Posts Categorized: shelley shepard gray

A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray

21 Oct, 2015 by in adult, amish fiction, shelley shepard gray Leave a comment

I received this book for free from Avon Inspire in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft by Shelley Shepard Gray

A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft

by Shelley Shepard Gray
Published by Avon Inspire on October 13, 2015
Genres: Adult, Amish Fiction
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
four-stars
Source: Avon Inspire
Buy the Book
When Beverly Overholt’s beloved Orange Blossom Inn is broken into, she’s shaken to her core. The Inn has been her whole life since arriving in the quaint Amish vacation town of Pinecraft, Florida. Hoping to repair what’s been lost, Beverly calls Eric Wagler, the inn’s handsome owner. To her surprise, he promises to be on the next flight out.

Ever since her fiancé jilted her, Beverly’s been closed off to love. However,

with Eric, things feel different. She can’t help but be hopeful that their work relationship will turn into something more—even though they are from different worlds.

She grew up Amish and is now Mennonite. Eric, on the other hand, grew up on the city streets of Philadelphia. How could they ever find common ground?

But as Beverly and Eric put the inn back together, prepare for Christmas, and even witness romance blossoming for another couple, the trust…and love…between them grows. Will Christmas bring a second chance for Beverly? And if it does, will she be brave enough to take it?

I’ve read other books by Shelley Shepard Gray, but this is the first for me in her Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. Prefect for Christmas, the fourth in the series explores what happens when crime hits a small tight knit community. Shelley takes three story lines and wraps them together, which was a bit of a challenge for me. I usually prefer one story line at a time. However, she does it well and the themes and characters overlap which makes everything mesh. There are lessons about forgiveness, PTSD, neglect and a theme of old Amish tradition meshing with the outside Englisher world.  The romance is sweet and clean.

I am warning you though, do not read this novel on an empty stomach. The main character Beverly can cook and you’ll be looking for an Amish sugar cookie recipe like I was when you’re done. I loved that Shelley Shepard Gray included photos of the actual Pinecraft community and one recipe in the end notes. Maybe she can release a cookbook next! If you love Amish or Mennonite fiction with a strong moral message, you will love this book.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times and USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Read all of Shelley’s books in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series:

Book 1: THE PROMISE OF PALM GROVE, On-Sale: January 27, 2015,

ISBN: 9780062337702, $12.99

Book 2: THE PROPOSAL AT SIESTA KEY, On-Sale: May 12, 2015,

ISBN: 9780062337726, $12.99

Book 3: A WEDDING AT THE ORANGE BLOSSOM INN, On-Sale: September 15, 2015,

ISBN: 9780062337740, $12.99

Shelley’s Christmas Book:

A CHRISTMAS BRIDE IN PINECRAFT, On-Sale: October 13, 2015,

ISBN: 9780062337771, $12.99

Divider

Author Interview with Shelley Shepard Gray

17 Dec, 2013 by in amish fiction, author interview, shelley shepard gray, Uncategorized 1 comment

shelleyshepardgray2013-240x300

Fire and Ice is pleased to have the opportunity to ask a few exclusive questions of author Shelly Shepard Gray on site today! Her novel Peace: A Crittenden County Christmas Novel was just released in October and we reviewed it here last week.

It’s perfect pick for the days before Christmas!

Author Interview

How did you first become interested with or acquainted with the Amish?

I happen to live an hour away from an Amish community. Long before I decided to write about the Amish I was a frequent visitor to their stores. When I started writing inspirational romances, having my characters be Amish was a good fit for me.

Have you had a chance to visit them or live among them for research?

I am friends with a lady who grew up Mennonite in Sugarcreek. She was kind enough to introduce me to one of her friends in Sugarcreek who is old order Amish. That lady has been extremely helpful when I’ve had questions.

Tell us some Amish Christmas traditions.

The Amish do not decorate for Christmas. Gift giving is also not a big part of the focus. However, they do bake Christmas cookies and other holiday treats. They usually do exchange one small or meaningful gift, perhaps something useful like a new wool coat or something for their home. The Amish I know also buy their children a few gifts to open on Christmas day. They also love to exchange Christmas cards.

Is there more than one book planned or is this a stand alone?ShelleyShepardGray_Peace_300

PEACE is actually a follow-up novella to last year’s Secrets of Crittenden County series. That trilogy followed the murder investigation of Perry Borntrager and how his death affected everyone who knew him. The books in that series are Missing, The Search, and Found. Next year, I’ll be publishing six novels. Three will be the Return to Sugarcreek trilogy, which begins with Hopeful in February, followed by Thankful and Joyful. I’ll also be publishing a Christmas novella, an Amish historical, and a single title historical titled Secrets of Sloane House, under the name Shelley Gray. It will be an exciting year, for sure!

Favorite Amish word?

It’s definitely wunderbaar, which means really, really wonderful. I love that!

 

Author Bio

I grew up in Houston, Texas, went to Colorado for college, and after living in Arizona, Dallas, and Denver, we moved to southern Ohio about ten years ago.

I’ve always thought of myself as a very hard worker, but not ‘great’ at anything. I’ve obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree…but I never was a gifted student. I took years of ballet and dance, but I never was anywhere near the star of any recital. I love to cook, but I’m certainly not close to being gourmet…and finally I love to write books, but I’ve certainly read far better authors.

Maybe you are a little bit like me. I’ve been married for almost twenty years and have raised two kids. I try to exercise but really should put on my tennis shoes a whole lot more. I’m not a great housekeeper, I hate to drive in the snow, and I don’t think I’ve ever won a Monopoly game. However, I am the best wife and mother I know how to be.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that in God’s eyes that is okay? That from His point of view, we are all exceptional? I treasure that knowledge and am always so thankful for my faith. His faith in me makes me stand a little straighter, smile a little bit more, and be so very grateful for every gift He’s given me.

I started writing about the Amish because their way of life appealed to me. I wanted to write stories about regular likeable people in extraordinary situations-and who just happened to be Amish.

Getting the opportunity to write Inspirational novels is truly gratifying. With every book, I feel my faith grows stronger. And that makes me feel very special indeed.

Learn More

        
Divider