Monday, March 12, 2018

HIS RISK - Shelley Shepard Gray - One Free Book


Welcome back, Shelley. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?
I still really enjoy writing romance novels featuring Amish characters. I love incorporating their faith into the storylines. I also enjoy portraying the Amish in a realistic way, which usually includes my main characters falling in love.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?
Maybe it’s because of this long, cold winter that we’ve been experiencing in Ohio—but if I could move somewhere else, it would be in the South near the water. I did a book signing in Fairhope, Alabama, once and fell in the love with that town. Every January, I find myself wishing I was there!

What foreign country would you like to visit and why?
I’ve been blessed to have traveled extensively, but I still have places I’d love to visit. Right now I have three places on my wish list—Tangier, Easter Island, and Buenos Aires. All three seem foreign and exotic to me. I want to walk around the markets in Tangier, sip coffee in a café in Buenos Aires, and gaze in awe at those heads on Easter Island. Unfortunately, I think to see these places means I’ll be taking three trips! 

Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.
At the risk of sounding like a sap, any trip I take with my husband would be romantic—as long as neither of us are working! We both enjoying exploring new places and visiting with people. We’ve had great trips to both Stockholm, Sweden, and Galveston, Texas.

I agree with you. Any trip with my husband is romantic. I love spending time with him. Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?
I’m always on the hunt for a new place to set an Amish romance. Since the New Order Amish often do mission work outside of the United States, I’d love to write an Amish series set in a foreign country.

That sounds interesting. What is the main theme of this novel?
The main theme of HIS RISK is taking personal risks and chances. There are four points of view in the novel, and each person is taking a risk.

Tell us about the story.
HIS RISK is the story of Calvin Fisher, a man who was raised Amish, left the faith, made a lot of poor choices, and is now paying his debts by working undercover for the DEA. Though Calvin misses his older brother Mark, he’s glad his dangerous job doesn’t affect him. But when Mark gets sick and his wife calls Calvin to his side, Calvin returns to Hart County to care for him. Unfortunately, he brings all his trouble to Hart County as well. Along the way, he falls in love with Mark’s neighbor, a surprisingly stubborn preschool teacher named Alice.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Saturday, January 27
Sometimes, the sound of a phone ringing still caught Calvin Fisher off guard. When his cell buzzed for the second time, he pulled it out of his back pocket. Thumb hovering over the screen, he intended to press Ignore, but then he noticed the area code.

Eight months ago, he promised he’d never ignore a call from Hart County again. As the phone buzzed a third time, the sound echoing through the alleyway, Calvin pressed the button to answer.

“Mark, is that you?” he asked.

“Ack! Nee, Calvin. It’s Waneta,” his sister-in-law said in a rush. “Oh, Calvin. I’m so glad you answered.”

“Neeta, hold on a sec, ‘kay?” With the phone still held to his ear, Calvin motioned to the men nearby that he’d be right back and started walking. “You okay?” he asked, already feeling awkward. Of course Waneta wasn’t okay if she was calling him. She was Amish and didn’t get on the phone unless she had a good reason.

Now all my readers and I want to know what comes next. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can visit my website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com, find me on Facebook, or on Twitter, @ShelleySGray

Readers, here are links to the book.
His Risk - Christianbook.com
His Risk: The Amish of Hart County - Amazon paperback
His Risk: The Amish of Hart County - Kindle

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:

24 comments:

Linda Kish said...

I would love the opportunity to read this book. I like Shelley's books.

Linda in CA

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

Amish fiction is a favorite of mine! Sounds like a wonderful book!
Beth from IA

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy Shelley's books. Carol from NY. carola245 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Vivian Furbay said...

I've read some of Shelley's books which are very good. Would love to win this one. Vivian Furbay of CO

Robin in NC said...

Great first page! We've had more winter than I care for here in NC too, definitely ready for spring! Thanks for sharing the chance to win! Robin from North Carolina rw620ATaolDOTcom

kim hansen said...

One of my favorite authors. Lincoln Nebraska. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

Kay Garrett said...

Love Shelley Shepard Gray's books! I've had "The Risk" on my TBR list since I first read about it. On of my favorite genre is Amish stories and I love the way that she portrays them showing that they are like everyone else with problems and striving to live for God's glory which in our world isn't always easy.

Thank you for the interview with the author as well as the glimpse into the book with the first page. Appreciate the chance to win a copy of this awesome book!
2clowns at arkansas dot net

Diana Flowers said...

I have really enjoyed reading this Amish suspense series! Thank you for the opportunity to win this latest one. I have loved Shelley's books from the 1st one she ever wrote. And a new series in another country would be fabulous!

Diana in SC

Pam said...

Shelley Shepard Gray is a "go-to" author for me. Whether she's writing Amish Romance, something with some suspense or a combination of the two, her books always pull me in and make me believe I know her characters personally. I would LOVE to add His Risk to my TBR stack!

Pam in OH

Cherie J said...

The blurb and the first page really caught my attention. Sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading.

Cherie from FL

Anonymous said...

Amish fiction is my favorite genre to read. Shelly's new book sounds like one I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the interview Lena.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York

Danielle H. said...

I've been hearing a lot of great reviews on this book. Love the excerpt and would love to read more. Thank you! Danielle from MI.

Emma S. said...

"HIS RISK by Shelley Shepard Gray sounds wonderful.I enjoy reading your books. Have a good week. Thank you for the opportunity to win.PA.

Winnie said...

Lovely interview, Lena and Shelley. I've read a couple of Shelley Shepard Gray's books and loved them. I'd love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the opportunity!

Winnie T in Utah

Trixi said...

I'm already a huge fan of Shelley, so any of her books are a must-read for me :-)

Thank you for the fun author interview and giveaway chance!

Trixi in OR

Tiffany Hall said...

I love reading Shelley's books! I have never been disappointed in one of her books! Can't wait to read His Risk!
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity!

Tiffany from Louisiana

Donna E said...

I wasn't aware the Amish did mission work overseas. That would be a good story to tell.
HIS RISK is going on my TBR list.

Donna in Jones Oklahoma

donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Sounds great!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Tamara G. Cooper said...

I don't know how I missed this interview! I LOVE Shelley Gray's writing. She is one of the best. If you want to live in the South some day, Shelley, try Texas, down near Galveston. It's really beautiful down there.

SlimGymer said...

Tamara G. Cooper
tamarawrites (at) hotmail.com

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.

Natalya Lakhno said...

I would love to read this book!
Natalya from CA

Lourdes said...

I love the Amish stories thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Lourdes Long Island, NY

Shelia64 said...

sounds like another winner! Shelia from Mississippi