Stephanie McCall – Romantic Real Life & Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Romantic suspense author, Stephanie McCall shares her thoughts on real life romance and insight into her characters’ romance in her latest release, Fiery Secrets. Comment  on this post to get your name in the drawing for a copy. Deadline: August 24th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Stephanie:

• What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate? 

The number one quality I require in a mate is that he be a serious Christian. That he loves God before and more than he loves me, spiritual leader for me and any children, dedicated to Scripture and prayer, treats his body and mind as temples. 

• What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate? 

The number two quality I require in a mate is that he be a gentleman: polite, good hygiene, good grammar, treats me like a lady.

•  What type of character traits are you attracted to? 

I’m attracted to men who are intelligent, compassionate, funny, and even adventurous because I don’t have an adventurous bone in my body! 

• What type of features are you attracted to? 

I’m pretty “classic” when it comes to this; I like tall, dark, and handsome. I’m a sucker for green or gray eyes, and I prefer clean-shaven over facial hair. 

• What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way? 

The one reason I would end a relationship is based on how he treats people with disabilities. I have a mild case of cerebral palsy, so if he made a big deal out of it, claimed I was too needy, or was rude/cold to other people with disabilities, I’d dump him. 

• Where do you dream of spending your honeymoon? 

I dream about spending a Christmas honeymoon touring the U.K., particularly all of Ireland and some “literary” places in England, such as Jane Austen’s home, the Eagle and Child Pub, etc. 

• What would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you? 

The best gift I could get from a potential mate is an Amazon.com gift card, because I absolutely love books.

• How do your hero and heroine, Christopher (Chris) Anderson and Grace Taylor meet? 

Dr. Grace Taylor is a pediatrician at the (fictional) Hart Hill, Tennessee, Good Samaritan Hospital. She met Chris there, while he was temping as a tutor for ill and homebound students. At the time, he was having an English lesson with Fiona, an eight-year-old cancer patient and a little matchmaker, who saw the opportunity to make sparks fly between her cool teacher and her favorite doctor. They agreed to have a Coke together, but things sort of “fizzled” out of control from there… 

• What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine? 

The most romantic thing Chris ever did for Grace was when he went to court to testify on her behalf to help her to regain custody of her son, even though it meant opening up about his own secrets. 

• What’s the most romantic thing your heroine ever did for your hero? 

The most romantic thing Grace ever did for Chris was helping him find the courage to teach in a mainstream school again. 

• Do your hero and heroine have as favorite romantic restaurant? 

Favorite romantic restaurant: Not mentioned as romantic in the book, but Grace loves Chinese food, so Chris took her to a local Twin Dragons on their first real date. It’s a place they’ll often find themselves in married life.

•  What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time? 

Chris, a native of Tennessee, has a light Southern accent that fluctuates when he gets agitated or upset. He hates that, but Grace loves his voice. She says that when he gets upset about someone hurting her, and the accent goes “up,” it makes her feel like he really cares about her. 

• What simple gesture does your heroine do that melts your hero every time? 

An “I love you” will do it every time.

•  Who said “I love you” first? 

Chris did. 

• Where are they going on their honeymoon?

He’s a Southerner, she’s a Yankee. They compromised on Pennsylvania (north of Mason-Dixon line). He can tour Civil War battlefields, she can spend a day at the Hershey chocolate spa—and they’ll be staying at Tara, A Country Inn, inspired by Gone with the Wind.
About Stephanie: Stephanie McCall is an English teacher with two Master of Arts degrees from Western Carolina University, one of which has a professional writing concentration. She also has a B.A. in Religious Studies. She lives in North Carolina with her parents and younger brother, where she enjoys reading, writing (and discussing her writing), and participating in Bible studies, prison ministry, and her church’s drama team. She also plans to adopt a cat in the near future. Her favorite Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11. Connect with Stephanie on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stephaniemccallauthor
About the book – Fiery Secrets by Stephanie McCall:
When it comes to trial, God either spares you from it totally, asks you to walk through it, or delivers you from it by taking you to Heaven. Dr. Grace Taylor, a driven pediatrician and single mom, needs divine intervention if she’s going to heal from the actions of her cheating, abusive ex-husband.  But she never thought God would work through Chris Anderson, a tutor at the local learning center whose secrets keep him from opening up to her. Both Grace and Chris have been asked to walk through their trial by fire; they’ve come out alive, but they still smell like smoke.  Despite fears and distrust, love begins to take root in their hearts. But their fiery secrets threaten to keep them apart, and blister their souls.
Purchase links: 
http://www.amazon.com/Fiery-Secrets-Stephanie-McCall/dp/1938708164
http://www.amazon.com/Fiery-Secrets-ebook/dp/B00DQBO5WO/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fiery-secrets-stephanie-mccall/1115888687?ean=2940016772066&isbn=2940016772066
Come back August 26th for Liz Tolsma!