Welcome to the blog, Mindy. I’m so happy to have you here today. Congratulations on your recent release, Her Colorado Cowboy.
Can you tell us what first inspired this story?
Thanks for having me, Savanna. This is book three in my Rocky Mountain Heroes series which revolves around five brothers who grew up on a ranch outside of Ouray, Colorado. So I figured at least one of those five brothers had have an interest in rodeo. And what better heroine for a man who loves horses than a woman who is deathly afraid of them? But while Noah and Lily, a socialite, may seem like polar opposites, they both know the pain of having loved and lost.
What made you decide to settle your book in Colorado? Do you have a favorite place to visit there?
All of by books have been set in the real town of Ouray, Colorado. It’s a former mining town in southwestern Colorado that’s very unique in it’s setting. The town is literally enveloped by mountains. My husband’s grandparents homesteaded there back in 1920, at the end of the gold rush, and his grandfather had a photography studio there. The first time my mother-in-law introduced me to the town I fell in love and knew I had to write a story set there. Seven books later, I’m still setting my stories there with no desire to leave.
That is so cool! Sounds like a place I want to visit! 🙂
I know you post on Seekerville regularly and chat with fellow writers. Would you share a piece of writing advice that made a difference in your career.
Be flexible. While you may love your stories, an editor may think they’re better served by changing this or that. You have to be open to those suggestions. More often than not, they end up making the story better.
You’re also a contributor to Yankee Belle Cafe. Can you share with us a favorite springtime recipe?
Oh, goodness. You mean I can only choose one? 😉 When I think spring, I think of Easter. And that always brings to mind these springy cupcakes from my childhood. Start by making a batch of your favorite cupcakes. Top with some fluffy Seven-Minute Frosting. To make that, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, 2 egg whites. 1 tablespoon light corn syrup and a dash of salt in the top of a double-boiler or do what I do and simply use a glass or metal bowl that will sit comfortably atop a pan of water. With a handheld electric mixer, beat for thirty seconds at low speed. Just enough to mix everything together.
Next, place the bowl atop the pan over boiling water and beat constantly on high for 7 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
Remove from heat. Add 1 tsp vanilla and beat 2 more minutes or until frosting is thick enough to spread.
That’s all there is to it. Then after I frost the cupcakes, I add some coconut I’ve tinted green (simply put the coconut into a lidded container, add a few drops of green food coloring and shake until the coconut is tinted) and few jelly beans so it looks like a birds’ nest. Trust me, kids love these. Though adults have been known to arm-wrestle for them, too.
Ah, I love this! I’ll have to try it now. I’m sure my two-year-old will love it too. 🙂
Tell us something you’re looking forward to this year.
Well, since I’ve just turned in the last book in this series, I’m looking forward to exploring my next project.
Congrats on finishing your series! How exciting. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Reunited in the Rockies, book four in the Rocky Mountain Heroes series, will be out in September and the final, and yet untitled, book is tentatively set for February release.
Yay! We’ll be watching for it, Mindy. Thanks for being our guest today. Happy spring!
GIVEAWAY!!
Mindy has graciously offered to give away a copy of Her Colorado Cowboy. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest ends May 1, 2019. An international winner will receive an ebook copy. A U.S. winner will receive a print copy. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
I love strawberry shortcake this time of year. It tastes so fresh and springy. Also, most anything chocolate is a great year-round!
Thanks for the fun interview!
Winnie, would you believe I actually made strawberry shortcake for Easter? Yet I still think of that as a summer thing. I know, I’m weird. I do agree that chocolate is a year-round thing, though.
So glad you could join us, Winnie! I’ve been craving some strawberry shortcake recently. Can’t wait to make some from our fresh strawberries here in just a few weeks. 🙂
Asparagus fresh out of the garden.
Oh, Jan, you are a lucky soul. I love asparagus, but have never had it straight out of the garden. When I lived in Germany, I remember seeing it grow on the side of the road. And I always thought it interesting that Germans like to eat it while it’s white. If it’s green, they’ll only use it for soups or hidden in something. Have you ever eaten it white? I can’t say I have, though I’m curious about the flavor.
I have never tried the white. I will have to try it.
That’s one of my favorites as well, Jan. In fact, we had some last night for supper. So delicious! 🙂
I’ve never had white asparagus, Mindy, but I’d love to try it. I’ve always wanted to grow the purple variety too.
I want to try the purple asparagus.
A Spring food I like is strawberries.
Joan
Joan, I think a lot of people look forward to strawberries in the spring.
Yes! Each spring, I love visiting a local berry farm and picking fresh strawberries. Just a few more weeks to go here in Missouri. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Joan.
This time of year I enjoy light dishes such as Spring Salads. Thank you
Linda, spring is when I can finally enjoy salads again. During the cooler months, it’s hard to think about a cold salad. I’d rather have a hearty soup. But the warmer weather triggers my love for salads again.
Strawberry Shortcake!
Joan, it’s obvious that strawberries are the clear winners here. So how do you like your shortcake? Angel food cake type or more the Bisquick variety?
Hearing all of you mention this is really making me want to eat some! 🙂 So glad you could join us, Joan!
Love watermelon on a hot day.
Vivian, watermelon is the perfect cure for summer heat. Nice and refreshing.
I like fresh strawberry shortcake when the Florida strawberries come to the stores
Merry, local strawberries are the best.
Love it when it’s strawberry season! 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway, Merry.