This week I’m hosting Eleanor Gustafson with The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David, Elizabeth Goddard with Exposing Amber and Janice Hanna with Love Me Tender. If you want to enter the drawings, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (September 5th) evening.
Interview with the heroine from Love Me Tender by Janice Hanna:
1. Debbie Carmichael, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
Some people find it interesting that my parents own the most popular soda shop in Laguna Beach California. Of course, that new chain, McDonald’s, has just opened up a few blocks away, but they’re going nowhere’s-ville. Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe (my family’s place) is destined to live on forever! Even Hollywood stars agree! Ozzie and Harriet have been in our shop. So have Lucy and Desi. Even Debbie Reynolds stopped by for a chocolate malt.
2. What do you do for fun?
When I’m not waitressing, I like to walk across the street to the beach and hang out at the cliffs. I used to dream about Bobby Conrad (the famous actor and singer), but ever since I gave my heart to Johnny (Dreamboat) Hartman, I realize he’s the only guy for me!
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I don’t enjoy thinking about my pop’s illness. Ever since his heart attack last spring, I’ve been worried that he’s working too hard at the soda shop. That’s why I’m working so hard to put together a fundraiser. . .to raise the money to pay off the mortgage so he can retire in style! And I’m the luckiest girl in California! Bobby Conrad and Johnny Hartman are teaming up at the fundraiser. Both of the guys will be singing. All of the girls in Orange County are gaga over the idea and we’ll raise all the money we need to pay off the mortgage!
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
I’m afraid my dad will have another heart attack and pass away, leaving my mom (Sal) alone. But I’m learning to put my trust in God and not to fret.
5. What do you want out of life?
I know that most of my friends want to be famous like Elvis and Bobby Conrad, but I really just want to settle down and have a family. I’d like to raise them here in Laguna Beach, where I grew up. And I think it would be fun to keep the soda shop going. . .maybe pass it on to my kids one day.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
My relationship with God is so important to me. Sometimes I get distracted. (What girl wouldn’t? Do you have any idea how hard it is to live in southern California where so many stars like Pat Boone, Troy Donahue, Connie Francis, Doris Day and Elvis have made it big?) We all want to be popular. We all want to be loved. But I’m learning that being loved by God is much more important than having a bunch of adoring fans!
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Secret confession here: I sometimes read Hollywood Heartthrob magazine. Shh! Don’t tell my parents, okay? (Though, I suspect my mom sometimes reads it too. She always seems to know what’s going on in Hollywood.) The columns in Hollywood Heartthrob magazine are out of this world. You can find out anything you want to know about fashion, trends and who’s dating who!
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change one thing, I wouldn’t be so fickle! How is it possible for a girl who’s nearly twenty to fall in love with a different guy nearly every month? First it was Pat Boone, then Bobby Conrad. . .now Johnny Hartman? Now that I’ve found my true love (Johnny!) I’m sticking with him!
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No pets. But I do have a kid sister. She’s a lot harder to train than a puppy, trust me. You’ve never met anyone as flighty!
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Are you serious? I already live in the best time period mankind has ever known: 1957! This is the era of Be-Bop, Do-Wop and poodle skirts. What more could a girl ask for? And I get to enjoy it all from the sunny shores of California! Dreamy!
