MIDNIGHT CALLER INTERVIEW

Today we’re welcoming Erin O’Malley, the heroine of Midnight Caller, written by Diane Burke and released March 2010.

Wow, you’ve just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I am a single mom of a five-year-old son, Jack, who was born with cerebral palsy. I work as a nurse in the emergency room. My aunt lives with us and helps out caring for Jack. I guess you’d say I’m an ordinary person living an ordinary life. I never in a million years expected to draw the interest of a serial killer---but I did.

2. So, during the book you met Tony Malone. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

My first impression of Tony? Well, when I recovered from the mega embarrassing position my son had put me in with the man, I had to admit I thought he wasn’t bad on the eyes, that’s for sure. Because I wasn’t interested in dating at the time and my heart would pitter patter whenever he was near, I tried hard to avoid him. It took me by surprise that I started looking forward to seeing him, sharing conversations with him, spending solitary moments with him as he continued to develop a relationship with my son.

When did I know it was love? When I went through some of the most frightening and heart-breaking moments of my life and Tony was my rock, right by my side. Yeah, I will never forget how close we grew during those times. But then God always sees the bigger picture. It shouldn’t surprise me that when things seemed darkest, God brought something lasting and beautiful out of all of the pain.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Would being a caring mom, an ER nurse, and a loyal friend count as strengths? As for weaknesses, I constantly have to battle my need to control everything around me. You’d think by now that I’d realize that no one can control their life, let alone the lives of those around them. But I still give it a good try! Haha.

4. What scares you?

Spooky movies, Stephen King books, walking through parking lots at night---losing the people I love.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like to be a little less “responsible”. I’d like to relax and throw my head back and laugh a little more often. I really identify with that country western song that says something about having a choice between just walking through life or dancing, I’d like to think I’d pick dancing.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

My friend, Carol, had just introduced me to the Lord. I was brand new in my faith when this nightmare began.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

My faith---and gratitude for all God’s blessings---couldn’t be stronger.

8. You’ve got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

I think when we are made to face our own mortality that is when our faith is on the line the most. The moment of death causes fear in many people’s lives because, even though they profess to believe in life after death, up to now they’ve been accepting it on faith alone. Now there’re going to find out if the afterlife is real. It can be a scary time. When I was confronted by a serial killer, I stood in the shadow of death. I had to decide at that particular second in time whether to believe in the Lord, whether to trust Him or give in to my terror. That piece of scripture came to mean everything to me.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Ohhhh, I love dessert. Any kind. Anytime. Anywhere. But if I had to choose one to represent me, I guess I’d have to say strawberry shortcake--- a solid, plain, reliable base but sweet and fancy as well.

Ah, good Irish names. A woman after me own heart. Thank you for sharing Erin with us today. I look forward to reading this story.