Christmas Haven by Hope White

Today we're welcoming Julie Burns, the heroine of "Christmas Haven" written by Hope White, a November 2011 release by Love Inspired Suspense.

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 work with teenage street kids in Seattle to help them get off the streets and live safe and healthy lives. I witnessed one of my boys being kidnapped, and ever since, I felt like someone's been following me. I headed back to my hometown and got an anonymous call threatening my life. It's a good thing I listened to my instincts.

2. So, during the book you ran into Morgan Wright. Tell us a bit about him.

Morgan and I dated in high school. We both thought it was forever, but after my best friend died, my view of the world changed. I felt like I wanted to be more than someone's wife in a small town, so I left for the city, went to college and became a social worker.

When did you know it was love?

On our third date. I just knew. The irony is, it never stopped being love, even after our 10 year separation. The first time I saw him my heart leapt into my throat, both from regret of having broken his heart, and from letting go of my one true love. There will never be another love like Morgan. I haven't even bothered looking.

3. What strengths/skills do you have?

My determination, for sure. That and my analytical brain.

What is your greatest weakness? Guilt. It drives me in ways that aren't healthy.

4. What scares you?

Failure. If I fail these kids, they could die. They don't deserve to die.

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

I'd invest less of myself in my cases because it hurts so much when a street kid doesn't make it, when he's found dead or he's locked up for dealing drugs.

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

I'd given up. After everything I've seen with these kids, I just couldn't understand how God could abandon them.

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

Seeing Morgan's strong faith changed me somehow. I was able to understand that faith gives us strength to walk through the worst challenges and come out the other side at peace.

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

It's about about compassion and forgiveness. That's my interpretation. Accepting others for who they are and forgiving people for their mistakes is so incredibly important. Condemning others by judging them, being angry or resentful, only keeps us in emotional pain. Forgiveness is key, that's what I've learned.

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

Strawberry Shortcake. It's got a little of everything. It's spongy, soft, cold, sweet. I like variety in my desserts!