About the Book:Joshua Graber knows his future is set. He′s expected to work at his family business, the Graber Country Store. He′s expected to marry Gretta Hershberger, who he′s been courting for several years. But when a new English family moves next door and their lovely teenage daughter, Lilly Allen, catches his eye, Joshua wonders if all the plans for his future are too set in stone.
Gretta doesn′t know what′s going on with Joshua. When they argue and later stew in silence, it feels a lot like the frosty atmosphere at her home. After promising herself to never have a marriage like her parents, she wonders if perhaps another man might be a better match. A man such as Roland Schrock. He′s steady and kind and somewhat boring. If she marries him, she won′t ever have to worry about loving him and getting hurt.
Meanwhile, Lilly is enamored with the Amish way of life, and especially her handsome neighbor Joshua. But despite being drawn to him, she has a secret that will only drive him away. Her family moved to Sugarcreek to hide her pregnancy from their community back home. Once she′s had the baby, they plan to send her off to college without anyone from their old neighborhood knowing the truth. But as Lilly becomes wrapped up in the simplicity and graciousness of the Amish people, she begins to question what′s expected of her, and whether giving up her baby, and leaving Sugarcreek, is what she truly wants.
As the coldest winter on record blows into Sugarcreek, these three young people must struggle to determine the path of their futures.
About the Author:
Before writing for the inspirational market, Shelley wrote several novels as Shelley Galloway. During this time, her books appeared on the Waldenbooks bestseller list, and she also won the prestigious Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Before writing professionally, Shelley taught school for 10 years. She taught fifth and sixth grade in Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. When her family was transferred to Ohio, her husband encouraged her to finally give writing a serious try. He even found a local writers meeting for her to attend! After a lot of hard work and a lot of luck, she sold her third manuscript.
Shelley is an active member of her church. She volunteers on steering committees, helps with rummage sales, and helps out at the welcome center. She and her husband are also part of a small group that has been instrumental in guiding her faith.
When not writing, Shelley can usually be found with her family. Her two teenagers keep her busy and happy. They all also love to travel.
Find out more about Shelley Shepard Gray and her books at her website.
My Review:
Oh my goodness, this book was fantastic!!! All the characters in this book touched my heart in one or another! I must say, though, that in the beginning I was upset at the heroine, Gretta’s boyfriend…it just was so sad in the beginning. You definitely do alot of praying for Gretta and boyfriend, Joshua. But in the end, I was truly singing praises for Shelley’s Winter’s Awakening! It’s full of God and lessons to be learned. I did not want to put this book down at all. Reading of the Amish and their English neighbors always amazes me. The Amish live a simple life and the English don’t,but Shelley captured both of the lifestyles and blended them together in a wonderful way! It truly makes me wish I was Amish. Shelley does a wonderful job at capturing the reader’s hearts with this tale of Amish and English friendships and love. I was pulled in at the beginning and wasn’t let go until the end. This wonderful and amazing new friends will be in my heart for a long time to come and I can’t wait to read book 2 in the Seasons of Sugarcreek series, Spring’s Renewal! A 5 star rating and highest recommendations!
Click here to see all the stops on the Winter’s Awakening Blog Tour!
Click here to see a guest post from Shelley.
*This book was provided for review by TLC Book Tours/Avon Inspired-HarperCollins*
