Courage to Change

April 8, 2013 /

CourageToChangeFront Today we welcome back Elizabeth Maddrey. It’s great to have you join us again, Elizabeth. We are going to do something a bit different that the norm today. Below is the back cover copy of Courage to Change, and following that is an interview that Elizabeth gave her character Allison. I hope you enjoy this fun format. Keep reading to the end to find out how to enter for a chance to win a copy of Courage to Change.

Should you be willing to change for love?

When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart.

Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known.

As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, Allison melts his defenses. But when Brandi discovers Phil’s new relationship, she decides that though she doesn’t want him, no one else can have him either. Can Phil and Allison’s love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?

ElizabethMaddreyHeadshot I thought it would be fun to sit down with Allison and get to know her, so I invited her over for some coffee.

Elizabeth: Hi Allison, glad you could make it. I know as a criminal defense attorney you’re very busy, so I appreciate you taking the time.

Allison: I did kind of feel like I owed you, so it’s not a big deal. What can I do for you today?

Elizabeth: I just thought it’d be fun to let people get to know you a little. Maybe see what makes Allison Vasak tick. That kind of thing. So let’s start out with something easy – you mentioned above that you don’t believe women should initiate relationships. Why is that?

Allison: That’s easy? I hope we don’t get to anything hard! Some of it is just that I’m a little old fashioned. I want the man I marry to pursue me – I like the idea of that. That he would want to be with me so much that he’d be willing to risk making the first move. Beyond that? I actually initiated my only real relationship in college and, well, that turned out horribly. So I kind of figure it’s good to learn from your mistakes.

Elizabeth: Fair enough. So why Phil?

Allison: Okay, I guess that first question was easy. Wow. Well, to start out with, I really admire him. He’s gone through a lot in his life and come out on top. I mean, from what I understand about his ex-wife and their lifestyle…Jesus really changed him. And now? He’s so genuine about his walk with God, it’s hard not to love him. Not that I love him, mind you. But I think I could. Wait. He’s not going to see this, is he?

Elizabeth: No, I don’t think he’s going to see this. Your secret’s safe with me. So it’s more of an intellectual attraction?

Allison: Well, it starts there. But, come on, have you seen him? Mmm. I could watch him read the phone book and not feel like I’d wasted a minute.

Elizabeth: Ok, so definitely a connection on your end. Do you have any idea if he’s interested in you?

Allison: Honestly, shouldn’t I be asking you this? You’re the one with all the answers. But from where I’m standing, frankly, I’m confused. He’s kind of the King of Mixed Signals right now. So I’m waiting to see what happens. Though he has said he doesn’t think he’s cut out for marriage, I figure that’s just because of his first wife running him through the ringer. He just needs to be with the right woman. Who would be me, as far as I’m concerned. Just in case you were wondering.

Elizabeth: I got that. Let’s talk about him being divorced for a minute. You don’t have any problem with that as a single, never married, woman?

Allison: You’re not pulling punches today, are you? I’ll admit I struggled with it for a little while when I first realized that I had a crush on him. I mean, it’s not easy to be single and abstinent in today’s world. So part of me really thought I deserved someone who’d been working as hard at that as I had. Then I went on a date with Kevin McGregor. My college crush?

Elizabeth: Right, that was in Wisdom to Know.

Allison: Yeah. Anyway, I believe the word to describe that is “fiasco.” And that’s when I realized that there’s more to a potential mate than having the same past. I love Kevin, don’t get me wrong…it’s just that it’s a brotherly thing. It took that date to realize it – and anyway, he and Lydia are perfect for each other. And really, seeing how God brought the two of them together gives me hope. Phil and I have a lot in common, even if our pasts are dissimilar.

Elizabeth: Great, thanks. I think our time is about up – do you have any final words you’d like to add?

Allison: Not really…unless you want to tell me how things end up?

Elizabeth: …

Allison: Figures. Guess I’ll just have to wait ‘til people read the book so I can find out.

Elizabeth, what a fantastic interview! I loved getting to know Allison. She made me want to read the book.:)

If you would like to be entered for a chance to win a copy of Courage to Change you must answer Elizabeth’s following question. Have you ever had an office romance? Would you? Feel free to plead the 5th. LOL

Rules for giveaway: You must have a USA address to qualify. There must be at least 10 qualifying comments. New followers receive an extra entry. Void where prohibited by law.

To connect with Elizabeth you can find her at:

www.ElizabethMaddrey.com or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey

17 Comments

  • cheriswalwell

    April 8, 2013 at 7:23 am

    I had a crush on a few guys I worked with, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) they didn’t reciprocate. I never would have met and married my wonderful husband if I had pursued them. However, my husband and I were set up on a “blind date” by my sister who was the boss of his best friend. So….I wonder if that counts as an “office romance” once removed?

    Thanks for this opportunity.

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

    In Him,

    Cheri 🙂

  • Rose Milligan

    April 9, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    This sounds like a great book. Thanks for having the giveaway. I’ve never had an office romance. I met my husband at college.

  • jackielayton

    April 13, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    I’ve never had an office/work romance. I worked during college and I met my husband at church during college. So working as a professional, I’ve never been tempted.
    One guy did ask me if I was married, and I said yes. Then he asked if I was happily married. I really wanted to throw something at the guy. What a nerve.
    I’d love to win a copy of your book. It sounds like a great read.
    Thanks for the contest.
    joyfuljelatgmaildotcom

  • Holly Magnuson

    April 14, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    No I haven’t really had an office romance and don’t think it would be wise. Plus I work at an organization that if the romance moved to marriage they couldn’t work in the same office.
    Thanks for the give away. Hollymag(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Elizabeth Maddrey

    April 14, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    Holly – I’ve worked places where that’s been the policy and always thought it was reasonable. You certainly don’t want to have any potential conflict of interest because your spouse is there (or any type of possible favoritism, etc.) Thanks for stopping by!

  • Kim

    April 15, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    I never had an office romance and have yet to meet my future husband. I always thought it would be too conflicted to date someone from work so this book sounds very interesting.

  • Elizabeth Maddrey

    April 15, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    Kim, I think there’s definitely more complication with office romance, though Phil and Allison don’t have too much trouble on that front – mostly because they keep it low key at the office. And really, I think that’s the key in those situations. 🙂 thanks for stopping by!

  • Jo Legat

    April 18, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    No, I never had a office romance and never would have even thought of it. I was a child bride when I married my hubby so he was my one and only. this book sounds quite interesting.