Dead Reckoning Interview

Today we're welcoming Ginny McCutcheon, the heroine of Dead Reckoning by Rachelle McCalla, July 2011.

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.

As an acrobatic flier, I’m used to living life on the edge and risking my life every time I climb into the cockpit. But lately, I’ve been in more danger than usual. I’ve been shot at—twice. My plane engine was tinkered with. One of my friends was horribly injured when she was flying my plane. If I didn’t know better, I’d think someone was trying to kill me.

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

Okay, don’t tell anybody this, but Ben McAlister has always been my hero. Not only is he an Air Force veteran who’s bravely flown many missions, but he’s also a super-swell guy. I even ‘borrowed’ his last name for my flying moniker—which nobody is supposed to know about, which is why I’m doubly upset that Ben figured out that Ginger McAlister is really just little old me, Ginny McCutcheon from down the road.

Love? Who said anything about love? Look Girlfriend, I’ve got a lot of planes to fly before I settle down with anybody.

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

I’m just about the best stunt pilot with two wings—or I was, before all these attempts on my life started giving me panic attacks. Just don’t tell anyone about the panic attacks, okay? I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not fit to fly any more.

4. What scares you?

You mean, besides the constant threat of death around every turn? Ben McAlister scares me. Somehow, he managed to convince me to come back to Holyoake, Iowa. If he has that much influence over me, well, I don’t dare spend any more time around him than I have to.

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

Nine years ago, when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I was supposed to help take care of him. I tried. Really I did. But I couldn’t handle watching him get weaker and weaker. As soon as I graduated from high school, I ran off and joined the Dare Divas Stunt Flying Troupe. And I’ve been running ever since.

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

I’m mad at God, because I prayed and prayed that God would cure my father’s cancer. Sure, Dad beat cancer twice, but it kept coming back, and he died. What did I do wrong? Was my faith not strong enough? I just can’t trust God since he took my dad away.

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

After everything I’ve been through and the way god has answered my prayers, I’ve realized that God really does love me. He really does care. Yes, my dad died and bad things happen, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us.

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

Matthew 18:12-14

What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

When I had wandered away from my faith, God sent Ben to come and find me. He brought me home to Holyoake and helped me realize how much God loves me. Along the way, I fell in love with Ben, too. Isn’t it amazing how God works sometimes?

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

I’d be red velvet cake. With my bright red hair and stunt flying career, I might look a little different from other girls, but at the heart I’m really just like any other cake.