A Jennie Shortridge book signing is not your typical bookstore event.

To promote her novel, “Riding with the Queen,” about a down-and-out rock singer, Shortridge brought along her guitar and played music she had written for the book to pull readers further into the story. Now Shortridge turns her attentions from music to food with her new book, “Eating Heaven.” Show up at her upcoming book signings in Cannon Beach and Seaside, and you’ll feast on cookies Shortridge bakes on site in her trusty little Otis Spunkmeyer cookie oven.

Set in Portland, “Eating Heaven” is the story of a large and lonely food magazine writer who’s been reduced to writing “lighten up your French favorites until they taste like cardboard” recipes to make a living. When her favorite uncle is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she becomes his primary caregiver, feeding him all his favorite foods one last time. In the process, she discovers some hard truths about herself and her family, and begins the process of learning to love herself as she is.

Nancy Pearl, of “Book Lust” fame, said, “Smooth writing, a cast of nicely developed characters, and a winning portrait of Portland, Oregon add up to one good read.” The book was recently named a bestseller in Denver and San Francisco, and has been chosen as a December BookSense pick.

Shortridge will be doing readings and baking cookies at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at the Ocean Lodge, 2864 Pacific St. in Cannon Beach with support from Cannon Beach Books, and at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Tenth Muse Books, 111 Broadway in Seaside. For more information on Shortridge or to read the first chapter of “Eating Heaven,” visit her Web site at www.jennieshortridge.com