I really love it when I’m able to interview the cover model for one of my books! I recently had the privilege of chatting with Mekenzie Sobie, the cover model for When They Met Again, the second story in my Letters from Lancaster County series. (Read to the end of this post and leave a comment to enter-to-win a copy of The Shop Down the Lane, the first story in the series!)
Following are Mekenzie’s answers to my questions. 💜
How and when did you get into modeling? I actually had never done anything like this before! The only professional photos I’ve ever had taken like this were my wedding photos. Being in front of a camera for this shoot was a very new experience for me, and I admit I was a bit nervous at the beginning, but the crew helped me feel so comfortable from start to finish.
How did you become the cover model for When They Met Again? Laura Klynstra, my colleague at Baker Publishing Group, reached out to me letting me know that she and the rest of the Art and Design team wanted to have some pictures on-hand for any potential future book covers. She asked if I would be interested in being a model for a day to help out the team. It was such an unexpected opportunity that sounded like so much fun, I immediately said yes! Laura let me in on just a few details; that we would be doing styled photos for an Amish fiction series. Only a few members of the crew knew what these photos could be used for, so I had no idea if any of the photos of me would actually end up on a real cover! I really was just delighted to be there.
Tell us about the cover shoot. When and where was it? The shoot took place in rural Williamston, MI, at The Willowicke Inn. It’s a gorgeous country estate with a renovated farmhouse, gardens, barns, and adorable farm animals around every corner. It truly belongs in a novel.
Who all was there? How long did it take? We had a big team that day! Laura Klynstra, who is our Senior Art Director at Baker, was our photographer. There were several of my other colleagues there from different departments including Publicity and Marketing, to help organize the shoot. We kicked things off early in the morning taking lots of solo photos, and I was later joined by two other ladies who were also modeling. We had the chance to do lots of group shots around the farm, some which included the three of us climbing a tree! We were also joined by an author, Shelley Shepard Gray. She was interested in getting a few specific pictures for one of her future titles. Overall, there were lots of outfit changes and locations we shot at on the property, so altogether things took around 5 hours.
What was the best part about it? The hardest? I think one of the best parts of the day, in my position, was meeting all of the farm animals! At a few different points, the photographer told me to pretend the camera wasn’t there while I played with baby goats and farm dogs. Being in costume, I felt something like a Disney princess! The hardest thing, though, was trying to act natural in front of the camera and an audience. At some points I felt a little silly, but the team made everything so much fun and there were lots of laughs.
Anything else you’d like to share about the shoot? I’m just so grateful that I was given this opportunity! It’s something I never would have expected to come my way. But it was such a fun and memorable experience. I’m honored to be a part of these book covers and the stories and messages that they hold. Thank you for letting me be a part of it!
What do you think of the finished cover? (I love it!) I absolutely love this cover! I think it captures the charm of this book so well and it makes me so curious to get to know this character’s story. I’m also delighted to see that there’s ice cream on the cover – my favorite food!
Thank you, Mekenzie! It’s been so fun to hear about your modeling and the shoot for When They Met Again! Thank you so much for sharing your story and photos of you and your hubby. 🩷 I love that ice cream is your favorite food–the creamery on the cover is the setting for several encounters over a span of decades in the story!
Readers, look for When They Met Again‘s release in March 2026 or pre-order now through Baker Book House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, and other retailers!
Leave a comment below to enter-to-win a copy of The Shop Down the Lane. I’ll randomly choose a winner September 16th and notify the winner by email. (US residents only please.)
The Shop Down the Lane is on my Christmas wishlist. The cover really caught my attention and all the I have read and heard about this book sounds like it is definitely one I wanted to read. Thank you for this opportunity.
I would very much love to win your giveaway for free romance book.
It’s a lovely cover and must have been a fabulous experience to be a cover model.
I like ice cream, too; but I didn’t think Amish could enjoy ice cream. I must be mistaken.
What’s your go-to?
The Amish love ice cream. 🙂 And often make it themselves.
I would love ❤️ to have this book. I have been trying to get it from my library. But theydon’t have it in yet. This way I wouldn’t have to get it from the library and I could keep it. But if I don’t win that’s ok to
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
I’d love to read this and would be thrilled to win. Thank you for the chance.
fun interview
How neat it was to read about the cover model!
Thanks for the chance.
I found the interview of your model so interesting! Reminds me to be open to the opportunities that God puts in front of us!
I would love to read The Shop Down the Lane. I’ve been reading amish books for a few years. You were one of the first authors I read and have been reading since. I think the authors are wonderful and really reach the readers with their Amish books.
I love the cover. The Shop Down the Lane is on my list of books I want to get. The Shop Down the Lane sounds wonderful. Thank you for this opportunity.
This is really a sweet cover. It reflects the Amish lifestyle well. I would really love to read this book. Your books are all so good!
I loved the interview and love real life models on book covers! This book sounds great!
What a beautiful girl! And I love the cover.
The cover makes this book like a good read.
I love your books and would love to win a copy of The Shop Down the Lane. Thanks for the chance to do so!!! 🥰👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have read 4 of your series and always interested in more. Love your writing.
It was very interesting to read about the cover model. I always love when authors do these interviews!
Wonderful interview! Beautiful book cover! Thank you for the chance to receive a copy of the first book.
I would love to win a print book of The Shop Down The Lane I love the cover! Thank you for the chance!
Thank You for he chance o win the book.
Marion
Thank you for sharing.
The book looks great & I cant wait to read it.
Hi Leslie, loved reading your blog. Mekenzie is beautiful and I love the cover. I would love to win The Shop Down the Lane! Thank you for the opportunity.
I love the cover photo and am looking forward to the new series
I’d love to win the book, Shop down the Lane. It sounds really good. And the model interview was very interesting.
I would love to win your giveaway for free romance book. She is a very beautiful model on your book.
Loved hearing Makenzie’s story. Sounds like she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
And I would love to win the book!!!
This cover is so fun! 😊
I would love to win this book! Thank you for the opportunity!
She looks so fresh faced and joyful! And the dress color is eye catching!
Thanks for the chance to win. I love your books.
I can’t wait to read this series!
This is a very beautiful and interesting cover. Can’t wait to read your next book. Have a great day!
Sounds cool! Thanx for indulging us!
Love your books
A very nice interview and a very lovely model! Thanks for including me in your giveaway.
I’ve read the shop down the lane. It’s a great book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good, wholesome story. I’m a rural girl and the birders in this story are special.
Leslie,
Love the covers for both of your books in this series. Mekenzie is as pretty as any Disney princess!
I’m originally from Michigan, so I found it interesting that the cover photo shoot took place in Williamstown, MI.
Would love to win THE SHOP DOWN THE LANE!
Thank you,
Julie Bullock
A very interesting interview. Enjoyed it!
I love books about Amish, etc. but anything to do with a bookstore captures my attention! Thanks for the giveaway.l. And love, love, love that cover! Beautiful!
Leslie I would love to win your giveaway for free romance book. From a romance book reader Peggy.
Love love love books about the Amish! Appreciate you so much❤️
I really like the cover. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love this! Sometimes we don’t think of the cover models being real people when we see a book. Now when I start reading the book it all comes to life and I look at the cover several times when I’m reading.
I love people or scenery on the covers. I’m not too fond of the cartoonish covers.
I’ve just gotten back into reading novels again after a number of years dealing with health issues. I would love to win The Shop Down the Lane to get back into reading Amish novels once again. Thank you for the opportunity to win your book.
I would love to be entered into the giveaway! Great interview with Melanie. She is beautiful and looks wonderful on the cover!
Adorable cover. Thank you for sharing this interesting interview. Blessings
This is a beautiful cover and McKenzie is the perfect cover model. I enjoyed reading her experiences during the photo shoot and I look forward to your continued series!
I love the sweet wedding photo.
Hi, wow how exciting for you! I really enjoyed reading your interview! The covers are Beautiful and they look so natural . And how fun that you got to enjoy the farm animals. Very nice to have met a model from books that I love to read. May you have a Great week . God Bless you for doing this.
Thank you for sharing the cover story. It just makes it a bit more personal knowing something about the person on the cover. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Enjoyed reading the interview with Mekenzie Sobie and more about how the cover for When They Met Again came about to be. I can see where it would have been both fun and intimidating. Love the end result! You can see innocence in the girl’s expression as well as wonder. I see bird watching as a favorite past time too. Love that they picked purple, my favorite color, for the dress.
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read this fabulous book, which is most definitely on my TBR list.
I found this to be very interesting. What a wonderful experience for her. I look at all the covers to see what the people look like.
The Shop Down The Lane sounds like another great story!!
Mekenzie, You are a beautiful young woman… and suited for these book covers!
Leslie, I look forward to reading , “the shop down the lane”!!
love amish stories and am always looking for new ones. would love to receive this book
love amish stories and am always looking for new ones. would love to receive this book
Enjoyed reading about the interview with the model. Would enjoy reading this book. Thank you for the chance to win it.
That was such a fun thing to get to do. Your picture came out great!
She is adorable and I am jealous 🙂 – it would be such a fun experience.
The book the Shop Down the Lane sounds like a fun read. I read a lot – 30 books in December and 2-3 a week average the rest of the year. Hope I get to add your novel to my list!
What a beautiful young woman! She was the perfect model for a young Amish woman. I enjoyed reading about her experience as a book cover model! Looking forward to reading more of your books!
Looks wonderful!
Very interesting article about the cover model. Would be thrilled to win a copy of the Amish book. Thank you.
It must have been so much fun to model for the book cover. It turned out great & I can’t wait to, read the book!
Thank You for the interesting interview with Mekenzie.
Marion
love all your books so easy to read. have a hard time waiting for your next release to come out. keep up the good work!!!!
Looks like a great book.
I enjoyed the interview. Love that book cover.
I Love reading Amish books! These look delightful!?
I love reading the questions and answers !
I’ve always wondered about the people on front of books. Loved the questions you asked her and learning her responses!!!
I love when the cover has a character or characters from the book. I check to make sure they look like they are described in the book.
I do enjoy reading books by this author
Thank you for the interview! Enjoyed it!
This looks so good! Fun cover!
Thank you…… love Amish fiction😀
Thank you for the opportunity to win this giveaway! I would love to read this book!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this giveaway! I love the cover and it sounds like it would be very interesting!!
Thank you for this amazing giveaway
Would love to win a print copy! Thank you for the opportunity!
Topzobet, right? Made an account, easy peasy. Placed a few bets, and so far so good. The site’s easy enough to navigate, even on my phone. If you’re after a no-fuss betting site, give topzobet a go.
She is a very beautiful cover model for your book Leslie.