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! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!