Shannon here: Elizabeth Maddrey shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest Contemporary Romance, A Splash of Substance. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: March 14th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Elizabeth:
Since Shannon has been gracious enough to host me on her blog a number of times, you all already know just about everything there is to know about my real-life romance. So I’ve invited Jackson Trent, the hero of A Splash of Substance, along with me today to answer a few questions.
Me: Thanks for coming, Jackson.
Jackson: Thanks for having me. It’s always good to get out of the office for a minute or two. What did you say this interview was about again?
Me: Oh, just a few questions about your personal life. Nothing about the Senator, I promise.
Jackson: Okay. Good. Though I do know how to say ‘No Comment’ if I need to. Hit me.
Me: We’ll start with an easy one. What’s the number one quality you require in a mate?
Jackson: Hm. Number one quality is definitely a solid relationship with Jesus. But I kind of feel like that’s a given when you ask a Christian that question, like we all have to trot that answer out just in case. So, aside from that, I’d say a love of politics. I think I could marry someone whose politics were different from my own, but since I work for a Senator, I can’t imagine marrying someone who didn’t appreciate politics the way I do.
Me: Fair enough. It’s always good to have things in common, so that makes sense. Where’s the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Jackson: I was kind of hoping you’d have some suggestions on that one. I have to say church, or some other Christian gathering. I really do want to make sure that I’m starting off on the right food, spiritually, with someone—before we get involved. You know? But my church…just isn’t a great place for singles. So for now I’m really praying God will kind of drop her in my lap and make it clear.
Me: What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Jackson: That’s easy—not voting. I could make some allowances for not being a political junkie. I get that that’s not for everyone. But civic responsibility is another thing. Someone who doesn’t take that seriously? Nope. Not interested.
Me: Interesting. Are you open to your own romance?
Jackson: I think so, yeah. I date, some. I’m definitely looking. It’s not as if I’m just sitting around waiting for God do all the hard work. Maybe it sounded like that before, but I really do want to get married and have a family.
Me: What kind of features are you attracted to?
Jackson: You know, I don’t really have a physical type. Don’t get me wrong, I want someone who takes care of herself, but I’m not looking for an anorexic model with specific measurements or a particular hair color or anything like that.
Me: That’s very open minded of you. You’re sure?
Jackson: Yep.
Me: All right, last one. What’s the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?
Jackson: I love football, playing, watching, whatever. Tickets to a game, especially if they’re going to come along and cheer with me, would be a great gift. Plus, it’d be a fun date for the two of us. At least, I hope it would.
Me: Sounds like it could be fun, provided they like football too. Thanks for coming out today, Jackson. I’ll let you get back to work.
Jackson: Yeah, I have to run. I have an appointment with the caterer for the Senator’s next fundraiser. Not looking forward to it, honestly, but I got stuck with the event so I’ll do the best I can. Thanks for having me.
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 at www.ElizabethMaddrey.com, http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey, Twitter: @elizabethmaddre, http://www.pinterest.com/emaddrey/, https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ElizabethMaddrey/posts
About the book – A Splash of Substance:
She doesn’t vote. He works for a Senator. Is it a recipe for love or disaster?
Paige Jackson has always stayed out of politics, leaving it to God to govern the world. She has enough on her plate as the owner of a catering company founded on convictions to buy local, sustainable fare. Jackson Trent works on Capitol Hill for Senator Carson, putting his beliefs in action to help shape national policy.
Hoping to find high-end clients to keep her business afloat, Paige bids on a contract to cater the Senator’s next fundraiser. Shake-ups in the Senator’s staff leave Jackson grudgingly in charge of the event. After Paige is chosen as caterer, she and Jackson must work together despite opposing beliefs on how God calls Christians to participate in government. As Paige introduces Jackson to sustainable fare, it’s not just the food that piques his interest.
When Senator Carson becomes front-page news in Washington, Paige is sucked into the whirlwind of scandal. Can Jackson convince Paige he wasn’t complicit and win her back or has politics burned his chance at love?
Purchase Links: Amazon barnesandnoble iTunes Kobo
Question: Do you like sports? If so, what is your favorite sport?
Come back March 4th for Molly Noble Bull!
Love Alabama Crimson Tide football ! ROLL TIDE!!!
Great interview with Jackson! I do like some sports. I love figure skating, gymnastics, soccer, tennis and baseball. I only watch football occasionally and never watch basketball unless my grandson is playing. I enjoy watching all the Olympic sports during the actual Olympics, but don’t follow many of them on a regular basis.
Oh Kay, I love figure skating too. Especially ice dancing. And I love, love, love the Winter Olympics. Summer too, but winter is my favorite. Other than that, I really don’t watch sports on TV. I played softball when I was a kid, so I like baseball and had lots of fun when my son played. Now he’s into basketball, which bores me to tears. But I go to the games and watch him when his team plays. During the other games, I read 🙂
I love sports but I have no talent at any of them!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I dislike sports of any kind. My husband likes them all.
Not into sports. but I will watch the Nebr. Huskers with the family. I leave sports to the family to enjoy, I’ll read 🙂
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These are some great answers! I’ll admit that I struggled some with Jackson being a football but because I deplore sports! I’m so uncoordinated – I was that kid no one wanted on their team. 🙂 I had to ask friends for some of the football references just to make sure I wasn’t off base.
Shannon, I know what you mean about reading during the basketball games. Last year, when I was chauffeuring my grandson to several baseball games and practices, I found quite a bit of time to read!
Enjoyed the interview with Jackson. I’m not into sports at all although interesting enough have discovered that I have a good throw and am a good catch. I love to read and would love to read this book
I enjoy going to college football games.
Jo – That’s great that you’re good at catching and throwing! I’m so uncoordinated, I’ve broken 5 fingers (different times) trying to catch.
Melissa – college games are fun. I try to get to a high school game now and again, I like it when the players are motivated like they are when they’re pros.
Oh I am a NASCAR fan..love it!!
I have a winner! Melissa B. won the drawing. I appreciated Elizabeth for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.