Meet author Traci Summeril
Traci Summeril is a Colorado girl who loves exploring the Rocky Mountains she calls home. She spent her childhood summers on her grandparents’ ranch, where her rodeo queen grandmother taught her to ride—planting the seeds for the rugged cowboy heroes she writes today. Her debut romantic suspense, Secrets Beneath the Snow, written under the pen name Teresa Summers, became a New York Times and Publishers Weekly Bestseller. When she’s not writing gripping, faith-filled romance, Traci is a music teacher and mom to four amazing kids.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Forgotten Heart is the story of Rancher Nick McGraw who had his dreams of teaching shattered and lost his chance for true love in one fell swoop. Years later, he’s finally moved on. The best Christmas gift he can give himself is a new start—with a mail-order bride. After he broke her heart, schoolmarm Elsie Atchinson hoped she would never see Nick again. But moments after they come face to face, Nick is attacked and left for dead in the midst of a white-out blizzard. Elsie can’t abandon him in his time of need. There’s just one problem. The Nick who wakes up with his head wrapped in bandages doesn’t remember leaving Elsie. It will take a Christmas miracle for them to find their way back to the love they once shared and work together to save everything they hold dear.
What inspired you to write your story?
Coming from a long line of teachers, I knew I wanted to write about two in that profession. Especially since one of my favorite stories is Anne of Green Gables. Add in to that my inspiration of my great-great grandmother Amy Lyons, who was a teacher and had to overcome many childhood traumas, and Elsie was “born”.
What genre do you focus on.
I come from a long line of cowboys and some of my best memories are from when I spent my summers on my grandparent’s ranch in Nebraska. Writing anything with cowboys is a way that I can keep my heritage alive. Many of my stories are inspired from the stories my grandmother used to tell me.
Why do you write?
I’ve always loved creating stories. Even from a young age, I would prefer to sit on the jungle gym with my notebook writing a story about a girl who adopted a mischievous dog and cat. It was in college when I felt God tell me that he didn’t give me my stories to keep to myself. So, here I am, many years later, trying to write the stories God has inspired me to share.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My heroine’s name is Elsie. I chose the name based off popular names back in 1990. She was inspired by very own great-great grandmother’s story. Then there is Nick, my hero. He was inspired by my one of my favorite heroes…Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. Plus, I’ve always loved the name Nick.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
My life is full right now with four kids and also teaching music part-time. So, to get my writing in, I have to wake up before anybody else in the house to meet my goal. I also get to write during my off hours at the school. I try and leave evenings and weekends for family.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part of being an author is wanting to get it right when I first start a new story. I have to give myself permission to just get the words down, to discover the story, and then go back to fix it later. My inner editor can make me slower than I want to be.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love seeing the polished manuscript and then holding the book in my hand. That is the best feeling in the world. PLUS, I love sharing my stories with my readers. I have stories that I’m working on currently that I can’t wait to get to my readers.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
You know that feeling of coming home after you’ve been gone. You walk in the door, and you know it’s the place you belong. I try and portray that feeling in my books. My characters finding that place where they belong. Home.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’m still rather new to the publication world, but I have really grown in perseverance. One of my favorite quotes by the great Susan May Warren is, “If you haven’t been changed by the journey, you’ve missed the point.”
What is your favorite pastime?
I love reading next to a cozy fireplace. Sounds cliché, but it really is wonderful. Especially after a long day or week.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My very first published book came out this past April 2025 from Love Inspired Suspense called Secrets Beneath the Snow. I wrote it under the pen name Teresa Summers to distinguish between the genres.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two right now. I have a contemporary cowboy that I’m loving and should be released in 2027. Then I have another romantic suspense/adventure that I am also working on that takes place in the same “world” as Secrets Beneath the Snow.
Website: www.tracisummeril.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Heart-River-Mail-Order-Brides
Social media links: @tracisummeril
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