Heroine Interview from Love by the Book by Cara Lynn James

» Posted on Aug 12, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on Heroine Interview from Love by the Book by Cara Lynn James

Love  by the BookThis week I’m hosting Lacy Williams with Marrying Miss Marshal, Veronica Heley with Murder My Neighbour, C. J. Chase with Redeeming the Rogue, and Cara Lynn James with Love by the Book (will have a drawing if 10 people enter). 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 (August 14th) evening.

Heroine Interview from Love by the Book by Cara Lynn James:

1.   Melinda Hollister, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Once not to long ago I might have said the most interesting thing about me is my appearance. At least I valued it highly and I thought most others valued it highly as well. It sounds quite conceited, doesn’t it?
 
But now that I’m co-guardian of my niece Nell, I think the changes I’ve undergone over a short time period is the most interesting thing about me. Becoming Nell’s mother so unexpectedly and under such tragic circumstances has caused me to review my priorities. I realize how a child can take center stage in a mother’s life and make her own desires less important. And I’ve learned that selflessness is a joy, not a burden. I also married because I wanted Nell to have a father, though under different conditions I would’ve waited to find a husband. All the changes have come about because the Lord is in my life. I find that very interesting, don’t you?

2.  What do you do for fun?

I still love to dance the waltz, attend parties and balls, spend time with my family and friends and go shopping. But now that I’ve gotten to know my friend Glynna a lot better this summer, I can happily add I enjoy helping others. I never used to worry about others, but now I consider their feelings and their needs. Being a mother to my niece Nell has made me less selfish. I also love to be with my new husband, although we’re only just beginning to get to know each other. Does that sound peculiar to you? Well, it’s a long story.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I dread telling my husband Nick the truth about my financial situation and… I really don’t want to admit this to you because you’ll think I’m an awful person. (Long pause) I married Nick to provide a home for our niece—we’re co-guardians—and to save myself from poverty and social obscurity. Not a very lofty reason for marrying, is it? I need to confess this as kindly as I possibly can because it’s standing between us. Marriage should be based upon truth and upon trust. How can Nick trust me if I keep important secrets from him? But so far I haven’t found the courage.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m afraid of disappointing Nick. And he will definitely be disappointed in me if he      discovers I’ve kept a secret from him. I used to fear poverty and social ostracism like the kind my family faced when Papa lost his fortune years ago. Of course he earned every penny back, and more besides. But I’ll never forget how it feels to have your friends ignore you in the shops and pretend you don’t exist any more. I don’t think I could endure that again.

5.  What do you want out of life?

I want to make Nick and Nell happy and be a real family. Without them I’d be miserable. Being a social success and popular hostess isn’t what I want anymore, though I did at one time. 

6.  What is the most important thing to you?

Keeping the Lord at the center of my life and thinking of Nick’s and Nell’s well being ahead of my own. I want to be the very best wife and mother I can be. It’s a process, not something I can accomplish overnight.

7.  Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

I used to only read ladies’ magazines and dime novels by my favorite author Fannie Cole, but now thanks to my dear friend Glynna, I read the Bible too. It’s brought me closer to the Lord and I now see the world from a different, less self-centered perspective.

8.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I have so many faults it’s hard to choose only one. But if I had to pick the one I’d most like to change it’s my love for beautiful things. Material goods has too strong a hold on me. I don’t consider myself really greedy, but to do have an impulse to purchase lovely objects whether I need them or not. I’m praying about it and trying my best not to indulge myself more than I ought to.

9.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

No, but when we have a home of our own I’d like to get a little dog. Any dog that needs a family would be fine with me. When the time comes I’ll ask Nick and Nell what breeds they prefer. We should choose a breed with a sweet disposition, and friendly toward people since we’ll have a house full of servants when we return to New York. I wouldn’t want my dog to nip at the staff or make too much extra work for them.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

My ancestors were New England Puritans, you know. They came here on ships of the Winthrop fleet in 1630. I like their simplicity, love for the Lord and their courage. But I’d certainly hate to suffer all their deprivations, especially in the area of medicine. I do so appreciate modern remedies. My dear niece Nell caught diphtheria just a short time ago and we were all praying hard for her full recovery. Thank the Lord she came through. But perhaps 100 years ago she wouldn’t have. We’re living in such an exciting time—the beginning of a new century—and I’m optimistic the doctors will find cures to many of the diseases we’re plagued with right now. I have so much hope for the future.

If you’d asked me this question just a few months ago I might have replied I would’ve enjoyed living in eighteenth century France before the Revolution, of course. The life of the French aristocracy appealed to me, I’m embarrassed to say, but after the invention of the guillotine, it would’ve been much too dangerous. I’m not one for too much adventure.