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29 October 2017

Character Interview of "Goldie Hatfield" & Giveaway


Welcome to the Overcoming with God blog, Goldie Hatfield and your creator, Darlene Franklin. Goldie is the heroine in Darlene’s novella “His Golden Treasure” in The Captive Brides Collection from Barbour (October, 2017).

CFP: Thank you for the interview, Goldie Hatfield (and Darlene). First of all can you tell us a little about yourself?  
DF: I’m in SanFrancisco and born of the gold fields.

CFP: When was that, Goldie? SanFran gold fields
DF: I was born in the 1850s after the rush. SanFrancisco was a booming town. My mom was a prostitute.

CFP: I’m sorry to hear that, Goldie. What can you tell me about your earliest memories? 
DF: My mother singing to me, the Chinese cook at the house where born being with me.

CFP: What a difficult situation, though. 
DF: I was fortunate we weren’t in the “cribs” by the docks. We were in a high-end house on what was later known as Maiden Lane--Miss Amelia’s House of Pleasure

CFP: What was it like growing up there?
DF: I had a loving mother who tried to protect me and teach me a little about God. I had a supportive friend in our Chinese cook. I learned to read and write. I had about as normal a childhood as I could have in that setting. I had some awareness of what was going on but I didn’t participate. People at Amelia’s said I have a beautiful voice. I was always singing and my mother encouraged me. This became my livelihood. I would sing as part of the entertainment.

CFP:What happened that caused you to become captive?
DF: After my mom died, when I was sixteen, the house kept me there but didn’t ask for anything except for me to sing in evenings. I stayed at Miss Amelia’s and I could also obtain necessary items in a nearby store. At eighteen I was told it was  time to “pay the piper.” I  was ready to leave but I was told I couldn’t until I’d pay off my keep.
 CFP: That’s awful!
DF: It was even worse than that. They were going to hold an auction for someone to have me for the first time.

CFP: What was your emotional reaction to that horrific situation. 
DF: I thought, absolutely not, I can’t do that. But if I tried to get away they’d drag me back. The cook offered me support and covered for me a few times for me to attend church. I ran into a preacher in the street who had invited me.  I asked the minister to help me and he talked with my boss at the store but. . . I think my boss was in on this scheme, too.

CFP: Did the minister help you? And what was his background?
DF: The preacher’s father had been one of the worst original people in SanFrancisco with  gambling, prostitution, and he made a fortune in gold. His father went home to the East coast and gave his family his fortune. But his son and daughter came back to SanFrancisco determined to help undo the harm their father had done.

CFP:Having been betrayed how does Goldie get her trust back?
DF: I realized that kind of woman Madame Amelie was and I’d never entirely trusted her.  It wasn’t a total surprise. But I wanted to deny what might happen.  I could see the bad coming but wanted to close my mind to it.

CFP:What has been your biggest thing to overcome? 
DF: Being able to trust a man and to trust God. To trust God can work this out when the bidding was about to start. How do you act with grace in that type of situation? I didn’t know how. And in the 1870s the law wasn’t reliable as far as helping me.

Best-selling hybrid author, Darlene Franklin's greatest claim to fame is that she write full-time from a nursing home. She published her fiftieth book in July 2017. You can find out more about her at her website and on her Facebook author page







Giveaway:
 Darlene is graciously giving away a copy of The Captive Brides. Ask Goldie a question or leave a comment to enter.

28 comments:

  1. I'm reading my first ever Golden Parsons book. I'm reading it for White Fire and then writing a review for them. The first book I chose was your "Hopeless". I love it!

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  2. This is such a sad situation and is tragically still prevalent today with human trafficking. I look forward to seeing how God works in Gildie's life. Thanks for sharing and I would like to mention HW.
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. I enjoyed the story Darlene. It must have been terrible to realize for the very first time that Madam would not take care of you, in fact was going to actually sell you. I’m sure freedom seemed a long shot when the preacher first talked about helping.

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    1. I wanted to believe but didn't dare. I like to think you would have helped.

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  4. I would love to learn more about Goldie. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  5. After reading the interview I'm more than ready to read the book. Thank you for being such a talented woman.

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  6. A lovely interview thank you.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  7. What an interesting Interview. I would love to read this story. What kind of research did you do? fishingjanATaolDOTcom

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    1. I got a great tour guide to the Barbery Coast which included a lot of images and history. I borrowed the idea for the auction from Amy Tan's book,Valley of Amazement.

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  8. Thank you for this interview, Darlene. May I ask what prompted you to write this particular story? What a sad situation for Goldie. I can't imagine. Thanks for this contest. flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Becky Germany approached the authors, asking for stories about brides in captivity. For some reason my mind raced past the falsely imprisoned, the indentured brides, and slavery. I also chose it because sexual slavery is still practiced today,

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    2. Congratulations, Sister Mary Lou! You've won a copy from Darlene Franklin! Blessings!

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  9. What heartbreaking history. I love these novella collections and the variety of stories and authors in them!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  10. Thank you Darlene for this preview of a great character and interesting story! My question for Goldie would be : Does she think she could ever fall in love? Looking forward to reading the whole story! lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Lynne, Goldie's question would be whether anyone could fall in love with her, given her history.

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  11. This looks really good. I wish there was a Kindle version.

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    1. Nikki it's available on Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/Captive-Brides-Collection-Challenges-Overcome-ebook/dp/B0713T3FTG/ - but the giveaway is print only

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  12. Hello Goldie and Darlene! I live near San Francisco and I've learned a lot about it's history. It would be very interesting to read about you :) Thank you for the chance to win!
    kykla99@gmail.com

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    1. Natalya,I'm blushing at your interest. i hope you get to indulge my curiosity.

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  13. Goldie, It was a pleasure meeting you! I'm so sorry for all that you have gone through. I'm looking forward to reading how the Lord worked in your life.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Caryl, I'm having trouble saving my response. I'll just say, praise the Lord with me!

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. Interesting interview! I always feel like I learn something when reading Historical Fiction books. I can't imagine writing 50 books!! Is that beyond your wildest dreams, Darlene? lelandandbeckyATreaganDOTcom

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    1. Becky, there was a time when even publishing five books seemed unlikely, when no one wanted my second book. Then when it happened, it had happened all at once: my 2nd book, my first novella, and first devotional collection, all at once. Now my wildest dream is to reach 100 ... which means I'll never retire, lol!

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