So... Fun fact: I write about children with magical pencils and snarky teenagers making their way through mysterious worlds, but I have a guilty pleasure--romance novels. Call it chick lit, if you want. I'm not afraid of your labels. Because of this, I was excited to share with my readers THEIR TANGLED HEARTS, a faith-based romance with an attractive setting (a ranch!), differently-abled children, and, yes, L-O-V-E. What's not to adore about any of those things?
Let's start out with an interview with the author of THEIR TANGLED HEARTS, Mary Deweber, and then we'll get to hear alllll about her book.
Let's start out with an interview with the author of THEIR TANGLED HEARTS, Mary Deweber, and then we'll get to hear alllll about her book.
Interview with Mary DeWeber
So, Mary... When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I always thought it would be fun to be an author, but never thought I had what it takes. Even when I finished Their Tangled Hearts, I doubted it would ever get published.
What books have you read more than once?
I love the ‘Love Comes Softly’ series by, Janette Oke.
What is your favorite quote?
The inner side of every cloud is bright and shining.
Therefore I turn my clouds about and always wear them inside out,
To show the lining!
-Emily Loring
Is THEIR TANGLED HEARTS based on people you know or places you've been?
The characters and story are purely fictitious. My husband, Jeff, and I did live in the mountains outside of Denver for a while in the early 1990’s.
The characters are a compilation of all the heroes and heroines I’ve read about in the past.
Who would you choose to play your characters if your book became a movie?
I think Julianne Hough would make an excellent Emma! She’s an accomplished actress and sings beautifully. For Jake I’d like Josh Turner. But I’m afraid they might be up-staged by Sam Elliot as Ken the stable boss!
THEIR TANGLED HEARTS is set on a ranch and involves people with disabilities. How did you go about researching for these characters and settings?
I watched a documentary about large animal therapy.
Your main character, Emma, takes a job as a cook at a cattle ranch. I'm a fan of food, so I want to know--what's your favorite food? What is your least favorite food?
My favorite food would have to be chicken enchiladas. Least favorite…canned spinach! I’ll eat it fresh any day!
Speaking of food, I'm a big fan of sucking on Cinnamon Fire Jolly Ranchers while I write. Is there a snack or drink that's a must-have during your writing process?
Decaffeinated Coffee with milk. Caffeine either makes me grouchy or puts me to sleep!
What was the most challenging part of writing THEIR TANGLED HEARTS?
Trying to keep the details of the tragedy that happened to Emma at a minimum while focusing on her healing.
Best piece of advice for new writers?
Don’t get in a hurry. Let your characters mature. Research your subject matter and check your facts but don’t get so bogged down in details that you get frustrated and quit. And remember that there is no time limit on how long it’ll take to finish your book. It’s not over until you decide it is. (S. J. comment: Really good advice that I needed to hear today, thank you!!)
I always thought it would be fun to be an author, but never thought I had what it takes. Even when I finished Their Tangled Hearts, I doubted it would ever get published.
What books have you read more than once?
I love the ‘Love Comes Softly’ series by, Janette Oke.
What is your favorite quote?
The inner side of every cloud is bright and shining.
Therefore I turn my clouds about and always wear them inside out,
To show the lining!
-Emily Loring
Is THEIR TANGLED HEARTS based on people you know or places you've been?
The characters and story are purely fictitious. My husband, Jeff, and I did live in the mountains outside of Denver for a while in the early 1990’s.
The characters are a compilation of all the heroes and heroines I’ve read about in the past.
Who would you choose to play your characters if your book became a movie?
I think Julianne Hough would make an excellent Emma! She’s an accomplished actress and sings beautifully. For Jake I’d like Josh Turner. But I’m afraid they might be up-staged by Sam Elliot as Ken the stable boss!
THEIR TANGLED HEARTS is set on a ranch and involves people with disabilities. How did you go about researching for these characters and settings?
I watched a documentary about large animal therapy.
Your main character, Emma, takes a job as a cook at a cattle ranch. I'm a fan of food, so I want to know--what's your favorite food? What is your least favorite food?
My favorite food would have to be chicken enchiladas. Least favorite…canned spinach! I’ll eat it fresh any day!
Speaking of food, I'm a big fan of sucking on Cinnamon Fire Jolly Ranchers while I write. Is there a snack or drink that's a must-have during your writing process?
Decaffeinated Coffee with milk. Caffeine either makes me grouchy or puts me to sleep!
What was the most challenging part of writing THEIR TANGLED HEARTS?
Trying to keep the details of the tragedy that happened to Emma at a minimum while focusing on her healing.
Best piece of advice for new writers?
Don’t get in a hurry. Let your characters mature. Research your subject matter and check your facts but don’t get so bogged down in details that you get frustrated and quit. And remember that there is no time limit on how long it’ll take to finish your book. It’s not over until you decide it is. (S. J. comment: Really good advice that I needed to hear today, thank you!!)
About the Book
Emma had spent the last five years learning to cope with tragedy. She should have known that Doc had something up his sleeve when he'd talked her into taking a cooking job at a Colorado cattle ranch. Cooking was the easy part. Working with disabled children was something she was decidedly not prepared for. Throw in a tall dark mountain of a man with a voice like warm velvet and she was completely over her head! It would take God to straighten out the tangled mess she had made of her life.
Excerpt
“I’m s-so s-sorry.” Emma stammered.
“Don’t be,” the man smiled. “Do you have nightmares often?”
“They’re not usually this bad.” Suddenly cold, she shivered and clutched the blanket to her chest. Confusion colored her voice as she asked. “How-?”
“I came in late last night and couldn't sleep. I was on my front porch waiting for sunrise when I heard you scream.” Smiling he held up his hands. “It’s a good thing I still have the key or I’m afraid I would have broken the door down.”
While he spoke he got up from the side of the bed and moved to a chair. For the first time she saw he was wearing an open jacket and flannel shirt. No wonder he had felt so warm and comforting.
“You must be Emma. I heard about you from Sue, when I called last evening to see if she needed anything from town before I headed out.”
She realized that he’d deliberately been talking to give her some much-needed breathing space, in which to gather her wits.
When he reached out his hand, Emma didn't hesitate to place hers into it. “I’m Sue’s brother Jake Peterson,” he introduced himself formally, as he politely shook her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Peterson,” she said automatically. “I’m Emma Winters.”
As Emma sat looking up at him, she was suddenly struck by the absurdity of the situation. A bubble of nervous laughter welled up from some secret place deep inside and surprised her by escaping.
Jake, determining she was not hysterical, grinned and soon they were both laughing.
“Don’t be,” the man smiled. “Do you have nightmares often?”
“They’re not usually this bad.” Suddenly cold, she shivered and clutched the blanket to her chest. Confusion colored her voice as she asked. “How-?”
“I came in late last night and couldn't sleep. I was on my front porch waiting for sunrise when I heard you scream.” Smiling he held up his hands. “It’s a good thing I still have the key or I’m afraid I would have broken the door down.”
While he spoke he got up from the side of the bed and moved to a chair. For the first time she saw he was wearing an open jacket and flannel shirt. No wonder he had felt so warm and comforting.
“You must be Emma. I heard about you from Sue, when I called last evening to see if she needed anything from town before I headed out.”
She realized that he’d deliberately been talking to give her some much-needed breathing space, in which to gather her wits.
When he reached out his hand, Emma didn't hesitate to place hers into it. “I’m Sue’s brother Jake Peterson,” he introduced himself formally, as he politely shook her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Peterson,” she said automatically. “I’m Emma Winters.”
As Emma sat looking up at him, she was suddenly struck by the absurdity of the situation. A bubble of nervous laughter welled up from some secret place deep inside and surprised her by escaping.
Jake, determining she was not hysterical, grinned and soon they were both laughing.
About Mary DeWeber
Mary DeWeber has always been a voracious reader. She often found unusual places to curl up with book including the branches of a sycamore tree! She spent hours entertaining her five children with stories that she would invent on the spur of the moment. Not afraid of tough subjects, her deep faith shines through her. Mary now resides in Arkansas in a hundred-year-old farmhouse with her husband Jeff and their dog Gretchen.
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