Popular Author, Shelley Shepard Gray, Visits Pinecraft , Florida , in her new Series!!

"The Promise of Palm Grove"
    By Shelley Shepard Gray

Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:

Shelley Shepard Gray has once again written a book that keeps one engrossed from the first page of the book until the very last. It is the first in a new series entitled, "Amish Brides of Pinecraft". This novel is somewhat different from what we expect from the Amish Genre. It does not take place in PA, or Ohio or Indiana, the most common settings for this genre. Who would ever think that a place in Florida would be the appropriate place for an adventure of these Plain People!  It is a real place!! It does exist and Shelley describes it well and with accuracy, making the book believable and realistic. 

The characters are well described in a realistic manner. Leona, the main character, immediately appealed to me and I was easily able to identify with her. She is a young Amish lady who has problems that are very similar to those that anyone may experience in a relationship. Her confusion is felt  and touches one in a deep way. What can she do?? Leona is a good Christian girl. Can she refuse to marry Edmund in spite of giving her word? What will her parents think? What will be the community's response to this action?? Her confusion and hurts came through the story loud and clear. I wanted to jump into the story and give her a big hug and assure her that everything would be alright!!

The plot moved quickly, with just enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. This is a book that clearly shows that these "Plain People" experience similar problems to our's , although they may differ in how they deal with them. The message is evident throughout this novel. God is our guide. When we are confused , we need to let go and let Him guide our way. His plan is set out for us, if only we will listen to that still, quiet voice and allow Him to take over.

Definitely a book worth reading!! I am eagerly awaiting the next book from this wonderful author.

About the author:


Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time 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.

This book was supplied by Litfuse in exchange for a fair and honest review.