Heroine's interview from Keeping Her Safe by Barbara Phinney

Today we're welcoming Rae Benton, the heroine of Keeping Her Safe June 2008.
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.

I¹ve often thought of when and where everything started. Really, it began before Hunter went to prison, when I was still in high school. My father was looking to get rich, and got involved with some pretty shady schemes.

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

Hunter and I knew each other when I was still a teenager. Dad brought him home one day, saying he¹d hired him to do some general labor in our family¹s woodworking shop. Dad felt sorry for him, I think. Hunter was a guy about seventeen, kicked out his house, acting all tough. Back then, I thought he was pretty intriguing, in that teen kind of way.
But as for love? It wasn¹t until he¹d returned from prison, after Dad died, telling me how my father thought I was in danger and had asked him to watch over me. But it wasn¹t until we¹d been chased, shot at, long after I had to decide to trust him, that I began to wonder if I might be in love with him.

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

I¹m determined. I like to get things done, to keep busy and I hate procrastination. In a way, it¹s also a big weakness with me, too. I tend to fight my fears with harder and harder work. I¹m pretty good at carpentry and woodcarving. It¹s very relaxing, which I guess is what I need. But my greatest weakness is I can jump to conclusions. It¹s odd, because it all ties in with my Christian growth, like God knew exactly how to work in me.

4. What scares you?

Being alone. I¹d already lost my mother years ago, and my father died just before Hunter returned. It was really scary. You¹re never prepared to be an orphan. To know that there¹s no one left who loves you unconditionally.
That was my biggest fear.

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

I wouldn¹t be so worried about things. I tend to brood over things I have no control of. I¹m better than I was, but it¹s a hard habit to break.

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

That question kind of ties in with my fear. I thought that there was never going to be anyone who could love me absolutely regardless of who I was or what I was. I¹d actually forgotten that God is that person. He¹s my father. Another thing was that I couldn¹t forgive Hunter. To me, I had all this anger and fear all wrapped up in me, and wasn¹t willing to let God help me with it.

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

Let me tell you this. Hunter showed me how much God loves us all. His
faith always amazed me and even drew me closer to him. And it¹s funny, but
God took me to the end of my rope and forced me to finally ask Him for help.
When I did, I knew I could let go of a lot of my anger and I could trust God to be my Father in Heaven, who has my best interests at heart.

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

It¹s Romans 8:1 and so appropriate. Those of us who are Christian in our hearts know that we won¹t ever be condemned. I¹m so thankful for that. The verse is practically my daily motto now.

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

Dessert? Who has time for dessert? We¹re rebuilding my family¹s woodworking shop and before that, I was so wrapped up in my anger and fear and workŠ Oh, well, let¹s see. It¹s definitely not date squares. After Dad¹s funeral, I don¹t ever want to see another one of them. But I am partial to nut bars. I love cashews and almonds and chocolate. My cousin used to make them for Dad and me. Maybe now everything¹s settled down, she¹ll make them again. I hope so. I miss them.

Visit Craftie Ladies of Suspense for a chance to win all four June Love Inspired Suspense books.

Margaret Daley
What Sarah Saw, Love Inspired Suspense, January 2009
A Texas Thanksgiving, Love Inspired, November 2008
Forsaken Canyon, Love Inspired Suspense, October 2008
The Power of Love/The Courage to Dream, Love Inspired Classic, July 2008
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