Daughter of Texas Interview

Today we're welcoming Corinna Pike , the heroine of Daughter of Texas, by Terri Reed, a January 2011 release.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.
I'm a ballerina by profession and I also teach dance to children at a women's shelter. As the daughter of a Texas Ranger I’ve known since I was old enough to comprehend that my father’s job held great danger but he did everything he could to shield me from the nastier side of life. But he couldn’t protect me from finding him murdered in our family home. The villain that killed my father now wants me dead too!

2. So, during the book you met Ben Fritz. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
My father brought Ben home when I was twelve and Ben was nineteen. He was a punk, headed down the wrong side of the law when my father decided to bring Ben under his wing. I resented Ben from the get-go. Here was the son my dad always wanted. Dad groomed Ben to become a Ranger like himself. I didn’t see much of Ben as I grew older. But when my dad was murdered, Ben became my self-appointed protector. I just wanted him to find the killer, but Ben wanted to keep me safe forcing us to be together. As I got to know Ben, I realized how good hearted and honorable he was, just like my father! But Ben also had a way of making me feel special that really captured my heart.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
I’m my father’s daughter, which is my greatest strength and my greatest weakness. Hiding from danger, letting the bad guy win was not an option, much to Ben’s frustration. I didn’t make it easy for him to protect me.

4. What scares you? Losing the ones I love. My mom died when I was young. Then my dad. I don’t know if I could take losing Ben.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d be more open with my feelings. I tend to isolate for fearing of being hurt.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’m angry at God for allowing my mother to die of cancer. I prayed and prayed for her to become well, but she didn’t. I turned my back on God. My father never did. And yet, he was murdered. I didn’t understand why God would allow that.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? Ben helped me see that God loves me and that sickness is a part of the human condition. My mother was healed, in heaven. As for my dad’s murder, a human being did that, not God. God gives up free will. Sometimes I wish He didn’t, but I know God wants us to choose to love Him.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4
I like this verse because it’s active. For me delighting in God means praying, reading the Bible, listening for Him wisdom. Then God is active by giving us the desires. I don’t think this means, He asks like a genie and will grant us wishes, but rather He will place in our hearts desires that are to our benefit. Just like He placed love for Ben in my heart. I never would have wished to fall in love with Ben, but God knew we needed each other.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?
Tiramisu because it’s rich with layers both delicate and strong, just like me. Plus, it’s my favorite dessert.

Terri Reed will be sending one lucky commenter a copy of Daughter of Texas-so please leave an email address so she can contact you.