Heroine Interview from Grits and Glory by Ron and Janet Benrey

Today we're welcoming Ann Trask, the heroine of “Grits and Glory,” by Ron and Janet Benrey, the third novel in the Glory Mysteries Series, Published by Love Inspired Suspense, released in July, 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.

I moved to Glory, North Carolina, last year, after I earned my business degree. I soon became the administrator of Glory Community Church. Only a few months later, Hurricane Gilda, a major storm, targeted Glory—and I found myself alone inside the church during the worst of the wind and rain. Although Glory was evacuated, I decided to stay, because the church was a designated storm shelter. And so, I was inside when our steeple blew down and apparently killed Richard Squires.

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

Hmmm. I met Sean just before Gilda stuck; frankly I thought he was a jerk. Sean worked for the Storm Channel. He and Carlo Vaughan, the channel’s drop-dead gorgeous on-the-air reporter had come to Glory to cover Gilda. Sean was the behind-the-scenes person, who drove the broadcast van and set up the lights and camera. I must admit that I was instantly attracted to Carlo—so was every other women who saw him in person. But over the course of the next week, I discovered that Sean was by far the nicer of the two.
Sean and I were thrown together by unpleasant circumstances. He could have left town, but instead he supported me when most other people questioned my judgment and blamed me for Richard Squires’ death.
I slowly came to realize that Sean loved me and I loved him.

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

I’m a detail oriented person and highly committed to following-through when I begin a project. I’m proud to say that people can rely on me to get the job done. But, my greatest weakness is that I sometimes let the “garbage” from my past shape the present. Happily, I’ve learned to turn my past over to Jesus, so those days are gone.

4. What scares you?

Ironically... wind, rain, and darkness. This is because of an “incident” that occurred when I was 17 years old. Back when I was a youth leader, a thunderstorm trapped me and several kids in a shed that eventually collapsed.

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

That’s easy... I wish that I’d been able to let go of the past. Happily, Sean convinced me to follow the famous “bumper-sticker advice”: let go, let God. I’m moving down the road to change.

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

I began as a Christian with significant doubts. I’d experienced enough unpleasantness in my life, that I questioned whether God was really in charge. Frankly, I was convinced that I could do a better job of orchestrating my life.

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

I’m a much, much stronger Christian. I’ve learned to trust God and to turn my problems over to him. I now walk in real faith

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

Isaiah 43:18 beautifully sums up the lesson I learned during the course of my story: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18, NIV)

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

Without doubt, a big bowl of Rocky Road ice cream. I ate so much during of this story, that I sometimes felt I was becoming a dessert.

Yum! Thank you Ron and Janet for sharing Ann with us today. This sounds like an intriguing read.

I love this cover! But I will never eat a bowl of grits again.

Don't forget to visit Craftie Ladies of Suspense blog and enter a chance to win the four Love Inspired Suspense books for the month by leaving a comment with your email address.

Margaret Daley
The Power of Love/The Courage to Dream, Love Inspired Classic, July 2008
Family Ever After, Love Inspired, May 2008
Don't Look Back, Love Inspired Suspense, March 2008
http://www.margaretdaley.com
http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com