This week I’m hosting Jolene Navarro with Lone Star Holiday and Deborah Raney with Silver Bells. 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 (Oct. 13th) evening.
Interview with the hero from Lone Star Holiday by Jolene Navarro:
1. Pastor John Levi, tell me the most interesting thing about you. “Well, that would be my girls. Rachel, eleven, has a soul older than the hills. With each year passing she reminds me of Carol, her mother. Always trying to take care of everyone around her. Celeste, my five year old, is going to give me a head full of grey hair or cause it to all fall out, but one look at her smile and your heart totally melts. She’s full of laughter and questions. The other day she…Oh, sorry. What was the question? Oh yeah, my girls, they are the best thing about me.”
2. What do you do for fun? “Why does everyone keep asking me that question? I have plenty of fun. Really I do. Raising the girls, serving the congregation, the committees, fundraising for the youth center it just keeps me busy. I use to write and play music but, it’s not an option anymore. I’m fine really, I’m good. Next question?”
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? “Honestly? Counseling married couples. It makes me feel like a hypocrite. I cringe whenever I’m approached by a coupling seeking help with their marriage. I send them to a professional, it’s better for them.”
4. What are you afraid of most in life? “My girls being hurt. Tragedy happens without warning, a simple shift of the wind and your life is forever changed. If I could I would keep the girls in bubble wrap and with me all of the time, I would.”
5. What do you want out of life? “For my daughters to know the joy of God’s love. For every person I meet to see the love of Christ in me.”
6. What is the most important thing to you? “Ha, you might have figured that out by now. My girls, I make all of my current decisions based on what they need. I wasn’t there for them when they were babies, now I’m all they have.”
7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? “I enjoy biographies, stories of faith overcoming incredible obstacles. Since Carol’s death, I have found I also love the bedtime story routine, from bible stories to Chica-Chica Boom Boom. I’m going to miss that when they get older.”
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? “I would have been a better husband to Carol when I had the chance.”
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? “No pets. Celeste has been driving me crazy, but we don’t have the time or space right now. I told her to be happy with her grandpa’s horses for now. I think she actually named one of the bass in the river below our cabin. Poor kid, but she is just going to have to deal with it until we get our own place.”
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? “Boy, that’s tough. The first place I go to in my mind is the night of Carol’s accident. I can’t change what happened but I could have said or been…Oh look at the time. I’m sorry. I promised the girls I’d pick them up today. It’s been a pleasure to meet you. Hope to see you at the Christmas pageant.”
John Levi sounds like a very loving and sensitive man with a lot of hurt still in him . I would love to find out more about him, his girls and the female who will make their lives whole again. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
melback at cebridge dot net
Melanie, Thanks so much for stopping by and the lovely comment. Good luck.
What a fun character interview. Great cover too.
Please enter me. Margaret you have my email–this is Kimberly.
It was fun to write. John didn’t really want to do it, but he is a fan of Margret Daley. 🙂 Good luck.
What a wonderful interview! John Levi sounds like a very special man.
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
I think he is, now if he could just met the right women. 🙂 I think that might be happening soon. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Good luck.
Fun hobbies
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
100% the coolest cowboy I’ve ever met (or read about).
He says the same thing about you. 😀
Hi Jolene,
Congratulations on your Love Inspired debut. I’m in the middle of reading Lone Star Holiday and I love it. The story is fantastic and the characters are so rich and textured. I love Lorrie Ann and Pastor John Levi. And the kids are so great. Loving this story. Can’t wait till your next one.
Blessings,
Belle
Aww, thank you so much for taking the time to post your comment and for the wonderful words. As an artist I love the description of rich and texture. Thank you Belle
#8 and #10 just kill me. His answers make ME hurt. What a lovable hero. Can’t wait to read the book!
I don’t mind a little struggle as long as we know we are heading to a happy ending. I promise John gets his.
Awww, what a sweet guy. Congrats on the release of your book, Jolene!
Thanks so much Tara for taking the time to come by and leave a comment. I really appreciate it.
Jolene, I can’t wait to read Lone Star Holiday. Any man who loves his girls the way John does is a hero in my eyes. Much continued success with your work!
Thank you Leslie. Live gave him a hard lesson, but I think he is doing well with it. Glad to see so many friendly faces. 😀
I love his love for his daughters and the boundaries he set to be there for them. I hear the love for his wife and his sadness. His sense of humor was wonderful.
Be Encouraged!
Thank you so much for coming by. You do have a gift for encouragement!
Loved the interview, Jolene. Can’t wait to read the book. I’ll be at your booksigning in Boerne unless we have an earthquake in San Antonio – OK, better not say such things, right?
Careful! Words and thought have power! Thank you for coming by and I’m excited about seeing you on the 19th. Reminds me of a thing my mom use to say and high water is a real threat in the Texas Hill Country.
I live how focused John is on his girls. That’s a trait any heroine would appreciate. Sounds like a great read.
Thanks so much Linda, he does show Lorrie Ann that there are good men out there. <3
John’s focus on his girls is to be admired and a heroine will surely appreciate that trait.
I enjoyed the interview and learning about John Levi. He sounds like a loving and kind man. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
superstarsarah94@gmail.com
Thanks for the visit, Sarah. Good luck! 😀
Such a sweet cover & I do love a man who finds his daughters to be interesting.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Yes Mary, the art department did a great job with the cover. When I first saw it, I cried. John and Celeste had come to life after I had known them for over a year. Thanks for stopping by.
What a lovely interview with Levi. It’s obvious he adores his girls and is protective of them, perhaps a bit too protective but that’s understandable. I’m a certified grief counselor and I sense unresolved grief in the comments about his wife. Maybe one day Levi will open his heart again to a love beyond that of a dad. I own this book but am saving it for the holidays. Disclaimer here: I know and love this wonderful author. Watch out for Jolene. She’s going to be a name everyone will recognize and love. I love her. While I’m at it–watch for her daughter, Storm Navarro, as well. Talent runs in the blood of this mother-daughter team.
Oh Nonia, you are too sweet. Can’t wait until June! Watch out West Texas!
You’ve given John such a warm voice that I want to sit down and talk to him. I’ve got the impression he’s a little wounded and just needs that special woman to break down his defenses and set him free! After all, those sweet daughters will grow up sometime…he needs a little happiness of his own!
Yes, I totally agree. He needs a life and man does he get one. I did love him from the moment he entered my brain. So happy to get his story out there into the real world. Thanks so much Laurie. 😀
Excellent interview. John Levi sounds like a man I could certainly talk to.
Strong work my friend.
Thank you Patricia, I have enjoyed talking with John and now I get to introduce him to the world. It also helps that I know some strong writers that keep me focused! Thanks!
I enjoyed the interview and learning about John Levi. He sounds like a loving and kind man. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book.
superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com
I love Love Inspired books and books with a Christmas setting. Would love to win a copy of Lone Star Holiday. 🙂
😀 Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com