouraging presence in Christian reading/writing circles for years and her second novel has just released. She’s kindly offering a giveaway copy to one of you, so be sure to scroll down for details on how to enter. Congrats, Emily! – Becky
A man with a walkie talkie and a staff T-shirt approached to intercept me.
The contraband I carried into the pumpkin patch that crisp, fall day?
A slow cooker and a few grocery bags stuffed to capacity.
But I also knew the magic words to be granted access, carry-in food and all.
“I’m with Alpha Dogs.”
The man’s face transformed into a welcoming smile, and instead of sending me back to my car, he gave me directions through the barn and to the central area where Alpha Dogs and a couple of other food trucks were serving lines of hungry families.
That’s the first perk of working for a food truck — a free pass through event security.
I’ve helped just a handful of times in my brother’s food truck, and that day at the pumpkin patch was the busiest of them all.
Not very experienced in food service, I confess I struggled to keep up with taking orders, making change, and delivering the food my brother and his business partner had prepped. I finished my shift with new appreciation for the coordination and skill set required to run even what appears to be a simple food truck operation.
I do much better on the customer side of the window!
However, the second perk of working for a food truck is the free meal.
Whether I’m serving or visiting as a customer, I make sure to get an Alpha Bowl – a hotdog topped with barbeque pork, chili, and cheese sauce (gluten issues, so no bun or mac and cheese for me, though the standard Alpha Dog comes with both).
There’s something fun about food trucks, isn’t there?
And that brings me to the third perk of working in a food truck: being able to use my experience to create one of my own to feature in my Rhythms of Redemption Romances.
The first scene of the first book, To Bring You Back, opens with the heroine, Adeline, working a shift at Superior Dogs.
You’ve probably guessed the name (and much about the food truck and its menu) is heavily inspired by the real-life Alpha Dogs, but “Superior” also gives a nod to the book’s setting on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin.
As eventful as my day at the pumpkin patch was, Adeline’s afternoon is far more interesting when her next customer turns out to be a celebrity.
A celebrity she knew well back before he and his rock band made it big, before tragedy took their lives very different directions.
Now, he’s back to confront a past she’s desperate to forget, and a food truck? Well, being associated with one might have some perks, but when you’re serving customers, hiding places to avoid difficult conversations is not one of them.
Poor Adeline, but lucky us!
Read that first exchange—and everything that follows—in To Bring You Back!
Giveaway!
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who commented and congratulations to Sarah, the winner!
Have you ever worked in food service? What’s your favorite food truck or carnival food?
Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance that explores life’s relevant questions. Though she likes to think some of her characters are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her stories (including the one she’s living) is Jesus. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their energetic coonhound rescue. She is the author of the stand-alone novel Justice and the Rhythms of Redemption Romance series, as well as a series of short stories, which she emails in installments to subscribers. Learn more about her and her books at emilyconradauthor.com
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Becky Wade
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Thanks for blogging with us today, Emily! And wow, now I want an Alpha Dog for BREAKFAST! 🙂
Now that would be the way to start a Friday off right! 🙂 So happy to be here today! Thanks for the warm welcome.
What a great post, your book sounds wonderful, Emily!
One summer in high school, I worked in a quick serve restaurant in a local waterpark-a perk, free admission on non-working days.
Thank you, Stacy! Free admission sounds like a great perk. I bet you took advantage of that one! 🙂
We spent many summers at the fair. My favorite carnival food is mini donuts! I am looking forward to reading your book!
Sounds like some fond memories! I don’t think I’ve ever had mini donuts at a fair or carnival, but I bet they’re delicious! I hope you enjoy Gannon and Adeline’s story.
Thanks for the chance!
Good luck, Lori! Thanks for visiting today!
Would love to be entered into the giveaway. She’s a new to me author!
Thanks for entering, MJSH!
For a few years I was on staff with a caterer for wedding receptions and I loved being a part of their big day, plus I got to see beautiful decorations and wedding outfits 😁.
Oh, I bet you have a lot of stories you could tell from that job, and how special to be a part of such an important day. I’d love getting to see it all too!
My favorite carnival food used to be cotton candy, but in my adult years as a diabetic, I’m no longer eating cotton candy. I do remember buying a heavenly ice cream cone from a food truck.
I’m sorry you’ve had to say goodbye to cotton candy. It’s hard when health demands that kind of thing. But that food truck sounds like one I’d like to visit. I love ice cream!
My first job in high school was as a hostess at a Mexican food restaurant. Good experience!
Favorite food truck item…recently discovered a food truck near my house that serves grass fed beef burgers. So good!
Oh, Mexican food and burgers! Now you’re making me hungry… And it’s only 8:30 AM! 🙂
Interesting premise! I love the inclusion of your roots, both the food truck and Lake Superior. Thank you for telling us a little more about you. I’ve not had the pleasure of reading your books yet, so this was a welcome intro.
I don’t always follow that popular advice to write what I know (I did so much research about the lifestyles and work of recording artists!), but I really enjoyed including some familiar elements to ground the story. Thanks so much for reading and joining the conversation, Brandi!
I would be so inept working in food service, but a great idea for a story. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Haha, you and me both, Linda! So much respect for those who do it so well that they’ve never caused me to pause and consider the difficulty before! Good luck in the giveaway.
I have never worked in a food truck. But my nephew once owned a rolled ice cream truck and it was delicious!! I love several kinds of food truck or carnival foods! Sausage dogs with onions and peppers is one of my favorite! Then there’s the funnel cakes and caramel apples. Thanks for the introduction to Emily Conrad and the giveaway!
I love caramel apples too! And I’d love to know someone with an ice cream truck! Thanks so much for reading and joining the conversation 🙂
Thanks for this post: just found my next book! (Seriously, it just landed in my Kindle!😁)
Thank you so much for grabbing a copy, Sarah! I hope you love it!
I am too pregnant to read about a food truck that serves a hot dog with BBQ and mac and cheese! This book sounds so good!
Haha! Sorry about that, Stacey! I hope you enjoy the book if you check it out. I promise, the whole thing isn’t about food 😉
I worked as a shift manager at a fast food restaurant for 14 months. It nearly caused a mental breakdown. So I moved to cashier checking at a huge grocery. While at fast food I was robbed three times and calmly pushed my panic button to summon the police just down the street. Glad that season of my life is over. I was helping put hubby through two masters and a PHD, while homeschooling two kids. I’m now retired and read and review Christian Fiction.
Wow, that sounds like a harrowing job! I can’t imagine the stress that must’ve caused. I’m glad you were able to move into something else! Thanks for all you do to support Christian fiction—reviews are so important, and of course, we need and love readers!
I love food trucks! Last year we found one that served Empanadas!! They were so delicious! I love empanadas!!!!
Oh, that sounds wonderful! I should keep an eye out for something similar next time I’m at a food truck rally!
I am always looking for new Christian authors. A recommendation by Becky Wade is a great one and your story sounds so good! When we were stationed in Germany many years ago, food trucks came through our housing area frequently- brochen,(breads) ice cream (kids loved it) and on Fridays meals- our favorite being weiner schnitzel (and not having to cook!). I will be looking for your books!
Thanks, Jeanne! Becky Wade’s books automatically go on my TBR pile, so it’s an honor to be a guest here today! Those food trucks sound like a nice treat!
I love food trucks…my favorite is Cousins Maine Lobster. The lobster tacos are amazing!!! Your brothers Alpha dogs sound pretty amazing too!😉 I enjoyed your blog and would love to have the chance to read your new novel. I’m always looking for new Christian authors to read and share with my family and friends. Thank you for that opportunity.
Okay, I would LOVE to try the lobster tacos! So glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks for being a supporter of Christian fiction! I hope you find the story entertaining and encouraging if you read it. Good luck in the giveaway!
Food trucks bring fun opportunities to try different foods to towns and cities!I have not worked in food service, but my favorite fair food is a sugary elephant ear, hot and crisp! Your new book sounds like a great story to read, and I am grateful to you for the opportunity to win a copy of the e-book. Thanks!
Yes, I love the variety food trucks offer too 🙂 Sugary, hot, and crisp–no way a treat like that could fail to hit the spot! Good luck in the drawing!
Nope, have not worked on a food truck, but my 2 oldest grandsons (17 & 14) have!
And I bet they kept up with the pace better than I did! 🙂 It definitely takes a certain skill set.
Your book looks so good! Thanks for the giveaway.
Of course! Good luck in the giveaway!
Excited to get to know you and your books!!! Good luck moving forward with your career (and with your dogs).
Thanks so much, Amber! Good luck in the giveaway!
As a child, my family and I helped my Dad bake Red Barron pizzas in these neat pizza ovens for food shows. Then my first “real” job out of high school was working at a local Dairy Queen. I enjoyed learning how to make their trademarked “curl” on ice cream treats and enjoyed the folks who ran the place. Early in our marriage I got a job as a catering supervisor for campus food service at a small University. We also serviced the community for corporate/business dinners, wedding receptions, parties, etc. I remember receiving cash tips for staff (mostly all college students) and loved the variety of work we did. We worked hard but knew how to have fun too.
One of my favorite food trucks is a cute little 60’s camper converted into a mobile coffee shop that opened during the pandemic last year. It’s called “Revival Coffee” (located in NW Ohio) and the owners are such a sweet couple! They host Thursday morning story time for local children under a striped tent near where they’re parked, have street tacos and live music every other Friday night, chalk art contest, and hosted a ladies painting night. They not only provide delicious beverages but have really worked to bring people together despite these trying times.
Pizzas for food shows? Is anyone else’s mouth watering? Sounds like you’re a food service pro! And I’d love it if my community had a mobile coffee place like that. How cool!
I haven’t experienced too many food trucks in my life, but I do love churros from the fair or from Disney stands. You are a new to.me author and I’m looking forward to reading your work. Thanks for the chance to win and the introduction.
Oh, churros! Good choice! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
Sounds like a good book! I always like new-to-me authors!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Jolene! I hope you enjoy the story if you read it!
This book looks super fun! I had gastric bypass surgery a year ago and have cut out most carb heavy and high fat items (including just about anything deep fried). But when we popped in to my hometown county fair last night, literally the only thing I cared about was a corn dog (with a little ketchup painted along the side. I did work in food service for many years, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Panera, so I know all of the secret passwords! 😁😁
Secret passwords?! I think we’re all going to need to know what those are! Ha! Those sound like hard things to give up, so I’m glad you were still able to enjoy a treat!
My brother wanted to run a food truck for a few years until it was no longer as interesting to him. I hold out hope that he might do it one day since it would be so cool! I can’t wait to read this one!
Yes! Keep encouraging that dream, because the results are delicious 😉 I hope you enjoy the story!
My favorite carnival food is Poutine – a dish of french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. I have worked as a waitress at the county fair when I was in high school.
That sounds yummy! I did work in a deli as a teen, but something tells me waitressing at a fair is a whole different ballgame!
A food truck?
I love these wonderful casual restaurants! Yummy food and interesting places!
Agreed, Jen! Thanks for entering the giveaway 🙂
Those Alpha Dogs look and sound delicious! Wish some of our food trucks around here served something like that!
In my totally unbiased opinion, every community should have something like it! I’ll have to talk my brother into franchising! 😉
I love Mexican food trucks and I usually get something besides tacos. The flavor of aunthenic Mexican food is so good.
Sounds delicious! I’m guessing authentic Mexican is pretty different from most of what I’ve found up here in Wisconsin!
Never worked in food service, most times my favorite is usually Sausage and peppers. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Of course! Good luck in the drawing, and thanks for stopping by!
It’s been almost two years since I’ve eaten at a food truck (small town). I’m sure it’s busy, but fun!
Yes, it really can be! I hope you get a chance to visit one soon 🙂
I worked in the food service industry for 5 yrs. Over 20 years later I am not still not a fan of deli sandwiches. I do love hotdogs but I limit hoe many I eat a year.
Working in the industry is a way to wear out the allure of some foods, I bet! And as much as I enjoy my occasional Alpha Bowl, you’re right–I prefer them as a special treat rather too.
Congratulations, Emily. You’re adorable and your novel sounds wonderful! ❤
Well thank you very much, Shelli! That sunflower field after the food truck was a welcome reprieve!
Ages ago, in High School, I worked at The Dog House, a diner in Portland, Oregon. What an experience! I made my own white dress (also known as a uniform, lol).
Anyway, you had me at Food Truck! Sounds like a fun book.
Thanks, Debbie! Ha, with my minimal sewing experience, it’s probably good I’ve never worked anywhere I might’ve been tempted to try making my own uniform 😉
I worked at a Dairy Queen in 1960-61. I have a young friend who has a food truck.
I think I’d be in trouble if I worked for Dairy Queen–so many good treats!
I have never worked in the food industry. But I do love to eat. My favorite fair food is a prontopup. I also love scones too.
I had to look that one up! Sounds like prontopups are basically corndogs? A popular choice! Scones are good too!
I’m not sure if it counts but I have been making a variety of cakes, cookies, breads etc…From my home for years. Recently, my newest best seller has been Strawberry Tres Leches cake (Mexican Cake) at my niece’s work I now have the title Mexican Cake Lady lol.
My favorite food truck memory was of this Chinese food truck my big brother would take me too, I can’t remember the name of it but the food was so good there 😋 We always got a combination meal of sweet & sour chicken with rice, egg rolls and a fortune cookie 😊
How could Strawberry Tres Leches cake not count?! That sounds mouth-watering! 🙂 It’s been a little while since I’ve had Chinese, but I think you’re on to something there too! Yum!
The Wandering Waffle is the best food truck I’ve ever visited!
What a clever name! I bet the food’s delicious!
The only food service I’ve worked in is a Baskin Robbins ice cream shop one summer in college. That was fun and I got a free treat every day!
I’m excited to read your book!
Oh, I love ice cream so that sounds like the ideal job 🙂 Thanks for reading To Bring You Back! I hope you enjoy it!
Book sounds great!
My first job was at McDonald’s and I worked there for several years. I knew how to make everything on the menu.
When we were building a new house, there was a Mexican truck that was in the neighborhood and the food was so cheap and delicious!
Sounds like you were quite the food service pro! I would imagine having a food truck nearby during a construction project was convenient–especially if the food was good and affordable!
I once worked in food service at a waterpark when I was in high school. One of the perks was free admission on your days off.
Sounds like a fun way to spend a day off, Kerri! Thanks for entering the giveaway.
The giveaway is now closed, and the winner is Sarah! Congrats, Sarah. Keep an eye on your email as I’ll reach out shortly! I’ve enjoyed reading about all of your favorite foods and your experiences working in food service! Thanks so much for joining the conversation!
Hey everyone, just an update that because Sarah already read To Bring You Back (hooray! Thanks, Sarah!), she generously offered to let me choose another winner. Phyllis, your name was chosen by the random name picker next, so I just sent you an email!
How very thoughtful of Sarah to pass on the gift! That is awesome and I’m sure you have a lot of kind readers like that!