A Perfect Amish Romance by Shelley Shepard Gray

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Aaron Coblentz has a secret: he’s been studying to take the GED to get promoted at work. But he can’t let his Amish family know, not when his older brother already left the faith just a year after getting baptized, practically crippling the family. When Aaron asks bookmobile librarian Sarah Anne Miller for some additional study guides, she does one better. She arranges for Kayla Kaufman to be his tutor.

Kayla has a secret, too. Her life has been turned upside down in a matter of months—her mother’s death propelled her father into a constant state of depression, and unable to deal with his erratic behavior, her longtime boyfriend has broken things off. But despite losing those she holds most dear, she hasn’t completely given up on love. Only now she seeks to find it in the sweet romance novels she secretly checks out from Sarah Anne’s bookmobile.

As Aaron and Kayla’s study sessions start to feel less like work and more like pleasure, they soon realize that happily ever afters don’t only happen in fiction; sometimes they happen when you least expect it.

From a “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews), A Perfect Amish Romance is a moving and deftly told story that paints a heartwarming picture of the magic of true love. 

MY REVIEW

I was so excited to read this after my loooooong pending approval. Oh my! It was so worth the wait!

New characters to love and well it's just Shelley Shepard Gray! Fabulous!

I thought the name Tiny was unusual and cute! Matched her personality just perfectly. I finished this novel late into the night and I have no regrets it was so very good! This book will be on my list of 2021 faves.

I enjoyed the aspect of the bookmobile. I think it's because it can reach people who can't get out or people that don't have any way of going to the library.

Sarah Anne was a wonderful librarian. I liked her immediately! I think real life librarians can learn some lessons from her in hospitality. Sure she was nervous at first because she didn't think that she wasn't the right person for the job. I especially like how Ron built her confidence up so that she might be able to good a job. I thought she was perfect!

The first in a brand new series by Shelley Shepard Gray that will be sure to delight you. It did me but then, I love Amish romance anyway and this one was no exception.

I highly recommend.

My thanks for a copy of this amazing book! I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

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.

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.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

GUEST POST WITH SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY

Hi Shelley! 

It's a pleasure to host you on my blog. I love and enjoy your books so very much! 

I'm not sure if you remembered meeting at the book fair in Ky  at the horse park but I remembered meeting you.. You made me smile that day.

I wanted to ask you some questions and I hope you don't mind.

1. How did you get started in writing Amish fiction? What made you want to do it?

I started writing Amish fiction when an editor who had received a proposal for A Texan's Promise asked if I would consider writing an Amish proposal. This was back in 2006 or so and there were only a few Amish authors. 

I was reluctant to give it a try because I was afraid I would mess up some of the research, but soon after I met a lady at my church who grew up Mennonite. She-and her best friend who is Old Order Amish- helped me a lot with my first few books. 

2. What are some of your plans for your upcoming books? 

I'm really enjoying your new series about the bookmobile series. 

How did you come up with that?

I really like to write and I like writing for different publishing houses. This year I have the bookmobile books coming out, a Harlequin Cold Case book, and a romantic suspense women's fiction novel called Edgewater RD.  I also have a few Amish novellas that are published in 'Amish Collection' books, such as Amish Midwives with Amy Clipston and Kelly Long. 

3.  Have you ever eaten at an Amish home before? 

I have, many times. I've also hosted my Amish friend at my house-which was nerve wracking!  LOL, my house has never been so clean. 

What are some of your favorite Amish foods? 

Whenever I'm at the Der Dutchman or Dutch Valley up in Holmes County, I always get the Broasted Chicken, which is kind of a cross between fried and roasted chicken. I'm also extremely partial to pie! 

5. Are you planning on future book signings in the future? If so, when and where? 

Right now, the only 'in person' event I have is scheduled for October in Richardson, TX. It's an event called Buns and Roses, and all the proceeds got to literacy groups in the Dallas, Texas area. I'll be hosting a table! 

6. The Pinecraft series is my very favorite series! I really "enjoyed"  my vacation there. That's on my bucket list.

Have you visited there? What are some of the things you would like to do there?

I have been to Pinecraft three times and I'm actually going back in two weeks! I love to go to Yoders, which is a grouping of shops and restaurants in the center of Pinecraft. I also love to drive out to Siesta Key and sit on the beach! 

It's a really small area in the heart of Sarasota, so I also enjoy just walking around and watching everyone. I love how there are so many Amish from different parts of the country in one spot!