Rancher, Baker, Family Maker: Book One in the 'Moving to Montana' series
- Susan Brenning
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
An Inspirational Romance Novel
'Rancher, Baker, Family Maker' will soon be available on Amazon! Stay tuned!
About Rancher, Baker, Family Maker
Location & Background
I took this picture of the Kootenai during my last visit to my hometown of Libby, Montana. Moving to Montana is set in the fictional town of Liberty, Montana, which shares many similarities with Libby, but with changes that are unique to my imagination.
Rancher, Baker, Family Maker is the first book in a series set in the fictional town of Liberty, Montana. Alex works as an engineer in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Chloe owns and runs a café in Liberty, Montana, where she bakes.
Chloe Brown was born and raised in Liberty. She has a three-year-old daughter, Zoe. Her husband died in a logging incident when Zoe was one year old.
Alex has recently moved to Liberty after inheriting his family's ranch from his adoptive grandmother, Edith. He lives next door to Chloe, who shares her property with her older brother. Chloe and her brother have been like grandchildren to Edith, helping her until her death, and taking care of her ranch.
Alex's move to Liberty is contested by his maternal grandfather, Thomas. Secrets are unearthed that can threaten both Alex's ability to keep his inheritance and his relationships with family.
Chloe fears giving her heart to a man who might not stay and struggles with the guilt of not staying true to her husband's memory.
Meet the cast
The Heroine and her daughter
Chloe Brown is the no-nonsense heroine. She is petite and powerful. Some might think her rude when in reality, she struggles with anger issues after her husband's death.
She is protective and loving towards her three-year-old daughter, Zoe. Her baking skills, strength, and loyalty appeal to Alex.
Her coffee skills do not.
The Hero
Alex Phillips Long is talkative and sociable. Skills he uses to hide his sorrow over losing his parents at an early age. He struggles with feeling that he belongs in his new family and the guilt of replacing his blood parents.
He feels stressed from working as an engineer in a large company and loses the ability to be a team player after his adoptive father dies.
Story Line
Alex and Chloe are dealing with loss and trauma regarding deceased loved ones. Their journeys involve processing grief and finding ways to heal emotionally while building new connections.
Moving to Montana
Will they drown in grief and secrets or find enough strength in love and loyalty to meet the challenges? Can family be formed through chosen relationships rather than biological connections?
"I can go to church with you on Sunday. Maybe God will talk to me and answer all my questions." I smile.
"Well, if that happens, it will be the first time in the history of mankind. I think God likes a little mystery; it keeps us on our toes, makes us aware of how much we need him." Chloe smiles back at me.
Alex and Chloe - getting acquainted.
Book description
Alexander Phillips Long
Dealing with grief and loss, Alex sets off on a journey of self-discovery. He seeks ways to heal emotionally while daring to build new relationships.
Leaving behind the comforts of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a lucrative job, Alex heads for the wilds of rural Montana to claim an inheritance. He experiences the struggles of living in a rural setting, including financial difficulties, hard work on a farm, and navigating community dynamics amidst personal aspirations.
Family drama and secrets are only manageable through faith in God and the support of his sisters. The hope of a romance with Chloe, his new neighbor, motivates him to switch gears from engineering to embrace the life of a rancher.
Chloe Brown
Chloe leads a seemingly simple life, and she's fine with that. Raising her daughter on her own and running her bakery offers all the challenges she can handle.
Aside from her bakery, Chloe and her brother help their neighbor, Edith, with chores on her small ranch. But everything changes when her neighbor dies, leaving Chloe in a tough spot.
The new neighbor is young and challenges Chloe's comfortable life of routine and complacency. Secrets involving their families threaten to keep them apart. Despite difficult circumstances, their romantic relationship blossoms slowly but meaningfully.
Can she find closure and peace with the circumstances involving her husband's death? Should she remain faithful to her late husband, or should she open her heart and risk loving again?
What makes my book different from books in a similar genre?
My desire is to give an opportunity for relaxation as well as inspiration. I find that in using the creativity God has given to each of us, we can mirror the Creator. Therefore, my books often show different ways of being creative.
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