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.
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.
Readers,
here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this
blog.
Her Secret - Christianbook.comHer 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:
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
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this book. It's quite different from the other Amish books I've read.
ReplyDeleteSusan in North Carolina
susanlulu@yahoo.com
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.
ReplyDeleteConnie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
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!
ReplyDeletePam in OH
Amish fiction is my favorite genre to read. This sounds like a real page turner from Shelley that I would enjoy reading.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York
Love your backyard view. north platte nebraska.
ReplyDeleteOur Church Library readers can't get enough of Amish and Mystery books, all in the same package.
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Sunny Florida
Sounds like a great book. I love Amish Fiction.
ReplyDeleteMelody B from Quebec, Canada
Look forward to reading this book thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLourdes Long Island, NY
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.
I am very interested in reading about a stalker that follows the main character to her new home and the consequences of this story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca from NC
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.
ReplyDeleteAmanda J. from FL
Love Shelley Shepard Gray books. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteLinda from PA
I have just started reading Ms. Gray's books and I am really enjoying them. I live in Southwest Louisiana. Thank you, Judy Cooper.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to reading this new series from Shelley Shepard Gray. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteKaren G. from NY
Shelley's books are always favorites of mine! Stalkers are scary but interesting to read about!
ReplyDeleteBeth from IA
Always love reading Shelly's books! Enjoyed the interview!
ReplyDeleteTiffany from Louisiana.
Sounds like another great book. I love reading books by Shelley Shepard Gray. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteKayLee, NY
This sounds exciting. Would love to read it! Wonderful author!
ReplyDeleteJeanie in Phoenix