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Author: Shelley Shepard Gray | Website
Published Works & Book Reviews
The Search
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray continues her Secrets of Crittenden County series with The Search—a page-turning romance novel that’s tinged with mystery, set in Kentucky Amish country. One of the most popular writers of Christian romantic fiction with Amish themes—a much beloved romantic storyteller who stands alongside such notable novelists as Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall—Gray returns once more to a small devout community rocked by the murder of a young, black sheep neighbor. An unforgettable tale of romance, faith, and duty, The Search tells the story of a love that blossoms between a young woman who’s guarding shocking secrets about the victim, and the dedicated “Englisher” homicide detective who has arrived from the outside world to investigate.
Missing
Can two young people survive the suspicions of their friends and neighbors when tragedy strikes a close-knit Amish community? Perry Borntrager had been missing for months from the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky, when his body is discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well. The first death from mysterious circumstances in more than two decades brings the scrutiny of the outside world: A police detective arrives to help the local sheriff with the investigation. His questioning begins with Lydia Plank, Perry’s former girlfriend, and Perry’s best friend, the Englischer Walker Anderson. Lydia and Walker know they didn’t have anything to do with Perry’s death, but they both hold secrets about his final days. Do they dare open up about the kind of man Perry had become? In the oppressive shadow of these dark times, they discover strength in a most unlikely companionship: one that offers solace, understanding, and the promise of something more.
Reviewer: Barb
Review: Apr 19, 2012
"Missing" by Shelley Shepard Gray was a very good book. It was interesting in that the contrast between Englischers and Amish was noted throughout. This story held me with moments of intrigue, glimpses of romantic interest and heartwarming family scenes. I use these terms as though I can actually "see pictures" as I read, but these are all pictures in my mind which the prose suggests. The murdered Amish m
A Texan's Honor
Texas, 1874. Years ago, Will McMillan had fought in the open, next to his Captain, Clayton Proffitt. Now he's waging another war undercover, pretending to be a member of the notorious Walton Gang. But when a hostage situation goes awry and an innocent woman is in the middle of the fray, Will knows he must protect her no matter what happens. Even if his cover is blown. Even if they risk being killed by his gang or by the lawmen on their trail. Even if the woman he's riskingÿeverything for will never love him back.
Reviewer: Melinda
Review: May 10, 2012
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance, Seasonal / Holiday
Shelley Shepard Gray continues her series with A Texan Honor. This one is about Will McMillan a good man who has gone badly. Nobody knows why he’s on the thieving Walton Gang except him. For months now he has been undercover trying to bring the whole gang down. Everybody thinks he’s a bad man but Captain Clayton Proffitt will do everything he can to make sure this mission gets accomplished. Everything was goi
The Survivor
Mattie’s body has healed from the cancer that nearly took her life . . . but can she find the man who can mend her lonely heart?
Mattie has faced more in her twenty-three years than she ever imagined possible. Having successfully battled cancer, she’s ready to reenter the world with hopes for her future. But while she was in and out of hospitals, other Amish girls her age were courting and finding the men they would marry. The only man who’s ever made her heart beat faster is Graham Weaver, her best friend, who has always been there to comfort her, in good times and bad. Is it finally time for their friendship to become something more?
But cruel gossip is spreading, claiming that Graham’s the father of the baby Jenna Yoder’s carrying. Will Mattie’s dreams of a happily-ever-after be crushed before they’ve left the ground?
Reviewer: Terri
Review: Oct 8, 2011
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance
Mattie Lapp may be only 23 years old but she's endured more than most women her age. She's conquered her battle against cancer and now is ready to start the life she's always dreamed of, one of marriage and children. Throughout her ordeal her best friend, Graham Weaver, has stood by her side offering encouragement and helping her keep her faith. Years ago, Mattie had hoped that their friendship would evolv
A Texan's Promise
Past promises will be tested as new ones are given... When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant crying in the barn late one night, he first thinks she’s gotten herself into another scrape. But when he spies the marks on her back and hears about her stepfather’s advances, Clayton knows he must spirit Vanessa away to safety. As they make their way west, it becomes apparent that there’s something special between Vanessa and Clayton— far more significant than mere friendship or his sense of duty. Unfortunately, also heading west are Vanessa’s brother Miles and her stepfather Price Venture. Price wants Vanessa back for obvious reasons; Miles wants to earn his stepfather’s respect. Eventually, unexpected confrontations reach a harrowing conclusion. As their family begins to heal, their journey and trials they've faced helps them realize their future is in God's guiding hands.
Reviewer: Melinda
Review: Nov 23, 2011
Genre(s): Contemporary, Western
Clayton Proffitt came to the Circle Z Ranch for a second chance at life. As captain in the war he has seen things he wishes every day to forget. Yet no matter how much he tries the memories of friends dying and young children dying always comes to him at night. The Circle Z not only helped him but also brought in sunshine to his life by a young girl name Vanessa Grant. He promised her father he would always w
The Caregiver
Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to cleveland
Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.
The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.
Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?
Reviewer: Terri
Review: May 4, 2011
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance
Widow Lucy Troyer is traveling by train to Jacob's Crossing to visit and help her cousin, Mattie who is battling cancer. Lucy is only in her 20s and was only married two very long years when her husband died in an accident. Lucy has been a widow for a year but still has flashbacks to the abuse she endured. She is no longer the cheerful fun girl she once was and finds herself uncomfortable around men.
Calv
The Protector
Return to the stunning simplicity and beauty of the Amish with book two of the inspirational 'Families of Honor' series by Shelley Shepard Gray.
When Ella's father passes away, she's forced to auction most of his belongings, including her family's land. Though she knows she couldn't manage the fifty acres on her own, she can't stop the bitterness she feels toward the new owner, Loyal Weaver. Remodeling and repairing the Troyer's old farmhouse, he intends to make the farm profitable--as Ella had once dreamed of doing.
Protective of Ella's bruised feelings, Loyal asks her for help and advice for the home he's fixing up--the home that he secretly hopes will be hers again, as his wife.
But the one thing Ella guards against all else is her heart. Always the wallflower, she's used duty to mask her loneliness. Now, though, she can't deny the feelings she holds for Loyal and the happiness he promises. On her own for the first time, will she find the courage to risk everything to get the love she's always wanted?
Reviewer: Lilyraines
Review: Oct 4, 2011
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance
Generally speaking, I do not read a copious amount of inspirational romance, but don't bypass it either. This is mainly due to having had mixed reactions to the ones I have read - some good, some bad - which have left me sitting on the fence about the genre.
Having said that, reading The Protector was a little bit like opening a gift. It is a wonderful story, with down to earth characters, who may be a lit
Grace
It's never too late to go home
It’s Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holidays. But when two unexpected visitors appear seeking shelter, the family’s commitment to hospitality is tested. First Levi arrives, sullen and angry . . . but insisting on staying for five days. Next Melody shows up. She’s almost nine months pregnant, but won’t say a word about why she traveled all the way from Kentucky by herself. As the two strangers settle in, the Brennemans try to make the best of an uncomfortable situation, except for Katie, who and knows a thing or two about keeping secrets. She is determined to learn the truth about these two strangers . . . all while keeping her own secret safely hidden away.
All is revealed when a snowstorm traps them at the inn.
Reviewer: Terri
Review: Nov 22, 2010
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance, Seasonal / Holiday
Katie Lundy is looking forward to Christmas. Her parents own and operate Brenneman Bed and Breakfast but every year the weeks surrounding Christmas are visitor free and this year the family is all coming to the B&B to celebrate.
Katie, her husband, Jonathan, Jonathan’s two girls from his first marriage, Hannah and Mary and baby, Eli make up Katie’s new family.
Anna, a good friend of Katie,
Autumn's Promise
Some promises are meant to be broken. . . .
Until Robert Miller met Lilly Allen, his world had been dark. A widower after only two years of marriage, he'd been living in a haze, feeling that, at twenty-four, his life was already over. But thanks to his friendship with Lilly, he now has new reasons to wake up each day. He knows his connection to her doesn't make sense. She's only nineteen, with a past the whole town talks about. Even more, she's not Amish, like Robert. A marriage between the two of them could never happen.
Lilly's heart is drawn to Robert, not to his faith. No matter how much she admires his quiet strength and dependability, she doesn't think she could ever give up her independence and reliance on the modern world. Is their love doomed before it even begins?
Reviewer: Terri
Review: Aug 15, 2010
Lilly Allen and her family moved to Sugarcreek after Lilly learned she was pregnant. She was a high school senior and her boyfriend wanted nothing to do with it. Wanting to hide Lilly’s pregnancy, she starts to take online classes while her family adjusts to living in a mostly Amish community. Lilly isn’t use to staying home though and soon gets a job waiting tables at an Amish restaurant. Soon,
Spring's Renewal
In the second installment of the Seasons of Sugarcreek series, as a flash flood threatens everything they hold dear, two people must determine how much they’ll sacrifice for a chance at true love.
Reviewer: Terri
Review: Jun 13, 2010
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance
Clara has pretty much given up on love and marriage. She reminds herself frequently of all the blessing she does have. She has her health even though she does have ugly scars from burns she received as a child. She loves her job as the schoolteacher for Sugarcreek especially working with the children. Though her mother and she do not have a lot of money, they have enough to live on. A
Winter's Awakening
Joshua Graber knows his future is set. He′s expected to work at his family business, the Graber Country Store. He′s expected to marry Gretta Hershberger, who he′s been courting for several years. But when a new English family moves next door and their lovely teenage daughter, Lilly Allen, catches his eye, Joshua wonders if all the plans for his future are too set in stone.
Gretta doesn′t know what′s going on with Joshua. When they argue and later stew in silence, it feels a lot like the frosty atmosphere at her home. After promising herself to never have a marriage like her parents, she wonders if perhaps another man might be a better match. A man such as Roland Schrock. He′s steady and kind and somewhat boring. If she marries him, she won′t ever have to worry about loving him and getting hurt.
Meanwhile, Lilly is enamored with the Amish way of life, and especially her handsome neighbor Joshua. But despite being drawn to him, she has a secret that will only drive him away. Her family moved to Sugarcreek to hide her pregnancy from their community back home. Once she′s had the baby, they plan to send her off to college without anyone from their old neighborhood knowing the truth. But as Lilly becomes wrapped up in the simplicity and graciousness of the Amish people, she begins to question what′s expected of her, and whether giving up her baby, and leaving Sugarcreek, is what she truly wants.
As the coldest winter on record blows into Sugarcreek, these three young people must struggle to determine the path of their futures.
Reviewer: Terri
Review: Mar 18, 2010
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance
The small town of Sugarcreek, OH has a large Amish community as well as an English (non-Amish) one. Each community interacts with the other which can cause some problems.
Joshua Graber is 20 years old. He feels his life is pretty much planned out for him. He works on his family’s farm and at the family store. Everyone expects him to marry Gretta Hershberger, who he’s been cour
Forgiven
Tragedy strikes—a brother and sister find themselves facing a situation that will shape the rest of their lives.
When a fire destroys the Lundys' barn, Winnie is injured trying to get the animals to safety. Confined to a hospital for weeks, out of touch with her loved ones who live too far away to visit by buggy, she must depend on Englisher Samuel Miller to keep her company. Though his family is part of Winnie's tight-knit Amish community, Samuel left years earlier to pursue a university education. Through conversations, and Samuel's dedication to her recovery, a friendship forms. But despite their growing attraction, Winnie knows it can never develop into something more as long as Samuel chooses to remain in the outside world.
When Winnie returns home, she finds her brother, Jonathan, struggling with his own dilemma. Cigarette butts were discovered in the debris of the barn and Jonathan is determined to find out who is responsible for destroying his property and putting his family at risk. But in a community founded on grace and forgiveness, will his unwillingness to move on eat away at the trust that is the foundation of their lives?
Reviewer: Terri
Review: Oct 24, 2009
Genre(s): Inspirational Romance
When Winnie Lundy is injured due to a fire at her brother’s farm, she ends up spending some time at the hospital about an hour away from their home. Eli, who came with her in the ambulance, has a brother, Sam, who lives nearby. Sam is willing to come visit with Winnie and help translate for her.
Samuel, Sam, Miller left the Amish church to attend school. He had a need to le
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