This week I’m hosting Lynette Sowell with Cherry Blossom Capers, Ronie Kendig with Firethorn, Ada Brownell with Swallowed by Life, and Grace Fox with Moving from Fear to Freedom. If you want to enter the drawings for the books, 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 (January 22nd) evening.
Interview with the heroine from Cherry Blossom Capers by Lynette Sowell:
1. Tara, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I have the best job in the world. Not only am I a professional chef but I get to work at the White House.
2. What do you do for fun?
Catch up on my sleep—just kidding! I enjoy running to work off stress and stay healthy, plus spending time with my friends. We all love classic movies, so we take turns making snacks and showing a movie in our homes.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Dishes. I know, I have a dishwasher. But sometimes life would be so much easier if plates and everything could be disposable, all the time.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Being alone. I’ve traveled quite a bit in my job since culinary school, and I’ve see friends settle down and start families. I want that for myself, someday. Until then, however, I count my blessings of a wonderful family near Austin, Texas—which is far from Washington, D.C.
5. What do you want out of life?
I want to use the talents that God’s given me to the best of my ability. I love blessing people with good food and I often pray silently as I cook for the people I work for. Maybe it’s a small thing, but sometimes a small thing can be the biggest thing in the world.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
I always remind myself that no matter how man plots and schemes, and the bad things that can happen, God is ultimately in control. Sometimes I don’t understand why some prayers go unanswered, but I know God has my best interests in mind.
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I like to read cookbooks, plus historical mysteries. Give me a book with a big old mysterious house, and a heroine in danger, and I’m set.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could learn to relax more. I’m a high energy person, which works to my advantage in a busy kitchen. But I always have to be doing something. I used to get in trouble in school for not sitting still.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, I’ve been way too busy for pets with my work schedule. I’d love to get a small dog, though, now that I’ve been in the D.C. area for a while in my dream job. There are perks to my job not being at a regular restaurant. Plus, I have three good friends—one with kids—who I’m sure would help walk a dog.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I would love to travel back in time to see the White House when it was first built. This place is so steeped in history, I’d love to see it and the people who once passed through its doorways. And maybe, just maybe, I’d get the chance to cook for George Washington.
Working at the White House would be quite a experience I imagine. I am looking forward to the glimpses as I read.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Working at teh White House must be AMAZING. Seriously. Do you get to make cakes in the shape of the HWite House for First Family birthdays?
Sorry, I clearly can’t type. And I forgot to leave my email address: pageturner345 @gmail.com
This sounds like a great book. I would love to read this. Thanks for the chance to win.
agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tara here: No, I haven’t made a cake shaped like the White House for anyone’s birthday, although I guess if they really wanted one, our pastry chefs could do it! They’re amazing. Every Christmas they create an incredible gingerbread house. You might have seen it on HGTV when they highlight the White House at Christmas time…
I really enjoy reading mysteries and this book sounds like one I’d enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
This sounds like a great story. She’s right about the White House being steeped in history. I’d like to see what it was like back in the early days too. Would certainly love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance to win one.
Love reading — looking forward to reading this one!
Wow your job sounds really interesting, and the book sounds great would love to win.
Lourdes11743[at]gmail[dot]com
What a great job! Thank you for having the giveaway!
annarudow at gmail dot com
I truly enjoyed the interview with Tara. This book has intrigued me since the first review I read. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
🙂 Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Tara,
I love to read cookbooks too!
If you have a free evening, other than Wednesday or Sunday church evenings ~*~ but you are welcome to come with us, my husband and I would love for you to prepare your favorite side dishes to go with Baked Honey-Mustard Curry Chicken. It is “delish”! What fun that would be to share recipes. Does your pastry chef make cream puffs or Red Velvet Cake? Just leave the dishes for us. We want you to relax!
On second thought, the airport is 85 miles West of us, so maybe you should just plan on staying over. Our upstairs is ready for guests, so come and make yourself at home. Then you’ll be freshened up before you leave for Austin. We’d be glad to have you.
If I should win your book, you could bring it with you! Look forward to your visit.
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
A great post, loved the interview.That truly would be the best job ever. I would love to read this book, thanks for giving us a chance to win it.
Glenda Parker
parker.glenda@ymail.com
http://glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com
I am so looking forward to reading this book. It sounds so good!
Blessings,
Jo
Thanks to all who stopped by…the Baked Honey-Mustard Curry Chicken sounds scrumptious! Tara makes all kinds of desserts…especially chocolate. 🙂
Cooking and Cookbooks, doesn’t get any better.
beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Love, love, a good suspense/mystery. I enjoy history a lot, it is so interesting. Cherry Blossom Capers sounds like a great book. So grateful for such good books to read.
jennydtipton@gmail.com