SYDNEY SCOTT
When did you first start writing? What made you want to be a writer?
I first started writing short stories and poetry in grade school, but it dropped off for a long. I had read a lot of novels since the beginning of the pandemic and had a few ideas for my own, finally writing them in September of 2022. It’s been an amazing journey since then and I have loved every minute of it. Getting back into something I used to love as a child has been a game changer.
What inspired you to write your book?
Passion and Pastries was inspired by my enjoyment of enemies/rivals-to-lovers stories and my love of baking. I love the tension that rival relationships provide as well as the growth both characters experience as they learn to get past their squabbling into something deeper and more meaningful. I also have a certificate in baking and pastry and used a lot of that experience in the book. Some of my favorite scenes include the baking, though I will admit to them also making me hungry, so this book is perhaps best read with a snack!
Are you a pantser or a plotter?
While I admire anyone able to just fly by the seat of their pants in writing or life in general, I am definitely a plotter. Each of my plots goes through a rough and final outline stage, the characters have a trait analysis sheet, and I create mood boards for characters and the town. Organization is key to my writing, but I also leave plenty of room for improvisation. Sometimes a certain mood strikes you and great writing comes from that too.
Do you have any writing rituals or special processes you complete before sitting down to write?
Aside from all of the organizing mentioned above, my process is fairly straightforward. Once I have everything ready to go, I basically just shut up and write. I do try to make it to the end of a chapter or major scene before taking a break. Trying to pause in the middle of the flow is almost impossible for me as I lose my train of thought.
What authors inspire you?
I am constantly inspired by different authors depending on what I have just read. Beth O’Leary’s stories stay with me for a long time and I find having that kind of an effect on a reader very inspiring. I am also constantly in awe of Abby Jimenez and her ability to write such beautiful stories. Most of all, I am inspired by my fellow indie authors who work hard and write amazing stories for even a small audience. The author community as a whole is so supportive and I am absolutely inspired by that.
If you could only write in one genre for the rest of your career, what genre would you choose? Why?
One hundred percent, Contemporary romance. Society is always changing as far as trends and norms goes, and I find that weaving stories while navigating those changes keeps things interesting and relevant. Many important issues arise all the time and I love being able to include them in my writing when possible.
Which of the characters in your current release is your favorite? Why?
That’s so hard because I love them all, but Louis from Passion and Pastries is my favorite. A French pastry chef who is polite, playful, laid-back, and generous when it comes to giving away his food is hard to pass up. What I love most about him though is that he never takes anything too personally. He and Hailey have their issues at the beginning of the novel, but he doesn’t sulk or take offense and instead simply goes about his business. That kind of steady presence sounds nice.
Are any of your characters modeled after real people? If so, which ones?
No one character is modeled after a person, but rather the relationship between the Baker siblings, Hailey, Holly, and Henry, is modeled after the one I have with my brother and sisters. They are close, tease each other, roll their eyes at their parent’s antics, and are endlessly supportive of one another. That’s the type of relationship I have with my siblings and I’m glad I was able to showcase that in this series.
What music was on your playlist while writing your novel?
Without fail, anytime I listen to music with lyrics while I write I end up singing along with the song and losing track of my story, but I cannot write in silence. I was able to find a happy medium in the form of instrumental versions of music from artists I enjoy including The Cure, Muse, Coldplay, Linkin Park and Taylor Swift. It’s an interesting mix, but it works for me.
Morning person or grumpy bear?
Is it possible to be both? I am definitely more of a morning person than a night owl, but I’m not sure I greet the sun with a bright smile on my face. I do enjoy exercising, writing, or baking as more of a morning activity and reserve the evenings for reading or something that requires less energy.
Tell us one thing it would surprise us to know about you?
In addition to novels, I’ve had one of my recipes published in a Taste of Home Cookbook.
What is next for you?
Writing, writing, and more writing along with promoting my upcoming book releases. I have seven coming out in 2025 and am starting to write a five book baseball romance that will hopefully debut in 2026.
Do you have any unique skills or talents? If so, what?
Other than baking, I would say my biggest talent is for making people laugh. Getting a chuckle out of anyone brightens my day considerably.
If I were to look in your closet right now, would I find frills and lace or denim and tees?
Denim and tees. I’m fairly certain I don’t own a single item with either lace or any sort of frill, though you will find at least a week’s worth of jeans and enough t-shirts to last at least a month along with about three baseball caps.
I first started writing short stories and poetry in grade school, but it dropped off for a long. I had read a lot of novels since the beginning of the pandemic and had a few ideas for my own, finally writing them in September of 2022. It’s been an amazing journey since then and I have loved every minute of it. Getting back into something I used to love as a child has been a game changer.
What inspired you to write your book?
Passion and Pastries was inspired by my enjoyment of enemies/rivals-to-lovers stories and my love of baking. I love the tension that rival relationships provide as well as the growth both characters experience as they learn to get past their squabbling into something deeper and more meaningful. I also have a certificate in baking and pastry and used a lot of that experience in the book. Some of my favorite scenes include the baking, though I will admit to them also making me hungry, so this book is perhaps best read with a snack!
Are you a pantser or a plotter?
While I admire anyone able to just fly by the seat of their pants in writing or life in general, I am definitely a plotter. Each of my plots goes through a rough and final outline stage, the characters have a trait analysis sheet, and I create mood boards for characters and the town. Organization is key to my writing, but I also leave plenty of room for improvisation. Sometimes a certain mood strikes you and great writing comes from that too.
Do you have any writing rituals or special processes you complete before sitting down to write?
Aside from all of the organizing mentioned above, my process is fairly straightforward. Once I have everything ready to go, I basically just shut up and write. I do try to make it to the end of a chapter or major scene before taking a break. Trying to pause in the middle of the flow is almost impossible for me as I lose my train of thought.
What authors inspire you?
I am constantly inspired by different authors depending on what I have just read. Beth O’Leary’s stories stay with me for a long time and I find having that kind of an effect on a reader very inspiring. I am also constantly in awe of Abby Jimenez and her ability to write such beautiful stories. Most of all, I am inspired by my fellow indie authors who work hard and write amazing stories for even a small audience. The author community as a whole is so supportive and I am absolutely inspired by that.
If you could only write in one genre for the rest of your career, what genre would you choose? Why?
One hundred percent, Contemporary romance. Society is always changing as far as trends and norms goes, and I find that weaving stories while navigating those changes keeps things interesting and relevant. Many important issues arise all the time and I love being able to include them in my writing when possible.
Which of the characters in your current release is your favorite? Why?
That’s so hard because I love them all, but Louis from Passion and Pastries is my favorite. A French pastry chef who is polite, playful, laid-back, and generous when it comes to giving away his food is hard to pass up. What I love most about him though is that he never takes anything too personally. He and Hailey have their issues at the beginning of the novel, but he doesn’t sulk or take offense and instead simply goes about his business. That kind of steady presence sounds nice.
Are any of your characters modeled after real people? If so, which ones?
No one character is modeled after a person, but rather the relationship between the Baker siblings, Hailey, Holly, and Henry, is modeled after the one I have with my brother and sisters. They are close, tease each other, roll their eyes at their parent’s antics, and are endlessly supportive of one another. That’s the type of relationship I have with my siblings and I’m glad I was able to showcase that in this series.
What music was on your playlist while writing your novel?
Without fail, anytime I listen to music with lyrics while I write I end up singing along with the song and losing track of my story, but I cannot write in silence. I was able to find a happy medium in the form of instrumental versions of music from artists I enjoy including The Cure, Muse, Coldplay, Linkin Park and Taylor Swift. It’s an interesting mix, but it works for me.
Morning person or grumpy bear?
Is it possible to be both? I am definitely more of a morning person than a night owl, but I’m not sure I greet the sun with a bright smile on my face. I do enjoy exercising, writing, or baking as more of a morning activity and reserve the evenings for reading or something that requires less energy.
Tell us one thing it would surprise us to know about you?
In addition to novels, I’ve had one of my recipes published in a Taste of Home Cookbook.
What is next for you?
Writing, writing, and more writing along with promoting my upcoming book releases. I have seven coming out in 2025 and am starting to write a five book baseball romance that will hopefully debut in 2026.
Do you have any unique skills or talents? If so, what?
Other than baking, I would say my biggest talent is for making people laugh. Getting a chuckle out of anyone brightens my day considerably.
If I were to look in your closet right now, would I find frills and lace or denim and tees?
Denim and tees. I’m fairly certain I don’t own a single item with either lace or any sort of frill, though you will find at least a week’s worth of jeans and enough t-shirts to last at least a month along with about three baseball caps.
Buy Links:
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRLH6NKL
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/passion-and-pastries
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passion-and-pastries-sydney-scott/1146751236
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/passion-and-pastries/id6739883586
Blurb:
Sparks and sugar flies in this delightful romance about a worldly French chef and the small town baker who have more on their mind than their pastries.
Hailey Baker has always wanted one thing: to work in her family’s bakery and live in Sunset Cove for the rest of her life. Some people might think her life is simple and small, but Hailey loves it and is determined to enjoy it despite the judgements of others. When a handsome, French pastry chef opens a shop across the street, Hailey’s simple life becomes a lot more complicated.
Louis Balardi has always wanted to escape the madness and pressures that came with working for his father in Paris. When he finally opens his own pastry shop, he is determined to see it succeed, but faces two problems. The first being his investor-father’s unreasonable demands, and the second being the beautiful female across the street who is doing everything she can to drive his business away.
Two chefs, two bakeries, and two hearts on the line.
Can a baker and a pastry chef stop competing long enough to create the perfect recipe together?
Fans of sassy small town romances like Ten Rules for Faking It by Sophie Sullivan or Libby Kay’s Buckeye Falls will love Sydney Scott’s first book set in Sunset Cove, a town where neighbors know more than your family and are always willing to lend a helping hand!
Excerpt
As it tended to do whenever they interacted, Hailey’s mouth fell open in shock at his audacity. “You can’t do that.” That sign was there to remind people that Baker’s Bakeshop had always been there for them and that they didn’t need to stray to another bakery. First he spies on her shop, now he steals her idea? The nerve of this guy.
He shrugged his shoulders, either oblivious to or not caring about the distress he was causing her. “Why not?”
“Well, because,” she stammered, growing increasingly frustrated at how much this man unnerved her. “Because I did it first.”
Louis’s eyes sparkled as he waggled a finger at her. “You used that argument before, Hailey. Didn’t we agree that such childish excuses were beneath us?”
She felt her cheeks heat as she raged internally, both at his condescension and at the fact that the way he said her name still made her knees weak. Her libido needed a strong talking-to, one she would give it later when Louis was gone and she could think straight again. “Beneath you, maybe. But nothing is beneath me.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Hailey regretted them. It sounded like a much better burn in her head.
He smirked and leaned in closer to her, warmth pouring from his body as though he ran as hot as she was feeling in that moment. Hailey caught a whiff of his scent—nutty bread flour and rich chocolate—and allowed herself exactly one second to enjoy it, ignoring the way it made her mouth water at the same time.
“Nothing is beneath you?” His voice was velvety and seductive, the low timbre causing her skin to tremble and break out in goosebumps. “Perhaps that is the problem, mon cher. One I would be happy to help you remedy, by the way.”
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRLH6NKL
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/passion-and-pastries
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/passion-and-pastries-sydney-scott/1146751236
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/passion-and-pastries/id6739883586
Blurb:
Sparks and sugar flies in this delightful romance about a worldly French chef and the small town baker who have more on their mind than their pastries.
Hailey Baker has always wanted one thing: to work in her family’s bakery and live in Sunset Cove for the rest of her life. Some people might think her life is simple and small, but Hailey loves it and is determined to enjoy it despite the judgements of others. When a handsome, French pastry chef opens a shop across the street, Hailey’s simple life becomes a lot more complicated.
Louis Balardi has always wanted to escape the madness and pressures that came with working for his father in Paris. When he finally opens his own pastry shop, he is determined to see it succeed, but faces two problems. The first being his investor-father’s unreasonable demands, and the second being the beautiful female across the street who is doing everything she can to drive his business away.
Two chefs, two bakeries, and two hearts on the line.
Can a baker and a pastry chef stop competing long enough to create the perfect recipe together?
Fans of sassy small town romances like Ten Rules for Faking It by Sophie Sullivan or Libby Kay’s Buckeye Falls will love Sydney Scott’s first book set in Sunset Cove, a town where neighbors know more than your family and are always willing to lend a helping hand!
Excerpt
As it tended to do whenever they interacted, Hailey’s mouth fell open in shock at his audacity. “You can’t do that.” That sign was there to remind people that Baker’s Bakeshop had always been there for them and that they didn’t need to stray to another bakery. First he spies on her shop, now he steals her idea? The nerve of this guy.
He shrugged his shoulders, either oblivious to or not caring about the distress he was causing her. “Why not?”
“Well, because,” she stammered, growing increasingly frustrated at how much this man unnerved her. “Because I did it first.”
Louis’s eyes sparkled as he waggled a finger at her. “You used that argument before, Hailey. Didn’t we agree that such childish excuses were beneath us?”
She felt her cheeks heat as she raged internally, both at his condescension and at the fact that the way he said her name still made her knees weak. Her libido needed a strong talking-to, one she would give it later when Louis was gone and she could think straight again. “Beneath you, maybe. But nothing is beneath me.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Hailey regretted them. It sounded like a much better burn in her head.
He smirked and leaned in closer to her, warmth pouring from his body as though he ran as hot as she was feeling in that moment. Hailey caught a whiff of his scent—nutty bread flour and rich chocolate—and allowed herself exactly one second to enjoy it, ignoring the way it made her mouth water at the same time.
“Nothing is beneath you?” His voice was velvety and seductive, the low timbre causing her skin to tremble and break out in goosebumps. “Perhaps that is the problem, mon cher. One I would be happy to help you remedy, by the way.”
