Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: The Amish Cowboy by Adina Senft

Book Description

An Amish cowboy’s unexpected reunion with the girl who got away could heal his heart … or break it forever.

Daniel is the eldest of the six Miller siblings helping their Old Older Amish parents run the Circle M Ranch in northwestern Montana. Daniel can handle a blizzard, manage a roundup, even birth a calf. But what he can’t do is forget Lovina Lapp, who broke his heart back in Lancaster County and married someone else. When their neighbors gather to help them bring the cattle down from the summer pastures, Daniel is staggered to see Lovina among them. His job is to keep the group safe in the high country. But will he be able to protect his heart?

After a chaotic childhood and a romance with Daniel Miller that ended when he chose Montana over her, Lovina learned the danger of loving a cowboy. She married another man instead—someone who was safe. But after God took her husband in a freak accident, an invitation to go with old friends to visit the national parks seems like a gift. Until she finds herself unexpectedly at the Circle M Ranch, where one look at Daniel tells her there is nothing safe about her feelings for him …

The Montana Millers. They believe in faith, family, and the land. They’ll need all three when love comes to the Circle M!

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Elise’s Thoughts

The Amish Cowboy by Adina Senft brings to life the Amish community within the Montana setting.  It is a ‘what if’ story.  What if there were Amish who became cattle ranchers, and what if the hero and heroine had never had a chance reunion?

Daniel Miller is the oldest of six siblings.  He is a rugged Amish cowboy who manages roundups, takes care of the land, helps to raise cattle, and expertly rides horses.  He is more like the foreman of the family Circle M Ranch in northwestern Montana.

But at the age of twenty-eight he is viewed as a male spinster because he has yet to get married. His heart was broken ten years earlier when the love of his life, Lovina Lapp said no to his marriage proposal. Instead, she married another man who was recently killed in a hunting accident. To overcome their grief, she accepted an invitation to take her eight-year-old son Joel and visit the national parks.  But because the van they were in broke down she and Joel were now stranded in Montana with Daniel and his family. Because Joel was so enthusiastic, she agreed to go with the Millers and their neighbors to bring down the cattle before winter came.  But due to weather conditions, money restraints, and other circumstances she and Joel stayed much more then they planned.  It became obvious that both Daniel and Lovina still have feelings for each other, but would they allow the walls they built around themselves to fall.

Although there might have some liberties taken, the way the story was presented seemed very plausible that the Amish could be cowboys.  Readers will take a journey with the characters and learn about Montana.  They will also feel a part of the Miller family and will root for them to have a happy ending.

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Elise’s Author Interview

Elise Cooper:  What about the series?

Adina Senft:  This is book one of six.  There are six siblings in the Miller family and each sibling gets their own book. Even though it is a different hero/heroine it is the same family where I weave them into all six books. It will be a happy medium between one sentence telling readers about the rest of the family and a few chapters.  It is like an Amish family experience to put all the family members in.

EC:  Idea for the story?

AS:  I was looking for what has not been done with Amish fiction.  I thought about a series set in Montana.  This past June my husband and I went there to visit the Amish community. We did feet on the ground research.  Plus, a friend of mine, the captain of the firehouse where I live is President of the California cattlemen’s association.  He invited me to come to his ranch and watch the roundup. The idea was born between him, the Amish community, and it seemed believable and possible that the Amish could possibly raise beef cows in Montana. The Circle M brand is on the cover.

EC:  Amish and horses?

AS:  For them horses are for work, not pleasure.  Cattle ranchers would use them for work. A cutting horse is one of the most finely tooled instruments I had ever seen. When I was on the California ranch, within hours the calves were separated from the mothers. It was like watching a ballet where everyone knew their steps. When we were in Montana, the Amish came to the school auction on buggies, bicycles, and the occasional riding horse.

EC:  Why the Montana setting?

AS:  Only a few Amish stories are set here.  Plus, I used to live in Alberta Canada, and I knew the ranchers are about seven miles north of the Amish community in Montana. The weather, the way people worked with the land, the short period of time of the growing season, and the terrain were all familiar to me. Montana winters are very long and brutal. I had to move the location in Montana because the Amish community lives in the mountains, which does not lend itself to ranching. I have not met an Amish cowboy, but I think they are possible.

EC:  How would you describe Daniel?

AS:  The eldest son of a large close-knit family.  Very responsible and a nice-looking man.  He has a natural command in being the oldest brother.  Now at twenty-eight he is still not married because he has been carrying a torch for Lovina for ten years. He is honest, compassionate, patient, and gentle.

EC:  How would you describe Lovina?

AS:  She had a childhood backstory of never being wanted and never able to get what she wanted. She lost her ability to make connections with people. She was never treated with joy and welcome.  Now she is a good mother, very protective, smart, resourceful, but still fearful, vulnerable. She used to be a closed defensive person, but now is opening up.

EC:  Why the visit to the twelve national parks?

AS:  I had the idea from an Amish girl who told me she and her buddies went on a circuit of the national parks.  Lovina turned it into an educational experience as well as a recreational one. It was also a grief recovery trip since she lost her husband, and her son Joel lost his father.

EC:  What about the relationship?

AS:  She turned down Daniel’s initial proposal of marriage because she never saw herself as worthy.  He had hurt feelings. She is confused about her emotions.  They are trying to protect themselves from each other, yet the memories of their time together keep creeping in. They need to find trust in each other. She was fearful and he was hurt.  He unconsciously compared every girl he met to Lovina, and they never added up. No matter how perfect another woman can be, there is only going to be Lovina for him, even if he does not realize it yet.

EC:  In this story, are the Amish modernized?

AS:  They used cell phones, the Internet, and horses. The cell phones and the Internet is right from my research, which they use for business.  Because they are spaced so far apart with severe weather, cell phones are needed for a matter of safety. In the book, the mother Naomi does keep it in a cookie jar until they go on the roundup. Since they are in harsh weather communities, they are dependent on their neighbors, including the English.

EC:  The role of the child, Joel?

AS:  He was based on a child I know. He brings people to together through his innocence.  He foreshadowed how it could be for Daniel and Lovina. He helps Lovina to connect to the outside and overcome her grief.  She notices the setting through his eyes. Joel is curious about the snow, the animals, and the land. At times, he makes her adventurous. He is eight years old, but much older than his years. Joel recognized that the other woman, Susan, was very overbearing and desperate to snare Daniel.

EC:  Next book?

AS: The Amish Cowboy’s Baby is currently out. It is the youngest son’s Joshua’s story.  He is now a father. The third book is about the very shy twin sister, Rebecca, who is always in the background, and overshadowed by her twin sister. It is titled The Amish Cowboy’s Bride and comes out in May.

THANK YOU!!

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Bertha’s Resolve by Serena B. Miller

Book Description

From the USA Today Bestselling Author of the acclaimed Love’s Journey series comes the story of Bertha Troyer.

In 1959, after reading a heartbreaking plea for medical personnel, Bertha Troyer, a young, beautiful Amish woman from Sugarcreek, rebels against church rules and enters nursing school determined to pour out her life on behalf of the desperate children of Haiti.

This fourth installment of the Sugarcreek Series, follows Rachel’s beloved aunt, Bertha, back in time to a nightmare of poverty, political unrest, and the fury of nature, as Bertha is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life in order to protect her people—and the man—she loves.

Elise’s Thoughts

Bertha’s Resolve by Serena B. Miller is the fourth installment of the Love’s Journey in the Sugarcreek series.  This novel, as well as the other three, have engrossing characters, a riveting plot, and information about the Amish of Ohio.  The stories involve policewoman Rachel Troyer, her three elderly Amish aunts who run a Bed and Breakfast, Joe Matthews, Rachel’s eventual husband, and his son Bobby, along with other Amish town members.  These books should be read in order to get a feel for the characters, but after the first chapter of the first book readers will not want to put down any of the stories.

Going from the first book to the latest:

Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio also known as The Sugar Haus Inn brings to life the Troyer family.  Three elderly aunts who happen to be Amish have raised their niece, Rachel Troyer ever since her father died. The aunts understand her desire to respect the Amish culture, while not following in the Amish footsteps. Rachel has since joined the Sugarcreek police force and views her job as protecting her aunts and the town. 

Bertha is the oldest of the three aunts and she is the leader who is strong, responsible, and dominant.  Lydia, the middle sister, is gentle, kind, and finds solace in baking.  The youngest is Anna, a sweet, Down Syndrome person who gives unquestioning love and befriends younger children.

The plot has Rachel suspicious of a bearded stranger who land on her aunts’ doorstep, begging shelter for himself and his young son. Joe Matthews and his son Bobby decided to escape the Los Angeles lifestyle after his wife was brutally killed.  They are looking for anonymity and a quiet life. Although the aunts warmed to Joe and Bobby immediately, it took Rachel much longer to realize she had feelings for the father and son. In addition, all the books, have a suspenseful mystery.  In this one Rachel must protect herself, her aunts, Joe, and Bobby as she tries to find who murdered the wife.

Book 2, Rachel’s Rescue, delves into the backstory of how Rachel’s father was killed.  On her tenth birthday she and her dad, a policeman, had gone to the bank.  There, her father was murdered in front of Rachel’s eyes after he tried to stop the bank robber. Knowing how to use a gun, Rachel grabs her father’s gun and points it at the killer, Carl Bateman.  This book explores forgiveness and second chances as Rachel must come to grips with her anger and bitterness over losing her father. Twenty years later, she becomes obsessed with wanting revenge when Bateman was released from prison for serving his time. The suspenseful mystery also involves Bobby being kidnapped.  This story takes readers on a journey with Rachel as she tries to overcome her feelings of revenge.

Book 3, Love Rekindled focuses on two new “English” characters.  Dr. Michael Reynolds gets an opportunity to take over a country veterinarian practice in Sugarcreek, Ohio, and jumps at it, because this is his childhood town, and he feels close to the Amish community. His wife, Cassie, a Columbus attorney, is climbing the corporate ladder with lightning speed and refuses to go with him. Neither will compromise.  A second plot finds Keturah Hochstetler, a midwife saving a baby after the mother has a horrific car accident.  This story compares the English couple with the elderly Amish couple who show that sometimes career goals need to take second place to love and devotion, that career sacrifices are needed.  The mystery involves Rachel trying to find family members of the rescued baby.

Book 4, Bertha’s Resolve explores the oldest aunts’ backstory. In 1959, after reading a heartbreaking plea for medical personnel, Bertha Troyer, a young, beautiful Amish woman from Sugarcreek, rebels against church rules and enters nursing school determined to pour out her life on behalf of the desperate children of Haiti. As a young nurse, she dealt with a nightmare of poverty, political unrest, and the fury of nature, as Bertha is forced to make the most agonizing decision of her life to protect these people.  This book is very relevant today regarding the Americans and Afghan people who need to be rescued. 

There is also a romance, and the choices Bertha must make so that a marriage is not destroyed, sacrificing her own love. Fast-forward to current time and Bertha again meets up with her forever love.  Also, in this book Joe’s brother, Darren, is highlighted.  He and Joe have opened a restaurant/bar that is becoming very successful until someone tries to steal their money.  Childhood bullying and abuse are also issues in this story.

In all the books, the way of life of these simple, hardworking people is explored.  People become engrossed in reading about Joe and Rachel, the aunts, Bobby, and Darren.  Readers will take a journey with each character and have a vested interest in how the plot plays out. The stories combine a smidgen of romance, a suspenseful mystery, Amish life, and the importance of family.

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Elise’s Author Interview

EC:  The last book has Bertha part of a rescue effort.  Rumor has it that your son is also part of a rescue effort for those in Afghanistan?

Serena B. Miller:  My son had been in Afghanistan for five years as a contractor.  He is currently working day and night to get people out, Afghan translators. One was tragically killed by the Taliban a few days ago.  They warned his wife that she and her four children were next to be executed.  Thankfully, he got them out, but I am worried about others who are trapped.

Elise Cooper:  How did you get the idea for the series?

Serena B. Miller:  An editor suggested I write an Amish story.  I decided to choose the Sugarcreek area in Ohio because of its pretty name and it being compared as “the Little Switzerland of Ohio.” I lucked out because the owner of the Bed and Breakfast where I was staying had a lot of Amish friends.  I had dinner with an Amish family that had seven children and the grandmother/grandfather was also there.  The matriarch of the family told me I could ask anything, nothing was forbidden.  His one stipulation was that I write the truth about the Amish.  They loved the finished book. I even have an Amish family vet every Amish book I write. 

EC:  You write other series/books?

SBM:  I have written three historical books, another Amish series, a non-fiction book about Amish parenting, and a series about Manitoulin Island in Canada, which was optioned for the Hallmark channel. Also, the first of these Amish books was made into a TV movie which can be found on many of the streaming channels.

EC:  How would you compare the three Amish sisters?

SBM: Bertha is the oldest who has integrity and a tender heart. She is not domesticated but is the wise leader of the family with a bossy will of iron. Lydia is the baker who lives for cooking and is very quiet.  Anna has Down Syndrome and is very sweet.  Her personality is based on a church friend of mine.  Since I have three sisters, I have become fascinated with the sisterly dynamics.

EC:  How would you describe Rachel?

SBM:  Very protective of those she loves.  The killing of her father in front of her has defined her personality.  She is determined to protect her family no matter what.   She is analytical with common sense except where her father’s killer is concerned. Although very compassionate and direct, at times she is vulnerable. She also is very loyal and tenacious.

EC:  What about the relationship between Joe and Rachel?

SBM:  Both are very strong personalities. They can be stubborn at times.  They have their disagreements, but always respect each other.  They are on equal footing.

EC:  In the second book you redeem the killer?

SBM:  I felt I had to.  He served his time in prison for twenty years. Now he has turned his life around by healing abused dogs and training them for search and rescue.  His early life, when he was abused by his mother, is based on a true story.  Carl, the killer, has an affinity for animals because they saved him as a child.  He is now caring, remorseful, and deserves a second chance.

EC:  How would you describe your books?

SBM:  They are mysteries, suspense with a crime, and has an emphasis on the importance of family.  For me, the mystery has the reader turning the pages to see what happens next.  I put this quote in, “Whenever she (Rachel) needed the world to feel like a safer, saner place, she went to visit her Amish aunts.” I like writing about the big family, the agrarian culture, and the Amish community.  Each book has a goal, a mystery, and a spiritual theme, with of course, a happy ending.

EC:  What are the themes of each book?

SBM: Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio is about acceptance and not to judge a book by its cover. Rachel’s Rescue has a theme of forgiveness. Love Rekindled is about the healing of a marriage.  I wrote this one in the months after my husband passed away.  We had been married for many years.  It is about family relationship, but at that core is the marriage relationship. Bertha’s Resolve shows that it is possible to do the right thing and to walk away from the possibility of an extra marital affair. 

EC:  You always have tidbits about the Amish lifestyle.  In Bertha’s Resolve you compare the Amish with the Mennonites?

SBM:  The Mennonites can get on a plane, go to college, and have an extensive mission program of helping. The story of this book has Bertha worshipping a co-worker from afar. Now fifty years later they still have that depth of friendship. I want to show that with both groups they have a very strong work ethic and are problem solvers.

EC:  What about your next books?

SBM:  I am currently writing book 5 in this Sugarcreek series.  I am debating if Rachel will continue her profession as a police officer, maybe part time.  It will feature Joe’s brother Darren who will get a love story.  Since Joe is a former Major League baseball player, I will bring baseball into this story.  I am thinking of having an Amish boy who has a phenomenal talent for the game. Both Amish girls and boys love baseball.  Hopefully it will come out in the Spring of 2022.

I am also working on an Amish children’s novel that is for children.  It will also be set in Sugarcreek with some familiar characters. There will be twelve books in the series.  The first should come out around Christmas time.

THANK YOU!!

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Book Review: An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

AN AMISH FAMILY CHRISTMAS (The Charmed Amish Life #4) by Shelley Shepard Gray is the last book in The Charmed Amish series, but it can be read as a standalone. When you get to the last chapter wrap-up though, you are going to want to go back and read them all. Ms. Gray’s writing about an Amish family is entertaining and heartwarming, but she also portrays her characters with all the good and bad characteristics of all humans.

Levi Kinsinger has returned to Charm still trying to deal with the death of his father and wanting to find and fit into his place in his family’s business and home. He decides to live on his own because he can’t face the memories in his family home and meets the young widow across the street when she locks herself and her young daughter accidently out of their home. Friendship grows and Levi begins to have feelings for this mother and daughter, but there are secrets to be learned that may change those feelings.

Julia Kemp has been living a lie and running from her past. Having had an abusive fiancé and being pregnant out of wedlock sent her on the run to start over away from her life and family. It has been very difficult, but she has survived and raised her daughter on her own pretending to be a widow in the Amish community in Charm. Levi has made her want to reveal her secret and hope for a better life. Her past is starting to catch up with her and it is time to decide if she will run again or fight for her future.

Levi and Julia are fully developed characters and not just Amish caricatures. That is what I love about all of Ms. Gray’s characters. The plot is realistic and emotional. This is a fast read that will leave you with your HEA and a Kinsinger home full of family and love on Christmas day.

Feature Post: AVON KissCon at the CCPL

avon-kisscon-logo KissCon Diamond Jubilee 11/10/16

I had a blast at the AVON publisher KissCon event at the South Euclid/Lyndhurst CCPL! It was a Diamond Jubilee Celebration and I got to meet two of my all time favorite authors and made new friends with some others. Thanks to AVON for bringing this event to Cleveland and special thanks to our wonderful and award winning Cuyahoga County Public Library system for hosting!

The first hour was a pay for event with food trays, beverages, wines and a meet and greet one-on-one with the authors. We all received an AVON Diamond Jubilee tote full of goodies, a free anthology and a coupon for a free book of our choice.

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img_0266 Susan Elizabeth Phillips!

img_0264 Linda Howard!

img_0274 Jill Shalvis!

img_0272 Shelley Shepard Gray!

All of the authors were great, but I have been reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Linda Howard for years, so of coarse I was fan-girling!

The second hour was free for everyone who registered and it was all the authors seated in a panel format. We had a fun Q&A game, the authors talked about their current books and the audience got to ask questions.

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The full panel of authors included: Shelley Shepard Gray, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jill Shalvis, Linda Howard, Linda Winstead Jones, Jennifer Ryan, Katherine Ashe and Toni Blake.

I now have another list of books to add to my TBR and new authors to try. It was a great night! Thanks to AVON and the authors for coming to Cleveland.