Friday, March 17, 2017

HER SECRET - Shelley Shepard Gray - One Free Book

Welcome back, Shelley. You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?
Although I really enjoy going on research trips and exploring new places, my favorite setting for my Amish novels has to be up in Holmes County, Ohio. That’s because I’m friends with several Amish ladies there, so when I set a novel in Sugarcreek, Charm, or Berlin, it feels like I’m writing about good friends.

What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?
I absolutely love to read. I usually read several books a week. I usually am attracted to two things when I pick a book. The first is that it’s different from anything I write and the second is characterization. If I don’t find the characters in the novel I’m reading either likable or well developed, I usually put the book down and pick up another on my To Be Read pile.

Give us a little tour of the setting for this book.
Although Hart County, Kentucky, the setting for HER SECRET is not in Ohio, I really enjoyed all the research I did for it! Hart County is located in the center of Kentucky, right where Mammoth Cave is located. One thing I learned from my visits to the area is that while Mammoth Cave is the largest cave in the region, it’s only one of many caves in the heart of Kentucky. Hart County is rural, populated by several scattered Amish communities, and is truly beautiful.

What other books do you have coming out soon?
HER SECRET is the first of six novels set in Hart County! Three of the books will be released this year and then the series will finish up in 2018. Each novel is set in area but is meant to stand alone. The next book in the series is called HIS GUILT, and it will be released in July.

Please give us a glimpse inside your home.
We live in southern Ohio in a walk-out ranch house that is next to a creek. Honestly, the best part about our house is the back yard. I love to watch all of the animals and birds visit. We have a blue heron that returns every summer, chipmunks, deer, a ground hog, and even a fox that lives in the woods. I love looking out the windows in the winter or sitting on the back porch in the summer.

Tell us about the story.
HER SECRET is the story of Hannah Hilty. She and her family move to Hart County because a stalker was taking pictures of her back in Ohio. At first she thinks that she’s safe and even allows herself to form a friendship with Isaac, her next door neighbor. But when strange little incidents start happening in her new town, Hannah fears that her stalker has found her again. 

It was a lot of fun to write.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Berlin, Ohio
April 16
“This just arrived for you, Hannah.”

Hannah Hilty looked up from the table she was clearing to see her manager by the reception desk at the Berlin Country Store. Blowing a wisp of hair off her brow, and wiping her hands on the dish towel tucked in the sash of her apron, Hannah hurried to take the brown envelope out of Kennedy Frazier’s hands.

“Danke,” she said politely. “I’m not sure why someone would have given you an envelope for me, though.”

“Actually, someone slipped it through our mail slot. In any case, I was happy to hold on to it for you.” She winked. “I’m glad you were working today. Otherwise, I would have had to remember to hand it to you for your next shift.”

“Oh, you would have remembered . . . eventually.” If there was one thing Hannah had learned about her manager, it was that Kennedy sometimes bit off more than she could chew. Because of that, she was a bit of a scatterbrain.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I have a beautiful new website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com, I’m active on Facebook, and I’m also on Twitter at @ShelleySGray. I love to chat with readers, so I hope everyone will reach out and tell me what they thought of HER SECRET.

Thank you for hosting me, Lena!

My pleasure, Shelley. Thank you for sharing this new book with us.

Shelley2

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Her Secret - Christianbook.com
Her Secret: The Amish of Hart County - Amazon Paperback
Her Secret: The Amish of Hart County - Kindle
Her Secret: The Amish of Hart County - Amazon - Audio 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

not seeing where to post for chance at book 'her secret' I'm from MN and enjoy the unique storys that can be found in amish reading; plus, the fact no slang, sex, no gory details, just plain GOOD reading

Unknown said...

I'd love to read this book. It's quite different from the other Amish books I've read.
Susan in North Carolina
susanlulu@yahoo.com

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I am thrilled that Shelley has chosen to do another series set in Kentucky. 'Her Secret' sounds wonderful and Shelley is just as nice as this interview implies! I was blessed to meet her at Fleming County Public Library in April 2014.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Pam said...

I love Shelley Shepard Gray's books! Especially her Amish ones. This one sounds like she's adding suspense, too. Two of my favorite genres. Would love to win this one!
Pam in OH

Anonymous said...

Amish fiction is my favorite genre to read. This sounds like a real page turner from Shelley that I would enjoy reading.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York

kim hansen said...

Love your backyard view. north platte nebraska.

Library Lady said...

Our Church Library readers can't get enough of Amish and Mystery books, all in the same package.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Sunny Florida

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book. I love Amish Fiction.

Melody B from Quebec, Canada

Lourdes said...

Look forward to reading this book thanks for the giveaway.

Lourdes Long Island, NY

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

rbooth43 said...

I am very interested in reading about a stalker that follows the main character to her new home and the consequences of this story!
Thanks Rebecca from NC

Unknown said...

I LOVE Shelley's writing. I am so anxious for Love Held Captive to release, so perhaps this one will appease. :) I'd love to win. Thank you for yet another great giveaway.
Amanda J. from FL

Linda McFarland said...

Love Shelley Shepard Gray books. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Linda from PA

Judy Cooper said...

I have just started reading Ms. Gray's books and I am really enjoying them. I live in Southwest Louisiana. Thank you, Judy Cooper.

Karen G. said...

I am really looking forward to reading this new series from Shelley Shepard Gray. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Karen G. from NY

rubynreba said...

Shelley's books are always favorites of mine! Stalkers are scary but interesting to read about!
Beth from IA

Unknown said...

Always love reading Shelly's books! Enjoyed the interview!
Tiffany from Louisiana.

Unknown said...

Sounds like another great book. I love reading books by Shelley Shepard Gray. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
KayLee, NY

Mama Cat said...

This sounds exciting. Would love to read it! Wonderful author!

Jeanie in Phoenix