Friday, May 31, 2013

RAY OF LIGHT - Shelley Shepard Gray - One Free Book

Meet Shelley:
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sisters of the Heart, Seasons of Sugarcreek, Secrets of Crittenden County, and Families of Honor series. 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.

About Ray of Light:
Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.

Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?
The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.


Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I love to write inspirational novels because I find them uplifting. I enjoy writing Amish fiction because their faith-centered lifestyle never fails to inspire me.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
My happiest days are when my husband and children are home and everyone is content. The day my husband asked me to marry him was a pretty wonderful day, though!

How has being published changed your life?
Being published has made me more confident and has given me an outlet for my creativity that feels like a gift. I am a very thankful writer!

What are you reading right now?
I just finished Her Majesty’s Hope by Susan Elia Macneal. It’s a WWII mystery, and I honestly loved every page. I also read it too fast! I was so sad when it was over!

What is your current work in progress?
I do best when I work on several projects at the same time. I’m currently writing Worthington House, an 1893 historical romance set in Chicago, REDEMPTION, an Amish historical set at the end of the Civil War, and THANKFUL, an Amish romance set in Sugarcreek.

What would be your dream vacation?
I love to travel, so any dream vacation is one that I’ve planned! This fall, we’re going to go on a Mediterranean Cruise. We’ll end up in Athens, Greece, which is where my sister has lived for almost 20 years.

That sounds wonderful. How do you choose your settings for each book?
I research a lot of settings on the Internet. I also read a lot. Sometimes a setting will intrigue me, and I’ll want to place a book there. I’m also a huge fan of westerns, so I love a Texas setting.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is no longer alive, who would it be and why?
That would be my father. He passed away many, many years ago. I would love to chat with him about his grandchildren, and hear some of those stories he used to tell me when I was too young to appreciate them.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I love to cook, but I’m not very good at it. So I’m always taking cooking classes or trying out new things. We also have two dachshunds, which I’m very fond of! I love to take them out on our town’s bike trail. I also love to travel~and not just exotic places. I love to go just about anywhere new.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Years ago, it took me three years to become published with Harlequin American Romance. I had many, many, many rejections. That time taught me a lot about revising, revision letters, patience, and persistence. Now, I’m grateful for those hard years. I never take anything in publishing for granted!

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
I’d advise a beginning author to believe in herself, and believe in criticism, too. Learning what I can do better always helps me, even if it doesn’t make me feel good. I’d also advise a new author to write every day.

Tell us about the featured book.
Ray of Light is the second book of this year’s Days of Redemption series. It features Roman Keim, a man who goes on vacation in Florida and meets Amanda Yoder, who becomes his ray of light. It’s a positive story about moving forward, finding joy in each day, and appreciating family.

Please give us the first page of the book.
          It hadn’t been easy, but Lovina Keim had gotten her way. This time, she was going to be the person to read aloud her grandson’s letter.

            Holding the letter carefully on her lap, she adjusted her glasses and waited for her twin granddaughters, husband, and daughter-in-law to get settled. Actually, she was drawing out the moment. It was nice to feel like the focal point of the family once again. Too often she sometimes felt like as much of an add-on as her dawdi haus was.

            But, as usual, her granddaughter Viola was anything but patient. “Mommi, open the envelope. We’re all here and sitting quietly.”

            “Patience, Viola. I’ll get to it in my own time. After all, none of us makes you rush to share Edward’s letters.”

            “That’s because she doesn’t share them,” Viola’s twin Elsie said.

            Crossing her legs primly, Viola glared at her sister. “Ed’s letters are far different. He’s my fiancĂ©, you know.”

            “I believe we all know that, dear,” Marie said dryly.

            Standing behind her rocking chair, Aaron leaned over and pushed the kerosene lantern on the table closer to her. “You’d best read Roman’s letter from Florida before this whole family dissolves into another heated discussion.”

Thanks for that preview. How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me at www.shelleyshepardgray.com, or on FaceBook!

Thank you, Shelley, for sharing your new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Ray of Light: The Days of Redemption Series, Book Two - paperback
Ray of Light: The Days of Redemption Series, Book Two - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, 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.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love Amish fiction and would love to win Shelley's book Ray Of Light.

Katie J. from Florida

Cyndi said...

Sounds like a good book! I just checked out "Missing" from the library and am looking forward to starting on it! :)

Cyndi said...

Oops! Forgot to add... Cyndi Wilson from AL

pol said...

Hi Shelley, I am surprised to hear you work on more then one project at a time..I would get confused.
I like reading your books, thanks for sharing.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a reader and fan from Ga

Lcenlow said...

I live in IN but due to health issues I winter near Sarasota FL. A great Amish community there. This book summary reminds me of there. Cant wait to read it. Thanks for the opportunity to win it. Lindy Enlow

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this contest for Ray of Light. I love Shelley's books.
Brittany M. from Texas

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Lourdes said...

Would love to win thanks for the giveaway.



Lourdes from Dix Hills Long Island

Shopgirl said...

This sounds really good! I'm in MN.

Mary Preston said...

Whenever I read a fabulous book I never want to come to the end of it.

I'm looking forward to reading RAY OF LIGHT.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Judy said...

I'm a huge fan of Shelley's Amish fiction books. I am excited about the chance of perhaps meeting her at a book signing this Fall! I would love to win a copy of, Ray Of Light.

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

CarlybirdH said...

I am not a fan of Amish fiction, but I have always loved Shelley's books. She does it right!
Carly in NC

Patsy said...

I love reading Amish fiction. And I also love Shelley's writing.

from South MS

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Bethany said...

I'd love to be entered. I live in Ohio :)

cbus.blogger at gmail dot com

Mary / Touch of Heaven said...

I love her books! Mary from Western NY, near Buffalo

Emma said...

Ray of Light sounds wonderful.Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win .I like reading your books.

Diana Flowers said...

I have the first one in this series and would love to read them back to back! Love Shelley's books!

dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

Diana from SC

Unknown said...

From MO - Martha

Enjoying your books Shelley!

josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristie said...

I do not want to win a copy of Shelley's book so please do not enter me in the drawing. I already bought one and read it. Loved it! I just wanted to say "Hi!" to Shelley and tell her that, as always, I'm awaiting her next book. Your cruise sounds like fun. I have never been to the Mediterranean. Are you going to visit your sister? I would love to see all the Greek/European places. So much history!!! I've read lots about those places in books. How would the real thing measure up? Take care! Kristie from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Library Lady said...

I would love to be entered in the giveaway for the book, "Ray of Light" by Shelley S. Gray.
We have her books in our Church Library.
Thanks!
Janet E.
Florida
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

sharon m said...

RAY OF LIGHT sounds very good. I would love to win it. I've read a couple of your western novels and like them lots. Your trip to the Mediterranean will be wonderful, I'm sure. sharon, CA

KayM said...

I don't read a lot of Amish fiction, but Ray of Light sounds like a good story. Thank you for offering an opportunity to win a copy. I live in Tennessee.

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this novel.

karenk
from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

EJ said...

Love Shelley's books & always look forward to reading her latest book.

Elaine from Iowa

Norma S said...

Hi Shelly, oh how i would love to win your book " Ray of Light ", it sounds really great i love Amish book, i love their lifestyle, we all should go back to that! Where we help our neighbors and we go visiting people, we don't do that now days,it seams like we don't have time to do that, oh we would help them if they said they needed it, but we don't give our time to them. Sorry about all of that! Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book. God bless you.
Norma S. from South eastern Ohio

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

rubynreba said...

I enjoy Amish fiction very much! Ray of Light is a great title.
Beth from IA

Heidi Reads... said...

I haven't heard of this author but now I've got to read some of her books after all the positive reviews!

Heidi, CA

apple blossom said...

love Shelley's books thanks for the chance to win

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Karen G. said...

Nice interview. I love reading Amish books and Shelley's books, too.
Karen G. from Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com