This month I have a new release, A LOVE TO CALL MINE, the second book in my Front Porch Promises series. You can find buy links here. The hero and heroine of the story, Max and Heather, have opposite personalities, which gave me some built-in conflicts for the story. Even though they are opposites in many ways, there are things that they share, like their faith in God. I’ve interviewed each of the characters and asked them the same questions. You can read their answers below. Can you see where they are different and where they are the same?
1 – What is your current state of mind?
Max: Worried. I’ve just been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, so the future is very uncertain?
Heather: Perplexed. I have a new patient, who is my good friend’s ex-boyfriend, and he blames me for their breakup. He didn’t want another nurse, and I don’t understand why.
2 – What is your most deplorable trait?
Max: I tend to look at things with a half-glass-full point of view. I’m trying to have a more positive attitude, but too many things have gone wrong in my life, so I let negative thoughts take over.
Heather: People tell me I like to meddle in their lives. I’m only trying to help. Sometimes people need a little advice.
3 – When and where were you happiest?
Max: I was most happy when Brittany was in my life and I was playing college football. I lost Brittany, and an injury ended my football career.
Heather: I’m very happy right now. I have a great job, friends and a wonderful church family. I like being single, but I have these well-meaning friends who keep trying to find me dates.
4 – Do you own a pet?
Max: No pets. I just moved from Montana to Massachusetts for a new job. I can’t have pets in my studio apartment.
Heather: I don’t have any pets now. I had a cat when I was still living with my parents, but since I’ve been out on my own I haven’t lived in a place that has allowed pets.
5 – What’s your favorite food?
Max: Pizza. I probably eat it too often, but I don’t like to cook.
Heather: I love just about any food and love to cook. The guys across the street invite me over to cook in their fabulous kitchen. I know they like to have a home-cooked meal, and it gives me a chance to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes.
6 – What do you put off because you dread it?
Max: Talking to my mom about my health. She worries more than I do about what lies ahead for me.
Heather: I don’t usually put things off. If it needs to be done, I jump right in there and do it. I don’t see the point in delaying things, especially things that might be difficult. It’s better to get them over with.
7 – What is your greatest regret?
Max: I regret not giving my former girlfriend, Brittany, the attention she deserved. Her friend Heather is my oncology nurse, and she thinks I was neglectful. She doesn’t have a very good opinion of me, but she’s doing her best to help me fight this disease.
Heather: I can’t think of much in the way of regrets, at least anything really important. I do regret giving my friend a list of the qualities for a perfect man. I thought that might stop her trying to fix me up with dates. She says she’ll keep it for a reference, but she made no promises not to find blind dates for me.
8 – Who are your real life heroes?
Max: My mom Beth and adopted father Clay. My mom fought to keep me when she was a teenage unwed mother. Clay adopted me after he married my mom when I was a teenager, and he steered me in the right direction and saved me from making some bad decisions.
Heather: I’m an oncology nurse, and the people who battle cancer every day are my heroes.
9 – How do you express your anger?
Max: Most of the time, I don’t. I usually suffer in silence, but when it finally gets to be too much to bear, I let it all out. Then I wish I could take it all back.
Heather: When I’m angry, I try to make the anger go away by pressing harder to make things happen. I hate to feel sorry for myself, and I’m not going to let anger take over my life.
10 – What do you want out of life?
Max: Right now I just want to conquer my cancer. I also want to find the other half of who I am. My father died before I was born, and I’m non-existent on his side of my family tree. I want to find them and let them know that my existence is a good thing. At the same time, I’m afraid of their rejection.
Heather: My focus in recent years has been on raising funds for cancer research. I have one big project I’m working toward. It’s a house for families who need a place to stay while a loved one is being treated for cancer.
11 – What do you value most?
Max: My family, even the family that doesn’t know me yet.
Heather: I value my family and my patients.
12 – What does God mean to you?
Max: I believe in God, but a lot of times I don’t understand why all this rotten stuff has happened in my life. Many times I ask, “Why me, God?” I have to admit that too many times my faith is weak, and I have trouble praying. But I have a host of friends and family who are bringing me along one step at a time.
Heather: God is the guiding force in my life. I see how much better a person who believes in God deals with cancer. I don’t always remember to seek God’s will in my decisions, but I’m trying to do better.
What do you think? Do opposites attract?
I’m giving away an e-book copy of A PLACE TO CALL HOME, the first book in the Front Porch Promises series to one person who leaves a comment. I will choose the winner on October 22, 2016, at 9PM PDT.
Carlien says
Just reading how they answer the questions makes me want to read their story!!!
Wemble says
Sounds like an interesting story. I think opposites do attract. My husband and I are not opposites, but he tends to be a little more pessimistic/worrier, and I tend to be more positive/you can do this. I think we balance each other:)
Jill Weatherholt says
Great post, Merrillee! Yes, I believe opposites do attract to some degree. I’m looking forward to reading Heather and Max’s story. Fantastic cover!
Renate says
Congrats on your new release. When I was a young girl, we rented an apartment in a house with a wrap around porch. Your concept of Front Porch Promises is inspirational as are your covers. The red draws me into the story. The rocker pillows back the idea of opposites. One person is neat and the other is not. Yes, I believe opposites attract and therefore compliment each other. My husband of 43 years is more outgoing than I am. I am more optimistic. Looking forward to reading the story. Best wishes!
Diana says
Congratulations on your new books! I like the title and covers. I’ve always wanted a front porch with rocking chairs.
Gail Estes Hollingsworth says
This interview was interesting and I learned a little more about the characters. My mother-in-law went through a battle with lymphoma but lost.
I love front porches, one of the things I insisted on when we were looking for a house. Some of my best childhood memories were spending time on my grandparents porch with them.
Merrillee Whren says
Carlien, I hope you enjoy the story.
Merrillee Whren says
Wemble, opposites do help balance each other. I tend to be a keeper, and my husband is a thrower. I keep him from throwing away stuff we really need, and he keeps me from becoming a pack rat.
Merrillee Whren says
Thanks, Jill. I hope you enjoy the story.
Merrillee Whren says
Renate, I love your insights into the cover. I hope you enjoy the story.
Merrillee Whren says
Diana, thanks. Rocking chairs are so relaxing.
Merrillee Whren says
Thanks, Gail. I’m so sorry you lost your mother-in-law. I’m glad you have wonderful memories of your grandparents’ front porch.
Joan Arning says
Opposites may attract but can also cause problems!
kaleen21 says
Opposites do attract. It would be so boring if there were too much alike.
heidimccahan says
Great questions! Love the opposites-attract trope. Congrats on your new release!
debkastner says
Sounds like a wonderful story. I love writing the opposites attract trope. There are always so many goodies to mine when the hero and heroine don’t see eye to eye.
Priscila says
Quite an interesting couple. I’m not sure they are complete opposites though. (At least not based on this post.) I might need to read the story to figure how else they are different. (They both fear God, value family and friends, like pets, seem to have a positive life attitude, …) I think they just might be someone who completes each other as they might not completely agree with everything about each other.
Merrillee Whren says
Joan, you are so right. That’s why my characters have to work out their differences in order to find love. We have to do that in real life, too.
Merrillee Whren says
Kaleen, it’s true. It makes for good conflict for fictional characters and keeps us on our toes in real life.
Merrillee Whren says
Heidi, thanks so much.
Merrillee Whren says
Deb, it is fun to help them find their way past the differences.
Merrillee Whren says
Priscila, it’s true. They are not complete opposites. Their faith brings them together, but there are definite differences in their personalities. I hope you’ll pick up a copy and check it out.
Kenra Mills says
My fiancé and I are not complete opposites and our faith does bring us together. Our differences add depth to our relationship so ,”yes, I do believe opposites attract”. Too much similarity does not allow for a growing relationship.
Julie Fetter says
This sounds like a winning story! I think opposites attract at first because they respond to traits in the other that they wish were more developed in themselves. Over time, those very things either wear off on each other (iron sharpening iron) or else they wear each other out.
Merrillee Whren says
Kenra, I believe that is true also.
Merrillee Whren says
Julie, that’s a very interesting observation.
Stacey Jones says
Max and Heather are different, but in someways those differences balance and even compliment one another other. In the essentials faith and family they seem very similar…if only they can see past their differences to notice. It will be interesting to read how their story turns out!
Beth Erin says
I love to see a couple compliment one another and I love character interviews too! Thanks for sharing, Merrillee!
Trixi says
I loved “meeting” Heather and Max, character interviews are so fun! You get to know them a little bit more outside of the book. I also really enjoyed this book & seeing how these two finally came together and deal with the past to be able to move on.
Obviously no need to enter me Merrillee! Thanks for the fun post, can’t wait for the next installment in this series. :-)
Merrillee Whren says
Stacey, yes, differences can balance a couple.
Merrillee Whren says
You’re welcome, Beth Erin.
Merrillee Whren says
Thanks, Trixi.
Lientjie Human says
Sounds like an intriguing story! And the covers are beautiful!