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.

FEATURED BOOK: DEAD RECKONING BY RACHELLE MCCALLA

Risky maneuvers are no novelty for stunt pilot Ginny McCutcheon…until danger follows her to the ground. Someone's targeting Ginny—and former air force pilot Ben McAlister won't rest until he finds the culprit. He'll stay glued to Ginny's side until she's safe, whether the stubborn beauty accepts him there or not.Ginny tries to resent Ben's protectiveness—and instead finds herself falling for the man whose fierce determination so perfectly matches hers. But trusting Ben means going home, something she can't bear to do. Until someone gets very close to grounding her—and Ben—forever.

Danger on Her Doorstep Interview

Today we're welcoming Gideon Bromley, the hero of Danger on Her Doorstep, by Rachelle McCalla, January 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.

An old friend of mine called me up to tell me he’d found something suspicious—that I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. Twenty minutes later I arrived at the old Victorian home he was working on and found him dead on the floor with his pockets turned out. I have no idea why he may have been killed or what the suspicious item was that he wanted me to see—but I believe it may be somewhere in that old house.

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

Maggie’s father is the man I found dead. She’d returned to Holyoake after years away hoping to settle her father’s estate. But before she can unload the house he died in, it has to be returned to a habitable state. That’s where I come in. I’m going to help Maggie fix up the house—and hopefully discover who killed her father, and why.

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

I’m a pretty clever handyman when it comes to fixing up the house. But I can’t forgive myself that Glen Arnold died in this house—and that I didn’t get there in time to save him.

4. What scares you?

Whoever killed Glen Arnold is still out there. Strange things have been happening around the house—like someone is trying to scare us away. My biggest fear is that something will happen to Maggie. I failed to save her father. How could I live with myself if I fail her, too?
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I had the kind of faith Maggie has. I got a Bible from her father years ago, and I’d like to learn more about faith, but I don’t want to look foolish in front of Maggie.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

It worries me that Maggie thinks God can protect her. God didn’t protect Glen, did he?

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

God really can protect us—if we trust Him. I’ve learned to trust God, and that makes me feel a lot better about the future.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Glen Arnold marked this verse from Psalm 127:1 in the Bible he gave me. For a long time, I thought it was about building houses. But then God opened my eyes to see the true meaning—that it’s not just about a physical building, but a household, a family. I want to have a Godly family, and I want Maggie to be a part of that.

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

Chocolate lasagna. I have a lot of layers.

OUT ON A LIMB Interview

Today we're welcoming Elise McAlister, the heroine of Out on a Limb, by Rachelle McCalla, September 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 was flying my powered hang glider over a wooded area, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I realized I was being shot at! They shot my glider right out of the sky and left me running for my life. And wouldn’t you know it, the only vehicle passing by was being driven by the man who once broke my heart, Henry “Cutch” McCutcheon? My family has been feuding with the McCutcheons for longer than I’ve been alive, but I didn’t have any choice. It was either jump in Cutch’s truck or get shot. If it had been anything less, I never would have gone with Cutch.

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

I knew I was in love with Cutch way back when I was nineteen, but after he purposely set me up to be humiliated in front of half of Holyoake county, I’ve never been foolish enough to let him near me again. Now that he’s back in my life you’d better believe I won’t let those old feelings come back again. I’m not crazy enough to let my heart get broken twice by the same man!

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

I’m tough as nails and an ace in the sky, whether I’m gliding, dusting crops, or taking pictures for my aerial photography business. But ever since my mom up and left when I was a kid, I’ve refused to let anyone get too close to me. I know that when you love people, they leave you. Love can’t be trusted. Didn’t Cutch prove that to me once already?

4. What scares you?

Those goons who’ve been chasing us, for one thing. I still don’t know what they’re after, but they’re plenty determined and keep getting closer. Speaking of closer, Cutch has been getting a little too close to my wounded heart. That scares me more than anything.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Sometimes I wish my family and Cutch’s family hadn’t ever fought, because sometimes, like when we’re hiding out in the woods with the gunmen on our tails, and Cutch wraps me up in those strong arms of his…sometimes I wish we could be friends. Maybe even more than friends. But that’s crazy, isn’t it?
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

We McAlisters have been church-going folk since before there was a church in Holyoake County. And I try to follow God’s instructions, but sometimes the Bible asks impossible things, like when it says we should love our enemies (see question #8).

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

Wow. Just when I think God must be crazy, I find out He’s got things all figured out after all. Let’s just say, this loving-my-enemies thing turned out to be better than I thought it would be. A lot better!
8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…Do to others as you would have them do to you.—Luke 6:27-31
The Bible says we’re supposed to love our enemies, but surely God can’t mean for me to love Cutch. I mean, McCutcheons and McAlisters have been fighting forever, and Cutch and I tried to love each other once before. That was the biggest mistake of my life. But yet, I can’t shake the feeling that maybe God is right…
9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Banana Cream Pie, because Cutch is driving me bananas. And these goons are trying to cream us! But in the end, everything turns out as sweet as pie. Yum!


Wow, what a interesting story! Can't wait to read it!

FEATURED BOOK: OUT ON A LIMB BY RACHELLE MCCALLA

When Elise McAlister's hang glider is shot down, she survives the fall to find her troubles have followed her to the ground. There's a gunman chasing her and, worst of all, he runs her right into Henry "Cutch" McCutcheon's arms. With the generations-old feud between their families, depending on any McCutcheon is difficult. And depending on Cutch, the man who loved her but left her, seems disastrous. But Cutch won't lose this chance to win Elise back—and keep her safe. Together, they take to the skies again to find the source of the deadly secret, little knowing someone's already setting them up for a fall….

Trouble Waters Interview

Today we're welcoming Heath Gerlach, the hero of Troubled Waters, by Rachelle McCalla, June 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 work for the FBI, but right now I’m also undercover, working for the Coast Guard on a diamond smuggling case. My top suspect is Tracie Crandall. To investigate her, I need to get to know her. But the more I get to know her, the more I like her.


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

From the very first time I saved her life, I felt a strong need to protect Tracie. Where or when that turned into love, I’m not exactly sure, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.


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

I’m trained in all forms of combat and, given my prior training as a Navy Seal, I’m an expert diver. That comes in handy during our investigation. My greatest weakness is my need for approval. My parents never had time for me growing up. Now I’m doing everything I can to please my boss from the FBI with my work on this case.

4. What scares you?

I’ve seen a lot of people die, and I’m starting to wonder: what would happen to me if I died? Thought I went to church as a child, I’ve lost my faith. I wonder if God really hears my prayers. Does He care about me—or is he like my parents, too busy working to take time for me?
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I knew what to say to Tracie to get her to open up to me. I’d like to believe she’s innocent, but until she can answer all my question, she remains a suspect.
6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I don’t consider myself a non-Christian. I just don’t have an active faith.

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

So this is what it’s like to know God! I’m so glad I can trust God with all my hopes and fears.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.—Romans 8:28
A lot of bad things have happened lately, and sometimes it seems like God has let the smugglers get away with everything, including murder. It doesn’t look like God is in charge. But God is working to bring good out of even the most horrible of circumstances. With God’s help, I’ll make sure the bad guys are brought to justice. And I might even win Tracie’s love in the process.

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

I’m a big scoop of Rocky Road ice cream. It’s been a bumpy journey, but very satisfying in the end.

Thank you Rachelle sharing Heath with us today. He sounds like a perfect hero and what an intriguing story.

SURVIVAL INSTINCT INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Scott Frasier, the hero of Survival Instinct by Rachelle McCalla, February.

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.

It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend visit to scenic Devil’s Island, but I haven’t had a moments’ peace since we arrived. We were marooned on the island and a storm blew up—and now my mother’s gone missing! We’ve suffered too many close calls for this to be any coincidence—someone is trying to kill us, and I think I might know why…

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

Abby is such a sweetheart! I don’t know what I’d do without her—I’d never have survived on Devil’s Island without her help, that’s for sure! Even when I got frustrated with the search for my mother, Abby stood by me and was supportive. Still, I didn’t want Abby getting mixed up in our troubles—I wanted her to be safe! But it seems God put Abby in my life right now to help me—and I’m going to need all of her help—and God’s help—if we’re going to leave Devil’s Island alive.

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

Sure, I’m strong. I was the star quarterback on my college football team. The only problem is, I don’t like to lean on anyone else for support. I think I’m strong enough to handle everything myself. Thankfully, Abby knows I need her.


4.What scares you?

I’m scared of getting close to people, because when I depend on someone else, they die. At least, that’s what’s always happened before…

5.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish my hairline wasn’t receding. Ha-ha! No, seriously, I’ve never admitted this to anyone, not even to myself until now, but I’m tired of being alone. I’m tired of pushing people out of my life. I wish I could work up the courage to tell Abby how much she means to me.

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

I’m a Christian Counselor, so I pray all the time, and I’m used to helping people work through their problems. I just wish I knew how to fix the problems in my own life.

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

I’ve never really had to lean on God as much as I have through this experience, and it’s freeing, really, to know God is there for me no matter what. Other people in my life might have died before, but God will never leave me or forsake me. God’s love is real to me in a new way now.

8.You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
I’ve read this passage from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 many times before, but my experiences on Devil’s Island brought to light a whole new meaning.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up, but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
With God’s help, Abby and I endured many hardships. I know I would have been overpowered if I’d tried to do everything myself, but together, Abby and I survived…and fell in love.

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

I would be a peppermint candy cane. I’m sturdy and reliable, not light and fluffy like some deserts. And I’m ready to go anywhere, too!

Thank you Rachelle for sharing Scott with us today. Very intriguing story!