This week I’m hosting Cynthia Hickey with Cooking Up Love, Ann H. Gabhart with Small Town Girl (US and Canada for print copy–an ebook in other countries), Christine Lindsay with Captured by Moonlight (US and Canada only), and Anne Elisabeth Stengl with Dragonwitch (US only). 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 (July 7th) evening.
Interview with the heroine from Dragonwitch by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
1. Lady Leta of Aiven, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I don’t often think of myself as interesting. I am the eldest daughter of the Earl of Aiven, and, as such, I am expected to make a strong political marriage to the advantage of my family. My mother tells me that marriage is my only chance at making my mark in this world.
Secretly, I’d like to think that my mother is wrong; that there is more to me than a mere tool for political alliances. But that’s a side of my heart I have to keep quiet . . . for now.
2. What do you do for fun?
I stitch tapestries to decorate the cold walls of the castle. I love to listen to traveling minstrels who sometimes bring tales from faraway kingdoms. Occasionally I like to walk out in the gardens, but now that I am come to Gaheris Castle—the home of my betrothed—I am not permitted to walk alone. It is very cold here and not pleasant weather for walking.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I cannot bear confrontation. When my father told me that I would be sent to Gaheris to marry Lord Alistair, I wanted to fight. But I couldn’t bear to stand up for myself, to tell my father what I really thought. So I put it off, bowed my head, and traveled to Gaheris as told. I don’t know if I will ever work up the courage to speak my mind.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Disappointing my family and friends who have such high expectations of me. My parents have poured so much of their lives into preparing me for this role. I must marry Lord Alistair, who may one day be king, and I must bear children who may be rulers after him. I cannot disappoint them by insisting on my own way!
5. What do you want out of life?
I want to think that I matter for who I am, not for whom I marry.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
My secret reading lessons with the Chronicler of Gaheris.
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
I do read, but it is a great secret! The Chronicler believes that I can learn to read as well as any man, and he is teaching me. I love any books I can get my hands on, though I have difficulty with the words. Each writer uses different spelling and handwriting, so it is hard for me to learn. But I am trying. Oh! I am trying so hard! I want to please my teacher, and I want to prove that my brain is as keen and sharp as he believes it to be. In this way, perhaps I can be more than I’ve been told I am.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I were braver and bolder, able to take charge of my own fate. But I was born meek and mild, and it is hard for me to stand up to others. Only when I am with the Chronicler of Gaheris do I feel free to speak my own mind.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I do not have a pet. There is a fluffy orange tomcat who prowls about Gaheris castle sometimes, and I have tried to make friends with him. He looks sweet. But he turns up his pink nose and will have nothing to do with me. My head lady tells me that he is probably flea-bitten and only good for hunting rats. But his coat looks nice and soft.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I would like to travel back to the time of the Old Legends, when Akilun and Etanun walked the mortal world. Those were days of great courage among men and women alike, as Evil was hunted down and rooted out of the land, chased back into its own dark realm. Perhaps if I had been born back in those days, I would be a braver woman than I seem today.
Or perhaps I have more courage in my heart than I yet realize . . . . Only time will tell.
