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American Dreamer
Based on an actual government study about the humane treatment of animals, a romance traces the budding passion between Lark Leopold, an animal researcher, and Nathan Senatra, a man fighting to hold onto his Midwestern farm. Original.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
20 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Weir
32 books314 followersTheresa Weir (a.k.a. Anne Frasier) is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels and numerous short stories that have spanned the genres of suspense, mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, paranormal, fantasy, and memoir. During her award-winning career, she's written for Penguin Putnam, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Bantam Books/Random House, Silhouette Books, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Amazon's Thomas & Mercer. Her titles have been printed in both hardcover and paperback and translated into twenty languages.
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 14, 2012
Rating 3.5 stars
If you are looking forward to sunshine and rainbows then Theresa Weir is not the author for you but if you are looking to read something real, often painful in reality then this author is for you.
This book especially the hero Nathan could be pretty dark. He hadn't led the best life, his parents died and he never even finished high school trying to hang on to his family's farm and then he lost part of his heritage in his divorce, so he is a bitter man, who drinks and somehow is not looked upon favorably by the town people. So, when a naive Lark walks up to him talking about some cattle contenment study he is rude and sarcastic and then she discovers a dead body, his ex-wife's, of course he becomes a suspect and because of his drinking the night before he can't recall a thing.
Lark admits she knows nothing about farming or cows and has led a sheltered life living with her older parents. She realizes she is 30 now and has only worked doing research for her father. She doesn't know what to think about Nathan, people in the town are gossip and busy-bodies.
The relationship is very gradual and that worked for me. Lark had fears many of them, she had been assaulted when she was 20 and had gone to college and since then had never tried to stretch herself. In many ways despite what had happened to her, she was sweet and strong.
Overall I enjoyed the book even though it was kind of dark.
If you are looking forward to sunshine and rainbows then Theresa Weir is not the author for you but if you are looking to read something real, often painful in reality then this author is for you.
This book especially the hero Nathan could be pretty dark. He hadn't led the best life, his parents died and he never even finished high school trying to hang on to his family's farm and then he lost part of his heritage in his divorce, so he is a bitter man, who drinks and somehow is not looked upon favorably by the town people. So, when a naive Lark walks up to him talking about some cattle contenment study he is rude and sarcastic and then she discovers a dead body, his ex-wife's, of course he becomes a suspect and because of his drinking the night before he can't recall a thing.
Lark admits she knows nothing about farming or cows and has led a sheltered life living with her older parents. She realizes she is 30 now and has only worked doing research for her father. She doesn't know what to think about Nathan, people in the town are gossip and busy-bodies.
The relationship is very gradual and that worked for me. Lark had fears many of them, she had been assaulted when she was 20 and had gone to college and since then had never tried to stretch herself. In many ways despite what had happened to her, she was sweet and strong.
Overall I enjoyed the book even though it was kind of dark.
January 15, 2012
The chaotic, messy, sometimes hilarious love story of two damaged people -- an environmentalist farmer who may or may not have killed his ex-wife and the sheltered, traumatized naif who shows up on his land to do a contented cattle study. If you like Weir's other work, you'll enjoy this one. If you can't figure out what to make of her, this will be more of the same. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Plus, there aren't enough farmer heroes in romance. Nathan Senatra is an *actual* farmer, in the sense that he performs actual farming tasks in the sun and gets smelly and has thoughts about plowing and tractors and seeds. How unusual -- a romance hero who seems to know something about his own occupation. ;-)
Plus, there aren't enough farmer heroes in romance. Nathan Senatra is an *actual* farmer, in the sense that he performs actual farming tasks in the sun and gets smelly and has thoughts about plowing and tractors and seeds. How unusual -- a romance hero who seems to know something about his own occupation. ;-)
February 3, 2012
What started out as a very light and funny read quickly morphed into a very heavy, dark read. I experienced a gamut of emotions while reading this one.
I love this author and while this is not my favorite work of hers, it's still showcases her talent brilliantly. Nathan Senatra is a down on his luck farmer who's ex-wife has just shown up dead on his property. Of course, he is the lead suspect in the murder. Lark Leopold is a sheltered 30 year old woman who has traveled to Nathan's farm to do research on the treatment of cows and livestock. I actually thought this part of the plot was kind of ridiculous, but I loved the characters so I continued reading.
For those sensitive....Lark was the victim of rape in her past. She still has post traumatic stress from the assault. This added layers to Lark and the relationship that develops with Nathan. There may be parts of this book that are difficult for some to read.
There is also a fairly involved murder mystery plot with a deranged psychopath.
Overall, for being only 266 pages, this book packs quite the punch. I recommend everything this author has ever written. Again, this may not be her best work, but Weir's average is everyone else's above average. She's just that good.
I love this author and while this is not my favorite work of hers, it's still showcases her talent brilliantly. Nathan Senatra is a down on his luck farmer who's ex-wife has just shown up dead on his property. Of course, he is the lead suspect in the murder. Lark Leopold is a sheltered 30 year old woman who has traveled to Nathan's farm to do research on the treatment of cows and livestock. I actually thought this part of the plot was kind of ridiculous, but I loved the characters so I continued reading.
For those sensitive....Lark was the victim of rape in her past. She still has post traumatic stress from the assault. This added layers to Lark and the relationship that develops with Nathan. There may be parts of this book that are difficult for some to read.
There is also a fairly involved murder mystery plot with a deranged psychopath.
Overall, for being only 266 pages, this book packs quite the punch. I recommend everything this author has ever written. Again, this may not be her best work, but Weir's average is everyone else's above average. She's just that good.
February 21, 2020
This was originally released in 1997. I tried to keep that in mind while reading it.
This was just okay. I really wish when a book is re-released, someone would edit it for spelling, punctuation, etc!
This was just okay. I really wish when a book is re-released, someone would edit it for spelling, punctuation, etc!
December 27, 2012
I'm rating this up a bit because I love that it's about an environmentalist farmer, and it has some very powerful scenes, but honestly I really didn't like it very much. "Episodic" doesn't begin to describe it -- hyperactive might come closer. So much weird stuff happens so constantly, the characters never get a chance to properly react to the last thing that happened. And the mystery is very obvious.
September 21, 2014
Theresa Weir is one of my favorite contemporary romance writers but this book was a disappointment. It had all the dark brooding characters and situations that I came to expect from the author. But I felt the description of farm life, Midwestern American people and towns was too unbelievable and unfair. It almost like the author had American Gothic painting in front of her while writing the book.
July 14, 2012
Probably more of a 3.5, this book was 3 parts lovely and entertaining, 2 parts bizarre, and 1 part WTF. I'm not sure I know what to say beyond that. Except, yay farmers!!
March 28, 2024
This book is so much for romantics, there is so much lovemaking. It takes place on a farm in Iowa and in the small town surrounding the farm. Main characters are Nathan Senatra, a farmer, divorced, childless, when ex took a good part of his much loved farm. An only child, all of this was his until Mary Jane, who is a user, took a good piece. Nathan's grandmother didn't like her. Mary Jane is not a popular lady.
Coming from California is Lark Leopold, who is working on farm animals and how they are treated or mistreated. Lark is the only child of older parents, she and Nathan are in their early thirties. Lark had been raped by a fellow student while in college. She was afraid of men. Her parents protected her. This job is her first, her first time in Iowa.
The two meet, Nathan is drop dead gorgeous. Lark kind of likes him. Lark's parents were much into ornithology, therefore the name. Birds are much loved in this book.
There in a pond on the farm is found the body of a young woman, Nathan's ex. There were more people who might wish her dead. Nathan gets the blame, this was his ex-wife who took from him much of his loved farm. Nathan wanted his farm environmental.
Sunflowers was one of his loves. I like sunflowers that grow when and where they wish to be. Big and handsome.
Coming from California is Lark Leopold, who is working on farm animals and how they are treated or mistreated. Lark is the only child of older parents, she and Nathan are in their early thirties. Lark had been raped by a fellow student while in college. She was afraid of men. Her parents protected her. This job is her first, her first time in Iowa.
The two meet, Nathan is drop dead gorgeous. Lark kind of likes him. Lark's parents were much into ornithology, therefore the name. Birds are much loved in this book.
There in a pond on the farm is found the body of a young woman, Nathan's ex. There were more people who might wish her dead. Nathan gets the blame, this was his ex-wife who took from him much of his loved farm. Nathan wanted his farm environmental.
Sunflowers was one of his loves. I like sunflowers that grow when and where they wish to be. Big and handsome.
February 13, 2015
This book was absolutely brilliant!! I love a good tormented hero, especially one who is an Average Joe, not some multi-millionaire who lives in a mansion.
The book takes a sudden & tragic twist (which I won't go into details about), and I thought that was very refreshing. Too many times, it's so obvious that the hero & heroine will overcome their obstacles & live happily ever after.
American Dreamer is definitely a page turner & kept me interested throughout the entire story. It also had a nice Americana feel to it.
The book takes a sudden & tragic twist (which I won't go into details about), and I thought that was very refreshing. Too many times, it's so obvious that the hero & heroine will overcome their obstacles & live happily ever after.
American Dreamer is definitely a page turner & kept me interested throughout the entire story. It also had a nice Americana feel to it.
April 1, 2012
This is a story about a woman named Lark that goes from California to a very small town in Iowa to do a survey on cow contentment. The story develops into a mystery. I'm always afraid to say too much because I don't want to spoil the story, but I will say that it was a little slow starting, but got my interest and I did enjoy reading it.
Read
January 11, 2014Enjoyable read
I enjoy books that have a "mystery" to solve. While I figured out this one pretty much from the beginning I still enjoyed the storyline. I like that Lark was strong throughout the book even through her fears from being a victim. It's also a lesson to everyone to never give up hope and a lesson in the dangers of gossip.
I enjoy books that have a "mystery" to solve. While I figured out this one pretty much from the beginning I still enjoyed the storyline. I like that Lark was strong throughout the book even through her fears from being a victim. It's also a lesson to everyone to never give up hope and a lesson in the dangers of gossip.
January 17, 2012
I can't put my finger on why I liked the main character Lark and Nathan. But I did--the back story for each wasn't really of interest to me, but they were really well-done characters. I liked that these two "damaged" people came together and found each other and something worth going on for...
Read
August 15, 20091990's
Want to read
July 30, 2014Any book that includes an "impossibly rugged and handsome farmer" is worth a look. :)
January 9, 2012
I am very much enjoying Weir's voice as I catch up on her backlist. I missed this one when it was originally released in 1997.
January 9, 2012
Quick read, finished it on a six hour plane ride. Extremely good, captivating novel.
January 14, 2012
Two-haiku review:
She's damaged, sheltered
He's suspected of murder
But she's drawn to him
Romantic suspense
Backstory told too early
But still pretty good
She's damaged, sheltered
He's suspected of murder
But she's drawn to him
Romantic suspense
Backstory told too early
But still pretty good
March 9, 2015
Seemed like a light hearted romance but there are some deep seeded tragedies underlying the characters. A little choppy in writing style
September 25, 2012
Romance, mystery, danger and past relationships coming back to haunt the present and it all takes place in a rural setting that is believable.
November 15, 2012
This book captivated me from the start. It handsome nice twists in the story and nice imagery. It also opened the door to an author I had never read. Now it is time to read another book by her.
December 12, 2012
This was a really interesting story but I had to quit because it violated one of my carnal book rules...blatant sex.
February 16, 2015
Loved it! Another terrific story by Theresa Weir. I love her style of writing unconventional romances.
January 8, 2012
It was a truly enjoyable read! I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews