Elizabeth Maddrey – Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Elizabeth Maddrey shares insight into her chracters’ romance from her latest release, Cookies & Candlelight. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: Sept 30th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Elizabeth:

• Thanks for having me back again, Shannon! I brought Micah Baxter with me. He’s on a bit of a time crunch, though, as he needs to run out and do some deliveries this afternoon.

Micah: Just one delivery. And I’m only doing that to help my brother, Malachi, out.

• Got it. I still appreciate you coming. I’m pretty sure we all appreciate that. I’ll keep it short and sweet. And start off with a simple question: Are you open to your own romance?

Micah: That’s the simple question? Can we skip to the hard ones? I don’t even know how to answer this. I guess so. It’s not like I spray myself down with “woman-away” every day. With my sister and my twin recently finding their true loves, I’ll admit I’m looking a little harder, but I’m also kind of resigned to being the fun single uncle when it gets to that point. I guess we’ll see what happens.

• Ha. Fair enough. Since you said you’re looking are little harder, what’s the number two quality you require in a mate?

Micah: Number two? You’re skipping over “loves Jesus,” right? Sneaky. I guess I’d want her to want kids. I’m one of four and I think big families are great. She’d have to be on board with that.

• Big families can be a lot of fun. And a lot of work! It’s great that you know what you want though. What type of character traits are you attracted to?

Micah: This is worse than filling out an online dating form. Not that I have experience with that, mind you. Um. Honesty is a big one. I’d much rather someone tell it like it is than try to hide something from me.

• That’s a good answer. I like that. Where do you dream of getting married?

Micah: Please. Guys don’t do that. Wherever the woman of my dreams is going to walk toward me and a pastor will be the perfect place.

• Yeah, all right, that’s maybe more of a girl question. How about this one, where do you dream of spending your honeymoon?

Micah: Really? I…think we can probably all guess a guy’s answer to this. But, um, that hotel room could be located somewhere with a beach. I’ve always been partial to the beach.

• The beach. That wasn’t so hard, was it? This is good. Just a couple more, I see you looking at your watch. What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?

Micah: You know, if someone was obsessed with fame and money, I think that’d do it. I’m a simple kind of guy. I like running the bakery with my brothers here in Idaho. We know a lot of the folks here in Arcadia Valley now, and it’s home. I can’t imagine heading back to a city where it’s all about your clothes and who you know.

• Cities aren’t all bad, but I get what you’re saying. Last question: What would be a reason to end a potential romance?

Micah: Lying. I mentioned before I value honesty. My sister, Ruth, went through a bad relationship with a chronic liar and…it was devastating for her and for the family as we tried to help her pick up the pieces. If I can’t trust a woman, I’m not dating her.

• Excellent answer. Trust is so important. Thanks for taking a few minutes with us, I know you need to run. What are you delivering?

Micah: Some macarons—I made those, and the jam in the middle. Some other assorted cookies, I think there’s oatmeal raisin and double chocolate chip and well as a few loaves of our sourdough. This woman, Serena I think her name is, placed the order last night. For today. We don’t usually do rush orders like this, but Jonah decided it’d be good business. So, here I am. And I should run or I’ll be late and that’s definitely not good business.

About Elizabeth: Elizabeth Maddrey began writing stories as soon as she could form the letters properly and has never looked back. Though her practical nature and love of math and organization steered her into computer science for college and graduate school, she has always had one or more stories in progress to occupy her free time. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books and has mastered the art of reading while undertaking just about any other activity. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace.

Elizabeth lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. with her husband and their two incredibly active little boys. She invites you to interact with her: 

Elizabeth’s Website               Elizabeth’s Facebook                Elizabeth’s Instagram

Elizabeth’s Twitter                Elizabeth’s Pinterest                 Elizabeth’s Google+

About the book – Cookies & Candlelight: What will it take for a former starlet to find love with an average Joe?

After the accident that killed her husband five years ago, Serena Johnson left Hollywood—and her stage name—behind to set up shop as a potter. Her online business keeps her occupied and fulfilled, but she misses having someone special to share her life.

Micah Baxter has enjoyed the year he’s worked in his family’s bakery in Arcadia Valley, even if his siblings are all finding love, leaving him the odd man out. When Micah delivers the cookies Serena ordered for an event at her pottery studio, the attraction between them is hard to deny. But so are their differences.

Having been a fan when he was younger, Micah knows all about Serena’s bad-girl history. So how can he trust the feelings that grow between them? And if Hollywood comes calling, will Serena be content to stay?

Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now: Cookies & Candlelight

Question for Readers: What’s your favorite cookie?

Come back Sept 22nd for Jordyn Redwood!