Heroine Interview for Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe by Irene Brand

This week I’m hosting Irene Brand with An Appalachian Christmas from Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe, Roseanna White with Jewel of Persia and Terri Blackstock with Vicious Cycle. 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 (February 27th) evening.

Interview with the heroine from Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe by Irene Brand:

1.(Julia Mayfield,) tell me the most interesting thing about you.
At the beginning of World War II, I volunteered in the WAC (Women’s Army Corp). Until that time, I’d lived the normal life of a child and teen in pre-war United States. I didn’t feel that I’d accomplished much, but I advanced rapidly in the WAC. It was rewarding to realize I did have a contribution to make.

2. What do you do for fun?
While I was in high school, I participated in any sport that was available for girls of my age. When I was in Europe during the war, in my free time, I traveled to as many historic places as possible. In England, especially, I visited historic sites – like Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. On a short trip to Scotland, another friend and I went mountain climbing. I still like to hike and visit historical sites.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Buying new clothes. I wasn’t petite like my sister, and I never felt well-dressed. In my army uniform, I looked like the other women. That helped improve my self-image.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
I lost most of my fears during the War, but as a child, I was afraid I couldn’t do enough to make my parents love me.

5. What do you want out of life?
Succeeding in whatever I do. I also want a family—a caring husband and children.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
To be helpful to others and to know that I’ve used every talent I have. I feel the need to “prove” my worth.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I enjoy reading very much. I prefer historical fiction, westerns, suspense and mysteries. Some of my favorites are Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind, Zane Grey westerns, suspense books by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Agatha Christie.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I have auburn hair—I’ve always thought I’d like to be a blonde.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I have a cocker spaniel. When I was a child, a school friend gave me a cocker puppy, but my mother is afraid of dogs. She wouldn’t let me keep him. As soon as I returned from the army, I lived in an apartment, and I bought a dog. His name is “Finally.”

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
To Texas during the years following the Mexican War. It’s a period rich in history, and I would have liked the opportunity to help “make” that history.