WHISPERS IN THE READING ROOM - Shelley Gray - One Free Book

BIO: Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish romances for Harper Collins inspirational line, Avon Inspire and historical romances as Shelley Gray for Harper Collins Christian Publishers. Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.  

To date, Shelley has published over fifty novels for a variety of publishers. Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.

Welcome back, Shelley. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

You’re right, Lena! I certainly does take a village to give life to each book, and Whispers in the Reading Room had several people who helped so much. One such person is my longtime girlfriend Julie. She met me in Chicago for a research trip and embraced the research as much as I did! She toured the Palmer House Hotel with me, visited the Fair exhibit at the Field Museum, read chapters, and pretty much smiled while I talked about the ideas for the book for hours. My critique partners Heather Blake and Cathy Liggett helped me plot, then replot, then rework the book several times. Over at my publisher, Natalie Hanemann and Jean Bloom helped me with about a hundred things. I’ve never been so grateful for so many caring friends and coworkers.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I love to visit libraries, and I have been busy setting up several events for May and June, 2016. I’m also planning to attend next summer’s RWA conference in San Diego and the ACFW conference in Nashville. I love to travel and talk about books.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

I’ve actually started over several times over the years, due to my husband’s job. Though it was sometimes hard, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have several fresh starts. I know I would have never become a writer if we hadn’t been transferred to Cincinnati. As far as the future goes, I have a feeling we’ll only move if our children start their families someplace far away. Then, we’d pack up in a heartbeat!

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

Write! I meet so many aspiring novelists who tell me all about their blogs and Twitter accounts. For me, the only way to be a writer is to actually write every day.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])

Boy, if I could be in charge of a celebrity cruise, I’d probably just ask all my friends to come, especially writers that I’ve met through the years but only see once a year at conferences. Seeing them would be so fun!

Tell us about the featured book.

Whispers in the Reading Room features a librarian, a gambling club owner, the Chicago World’s Fair, and a murder.

Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chicago Times-Courier

From October 1893

Reported by Benson Gage

While the majority of the city basks in the glow of the Columbian Exposition’s success, far more dark events are taking place in the city’s underbelly. This publication has learned there has been a spike in attacks and murders deep in the heart of Camp Creek Alley. Has crime sought to take advantage of the fact that most everyone’s eyes are on the bright Plaisance, allowing all sorts of criminals to run rampant?

This reporter can only advise for any reputable citizen with a care for both his purse and his life to stay far away from the area. It is very likely that even establishments that look reputable hide many dark secrets behind their beguiling façades.

Intriguing. Where can we find you on the Internet?

I’m everywhere on the Internet! www.shelleyshepardgray.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter (ShelleySGray)

Thank you so much for the fun interview, Lena

I love having you visit my blog, Shelley, and my readers and I are very interested in this new book.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Whispers in the Reading Room - Christianbook.com (Best price today)
Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series) - Amazon
Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 3) - Kindle

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