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 fiancé, 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

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