This week I’m hosting Cara Lynn James with Love on Assignment, Ann Tatlock with Promises to Keep, and Ginny Ytrrup with Words. 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 6th) evening.
Heroine Interview for Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James:
1. Charlotte Hale, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
Hmm. I’m just an ordinary young woman struggling to establish a career. Perhaps that’s a bit unusual since most women my age are settling down with a husband and family. At this very moment I’m an undercover reporter, though the position is temporary unless I prove myself. And I’m afraid that’s in doubt.
2. What do you do for fun?
Usually I don’t have much time for fun because I work long hours as a secretary at the newspaper, The Rhode Island Reporter. But sometimes my aunt and sister and I take the trolley to the beach after I’m finished with work on Saturday afternoons.
Now I’m a temporary nanny for Professor Wilmont’s two children at Summerhill. Of course only the people at the newspaper know the truth. I’m on a secret assignment for the Rhode Island Reporter, so I’m not a real nanny. But right now I’m having fun with the Ruthie and Tim, the two children I’m caring for. We spent time at the lovely little beach right here at Summerhill. We play, ride bicycles and read together. I also listen to them practice their musical instruments—but I suppose that’s not too much fun for any of us. I might have adult responsibilities, but I’m still a child at heart.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
That question is easy. I dread telling Professor Wilmont the truth about why I’m here spying on him.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Being caught in my deception. I must confess the entire story before long, but I want to choose the time and place. He’ll think I’m the worst possible person (and I do want his good opinion), but I can’t put it off much longer. It’s ripping apart my conscience. Yet I’m not prepared for the consequences—dismissal from both my jobs. I won’t be able to support my family. Right now I’m leaving all this in the Lord’s hands and trusting He’ll find a way.
5. What do you want out of life?
I want a career in journalism so I can take care of my dear Aunt Amelia and my little sister who’s crippled. They both depend upon me and I refuse to fail them. Ever since I was young I’ve wanted to write for a newspaper, though editors don’t want to give a young woman a chance to prove herself. That’s why I jumped at the splendid opportunity to find incriminating evidence against the professor. But I’m afraid he’s a fine gentleman and I refuse to see him discredited.
I think I’d also like to marry and have children. Right now that seems too far in the future to even consider, though I must admit, I sometimes think about it. I hope to marry someone as kind and considerate as the professor.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
Getting ahead and making something of myself used to be the most important thing. It’s not just because I want to be a journalist. It’s mainly because I have family responsibilities. And I’m glad to help.
But now it’s my new life in Christ. The professor introduced me to the Bible and a new life-changing faith that made me question everything I’ve always believed in, including how I conduct myself. You see, I used to think the end justified the means. That’s what got me into this mess in the first place. I thought that finding incriminating information about the professor would win me the position of journalist. My boss insisted Professor Wilmont is a rabble-rouser who was out to destroy the American way of life. But when I got to know him I learned differently. Now I have to face this dilemma. It will take a lot of courage, so I pray the Lord shower me with it.
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Well, I read the Bible now. I also read Mr. Mark Twain, Miss Alcott, and mysteries by Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Now and then I read dime novels, but not the sensational kind.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be fearless. I’d do what I should do without worry or whimpering.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, we don’t have any pets.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d travel back to the Garden of Eden before there was sin and death. Aside from paradise, I’d like to return to my childhood when my parents and my brother were still alive. Our life wasn’t easy, but we were all happy. I loved being a carefree child. But I had to grow up at a young age like so many others. Sickness and death are so hard to bear. But on a more optimistic note, God gives us the strength to go on and the grace to trust and to love and to laugh.