A Paradise Called Texas is based on my German ancestors' immigration to Texas. Mina came with her mother and father and many other Germans when Texas was still a frontier. They were looking for a better life. Instead, they found hardship, tragedy, and adventure.

Mina is actually a combination of two girls. The first Mina died during an epidemic in New Braunfels some six months after arriving in Texas. Her father, my great-grandfather, named his second daughter Mina to ease his grief. I think he would be happy that his beloved kleine Mina lives on in my story.