Today Zach Dawson is here for an interview. He is a celebrated pro football quarterback whose record-setting career was cut short by a horrendous injury. Our reporter is looking to find out what is happening in his life today.
Reporter: Hi Zach, welcome to the Inspy Romance blog.
Zach: Thanks for having me. It’s been a while since I’ve done an interview.
Reporter: I’m sure you’ve done plenty of them during your playing days.
Zach: For sure. Too many to count.
Reporter: Now that you’ve recovered from your injury, do you plan to return to football?
Zach: No, my football career is over. I’m grateful for the time I had playing the game, but I’m focused on the next phase of my life.
Reporter: Would you like to tell us about it?
Zach: Absolutely. I’m excited to tell you about the Twelve Dogs of Christmas project. I teamed up with Phil Waller, the owner of Master’s Dog Food. During the month of December, we gave away twelve dogs to deserving children who entered the giveaway this year. After much deliberation, we picked out twelve winners and awarded the dogs. Meeting the winners was a highlight during the Christmas season of this past year.
Reporter: What prompted you to join in this endeavor?
Zach: Phil Waller has been a friend and mentor to me since the early days of my pro football career. He is like family to me. He especially helped me through the recovery from my injury since my family lived in Germany where my father worked until just recently. They have just moved back to my hometown of Kellersburg, Ohio, after living in Germany for over ten years. Besides wanting to help Phil with this project, this was my chance to do something good and give back. I’ve been so blessed, and I wanted to share some of those blessings with others.
Reporter: I heard that your female counterpart on the project had to quit because her mother became very ill. How were you able to replace her at such short notice?
Zach: When we went back to my hometown of Kellersburg, Phil tapped a young lady from there. It completely surprised me, but Phil can pick out talent when he sees it.
Reporter: So who is this young lady?
Zach: Her name is Maisey Norberg, and our families have been friends for years. I can’t believe I used to babysit her and now she’s all grown up. She sang and shared the interview responsibilities during the documentary.
Reporter: Tell me more about the documentary.
Zach: We traveled across the country and gave away dogs in Illinois, South Dakota, Montana, Washington state, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Some of the dogs were service dogs such as a guide dog for a blind young man, a dog for the hearing impaired, an allergy detection dog, a diabetic alert dog, a mobility assistance dog, and an autism support dog. Other dogs were given to children who had overcome things like cancer, heart disease, and sickle cell anemia. The winners were difficult to choose because there were so many deserving entries. We hope to do another giveaway at the end of this year. The documentary will be aired this coming December.
Reporter: That sounds amazing.
Zach: Your use of the word amazing makes me smile. Maisey is always using that word, but she’s the one who has been amazing in this whole project. Phil definitely knows how to recognize talent.
Reporter: Do I detect an interest in Maisey that goes beyond the documentary?
Zach: Off the record.
Reporter: Okay, off the record.
Zach: During the years of my football career, my love life was the stuff of the tabloids, and I don’t want this relationship, as new as it is, to find it’s way there. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I don’t want to make any this time. So I’m not saying anything beyond that.
Reporter: Fair enough. I wish you the best with your endeavor, and I look forward to watching the documentary next year. I’d like to have another interview at that time, and maybe you’ll give me an update on Maisey. What do you say?
Zach: I’d be glad to do another interview for more promo on the documentary. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to promote this wonderful cause.
Reporter: You’re welcome. Okay, folks, I hope you enjoyed this talk with Zach Dawson. If you’d like to know more about Zach and Maisey, you can read Hometown Hero by Merrillee Whren.
You might enjoy the whole Kellersburg series. You can learn more about the books in the series here.
What is your favorite part about reading a series? I will give away an ebook copy of the first book in the Kellersburg series, Hometown Promise, to one person who leaves a comment. I will draw the winning name on January 25, 2022 at 9PM MST.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
Well, your interview convinced me! Just nabbed my copy. Thanks, Merrillee.
Hi Merrillee and Zach! This avid reader enjoyed the fun motif of Hometown Hero – the Twelve Dogs of Christmas. Part travelogue with a a pet food commercial and romance. I applauded your knowledge of how often small Midwest residents haven’t had the opportunity to explore the beauty of the United States. I especially enjoyed how the six different kinds of service dogs were woven into the novella. Having lived in Chicago the description of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and Christmas Market is spot on. Also enjoyed revisiting Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Arm Chair travel while virtually cuddling some cute pups makes Hometown Hero an inspiring read.
I enjoy the familiarity of setting, characters, or a motif while reading a series. Best wishes and Happy Monday.
Hi Carolyn, I hope you enjoy the story.
Thanks, Renate, for your kind words. It was fun to write about places where I have lived and visited, and I learned about more service dogs during my research.
It must be both heart wrenching and uplifting reading entries for a competition like 12 Dogs, what a great idea though. For a series, never considered it as each book is it’s own gem.
I like keeping in touch with characters in the series. You still meet up with them, add new ones, and it’s more like real life.
I’ve got to learn to read faster
I enjoy getting to know all the characters in the series.these sound like great books
I love series because you get to know a whole set of characters and revisit old ones in subsequent books. To me, it feels like being part of a family or group of good friends. :-)
I enjoyed the interview with Zach, thanks for sharing him with us today Merrillee!
I love getting to know the characters and the setting better as the series progresses.
Fun interview! My favorite part of reading a series is getting to re-visit the town and the characters each time, getting those glimpses of characters from previous books and seeing how their stories have progressed.
Good morning, I loved this character interview!! Your book sounds like a Great read and I love the book cover!! I love book series because I like to know what has changed or happened to the characters. (not entering this giveaway, I don’t read ebooks at all, I am not tech savvy) but thank you. Have a great week and stay safe.
My favorite part of reading a series is you get to know the characters. I begin to see them as friends and family. There are times I have that connection when reading a book, but when there is a series, I get to know more about the characters, their past as well as what they currently are experiencing. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I think the best part of series is catching up with people in other books in the series. Finding out what they are up to and seeing other people we get to know pop up in books. Also its in an area we get to know which is really fun to.
I love the look of this book
I loved this character interview, what a great way to put the book out in such a fun way. I’m sold, I need to get the series and catch up!
Hi Dianne, it’s interesting that you don’t consider books in a series, only that they stand on their own.
Hi Trudy, that’s what I like about writing a series of books. It’s like visiting old friends when characters from previous books make an appearance.
Hi Jcp, LOL. That’s what I keep telling myself.
Hi Kendra, I find when I’m writing, I also get to know the characters. They make an appearance in my mind, but writing their story makes them more real.
Hi Trixi,
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
Hi Jan,
You’re right. Setting is as important a part of a series as the characters.
Hi Megan, thanks. Yes, that’s what I love about a series, too.
Hi Alicia,
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. One of these days I’m going to get all my ebooks done in print form. I need to clone myself in order to have time. :)
Hi Debra, a series certainly gives the reader a chance to know more about the characters from previous books.
Hi Ausjenny, I’m glad you like the book cover. Just as a side note. I’m watching the Australian Open. Love that tournament.
Hi Deb,
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. I hope you enjoy the entire series.
I like most about series is how the first book has something to make you on edge for the next book & then there’s new news on the next book & goes on by there.
Very nice interview. I like series due to always wanting to read the next one right away but having to wait.
Wonderful interview. I really enjoyed it. I like series books to find out about the different characters. See how all the books come together.
I should have remembered that as I know you are a tennis fan. It hasn’t been as hot there as it can be but it could be heating up. (It sure is here not sure how I will handle a few more hot days)
Nice to meet you Zach ;)
What is your favorite part about reading a series?
I love the development of the stories and connection between the characters – family, friends, etc.