We’re thrilled to share Shelley Shepard Gray’s third book in the Walnut Creek Series, The Protective One, on sale starting January 21st, 2020.
It’s been years since childhood friends, fondly known as “The Eight,” left their hometown of Holmes County, Ohio. But after a tragic loss brought them back together, one member of The Eight, Elizabeth Anne, is re-examining what’s important in her life. Though her longtime suitor seems like a perfect match on paper—he’s Mennonite and has her family’s stamp of approval—E.A. doesn’t feel as spark, and desperate for a change, she breaks things off.
E.A.’s world takes another turn when one of her sewing students is in need of protection. With the help of her childhood friend, Will, E.A. begins a difficult and rewarding journey that ultimately leads her to everything she’s been searching for.
In this latest installment in the Walnut Creek series that “both delights and surprises” (Leslie Gould, bestselling author), Shelley Shepard Gray pens a powerful and poignant tale of friendship, courage, and love.
Read an excerpt from The Protective One below:
JULY
There were more fireflies dotting the fields around her house than Elizabeth Anne could count. But still she tried. She’d once read that people believed wishing on them, like on the stars, might make dreams come true. She’d always thought such a notion was foolish.
But lately?
Well, lately, Elizabeth Anne was beginning to think she’d been going through life a little too resolutely. Perhaps she would be happier if she took more time to daydream and wish on fireflies.
She was a twenty-four-year-old Mennonite, had a job at the fabric store that was rather boring, and was anticipating a proposal from a man who had never made her pulse race or her heart sing.
Though having both employment and a beau should have given her a feeling of fulfillment, she felt empty. Like a firefly that had no light.
But maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t the kind of woman destined for fierce longings or challenging jobs. Were some women simply more romantic and apt to blush and fuss more than others? Perhaps the problem was that she’d never felt such things. Perhaps she wasn’t capable of such.
She sighed. The action rocked the swing a bit, jarring the man sitting next to her.
“Elizabeth Anne, you’ve sure been quiet for a while,” David blurted from her side. Looking her over like a doctor might look at a sprained ankle, he continued, “Is everything all right? Are you ill?”
“Am I ill? Oh, nee.” She was simply bored.
Folding his hands over his chest, David sighed. “Well, then . . . what have you been thinking about?” Impatience was in his voice now. “You know it’s only proper for us to sit together on the porch swing for thirty minutes. We should make the most of our time.”
Elizabeth Anne almost rolled her eyes. Because that, she feared, was the problem. Here they were, a courting couple sitting alone on a porch swing on an early summer evening. The air was warm and comfortable, fireflies were twinkling in the distance, and the faint scent of honeysuckle floated in the breeze.
No one else was around, and even if someone were, no one in her family would so much as blink if David had his arm around her shoulders. Not even if they were kissing. They’d been courting a long time now.
But they weren’t doing any of that. Nothing even close to it. And they never had.
To celebrate the release of The Protective One (book 3), we are giving away a copy of The Patient One (book 1) to one lucky reader. To enter, leave a comment below. Easy peasy!
Giveaway starts today, Monday, January 20th and ends Monday, January 27th and is only open to US residents. One winner will be selected at random and announced on Tuesday, the 28th in the comment section of this blog post. Good luck and don’t forget to share this giveaway with your friends!
Shelley Shepard Gray lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. A busy wife and mother of two, she spends her days writing and keeping track of her two teenagers. Her two dogs keep her company when she writes in her basement.
Shelley enjoys writing about the Amish and visits Amish communities in Adams and Holmes counties several times a year. When not spending time with her family or writing, she serves on several committees in her church.
She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.
Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news…or become her friend on FaceBook.
*Thank you to Gallery Books for sponsoring this post.*
51 thoughts on “Book Excerpt (and a Giveaway!): The Protective One by Shelley Shepard Gray”
Thanks for this giveaway!
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for this giveaway. I always love your books! Even if I don’t win, I will have to buy this. I think at some time in every person’s life we all feel stale, bored with life. This sounds like an excellent book.
Love to read Shelley”s books!
Rita
rita (dot) navarre (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I love all her stories and have a special place on my bookshelves for her books. Would love to win one.
Thanks for the chance to win Love Shelley books!
Love this series. Thank you for a chance to win.
The excerpt leaves you wanting to read more! Thanks for the giveaway!
One of my favorite authors! Love this series! Thank you for another sweet giveaway!!
I would love to read this book, first in a series . You are one of my favorite authors. I have become home bound as of two years ago,so spend much of my time reading. I love reading Amish stories. Thank you for this give away.
love reading this Author’s Book’s , thank you for the chance to win one
I read most of her books. I would like to win it.
I absolutely love Shelley Gray’s books!
Thanks the chance to win this book . It’s been a long time since I entered to win anything.
Thank you for this opportunity. I would love to win the first book in this series, and I know I would want to finish it.
I enjoy reading Shelley’s books, but have not read this series. I am sure I will like it.
Thank you for a chance to win. Love your books
I love Shelley’s books so thank you for hosting this giveaway and giving me the chance to win a copy of this book.
wfnren at aol dot com
Love reading your books,thanks for a chance to win one of your books
Thanks for the chance to win.
These books always leave me with a peaceful feeling!
Thank you for your books my wife enjoys to read them
Thanks for a chance to win
Love Shelley’s books Thank you for the chance to win Blessings SARAHTAYLOR601973(at)YAHOO(dot)COM
I can’t wait to read your new book! I really enjoyed meeting you a couple years ago in Loveland at a book signing. Thank for this opportunity! ?
Don’t know if my comment was received or not. Shelley is a great author. Doesn’t she live in Colorado Springs, CO now?
Would be thrilled to win a copy of this book. Thank you.
Thank you for this giveaway. Your book sounds wonderful!
This book sounds like another really good one by Shelley!
Thank you for a chance in the giveaway. Love the books!
Can’t wait to read this book. I have been waiting for it.
I haven’t read a book from Shelley that I didn’t enjoy!
This is my favorite author ever!! Thank you for hosting a giveaway!!!
I love book giveaways like this! My favorite genre and one of my favorite authors, it doesn’t get any better!
What a wonderful way to brighten the grey days of January!! Thanks for the chance!!
Can’t wait to read this. There’s a line waiting to check it out at the local library, Hutchinson KS
Love Shelley Shepherd Gray’s books. Have not had a chance to read this series.
Love your books. Would love to win.
Shelley Shepard Gray is my favorite author! I love her style of writing as well as all things Amish! I’d love to win this book. I’m so excited to read this story! Thank you for being such a prolific writer. You have taken us on so many adventures and brought us into the lives of so many wonderful characters!
Congratulations, Lynn! You are the winner of The Patient One! Please watch your email for details on how to claim your book. Thanks for entering!
Many books I have read and enjoyed. You have a way of starting a book that captures you to keep reading the rest and living within the words being said. I can see myself cooking beside my mom or going out to milk the cows.
In it to win it! Thanks ??
Love reading Shelley’s books. I know I will enjoy this one too.
I would love to win!
I am curious to find out if the couple gets married. I live Shelley’s books although I have not read this series. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the contest.
really love your books. this looks so good
Thank you for a chance to win
What a awesome giveaway love to win, thank for the chance
Would love to win this book love all of your books thank you for the chance to win
I enjoy Shelley’s book’s! Thank’s for this opportunity!
That would be awesome !!! =)