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?
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:
I love Amish fiction and would love to win Shelley's book Ray Of Light.
Katie J. from Florida
Sounds like a good book! I just checked out "Missing" from the library and am looking forward to starting on it! :)
Oops! Forgot to add... Cyndi Wilson from AL
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
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
Please enter me in this contest for Ray of Light. I love Shelley's books.
Brittany M. from Texas
I would love to win a copy of this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Would love to win thanks for the giveaway.
Lourdes from Dix Hills Long Island
This sounds really good! I'm in MN.
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
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
I am not a fan of Amish fiction, but I have always loved Shelley's books. She does it right!
Carly in NC
I love reading Amish fiction. And I also love Shelley's writing.
from South MS
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
I'd love to be entered. I live in Ohio :)
cbus.blogger at gmail dot com
I love her books! Mary from Western NY, near Buffalo
Ray of Light sounds wonderful.Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win .I like reading your books.
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
From MO - Martha
Enjoying your books Shelley!
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
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.
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
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
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.
thanks for the chance to read this novel.
karenk
from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Love Shelley's books & always look forward to reading her latest book.
Elaine from Iowa
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
Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I enjoy Amish fiction very much! Ray of Light is a great title.
Beth from IA
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
love Shelley's books thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Nice interview. I love reading Amish books and Shelley's books, too.
Karen G. from Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Post a Comment