This week I’m hosting Kathi Macias with Return to Christmas (US only) and Kimberly Rose Johnson with Island Christmas (Kindle version US and Canada only). If you want to enter the drawings for any of these 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 (December 6th) evening.
Interview with the hero from Return to Christmas by Kathi Macias
1. Chet Mason, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
While on my second tour of duty in Afghanistan, with my buddy was standing close by, an explosion rocked our world. When I came to, my buddy was dead while I survived with minor cuts and scratches. I feel very guilty about that, even though I know it wasn’t my fault.
2. What do you do for fun?
I spend time with my three-year-old son. I missed him so much when I was gone; now I never get tired of being with him. But I know my wife worries that I don’t take good enough care of him.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Following up on getting help for my PTSD. I don’t think it’s as bad as others seem to think it is, and going to a counselor or support group feels like admitting that I’m a loser, not tough enough to be a real man.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Letting others know what really goes through my mind and what I truly feel/believe about myself.
5. What do you want out of life?
For everything to go back the way it was before I went on that second tour of duty. Life was good then.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
That my family looks up to me and doesn’t think badly of me.
7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Not often, but if I do, it’s biographies about men of courage.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I wouldn’t be such a weakling inside. I want to be strong, but so many everyday things seem to send me over the edge. I really need to control my emotions better.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, not right now. My son would love to have a dog, but until I find permanent employment, we really can’t afford one.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Back to the spot where my buddy and I were standing guard duty together. I would trade places with him so he could have gone home to his family. My family might be heartbroken for a while, but at least they’d remember me as a hero.
