Well, I’m kind of a hot mess. 😊I tend to not know when my kid’s projects are due at school and my friends will text me when something is happening, because odds are I don’t know anything about it. I want to be organized and together, but it rarely happens that way. 

I’m not a super fast writer. I usually set a word count for the week, and I’ll map out a goal for having a rough draft finished. I’m actually not a procrastinator when it comes to writing. I never was in school either. I like things done with plenty of time to spare so that it can simmer and I can come back to it later. I really like to write humor into my stories if at all possible, because to me, life is better when you’re laughing. 

I write small-town happy-ever-afters. I like quirky characters and themes of family and friendship.

Family. Misunderstanding. Relationships. Siblings. Reunion romance. Wounded hero. Stubborn heroine.

Rachel was a snarky teen in Falling for Texas, the first book in my Texas series, and while I loved her then, I wanted to write a redemption story for her. I had to! She deserved her own book. 😊

Rachel lost her parents when she was thirteen. She’s tough and has her walls up, but she’s also sweet on the inside. She believes she’s stuck in the reputation she earned as a teen, but she’s come a long way and is now helping teens. 

Hunter has family issues of his own. He’s loyal and likes the small-town life. The opposite of Rachel, who can’t wait to get out of town. He’s always had a soft spot for Rachel, and he gets her in ways other people don’t.

From my first brainstorming, I always thought of these books in a series of three. I definitely wanted to write Rachel and Hunter’s story, but this book did not come easily to me. At one point, I almost scratched writing it and moved to a new series, but it wouldn’t let go of me. I couldn’t give up on Rachel’s story. Eventually it came together. I handed it in. And then it got bumped on the schedule and pushed out to 2018. Needless to say, I’m so glad it’s finally in reader’s hands. 😊

There’s some hard backstory in this book. Reasons for my character Hunter to believe the way he does. I worked hard to flesh that out and even create some understanding for one of the characters off the page. I’m sure this all sounds like gibberish, but after reading it and knowing the ending, this explanation should make more sense. 😊

I think we all learn differently, and if the reader can pull a life lesson from fiction, then I’m all for that. But yes, laughter and maybe even a few tears—a few hours of escape from our hard world. That’s what I hope to provide.

Hunter’s father. He’s a hard man, but I think he’s still lovable. Especially once he’s understood.

Hmmm. I think I’d send my characters over to Jill Kemerer’s The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride. I think my small-town characters would get along well with hers. And the guys could talk ranching. 😉

I think Hunter would get along well with Ty from Becky Wade’s Meant to be Mine. I could definitely see the two of them hanging out. 😊

I’m excited to share that I have a new Colorado Grooms series coming up, and the first book—The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter—will be out July 20th, 2018. 

Sadly, this is the end for these characters. Wahh! I’m not quite ready to let them go!

I’ve been reading on my Kindle lately. I just finished a sweet novella from my friend Jessica Patch called Hope Under Mistletoe. And Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer. Next up is non-fiction—Girl, Wash Your Face and then a book I actually won from Amy Matayo in a giveaway (I never win anything!)—Love Gone Wild.

The Gifting Series by Katie Ganshert. I devoured all three books in about a week. 

I like to read in order, so if someone is like me, I’d say Falling for Texas. But I think my writing style is best represented in Her Texas Family or my novella, The Start of Us. I had a ton of fun writing those two stories!

1. I grew up in Minnesota.
2. I must have a cup of coffee first thing when I wake up in the morning.
3. My mom is the greatest prayer warrior I know.
4. My laugh is quite loud, and if we’re watching something funny after the kids have gone to bed, I’m always afraid it’s going to wake them.
5. I love the mountains in Colorado, but I would trade them in for a beach in a heartbeat.