This week I’m hosting Deborah Raney with Forever After and Arlene James with Unlikely Match. 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 (May 8th) evening.
Interview with the heroine from Unlikely Match by Arlene James:
1. Ellie Monroe, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m happy. I know, I know, big whoop. But have you ever noticed how many people are NOT happy even when they have had everything they need? I think I learned to be happy from my grandfather. I mean, he lost the woman he loved and I’m not sure that he married particularly well after that, but he is a man of faith and he managed to be happy by taking joy in every little thing. He raised me, and maybe that’s not an ideal arrangement, but just look at what I’ve learned. I’m happy.
2. What do you do for fun?
Everything! I mean, why shouldn’t life be fun? I’m a teacher, you know, and the best way to teach anything is through fun. I love to be outside, and I love girlie things, and I love work, and I love reading and music and food and laughter… I live for fun!
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Well, there are some things that just aren’t fun, you know? So, I’m not the greatest housekeeper, okay? Mostly, though, I really hate disappointing people, so I guess I put off those tough conversations that are going to hurt someone.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
The idea of disappointing those who love me just breaks my heart. I never, ever want to do that. What I fear most, though, is that people just won’t get me, that they’ll think I’m stupid or shallow or silly. I mean, maybe I’m all of those things. I don’t think I am, but would I know if I was?
5. What do you want out of life?
I want my grandfather to have everything that he deserves, every wonderful thing. I want him to be completely surrounded by love. That’s what I want for myself, too. I want to be surrounded by love, and I want my love to just envelope others.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
If I thought that I brought harm or sadness to someone else, well, I don’t know how I could live with that. It’s one of the reasons I have to share my faith. Grandpa, who has definitely been the most important person in my life, says that God’s grace is the wellspring of happiness. It’s where we find love, forgiveness, strength, wisdom, provision, so many good things. Sharing that is very important, but you have to look for ways to do it, you know? It’s more than just words and more than just actions.
Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Oh, I love to read, and I’m an absolute sucker for happy endings, so give me a good romance. I’ll read other things, too, so long as the bad guy doesn’t win!
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Well, you know, I’m not exactly a sylph. I mean, curves are okay, but they limit the kind of clothing you can wear without embarrassing yourself. Take my friend, Dallas. She’s tall and slender, and everything she wears just looks fantastic. I really struggle to look lady-like and stylish, and I just don’t know how often I manage the latter. No matter how hard I try to take care of myself, I can’t seem to lose this shape. It’s not even weight. It’s just how I’m made. Grandpa says that God doesn’t make junk, LOL, and I know he’s right. I just wish God had made my “junk” a little, I don’t know, slimmer? Straighter?
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Grandpa has this old tomcat that we give free reign of the house when he’s around, but Grandma would never tolerate an animal in the house, so, sadly, no pet of my very own. Yet.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d go back to the 40s and 50s, when curvy, giggly girls were all the rage. Ooh, just think of the clothes!
