Before we get started with the interview, here's a little bit about the book:
A BABY TO CHERISH
Home from the war, army nurse Thea Miller is determined to adopt her late sister's baby and begin a new life. But someone else has the same intentions—the town sheriff and Thea's old friend, Mack Worthington. Now, in order to keep her niece in the family, Thea must reach an agreement with him.
Mack isn't sure Thea—whose actions once hurt him badly—is committed to baby Sarah. And a judge may never approve a single-parent adoption for either of them. But what if they got married? It would be a marriage in name only. Yet the more time Mack spends with Thea, the more he begins to believe their pretend family can become the real one they've both been longing for.
Available at Barnes and Noble & Amazon.
Home from the war, army nurse Thea Miller is determined to adopt her late sister's baby and begin a new life. But someone else has the same intentions—the town sheriff and Thea's old friend, Mack Worthington. Now, in order to keep her niece in the family, Thea must reach an agreement with him.
Mack isn't sure Thea—whose actions once hurt him badly—is committed to baby Sarah. And a judge may never approve a single-parent adoption for either of them. But what if they got married? It would be a marriage in name only. Yet the more time Mack spends with Thea, the more he begins to believe their pretend family can become the real one they've both been longing for.
Available at Barnes and Noble & Amazon.
Character Interview of Sheriff Mack
Worthington from The Baby Barter:
Hello Sheriff Mack. Has anything significant happened in your life in the
past two weeks?
Well, Thea Miller walked back into my life. Not that that’s
a big deal. We were friends back in high school and I did nurse a little crush
on her until she left town without a backward glance. But Thea claims that the
little girl I’m adopting is her niece and wants to raise the child herself. I
can’t let her do that.
Your most embarrassing moment?
Catching the chicken pox and being bedridden along with all
of Miss Aurora’s children. I mean, I’m a grown man. I should be helping Miss
Aurora and Thea, not making more work for them. But I do have to say, having
Thea nurse me back to health has been a lot more fun than I thought. ~grin~
Are there any children or pets in your life? What do you
love about them?
There’s Sarah, my daughter, or at least, I hope she’ll be my
daughter. Her mother couldn’t handle the fact that the baby had a cleft palate
so as sheriff, I was asked to deliver Sarah to the hospital. But I couldn’t.
The thought of Sarah in an institution tore me up inside. Miss Aurora takes in
all kinds of kids and I knew Sarah wouldn’t lack for love with her so I took
her there. That little girl had my heart before I ever pulled up in Miss
Aurora’s yard. I started adoption proceedings the next week.
What are your hobbies?
I play a little baseball with the team from the Bell Bomber
plant. When the war was on, the sheriff’s department was short-staffed so I had
my hands full keeping the folks of Marietta safe. Now that it’s over, I’ll be
spending my time making a home for Sarah and myself.
What is your dearest dream?
I use to have big dreams but I’ve learned the hard way that
it’s best to be realistic.
What has happened in your life to influence your faith?
I always thought I was pretty steady in my faith until I was
seventeen. Graduation was just a few weeks away, and I’d been offered a
baseball scholarship at the University of Georgia. One night, someone I thought
was my friend asked me to take her to the train station. On the way
home, I got into an accident. My knee was wrecked. I lost my scholarship and
any chance of going to college. I wasn’t sure what God had in store for me
then. Sometimes, I’m still not certain.
Where were you born? What other significant happenings
surrounded this event?
I was born in Marietta, just before the influenza outbreak
of 1918. I was just a few months old during the worst of it, and Mom was so
afraid I’d catch it, she barricaded us in the house for almost three months.
Pop was a deputy then so he slept at the jail rather than risk infecting us
with the flu.
What is your worst fear?
Losing Sarah. I love that child so much, I can’t even think
about it.
When’s the last time you had a really good meal? Courtesy
of whom?
That’s easy. At Merrilee Davenport’s. Even with rations,
that woman can make a feast, something her new husband, John will appreciate,
I’m sure. Folks from three counties come just to eat the crumbs of her juicy
chocolate cake. Now that the war’s over, I can’t wait for her to make one of
those!
Are there any hardheaded people in your life right now?
What’s the issue?
I would have said Judge Wakefield but after talking to Thea
Miller, she makes the man look like a cream puff. She’s like a dog to a bone,
convinced Sarah is her niece without one bit of evidence. I can say this
though—she loves Sarah almost as much as I do, if that’s possible.

Comment fodder:
-- What's the last book you read that featured a baby or children?
-- What's your favorite thing about reading books that feature children?
-- There area several characters in this book with special needs. Do you have a special needs family member or friend who as influenced you? How have they affected your life?
Share the love with a Tweet:
GIVEAWAY: THE BABY BARTER by Patty Smith Hall. (Click to Tweet)
Win a copy of The Baby Barter! Patty Has generously offered to give away one paperback copy to a US resident and an e-book copy to an international reader. Simply comment on this blog with your email (email AT server DOT com) to enter! Giveaway ends April 30.
FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY: Tell me where you learned about this giveaway. If a Facebook page or another blog, please list which one specifically. This will help me better get the news out to you about other giveaways!
marisalaudadio97 AT gmail DOT come
ReplyDeleteHi, Marisa!! I'm putting your name in the hat--I mean, teacup. :D Thanks for Commenting! :)
ReplyDeleteOhh this looks like such a sweet story. :) I love stories with children in them--most recently being A Twist of Faith where the male MC had two small children from his first marriage.
ReplyDeletemmbbg72493(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for a chance to win. This looks like a really good book. spottsATcomcastDOTnet
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read! Thanks for a chance! Saw the giveaway via Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!
swanphillips4(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks everyone for dropping by today! I enjoyed getting to know Mack and Thea through their journey to a happily-ever-after--I hope you enjoy reading their story too!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, Natalie for having me--it's always a joy to be here!
I enjoy reading about children. What's not to love?
ReplyDeletefishingjan AT aol DOT com
I saw this giveaway on Facebook post by Natalie Monk
Meghan! I can't wait to read A Twist of Faith! Thanks for commenting! :) I'll put your name in the teacup!
ReplyDeleteHi, Stella! The Baby Barter is a sweet, touching story. I know you'll enjoy it. Thanks for entering!
ReplyDeleteHi, Wenona! So glad you came over! Got you down for two entries! Thanks!
ReplyDeletePatty, I love having you on the blog. It's always such a pleasure, and I know everyone here enjoys it as well.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jan! Children make things so interesting and always steal our hearts, don't they? Thanks so much for commenting! I've got you down for two entries. Glad you saw the Facebook post!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. New author to me! Yay!
Great interview! This looks good! Saw it on the Christian Book Giveaways & Deals FB group. Thanks!
ReplyDeletejustcommonlyATgmailDOTcom
Thanks for the chance to win this book! I found out about this giveaway on Fiction Addiction Fix.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I saw the giveaway here http://fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteBeing the mom of 12 I am always excited to see books about babies and children and this one looks so exciting.Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
Deanne P.
Cnnamongirl at aol dot com