Summer Stories: A Home for Fritz

Character Interview with Brooke Cantrell of A Home for Fritz:

Alexis: Thanks for visiting my blog today, Brooke! How have your childhood memories of loss affected your outlook on life?

Brooke: Thanks for inviting me to your blog today, Alexis. I'm always glad to talk about my life in hopes I can encourage someone else. Since I lost my mother as a child and my dad as a teen, I think I missed out on having the security and love a family can offer. Though I hate to admit it, I wanted to live in a fairytale world and pretend to be someone else when I visited Sunlight Peaks Guest Ranch, if only for nine days. That desire trumped my sense of right and wrong. I'm afraid I lied about who I really was.

Alexis: Would you say that your author June Foster gave you a Cinderella-style story? Why or why not?

Brooke: My daddy used to read that story to me every night when I was a child. At first, I thought I would feel like Cinderella when I went to the ranch, but I soon found out I was wrong. Lying is never right, and I believe people will always be caught in their lies. At least that's what happened to me. Since I'm a Christian, I think the Lord convicted me right from the first.

Alexis: Why did you want to pretend to be Regina’s sister, part of a wealthy family?

Brooke: This is hard to talk about, and I'm a little embarrassed. Since I went to work for the Radcliffe's, I've cleaned the downstairs of their mansion six days a week. I've catered to Regina and seen how she lives. Hair appointments, shopping excursions, fancy spas, vacations. To be honest, I was envious of her and thought that if I could just be her "sister" for a week or so, I would get a taste of her life.

Alexis: How did your charade as a wealthy woman affect your relationship with Garrett?

Brooke: I never thought I'd meet a guy like Garrett—a man who loves God and also has a precious golden doodle. Each time I lied to him, conviction felt like battery acid in my stomach. I believed that if he ever found out who I really am, he wouldn't want anything to do with me. All in all, my falsehood stood between us.

Alexis: What was the most difficult part of keeping this secret from Garrett?

Brooke: I cringed every time I realized I was deceiving him. My feelings for him grew and my conscience pricked me for misrepresenting myself.

Alexis: When you first met Garrett, what did you like about him? Why?

Brooke: Well, if you must know, I thought he was the best looking guy I'd ever met. Besides he was a wrangler on a dude ranch, and he owned an adorable dog. Later, I realized there was more to his character than I first observed.

Alexis: Is there anything that you do not like about Garrett? Explain.

Brooke: One day when we chatted by the corral, Garrett got a phone call and said something I didn't understand. He said, "Yes, this is Andrew." At first, I didn't think anything about it then later I discovered some information in Garrett's college yearbook that made me suspicious he wasn't telling me everything about himself. But then, I was doing the same.

Alexis: Tell me about your family background. Were you always poor?

Brooke: Yes. My dad owned a bakery when I was a child and a teen. He worked hard but didn't see the profits he'd hoped. I never went hungry, though, and I even had a golden doddle, too. I guess that's one reason why I love Garrett's dog so much.

Alexis: How did your upbringing and struggles help you decide what you wanted for your own future as an adult?

Brooke: I always wanted to own a bakery like my dad—to walk in his footsteps and carry on his memory. But I never had the funds to get started.

Alexis: You’re a city girl. How would you describe your experience in the country?

Brooke: It was crazy. I went on a cattle drive to the Big Horns with several guests and the wranglers. Each summer, they to take cattle up into the mountains to pasture. Unfortunately, I'm not an expert rider and fell off my horse. But it really wasn't all my fault. I loved the wide open spaces and fresh air. I could turn into a country girl really quick.

Alexis: What was your most memorable experience with Garrett? Why?

Brooke: Is my face red right now? Okay, since you asked, I'll tell you. Garrett and I took a four-wheeler up into the mountains, and it broke down right before a fierce thunder storm. We had to take shelter in a cave and—he kissed me right when the rain was pouring down and thunder booming. But I felt safe cuddled up to him in the dry cave.

Alexis: Would you say that you’ve fallen in love with Garrett? Why or why not?

Brooke: Yes, I have—despite our secrets from each other. He's considerate, protective of me, and he's a mighty good kisser. Best of all, he's a Godly Christian man.

Alexis: What role did Fritz (the dog) play in bonding you with Garrett?

Brooke: From the beginning, Garrett and I bonded because I have a special place in my heart for golden doodles. Before I met Garrett, I discovered Fritz in the forest close to the ranch. I heard his cries and rushed toward him. His paw was caught in a coyote trap then about that time, Garrett showed up. I comforted Fritz as we drove him to the vet. Then Fritz did something very special at the end of the story, but I can't tell you what it is.

Alexis: If you could change anything about your story, what would it be? Why?

Brooke: I don't think I would've lied about who I am. If Garrett didn't accept me for who I really am, then I didn't need to be his friend.

Alexis: What life lessons did you learn in this story? Explain.

Brooke: To not be ashamed of who I am. And most importantly, I am valuable in God's eyes and that's all that matters.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Brooke! Do you have closing comments?

Brooke: I want to thank you for these excellent questions. I hope your readers will enjoy reading A Home For Fritz.

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Author Bio:

June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USA with her husband, Joe. 

She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her contemporary romances. 

June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom.

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Book Blurb about A Home for Fritz:

All Brooke Cantrell wants is two weeks to live Brooke Radcliff's life. But the one person who knows the truth resides in the room next to hers at Sunlight Peaks Guest Ranch. When Brooke falls in love with the handsome wrangler who works on the ranch, will her employer's daughter tell him the truth Brooke hides?

Garrett Bowman has finally found peace under Wyoming skies at Sunrise Peaks Guest Ranch. Never again will he return to the demanding corporate life in Seattle, Washington. But will the guests recognize him from the incriminating newspaper and magazine articles eighteen months ago?

When Garrett's dog, Fritz, is in grave danger, an intriguing guest helps Garrett get his golden doodle to the vet. As Fritz heals, he whines and begs until he can lay his head in Brooke Radcliff's comfortable lap. Fritz has fallen in love, but so has Garrett.

If Garrett discovers Brook's secret, will he walk away from her?

If Brooke learns Garrett's true identify, will she turn from him like all the others?

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Buy A Home for Fritz on Amazon

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Connect with June:
Website - https://junefoster.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/vjifoster/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorjunefoster/

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