THANKFUL BY SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY | BOOK GIVEAWAY AND BLOG TOUR

About Book: 

Thankful, Book Two in the Return to Sugarcreek series

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray captures the beauty, devotion, and warmth of Amish life in this engaging tale of family, commitment, trust, and love set in the beloved community of Sugarcreek.

Christina Kempf has always known that God chose Aden Reese to be her husband. As children, he was there to save her when she fell through the ice, and he's been by her side ever since. After his parents died in a car accident ten years ago, the Kempfs raised Aden as one of their own, and everyone sees Aden and Christina as brother and sister. But Christina has never given up hope that Aden will one day ask her to be his wife.

Aden always planned to court Christina. But losing his mother and father changed everything---except his love for her. Her parents generously welcomed him into their home and treated him like a son. He can't betray their kindness by admitting his feelings for the girl who is like a sister . . . yet so much more.

Pressured by her parents to court, Christina begins to accept the attentions of Sugarcreek's young men, and now, Aden must make a choice. Will he stand by and watch the love of his life slip away? Or will he risk losing the love and trust of the family he holds dear to tell Christina how he truly feels?

Thankful includes a P.S. section with additional insights from the author, background material, suggestions for further reading, and more.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/wAcFF 

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

About Author: 

About the author: Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

 More about author: website, Facebook

Enter to win the first two books in Shelley's Return to Sugarcreek series, Hopeful & Thankful. a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Thoughts:

Christina Kempf surrendered her heart to Aiden Reese when they were young children.  He was her hero, best friend and protector.  He was taken in by her family after the tragic death of his parents.  They have not revealed the depth of their love for for each other fear the other only carries the love of a sibling. 

Christina makes the move to court other young Amish men at the persistence of her parents.  This rips a hole in Aiden's heart. He is afraid of loosing her but also fears loosing the respect of Christina's parents if he were to reveal his true feelings for their daughter.  

This story touched my heart to the point I had to keep a box of tissues in my lap while reading the book.  In fact it did not take me long to read the book because I refused to put the book down until the very end.  

The story had so much to offer me as a reader. It was tragic, romantic and it had dedication to family and community.  Lessons were learned in trusting God without fear and to pray He for Him to lead us to the life He has planned for us.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5  out of 5.

Disclosure: 
I received a free copy of this book from HarperCollins /Avon Inspire/
Litfuse Publicity Group for an honest review.

RAY OF LIGHT, THE DAYS OF REDEMPTION SERIES, BOOK TWO by SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY

About Ray of Sunlight:

Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray brings inspirational romance to life in this sweet tale of love in the Amish community, Ray of Light, the second installment of her Days of Redemption series.

Roman Keim just wants a break from the family drama at his snowy Ohio home when he heads to an Amish snowbird community in Florida. There he meets Amanda Yoder and her daughter Regina who soon are warming his heart. But will Roman return to Ohio or will he stay and help the young widow embrace a second chance at love?

The author of the series Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers an honest, tender love story in Ray of Light, featuring the challenges of faith, family, and romance.

• ISBN-13: 9780062204424
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication date: 5/14/2013
• Pages: 262

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/l5Xy7

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

Meet Shelley:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the "Sisters of the Heart", "Seasons of Sugarcreek", "Secrets of Crittenden County", and Families of Honor series. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Learn more at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

My Thoughts 

This story picks up where book one left off.  All the family drama in the Keim familly has having proven to be more than Roman Keim wanted to deal with.  He decided to take a well deserved vacation going from ice and snow of Ohio to the sunny beaches in Florida.  His cousins have a condo right on the beach and they have invited him to come spend a week.  It has been a healing experience for him.  He is not a very outgoing person but since a lovely young woman, in the condo next door, caught his eye his world has become a whirlwind of emotions. Which is very good.  The woman as well as her darling little four year old girl that have taken up a special spot in his heart. 

Amanda Yoder is a widow of two years and she too is taking a well deserved vacation.  The minute Roman Keim walk up to her on the beach he was like a ray of light.  She could feel herself healing because of this handsome caring man.  He was not only a healing balm for her but more so for her daughter, Regina.  Regina did not trust anyone but to her surprise opened up like a flower to the sun.  Amanda does not want to let go of her deceased husbands memory yet she is drawn to the possibility of a new love in her future.

The author writes of healing for so many of the characters in this book.  Giving up the past to God and and going forward for the plans he has for them.  Some of the characters cling to the pain of the past not so willing to give up what is eating them alive making them bitter and depressed.  Why is it so hard to let go of the past?  My heart ached for all the characters and was glad to see the healing process in all of them take place.  My favorite characters in this book were Regina and Elsie they had more strength than all of them in the end.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group/Harper Collins for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.