"A Daughter's Dream

Shelly Shepard Gray

  

Rebecca Kinsinger had always dreamed of being a teaching instead of working at the family lumber company.  But when given the opportunity to be in charge of a classroom, she discovers that teaching is hard work and the children don't like her.

She meets Lilly Yoder - a thirteen year old who just lost her parents.  She is being raised by her uncle Jacob.  Rebecca and Jacob develops a friendship.  Will this friendship grow into love?

   

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An easy, enjoyable read when you want something with which to help you relax.

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.
 

 

"A Son's Vow"

Shelley Shepard Gray

Three months have passed since the fire at the mill that changed the quiet and peaceful town of Charm, Ohio.  Two families that were once very close have been torn apart.  Two families that both lost their fathers.  Now the children are left to pick up the pieces and try to move on.  But not everyone is able to do that.

Aaron Kurtz has let his grief turn into anger.  An uncontrollable anger where he is hurting his siblings, especially his sister Darla.  Lukas Kinsinger finds out what Aaron is doing and tries to talk to Aaron, but he won't listen.  One day Aaron goes too far and gives Hannah, a neighbor girl, a black eye and in front of witnesses.  Lukas and two other men of the church confront Aaron and try to get him to change his ways and let go of the anger.

Will these two families ever overcome their grief and move on?  Will Darla and Luke be able to start their own family or will they have to keep on trying to hold both of their families together?

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This was a different kind of Amish book.  The Amish are usually portrayed as being so forgiving, no matter what.  But this portrays them as being human, maybe too human.  

I didn't like all the abuse Aaron did, but Aaron finds forgiveness can solve problems.

It did leave out what happened to Hannah when she shows up with a black eye in the company of an English man. That left me hanging.  Maybe that will be addressed in book 2.

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

 

 "Whispers In The Reading Room"

Shelley Shepherd Gray

Set in Chicago just after the closing of the Chicago World's Fair, "Whispers In The Reading Room" is a page turning historical mystery.  

Lydia Bancroft, who is a librarian, loves her job.  She is in her own world among her beloved friends, which are her books.  

She has noticed a mysterious dark-haired, dark-eyed handsome patron.  He comes to the reading room and immerses himself in reading different books, but he never checks them out to take with him.  Lydia then decides to "save" his current selection for him so when he comes back next time he "conveniently" finds it on the table next to his favorite chair.

While having tea with wither her fiance, Jason Avondale, she finally meets this mysterious stranger as he rescues her from her fiance's violent temper.  This allows them to strike up a fragile friendship.  She then learns that his name is Sebastian Marks and is a very wealthy "gentleman".  But she is shocked when she learns that he is the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club.

Instead of ending their friendship, Lydia insists on visiting his establishment and ends up being suspect in a murder investigation, much to the shock of her mother.  Her mother only wants her to patch things up with Jason Avondale, saying it was Lydia's fault he became angry with her and hurt her.

Lydia must decide who she can trust, who is innocent and if Sebastian Marks - the man so many people fear - is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

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This book shows us the shady side of Chicago.  A side where sin and crime runs rampant.  "Whispers In The Reading Room" is a very different from how Shelley Gray usually writes.  Even though I enjoyed this book I would have like it to have a more spiritual application.  One where Sebastian turns from his life of making money off of people's sins and turns to the Lord.  

This book was written during the time of Billy Sunday, so Marks could have heard Sunday street preaching and changed his life.  

I also didn't like all of the references to prostitution.  I guess Shelley Gray felt she had to include it to make it more authentic, but I felt she could have down played it some.  

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BOOK LOOK BLOGGERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES. 

 

"A Wedding At The Orange Blossom Inn"

Shelley Shepard Gray

A wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.
Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a handsome widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?
Emma’s gentleness with Jay’s boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.
Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

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I enjoy the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.  They are an enjoyable read where everything turns out for the best.  A very relaxing book to read when everything around you is going crazy.

Read more about this book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

 

"The Proposal at Siesta Key"

Shelley Shepard Gray

Penny Troyer's parents treat her as if she were four years old instead of twenty-four years old.  She's not allowed to go further than the front porch by herself, much less  enjoy doing the things a twenty-four year woman would do.  She understands why her parents are over protective.  It was all because of the tragedy that happened to her sister twelve years ago.  But Penny can't stand being smothered any longer.  Tonight she is going to defy them and go to hear the famous Michal Knoxx.  

Michal is part of a traveling Mennonite evangelical family.  Michal lost his leg in a terrible accident and uses his experience to inspire others.

An unexpected turn of events pushes Penny & Michael together and Michael begins to wonder if maybe it's time for him to settle down.

But what about Penny's parents?  Will they approve?  What will Michael's parents say he quits traveling with the family?

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This is an easy read, one to enjoy when you need to relax.  It shows that we all need to trust in the Lord no matter what circumstances come into our lives.

Read more about the book here. 

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FOR FREE FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES. 

 

"The Promise of Palm Grove"

Shelley Shepard Gray

Leona must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she’s pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love—the first volume in the beloved New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini-vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she’s happy because she’s away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona’s real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man, and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her-and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kauffman, Leona’s faced with two vastly different futures.

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This was an enjoyable and easy to read book.  I like it when I'm able to read a book that isn't complicated and hard to understand or to keep up with.  The places in the book were places that actually exist and that is something I've always enjoyed.  

I can't wait to read the next book and find out what else is going to happen.

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FOR FREE FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

 

 

 "Joyful"

Shelley Shepard Gray

The Beiler children had been orphaned for many years.  One by one the older children had found a mate and moved to start their own home.  So now the responsibility of the farm and the younger children had fallen on Randall Beiler's shoulders.  He will sacrifice, even his own chance for love and happiness to take care of them.  So he breaks up with Elizabeth.  He isn't doing a very good job of it though, especially at cooking and cleaning.  His younger brother hires Elizabeth to be their housekeeper, because she is also struggling, trying to support her & her grandmother.  

What happens when Randall comes to find Elizabeth in his kitchen?

Does Randall really love Elizabeth or does he just need a housekeeper?

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This books reminds us that pride goes before a fall.  Also to help our neighbors and doing for others has its rewards.  

Read more about the book  here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

 

              "Thankful"
       Shelly Shepard Gray

Orphaned at age 10, Aden Reese was taken in by Christina's parents who raised him as one of their own.  Even before the day when Christina fell through the ice and almost drown but Aden saved her life, Christina had been special to him.  Neither one regarded the other as a sibling which is how Christina's parents looked at them.  Not understanding Christina's reluctance to "court" they keep pushing her into it.  Aden, not wanting to repay their kindness by revealing his feelings for Christina, moves out of the house upsetting everyone.  Even though they are no longer seeing each other every day neither can forget the other.  So will Aden ever tell his true feelings?

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I enjoyed this book very much and can't wait for the next one!  Books with happy endings are always a favorite!  

 I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

Read more about the book here.

 

 

 "Hopeful"

Shelly Shepard Gray

Miriam always has a smile for everyone.  She saves a special smile for Junior, the man she has liked all her life.  Though he never seems to notice until one day he asks if he can come to her house after she gets off work.  Thrilled that he has finally noticed her she believes he is coming to court her.  But imagine her disappointment when he wants her to fix him up with her friend, her SLIM friend Mary Kate.  She hides her disappointment well and agrees to try to get them together.  But Mary Kate, who is a new comer, & their town has a secret, one that makes her not trust boys.  

 Will Miriam try to coax Mary Kate just to spend a few fleeting moments with Junior?  Does Junior wake up and realize that whats inside is more important than how a person looks. 

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I enjoyed this book, though in some places I felt sorry for Miriam because she was heavier than her friend.  She was not looked upon as pretty.  But she had a much kinder heart than Mary Katherine, especially when it came to helping Junior's little sister learn to read.  While Mary Kate (her teacher) didn't care to help her. 

Read more about this book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.