This week I’m hosting Gail Gaymer Martin with Rescued by the Firefighter (she will give away 2 copies of The Firefighter’s New Family US and Canada only) and Janet Bly with The Lost Manuscript of Martin Taylor Harrison (US and Canada only). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on your post 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 (Mar. 30th) evening.
Interview with Clint Donatelli, hero of Rescued by the Firefighter by Gail Gaymer Martin:
1. Clint, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m not sure if there’s much interesting about me.Some would think it’s interesting that I’m 37 and never been married, although I came close once. But more people might be interested that my childhood dream came true. When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said a fireman. That’s not politically correction now since women are also firefighters, but that was my dream. I wanted to serve people in an important way, and saving lives is about the most important thing I can think of.
2. What do you do for fun?
Being a firefighter and working the crazy shifts we work doesn’t give me a lot of time for fun. On top of that, we’re on call for emergencies. But I suppose one thing I like to do is exercise and I can do that at the station. I also enjoy sports—Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, you name the team and I’m cheering them on.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
A bad romance made me uneasy about dating. I dread people trying to fix me up with blind dates. You know how it is, ‘I have this great friend who–’ or ‘my wife has a friend who–.’ I figure it’s safer to avoid them than let a woman stab me in the heart again.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Not saving a life that I could have saved if I’d followed my training. Fighting a fire is obviously dangerous, and most people’s natural instinct is to save themselves, but being a firefighter, I have to push the instinct inside and do my job. If I fail because I’m at fault, I would never forgive myself.
5. What do you want out of life?
I want to know I’ve done my best in my career and in my life by showing compassion, concern, and kindness to others and to know I’ve done my best to follow the Ten Commandments.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
The most important thing is to have peace of mind that I am likeable and loveable and also someday to understand what happened to end my engagement so I can fix the flaw I have.
7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Firefighters are always reading training manuals, but I’m sure you meant reading for enjoyment. I love a good suspense or thriller. Harlan Coben is one of my favorite novelists.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to be more trusting and confident in who I am. I was confident once, but when someone you love and someone you think loves you walks away without an explanation, your world can spin in the wrong direction. I’ve been on the wrong edge since it happened. Then I think if I were stronger I’d get over it.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I had dogs as a kid and loved them, but firefighters work long, crazy shifts, and when you’re single and live alone, it’s nearly impossible. Maybe one day. I’d like that. Or I could get a gold fish or hamster.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’ve never thought about this. I like the lifestyle of the 1950s—family, fast food, rock and roll, a time of innocence—but if I had to go back, I’d like to return to my early 30s and redo my life. . . but then, maybe not. We learn from every experience. Since I still have a lot of things to learn, I’m pretty much happy just where I am.
