FEATURED BOOK AND INTERVIEW: RESCUING THE TEXAN'S HEART BY MINDY OBENHAUS

Melting His Heart 

Cash Coble is desperate for a change. After working in the family business for ten years, he's stressed out and overworked. When he heads to Colorado to visit his ailing grandfather, he finds his mood lifted by the beautiful woman living next door. After a troubled past, ice climber Taryn Purcell isn't looking for love. Especially not with a charming Texan who's consumed by work. But there's something about Cash that captures her heart. Never one to back down from a challenge, Taryn promises to show Cash how to carve out a happy life—one that includes her.

INTERVIEW:

How exciting to have Taryn Purcell the heroine from Rescuing the Texan’s Heart written by Mindy Obenhaus, a September 2014 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1.  Taryn, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I’m a mountain guide, meaning that I take people on climbing expeditions. Ouray, Colorado, where I live, is surrounded by thirteen and fourteen thousand foot peaks, so there is plenty of adventure to be had. However, the thing that people would probably find most interesting is that I am an avid ice climber.

2.  What do you do for fun?

            Because I get to do what I love, my job is always fun. When I’m not climbing, though, I enjoy anything I can do outdoors. I also love to bake.

3.  What do you put off doing because you dread it?

            Just about anything that involves opening up to someone. There are a few flaws in my past that I prefer to keep hidden. Even my parents don’t know the truth about the time I spent in Texas.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

            Losing my heart to someone and then having them throw it back at me.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

            Family.

6.  Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

            I don’t have a lot of time to read, but my best friend, Blakely, has given me a few of those romance novels she reads. Honestly, I was surprised how good they were. Not corny, like I expected.

7.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

            I wish that I were more open to the possibility of falling in love. But you know the old saying, once bitten, twice shy.

           

8.  Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

            Scout is more than my pet, she’s my baby. I found her as a pup, someone had abandoned her by a dumpster. I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her and we’ve been together ever since. She’s my closest confidant. I can tell her anything and she loves me anyway.

9. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

            Back to that fateful day in the student union at the University of North Texas. This time, I would turn around and walk right out the door, instead of allowing myself to fall for that smooth-talking jerk. Then again, I was every bit as shallow as he was. Without the heartache, I’d still be just as wretched as he was. And I wouldn’t know Jesus. Yes, life can be hard, but if we learn from our experiences, it’s all worth it.

My Favorite Place

I've had the good fortune to live in and travel to many different places in my life. Some that sound very exotic, like St. Lucia and Iceland. Others that are more homegrown, like Michigan, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. But of all the places I've been, the one I love the most is Ouray, Colorado. True, my books are set there, but every time I visit this town, I fall in love all over again.

Why?

Let me start by giving you a little perspective. I'm currently a suburbanite living on the flatlands of Texas. I'm surrounded by highways and virtually every parcel of land is being bulldozed in order to build more homes or businesses. Old buildings aren't restored, they're torn down to make way for something more modern. 

But Ouray... 

Everywhere I look, there are mountains. And I don't mean in the distance. In Ouray, they are up-close and personal. Stand anywhere in town and you are enveloped by thirteen and fourteen thousand foot peaks. Trees perch on minuscule outcroppings, planted by the hand of God.

In Ouray, seventy percent of the town's Victorian buildings are still in use.

They revel in their history. No bulldozing going on here.

In Ouray, I can feel as though I'm on top of the world.

And marvel in alpenglow, when God paints barren gray rock the most incredible shade of red/orange/pink.

In my book, Ouray is like no place else on earth.

Do you have favorite place? I'd love to hear about it.

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and two of her five children. Her debut novel, The Doctor’s Family Reunion, is a finalist in ACFW’s 2014 Carol Awards and her second book, Rescuing the Texan’s Heart, is a September 2014 release. When she’s not writing, Mindy enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her grandkids. You can learn more about Mindy and Ouray at www.mindyobenhaus.com.

Carol Award Finalist: Mindy Obenhaus

A ripple in the crowd, a murmur, then a cheer.  Here at the Craftie Ladies, we salute our authors who rise to the top and prove that Christian fiction rocks!  

                     Today, we're talking to Mindy Obenhaus 

 

Her book  

THE DOCTOR'S FAMILY REUNION

is a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers award. 

 What inspired you to write the finaling book?

I’d have to say my setting. Ouray, Colorado is not only beautiful, it’s the Jeeping capital of the world. This tiny town of 900 swells to over 2000 people during the summer months with a lot of seasonal workers, many of them college kids. And we were all young once, right?

How many times have you entered the Carol Awards?

This is my first year to enter. Interestingly enough, I was ACFW’s Carol Award coordinator for the past four years. But when I got my first contract and was eligible to enter, I had to step down from that position.

What does an average writing day look like for you?

More glamorous than you can imagine. It starts at five AM with a trip to gym, followed by a quick shower and running our only non-driving child to school. That’s often followed by a Walmart run to stock up on more food for these growing boys, and any other errands that need to be done. After some quiet time with the Lord, I settle into my office, check emails and blogs before I pull up my WIP. From there on, it’s a little writing, followed by a little bit of procrastination and banging my head against the wall, possibly some housework (only in the most dire of procrastination modes), then, before I know it, my men are all home, uttering those annoying words, “I’m hungry.”

What can we expect to see next?

My second book, Rescuing the Texan’s Heart, is a September Love Inspired release and takes place in Ouray, as well. I’ve also contracted with Love Inspired for two more books, though release dates have yet to be determined.

Tell us about the finaling book.

Family means everything to Dr. Trent Lockridge. Growing up without a father, he always yearned for a family of his own. One long-ago  summer in Ouray, Colorado, he thought  he might build a future with beautiful  Blakely Daniels. But when he abruptly fled town, he broke her heart and left behind more than memories. Years later, Trent is shocked—and overjoyed—to learn he's a father. He'd like to earn back Blakely's love and trust— but it won't be easy. And the clock is ticking. He's got only a few weeks to prove that, this time.

Thanks for stopping by Mindy!

Pursuing Your Dreams

Starting today, I'm in San Antonio, Texas for Romance Writers of America's annual conference. There's nothing better for a writer's soul than the opportunity to hang out with other writers. 

This will be my first RWA Conference since 2007. Back then, I was a novice writer in search of that elusive first book contract. I confess that there were times when my dream felt like nothing more than a pipe dream. Still, I kept writing and learning. I persevered through the rejections.

Seven years since my last RWA Conference, I am honored to be returning as not only a published author, but a soon-to-be multi-published author. All because of that dream.

Dreams don't come true just because we want them to. They take nurturing, hard work, sometimes tears and a thick skin. There is no path of least resistance. There will be challenges. Challenges that have to be faced head-on in order to come out stronger on the other side.

When my dream of becoming a published author took root, I had no idea it would take me almost 9 years to see it come to fruition. But the joy and satisfaction of that first contract was so worth the effort.

It wasn't until after I got that call from my editor that I realized I'd taught my children a valuable lesson. My youngest child was 5 when I started writing, so they'd witnessed my entire journey. The ups and downs, the heartaches and joys. Then they saw their mother's dream come true. Because I refused to give up.

In my September 2014 release, Rescuing the Texan's Heart, both my hero and heroine experienced the death of a dream. Only to have God restore them in ways they never imagined. After all, He is the ultimate dream giver. :-)

Have you ever had a dream? Did you pursue it or leave it languishing in the dust somewhere along the way? If you achieved your dream, what challenges did you face along the way?

Here's wishing that all your dreams come true.

~Mindy Obenhaus~

Coming September 2014

Melting his heart.

Cash Coble is desperate for a change. After working in the family business for ten years, he's stressed out and overworked. When he heads to Colorado to visit his ailing grandfather, he finds his mood lifted by the beautiful woman living next door. After a troubled past, ice climber Taryn Purcell isn't looking for love. Especially not with a charming Texan who's consumed by work. But there's something about Cash that captures her heart. Never one to back down from a challenge, Taryn promises to show Cash how to carve out a happy life—one that includes her.

Thursday Sisterhood with Mindy Obenhaus

Family Status:  Married, 5 kids, 2 at home; 5 grands 

What Is Your Favorite Beverage: Tea or water. I’m a tea (hot) junkie, buying my tea by the half-kilo. 

What Is Your Favorite Food: Sushi, steak, pizza…. Depends on which day you ask me, but something chocolate or sweet always wins out.

What Is Your Favorite Thing to do During Free Time: Free time? What’s that? However, if there’s a little downtime, I like to read or shop.

Who Has Been the Most Influential Person in Your Life: After deep thought, I would have to say Jesus. He’s been a part of almost every decision/thought/desire in my life.

First Book You Fell in Love With: The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

A Book You Wish You’d Written: A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

First Book Published: The Doctor’s Family Reunion

Most Recent Book: At the time I’m typing this, The Doctor’s Family Reunion

Out Next: Rescuing the Texan’s Heart, September 2014

How Many Have You Written: 5 

What Do You Know Now That You Wish You’d Known Then: God’s timing is perfect.

What is Your Favorite Bible Story: Joshua and the battle of Jericho. When we are obedient, God will bring down the walls.

What is Your Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

What is Your Favorite Hymn: Come, Thou Fount 

What is an Ongoing Prayer Request You Have: That God would mold me and I would be moldable.