This week I’m hosting Ronie Kendig with Falcon (worldwide) and Patricia Johns with A Firefighter’s Promise (North America 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 (May 31st) evening.
Interview with the hero from A Firefighter’s Promise by Patricia Johns:
1. Matt Bailey, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’m the Deputy Fire Chief in our town. That’s how most people think of me. I was born and raised here in Haggerston, and while most people here have known me all my life, I don’t think I really came into my own until I became a firefighter.
2. What do you do for fun?
When I tear myself away from the station, I tend to head over to my brother’s place. He’s newly married, and his wife is a better cook than he is. 😉
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Every year, there is a memorial for Natalie Wood–the little girl who died in the elementary school fire. I can’t exactly put it off, but I do dread it. It reminds me of my biggest failure, and I never have forgiven myself.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Failing like that again.
5. What do you want out of life?
A restart, if that were possible. I carry this little girl’s death around with me, and if I could just get far enough away from this town that I could start over, I have a feeling I could find some peace.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
Family has always topped my list, but at my age, it’s not the same. My brother is married. My cousins all have kids. I love being Uncle Matt, but that isn’t enough to keep me around Haggerston anymore.
7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I like to read the newspaper and keep up with current events. It helps me feel more in control if I can see what’s out there.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d make myself feel less, I think. I wish I was more of a lout, more able to forget. Having a keen conscience can be a curse.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, I’m not home enough to keep up with a pet.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I’d go back to the day before the fire and stop it. Natalie Wood deserved to grow up. Her family deserved to see that happen, too.
