Terri Neunaber Bentley is a retired English teacher residing in a small mountain town north of Boise, Idaho. The former educator released her debut novel, For Love of Family, earlier this year with Ambassador International.
Aside from writing, Terri is involved with with many church organizations that promote missions. She also likes to I kayak down the Middle Fork of the Payette River with her family and completing jigsaw puzzles.
One fun fact about Terri is that she loves dogs and is a fur mom. In fact, she and her husband drove from Idaho to Michigan to adopt their now two years old Australian Shepherd/Bernese Mountain Dog. In addition to that pup, the couple also has a Beauceron.
Welcome, Terri Neunaber Bentley!
Q) Welcome, Terri! We are so thrilled to learn more about you and your writing. To start, will you describe yourself in three words?
A) Persistent, People-pleasing, Plump
Q) Please describe your writing in 5, or fewer, words.
A) German heritage Antebellum romantic fiction.
Q) If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be and why?
A) I’m But a Stranger Here, Heaven is My Home. Whenever I feel out of place or unaccepted, I remember that I am in the world, not of the world. (John 15:19) I have a heavenly home waiting that will exceed every joy I experience here.
Q) You’re throwing a literary dinner party where you can invite 3 authors, living or not. Who is invited and why?
Q) Mark Twain. Not only was my grandfather born in Hannibal, MO but I was also born along the Mississippi River. I have always loved his wit. Charles Martin. My husband and I have listened to many of his books when we travel and we love his character’s Christian influence in the world. I would love to pick his brain. Anthony Doerr. He is a fantastic writer and I discovered this week that we have the same tax accountant. (Small world.) I may actually meet him some day.
In A Land So Strange
Q) Earlier this year, your debut novel released. Can you please tell readers a little about For Love of Family?
A) When Lena Neubauer is sent from Germany to America to help her immigrant brother on his farm and with his young children, she never expects what awaits her in antebellum America.
With family honor and devotion propelling her across to an unknown world, Lena soon finds herself stepping into this strange world where people are judged by the color of their skin and treated like animals. Aghast at what she sees in her new home, Lena seeks to find goodness in where God has led her to be.
Lena meets Karl Muller on her journey to her brother’s farm, and he introduces her to the ideas of Senator Abraham Lincoln, showing her that this presidency could change things for the better. The more time she spends with Karl, the more she finds herself longing to be a part of his world, but loyalty to her brother is keeping her from pursuing what her heart longs for the most—to be loved and cherished.
After tragedy strikes, Lena finds herself finally at the crossroads and must make a decision that will affect her future—and her family’s future—forever.
Q) For Love of Family is the beginning of “In a Land so Strange” series. What are your plans for the next book?
A) The next book is steeped in the throes of the Civil War. Youngsters from the first book are now teens breaking away from their parents; one becomes a soldier and the other tries to become the next international singing nightingale sensation. They must navigate the turbulent times of the day before eventually finding each other.
More About Author Terri Neunaber Bentley
Q) You have two blogs that you run. Will you share with readers what they can find on your blogs?
A) The Mountain Praises blog is a devotional one. It is where I make connections between scripture and life. The German Schatz blog is where I connect with Americans and their German heritage.
Q) Can you tell us about your future writing projects and your goals as an author?
A) Once the three book series is complete, I am not sure where the Lord will direct me. I already write extensively for a ladies church organization. My head is full with my current books. I think I need to empty that first. I have never experienced writer’s block. The Lord is always inspiring me to work on something.
Q) What was your most recent 5-star read and why?
A) All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Not only is he a fellow Idahoan, it won the Pulitzer Prize. It drew me in and I was so excited that Netflix made it into a movie that I binge-watched last week. Although not a Christian novel, the characters have caring hearts in such a horrible time of war.
Family and Faith
Q) What does family mean to you?
A) I have three grown children and one terrific son-in-law. Our oldest of three grandchildren was born four months too early and has special needs which never holds her back. Eighteen year old Kalli is the covergirl on the attached Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly magazine.
Her 12 year old brother Andrew is an emerging sports star on every team he joins. Their younger cousin seven-year-old Dax is a resilient boy surviving his parent’s divorce. I am blessed to live nearby so I can celebrate birthdays, holidays, recitals, sports, and other events any time. They support me and I support them in everything life brings our way.
Q) How does your faith intersect with your writing?
A) All my characters have a God GPS. They don’t pretend to be holier-than-thou or are preachy but live their everyday lives in the most God-pleasing way they can and turn to Him for constant guidance. My personal faith struggles are often revealed through them.
Q) What is your favorite Bible verse?
A) My favorite Bible verse changes almost daily when I read my morning devotions. I jot down scripture that speaks to me. The Spirit led me to write Psalm 125:4 yesterday.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!
Advice from Terri and Conclusion
Q) I can’t believe our time together is already coming to a close! As we are wrapping up, let’s talk about advice. If you could give your younger self any advice, in terms of writing or something else, what would it be?
A) I think I would have liked to have started this writing journey younger but I think I have more maturity to tackle it now. I suspect things are working out properly in God’s timing “for such a time as this.”
Q) What advice can you share with other authors?
A) Writing takes a long time. Worry and impatience will only stress you out. If you finish a project and it experiences delays, or negative responses from publishers, put it aside and work on the next thing. Eventually, the first will find its footing and in the meantime, you have created something new!
Q) Thank you so much for being here, Terri! Is there anything else you would like to add?
A) I appreciate this opportunity to share my book with you. I hope you are blessed by it!
Connect with Terri Neunaber Bentley!
Find out more about and connect with Terri online through her website. You can also better get to know one of Terri’s characters from For Love of Family, Lena, in this online interview. You can order a copy of Terri’s book directly from Ambassador International or from your favorite book retailer. And remember to request a copy at your local library!
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