Author Rachel Wells studied middle level education at Concordia Nebraska, has penned numerous books including Seward-based children’s series

Author Rachel (Swor) Wells ALND ’15 – who is published under pen name Hattie Wade - is once again calling Seward home after attending Concordia University, Nebraska for a brief time in 2015. She attended the university and studied middle level education after her pastor told her Concordia Nebraska seemed like a perfect fit for her. 

“I was a transfer student in fall 2015,” she explained. “I had turned 23 right before leaving Texas to attend Concordia Nebraska. I met my boyfriend (now husband) the summer before I left and asked him if he'd be willing to relocate to Seward. He was pretty settled in Dallas because he had just bought a house.” 

Wells studied middle level education at the university, then decided to move back to Texas in spring of 2016, when she and Nate Wells were engaged. They married in 2017, welcomed son Noah in 2018 and eventually moved back to Seward in 2023. 

Wells has many fond memories of her time at the university. She recalled the influence of Dr. Beth Pester in her studies in the middle education program. Wells had always loved teaching and mentoring pre-teens, and Pester helped fuel that love. 

Being back in Seward as a local author, it's very important to connect! With all sorts of people and businesses alike! So I'm grateful for the natural networking skills I developed during my time at Concordia.

“It's true, if you enjoy preteens, you are a rare breed,” said Wells. “But having Beth Pester as my professor and mentor was really special, because she was also very passionate about that middle-level age group! So I could relate so much to her and felt like I belonged to something bigger than myself! I learned so much from her.  

After Wells moved back to Texas, she organized social events at her home church for fourth to sixth grade students.  

“We had fellowship events and built close relationships with each other that we still have now. The kids are currently looking at colleges, and it's been a privilege to point them to Concordia Nebraska. Especially now that, ‘Mama Rachel’ lives walking distance from campus!” she said. “My time at Concordia made an impact on me. I still remember some lessons and our big project to help at the youth center. I’ll also always remember the lifelong friendships I made that semester. One of those friends, Alex Clear, is my son's godmother.” 

Wells was a stay-at-home mom to Noah for a while, teaching middle level Sunday School at her church. During 2020, while the world was in turmoil due to Covid-19, she had an idea.  

“In 2020 when the world was in chaos, God gave me an idea for a book. I had been reading a bunch of Christian romance, but then reached the end of interesting contemporary ones,” she said. “I just kept finding historical fiction, which is fine but just wasn't my cup of tea. I heard that Beverly Cleary quote in my head, ‘If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it.’ So I did.”  

Two months later, her first book "Run to Him" was completely typed in her smart phone’s notes app. She found an editor who worked for HarperCollins but did freelance editing on the side. After talking to her about the pros and cons of self-publishing and traditional publishing, Wells decided to self-publish "Run to Him." It was published in 2022. Wells now has six published books, with a new one set to publish in November 2024. Published under pen name Hattie Wade, her books include: 

He Redeems, Christian Romance Series:  

Run to Him, book 1 (2022) 

Rely on Him, book 2 (2023) 

Rest in Him, book 3 (2023) 

Cowboy Romance Novella Series: 

Her Washed-Up Cowboy (2023) 

Her Maybe, Sorta, Kinda Cowboy (currently writing) 

Plum Creek Detective Girls, A Seward Mystery Series: 

The Case Of The Gentle Giant (2024) 

The Case Of The Tilted Time Capsule (currently writing) 

Beyond The Buzzer, Basketball Romance Series:  

Rebounds & Roses (2024) 

Defense & Defend (currently writing) 

Hoops & Hearts (currently writing) 

Although she first focused on clean romance novels, after she moved to Seward, Wells found herself writing children’s books. 

“The Plum Creek Detective Girls series came to me after I moved with my husband and son to Seward. We wanted to raise our son in a small town, and I told my husband that I knew of a great one. I always wondered why I was only in Seward for one semester. I didn't graduate. So I wondered, what was the purpose of that season? But it was to introduce me to this town. These people. St John’s. Seward was a place I craved to visit, and I even did after I left, to come back and visit my friends at the university,” she explained. “It left a special mark on my heart, and I carried it with me for years, even back in Texas. When the opportunity arose and it was time for my son to start Kindergarten, we knew it was now or never. So we made it happen. No, God made it happen. God opened all the doors. He brought me back here. It's special walking to get my son from school and getting to see Concordia Nebraska because my story is unique.” 

Wells said when her family moved to Seward, they made friends instantly. 

“Our neighbors are some of the best people. A few of my friends have preteen girls, and in the time I have spent with them, they inspired me to write a children's mystery book that features characters based on them,” she said. “I got their parents permissions, and “The Case Of The Gentle Giant” was born. They are so special to me, and I'm once again grateful that I get to be a light in these preteen ladies' lives.” 

Wells said her current neighbors are Concordia Nebraska basketball players, and they let her use their names in her newest book "Rebounds & Roses."  

Although her time as a student at Concordia Nebraska was brief, Wells said she will never forget the impact it had on her life. 

“I love meeting new people. That is something you're required to do in college! From people at church, to people in your hall, your dorm, your RA, your advisor, your professors! Not to mention the field experience I did that at Seward Middle School,” she said. “I met and talked often with lots of different people. Concordia taught me to put myself out there, communicate well, and get to know others. You'll never know what you're missing unless you connect! Being back in Seward as a local author, it's very important to connect! With all sorts of people and businesses alike! So I'm grateful for the natural networking skills I developed during my time at Concordia.”  

Wells’ husband Nate works in IT at York General Hospital. Their son Noah is almost seven and loves farms and tractors. Although most of her family still lives in Texas, her brother Caleb Swor and his wife Hannah reside in Seward. Caleb is a pre-seminary student at the university and Hannah serves as an admissions counselor for the university.  When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Wells said she loves to host parties. The Wells home is often the scene of fun gathering like a caramel apple making party, a Christmas cookie decorating party, pumpkin decorating, tea parties and move. 

Wells said her days are filled with devotions, writing at Neutral Grounds, time at the Concordia Nebraska track, Bible study, family time and adventures with friends. Before her time at Concordia Nebraska, Wells served as a missionary in cities like Dallas, Houston, The Bronx, Harlem and Brooklyn.  

“I prayed with ex-gang members, the homeless, drug addicts, those in dangerous situations and some caught up in human trafficking. I could listen to their stories without batting an eye. I could tell them the gospel of Jesus, and just be down to earth. In 2013, I thought I wanted to be a full-time missionary in NYC. But things didn't pan out,” she said. “I now see writing as my mission field.” 

The middle level education program at Concordia University, Nebraska equips students with exceptional knowledge about young adolescents and their developmental abilities in and out of the classroom. The middle level program also helps students develop great teaching skills for both self-contained and departmentalized middle school environments so they can lead and share the Gospel in their future schools.