Their Mended Hearts – Release Tour and Giveaway

What inspired you to write this book?

In 2002, when my grandfather died, it was the first time I had ever truly experienced the death of someone I was close to. My father passed away when I was a month old, but I can’t say I grieved his death. However, when my grandfather died, he had stepped into the father role. My grandparents raised me for the first six years of my life and intermittently for several years after that. They were my anchors in life. Losing my grandfather was probably the most debilitating thing I had ever experienced. It felt as if life stopped for me, much like the characters in my books.

I have worked through much of my grief, but I still miss my grandfather every day. In fact, the grief never goes away; some days it’s big, and some days it’s small. The more you love someone, the more it hurts. Honestly, I can’t imagine living life without people you love.

In the first book, Anna loses both of her parents at the age of nine. Her personality, inner conflict, and fears stem from this loss. When she loses her grandparents, she feels alone in the world. Her healing journey is reflected throughout the story.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I loved visiting Bandera, Texas, attending the rodeo, horseback riding at the dude ranches, and writing in my RV. We also stayed in a few really nice cottages that may or may not be mentioned in the book. The highlight was the horseback riding. I haven’t ridden much since I was a kid. The dude ranches took the time to talk with me about caring for the horses and mucking stalls. We also explored many quilt shops. It started with eavesdropping, and next thing I knew, I had made about 20 quilts and opened a quilt shop in Orange Grove, Texas named Cardinal Creek Quilting.

One of the first quilt shops I visited was Gone Quiltin’ in Bandera, Texas. I must admit I’ve always loved buying fabric just to keep it. That addiction needs a support group or a T-shirt. My husband and I have gone to about 20-30 quilt shops in Texas alone and several in Missouri. We even made it to Missouri Star Quilting in Hamilton, MO, two times.

Who designed your book covers?

My first book cover was created by Book Brush. My concept for the book cover featured wildflowers from the Texas Hill Country alongside a barn. A fun fact about it is that the red barn looks like a barn the neighboring farm to my grandparents’ place. Additionally, the barn quilt painted on the barn was originally 48 inches by 48 inches. The quilt over the fence is one I made, and the one on the back of the paperback is one I designed and was on the cover of the All Texas Shop Hop Magazine.

CJ Lopez created the second book cover, and I designed the quilt on the cabin’s porch. Two cardinals are in the tree on the back of the paperback, in memory of my grandparents.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

If the first book was made into a movie it would be Travis Fimmel and Emma Stone

The second book would be Max Thieriot and Shailene Woodley

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

The characters came completely from my imagination.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

My books do have candles.

Anna from the first book is Cinnamon and Vanilla

Will is Cowboy Leather

Kati is Lavender

Jon is Bourbon and Coke

I burn candles the entire time I write. From the start of the writing to the formatting, I used about 15 candles for this book maybe more.