Shelley Shepard Gray

I requested a review copy of a book I guessed was from a press involved with stories about women by women writers, without realizing it to be one of the definitions of the romance genre.

This book falls into the subgenre of Amish/bonnet! I love it as a niche! Adding in bonnet speaks to the coded cover design and the connection to physical modesty as a Christian value. So, Gray has written sweet and deft romance. It’s no surprise as this is one of more than 100 she has written, including a few in this exact subgenre. However, altho it is set in an Amish community, the issues are very contemporary. Fearful social isolation is one theme that resonates, along with scary news ripped right from our current social media culture. I am feeling the iconic tradwife dealing with an Andrew Tate and falling for a nice healthy, outdoorsy guy who seems legit, but who would not worry that he may be an Andrew Huberman?

Bingo to Gray for a story allowing a connection to triumph. I really enjoyed dipping into both the genre and the Amish culture. I think the book is fully successful as it is, no notes.… (más)

This volume consists of three short novellas by experienced authors of Amish fiction. The stories are clean, with an overt Christian message that is not preachy. Readers can learn a lot about Amish courtship and the Amish culture by reading these stories. In each of them, a couple is united through letters, thus beginning their courtship. However, the road to love is seldom smooth, as these couples find out through mishaps, mistaken identities, and misdelivered missives.

Readers who enjoy sweet romance novels, with interesting twists and turns, as well as happy endings, will find these stories to their liking. Each novella can be read in one sitting.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.… (más)

This is a prime example of why Shelley Shepard Gray is a best-selling, award-winning author. Unique, fully developed characters you can’t help but love, a strong plot and an honest look at tough issues we may not think affect believers – yet can be found across all North American cultures – including Amish and Catholic or Protestant Christian. What really impressed me was the honest look at how, too often, the victims are blamed as much as those who seek to harm them. Bethanne was judged for nearly being raped. Seth was judged for defending her and accidentally causing the death of her attacker. Tabitha was judged for divorcing her abusive husband after he caused a miscarriage and nearly killed her. Members of the community blamed the victims even more than the abusers, and placed looking good before their community ahead of showing grace, mercy, love and forgiveness.

The book is mostly Seth and Tabitha’s story, but also Lott and Melonie’s, as well as Bethanne’s journeys. We see five characters wrestle with forgiveness, grace, faith and worthiness. It’s a fantastic kick off to a new series based in Crittenden County, Kentucky.

So many “Christian” books I’ve read lately barely mention God or share any truly Christian characteristics. It was refreshing to find faith neatly woven into the fabric of the characters in this story – so much so that the characters would not be believable without their faith. Christians have flaws, they struggle to stay on the straight and narrow, to make God the centre of their lives. This book takes that into consideration and makes the characters more real as a result.

I read it in one sitting. Could not put it down. Well done! Looking forward to book two!… (más)