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For the last week, I’ve been desperately trying to finish The Caregiver (book 1 of my new Family of Honor series). Each morning I think Today Is The Day I Will Finally Press SEND … and then the hours pass while I keep adding just one more thing. <g>
But in the midst of all this, I did read a terrific blurb about Autumn’s Promise. So, here it is below…for those of you who are curious about the book….
Until Robert Miller met Lilly Allen, his world had been dark. A widower after only two years of marriage, he’s been living in a haze, filled with grief. He feels his life is already over-even though he’s only twenty-five.
But his friendship with Lilly changes everything. For the first time since he can remember, he finds new reasons to wake up each day. Soon, he knows he’s falling in love with Lilly. However, he also knows a marriage between the two of them can never happen. Lilly Allen is only eighteen. She had become pregnant out of wedlock. And, she’s an Englisher. He, of course, is Amish.
Lilly also feels a strong attraction to Robert. She admires his quiet strength and dependability. She’s also in awe of his devotion to his wife’s memory. Lilly knows she could never measure up to his perfect Amish wife. She also comes to realize that no matter how much she might love a person, she can’t change who she is. She loves Robert-not the Amish faith. No matter how much she loves him.she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to give up her independence and reliance on the modern world in order to say vows.
Coming from different worlds, does their love stand a chance?
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This photo is of Kandy and I at the Gospel Shop in Sugarcreek. Thanks, Kandy, for sending me the photo! I loved getting the opportunity to visit with you.
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Isn’t it lovely? I’m very excited about this book, which will now be released the first week of August. Autumn’s Promise ends my ‘Seasons of Sugarcreek’ series…unless I can convince my editor to let me write a romance for Judith Graber.
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A few months after I published FORGIVEN, I got a post office box, just in case I needed it. Every so often, I would check…there would be nothing inside, so I kind of forgot about it. Then, on Monday morning, I was in the UPS Store, where my post office box is, and Steve, the owner, looked at me and asked if I was ever going to get my mail.
Mail?
He went in the back, then came out with two handfuls of letters! At least 30! I absolutely couldn’t believe it.
I honestly thought no one was writing me! Boy was I wrong. So this week, I’ve been writing everyone back, and have been enjoying every single minute of it. So, if you are one of those people who’ve written to me and wondered why I haven’t replied…I promise, you’ll get a note and signed bookplate from me soon!
More than a few told me that they couldn’t seem to get their note to go through on my website. So, if you are one of those people who have been wanting to write to me, here’s my mailing address. Please write! I’ll send you a bookmark or a signed bookplate back! And I promise I’ll write you a note, too. : )
Shelley Shepard Gray
10663 Loveland-Madiera Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
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I’m starting this week with a smile on my face. I’m going to Sugarcreek on Friday May 21! I can’t wait to see my Amish friends, look at quilts, and over course, partake in one of my favorite activities…eat coconut cream pie at the Der Dutchman.
But the most exciting thing about my visit will be the book signings!
On Saturday, May 22, I’ll be signing books at the Gospel Bookstore in Sugarcreek from 11:00am to1:00pm. Then, I’ll head over to New Philadelphia, where I’ll be signing books at the Dayspring Christian Bookstore from 2-4pm. (143 West High Avenue New Philly, Ohio 44663)
If any of you are in the area and would like a signed copy of Spring’s Renewal, please stop by! I’d love to meet you! I also have all kinds of bookmarks, calendars, and pens. : )
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Do you have a favorite holiday? Mother’s Day is one of mine. My husband and kids wake me up with my favorite breakfast (cinnamon toast and lots of coffee) and usually cook my favorite dinner (steak, baked potatoes, and salad).
Today has been no different. Things have been a little hectic around here, so I vowed to spend today doing things I enjoy. My husband and I took our dogs for a long walk. I also took my daughter to our favorite place, Barnes and Noble. We can never leave there without a few books and our favorite treat, vanilla lattes.
I’ve also spent the day reading a new book. Yesterday I started Laura Bush’s memoir, Spoken From the Heart. From the first page, I was charmed by her beautiful descriptions of Midland, El Paso, and the rest of Texas. My mother’s from El Paso, and I lived in Houston and Dallas for much of my life. So, to read Mrs. Bush’s thoughts about growing up Texan has really made me smile.
So, today has been a great day, filled with little things that mean so much…If you’re a mom, I hope you’ve been enjoying your day, too.
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Hooray!Spring’s Renewal is now on sale!
I spent most of the day flying home from California, but when I got home, I received the nicest little ‘gift’~a wonderful review from Book Illuminations (www.bookilluminations.com) There, Merrimon Book Reviews wrote:
Shelley Shepard Gray is an excellent storyteller. Here, faith emerges from the story itself amd the life of her characters. SPRING’S RENEWAL is not only the best romance I have read by this author, but also the best inspirational romance this reader has read to date. Outstanding!
Wow! Spring’s Renwal is my fifth book for Avon Inspire, and I’m just so pleased that Merri enjoyed it. In many ways, this book is one of my favorites, too. If you’re interested, I hope you’ll give my latest release a try.
Here at home, things have been busy. PROM is this Saturday night! My daughter is a junior in high school, and I feel like she’s been planning for this big night for months! I’m sure she’ll have a good time.
We’re also enjoying beautiful spring weather here in southern Ohio. In our backyard, we’re blessed to have two bird ‘couples’! A pair of Mallard ducks have made a nest by our creek, and a pair of snow geese have set up their nest right under my daughter’s window. Oh, that dad honks and preens so proudly. <g> I can hardly wait for all the baby birds to arrive.
If you happen to see Spring on the shelves, write me a note and tell me where you saw it!
Here’s to counting blessings for the small things today. I have so much to be thankful for.
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I can’t believe our vacation was almost two weeks ago! We usually book our vacations in the fall, and all winter I look forward to a spring break trip. Already I’ve been looking at travel brochures, just dreaming about another week of sitting in the sun. This drives my husband crazy!
However, I actually did do quite a bit of work on our trip. I had some writing to do, so for three of the days I sat on a deck chair with my laptop and wrote. That was the life!
I also was online a lot. For a very good reason…I got a new contract! Next year, I’ll be publishing three more Amish romances with Avon Inspire. Hooray!
They’re going to be set in Middlefield, Ohio, and as of right now, the series will be called Families of Honor. I’m excited about the titles, too. Right now, the books will be called The Caregiver, The Protector, and The Survivor. What do y’all think?
I feel so thankful and blessed to be able to write more books! Thank you to everyone who’s been so kind and picked up my novels, or told their friends to give them a try. I truly feel so lucky to get to do something that I love. Even if I’m now back in my basement and not on the deck of a ship!
Hope everyone is having a nice Tuesday.
Shelley
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I can’t believe it’s already Thursday! What a week it has been. When we were in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, on the way home from our cruise, I finally checked home messages. One of my mother’s friends had called to say that my mom was feeling poorly.
I have a very spread out family. My mom lives in California, my brother in Arizona, and my sister in Athens, Greece. Over the last few days, we’ve been calling and emailing each other-and my mom and her friend-as my mom went in and out of the hospital. Then yesterday my mother called-and, Praise God! she was home and doing much better.
I went to bed last night so grateful for her improved health, for my brother and sister, and for technology! Being able to keep in touch via the computer, cell phones, even my brother’s Blackberry was truly a blessing.
I’m doing my best to catch up now. I’m hoping to put up some new photos and share some good news soon!!
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I’ve been busy this week. I had revisions for GRACE to complete, and I’ve been working on story ideas for a new series. I just love thinking about new projects. My proposal is just about ready to go, I’ll email it off to my editor tomorrow.
I’ve also finalized some plans for a booksigning in Sugarcreek! I’ll know the rest of the details soon, but as of right now, I can share that I’ll be signing winter’s awakening and spring’s renewal in Sugarcreek on Saturday, May 22. I’m excited! I love visiting Sugarcreek, and I will really look forward to meeting readers.
Finally, today the Philadelphia Inquirer published a very nice article about Inspirational Romance. Winter’s Awakening was one of the books highlighted! If you have time, please click on the link.
On Saturday, my family and I are leaving on a cruise. I can’t wait to look at the ocean, feel the sun on my face, and read, read, read!
Once again, thank you to everyone who’s been writing me notes…and thank you for asking for bookmarks and such. I’m still happy to send them out to you.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20100325_The_Amish_romance_Bonnets_but_no_bosoms.html
Shelley
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