THE PROMISE OF PALM GROVE - Shelley Shepard Gray - One Free Book

Dear Readers, I’ve become fascinated by books set in Pinecraft in Florida. Only about a year ago, I found out about this place where Amish and Mennonite go for vacations. And some of them live there. This is book one in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Brides of Pinecraft series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I think you will, too.

Welcome back, Shelley. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

One of my favorite themes to incorporate in my novels is God’s Grace. Having my characters discover this feels so hopeful and positive.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

After Proposal at Siesta Key’s release on May 12, I’ll look forward to the publication of An Outlaw’s Heart in July. This is my novella in the Among the Fair Magnolias Novella collection. The next two books in the Brides of Pinecraft series will be published in September and October. Finally, I’ll be publishing Whispers in the Reading Room, an 1894 Chicago Historical Romance, in November.

They all sound wonderful. If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

I would love to spend an evening with Anne Perry. She’s my favorite author, and I’ve read all of her novels. She’s from Scotland. I imagine I would be happy just staring at her and listening to her talk about anything she wants.

What historical figure would you like to meet and why?

I would love to meet Martin Luther. I’m Lutheran, and we’ve studied his life and writings a lot in our church. I would be fascinated to learn more about his teachings from him!

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Oh, gosh. Rejections! Yes, receiving those are hard. However, you can only get rejected if you submit and try. So, in a way, I think that’s something to celebrate. Rejections are also part of the publishing life. I’ve sold over 50 books but I still get rejections. It’s also helpful to remember that it’s the manuscript or proposal that is being rejected, not the author. Finally, the best thing to do is to always be working on something new.

Tell us about the featured book.

For years, now, I’ve been fascinated by Pinecraft, the Amish snowbird and vacation community located in the heart of Sarasota, Florida. Three years ago, I wrote Ray of Light and set part of the book there. When it was time to start planning the new series for 2015, I asked my editor if we could set it in Pinecraft. I spent five days there last year doing research and soon decided it was one of my favorite places in the world.

The Promise of Palm Grove is the first book in my new series, Amish Brides of Pinecraft, and follows Leona as she must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her? She finds herself torn between the man she’s pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love.

Please give us the first page of the book for my readers.

Beverly Overholt dreamed in color now.

Pinks and yellow, blues and reds. Green, purple, indigo, orange. So many vibrant colors, so much promise.

So very different than her dreams had been when she was in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

As Beverly swept the front porch of the Orange Blossom Inn, her home for the last three years, she took care to carefully clear away each stray piece of Spanish moss that had fallen from the oak trees dotting the yard. And as she did so, she reflected again that God was so good. He was so good because He reminded her in dozens of ways each day that change was possible.

Every morning, He gave her the beautiful sunrises over the Gulf of Mexico, warm weather, and gentle rains. Flowers and blue skies, palm trees and always, always the hint of happiness.

In more ways than she could ever name, the Lord promised new beginnings. Renewal. Paradise.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have a website and blog. www.shelleyshepardgray.com

I’m also very active on Facebook www.facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray

And on Twitter. @ShelleySGray

Thank you, Shelley, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will love it as much as I did.

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

The Promise of Palm Grove - Christianbook.com
The Promise of Palm Grove: Amish Brides of Pinecraft, Book One - Amazon
The Promise of Palm Grove: Amish Brides of Pinecraft, Book One (The Pinecraft Brides 1) - Kindle

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