This week I’m hosting Hannah Alexander with Keeping Faith and James Rubart with Memory’s Door (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 (Sept. 1st) evening.
Heroine Interview from Keeping Faith by Hannah Alexander:
1. Victoria, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m a female physician who was trained by her husband when he was alive. I combine traditional medicine with the herbal treatments I learned from Cherokee neighbors who taught me when I was growing up. I’m handy with a weapon, and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty.
2. What do you do for fun?
For me, fun is teaching others my profession. Someday I hope to see my children follow in my footsteps.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I’m not very good at confrontation. That’s why I ended up getting married to a man I wasn’t in love with, because I didn’t know Joseph was writing me letters and was planning to return to me. I never received those letters. Had I confronted him, maybe we would have been happily married for ten years. But then I wouldn’t be a physician.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
I fear the upcoming war between the states, but even worse, I hate slavery, and despite my fear, I will fight slavery to the death, if need be.
5. What do you want out of life?
What does any woman want in the mid 1800s? A husband, a passel of children, and peace in the community while I continue to heal their illnesses.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
Justice is most important. I cannot abide mistreatment of those less able to protect themselves, and I will fight to the death for their protection.
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
By the time reading material reaches me, it is years old, but I still enjoy a good journal about new medical discoveries. I’ve written some observations of my own, and had some success in seeing them accepted by locals.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would try to be less argumentative with Joseph, the man I’ve loved for so many years. I tend to make my own decisions and depend on my own strength, but Joseph is a strong man, and he needs to be needed.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Joseph’s gelding, Boaz, has become like a pet to me. He is the most amazing horse, as smart as a human in some ways. He has saved my life and pulled me to safety. I love that animal.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
If time travel were possible, I would travel forward to a time when women are accepted as legitimate physicians and respected as human beings with equal rights.