Author Interviews

Interview and Giveaway with Shelley Shepard Gray

Posted Michelle Dawn

Hi, Shelley. Welcome back to Destination Amish! Tell readers all about your new book, A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft.

It’s such a pleasure to be back at Destination Amish. Thank you so much for the invitation!

It’s a little hard for me to sum up A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft because there’s a lot going on in the book. First and foremost, it’s a romance between Beverly and Eric, two characters who have had small roles in the entire Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. Eric is the long distance owner of the Orange Blossom Inn and Beverly manages it. The novel opens with Beverly discovering that the inn has been robbed. She calls Eric in a panic. He decides to get the first flight out of Philadelphia to be with Beverly.

The robbery and Eric’s decision to spend Christmas with Beverly set off a whole series of events. Some have to do with Beverly and Eric. Other story lines feature two brothers who have a difficult home life and are out of hope. I do my best to link everything together just in time for Christmas Day!

Like all my Christmas novels, it can be read as a stand alone book. It’s sweet, fairly fast-paced, and has a lot of heart.

I have always wanted to visit Pinecraft and I know you have been there. I may just hop on the Pioneer Trails bus next time I pass it! How is Amish life different there than other Amish communities?

I can best sum up Pinecraft by describing the line to get into Yoder’s, the famous restaurant there. Yoder’s is not very small, but it always has a big crowd waiting to go in! It’s not uncommon to stand in line for thirty or forty minutes. For me, all this standing around was a perfect way to people watch! The first thing I noticed was that there were Amish from all over the country waiting in line. Men and women are wearing clothing unique to their area of the country. Some ladies from Indiana have pleated skirts, others are wearing aprons lined with brightly colored piping. Most everyone has taken off their heavy shoes and is wearing flip flops.

Everyone is also chatting and making friends. It’s such an opportunity to meet new people from all over the country! I’ve now been there twice and I’m anxious to return.

christmasDo you have a favorite scene or quote from A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft?

There’s one scene between two young teenagers. A girl named Effie invites a boy named Josiah to her house for pie and to her surprise, he accepts. Then, of course, she immediately begins to doubt herself. Why did Josiah say yes? Does he feel sorry for her? Was he simply hungry? Or could he possibly like her as much as she likes him?

It’s a fairly simple scene, but I loved it because I think it could happen to any pair of teenagers. At that age, friendship and doubt seem to go hand in hand.

How much of the Amish culture and way of life do you apply in your daily life?

My first instinct is to say that I don’t really live an Amish lifestyle. I like my electricity. I enjoy shopping. I wear make up and jewelry. : ) But actually, my Amish friends have taught me something that I’ve taken to heart. That’s to do my best to appreciate every day and to give thanks often. I’ve found that I try to live my faith each day now, and for that I am grateful.

Are you reading any books right now? Do you read other Amish fiction authors?

I rarely watch television and read all the time! It’s not uncommon for me to read several books a week. One of the best novels I’ve read lately is The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. It’s set during WWII and tells the tale of two sisters in France. I think I cried while reading the last 30 pages!

I actually try my best to not read other Amish fiction authors. I’m a little afraid of being so drawn into another author’s story or way of writing, I might unintentionally pick something up. For better or worse, I want my books to sound like me. That said, I have many friends who also write Amish fiction. They’re wonderful and talented! : )

What’s next for you?

I’m currently in the middle of writing next year’s series, ‘The Charmed Amish Life’. It’s another series of four novels…this time set in Charm, Ohio! It’s been a pleasure to set my books in an area that I love so much. This series is full of drama and is probably the most romantic of any I’ve written. I’m anxious for everyone to tell me what they think. The first book is titled A Son’s Vow, and it will be published in January, 2016.

Thanks so much, Shelley! I hope to see you if you come to Sugarcreek again.

We’re planning a ‘Girlfriend Getaway’ in May in the Charm area! So, yes, I’ll be coming back to Sugarcreek very soon! I can’t wait!

I have exciting news…HarperCollins Publishers is giving away a FOUR book prize pack to ONE lucky reader!

amishbridesofpinecraft

One winner will receive the following books:
THE PROMISE OF PALM GROVE
THE PROPOSAL AT SIESTA KEY
A WISH ON GARDENIA STREET
A WEDDING AT THE ORANGE BLOSSOM INN
To enter, leave a comment…easy peasy! For an EXTRA chance share this post and leave a comment if you do.
Giveaway starts today, Tuesday, October 27th and ends Tuesday, November 3rd.
*Giveaway is only open to US residents*

 

97 thoughts on “Interview and Giveaway with Shelley Shepard Gray”

  10. Haven’t read any of these but would love to.
    Now I will have to check amazon to see about The Nightingale, if sounds interesting, obviously an emotional read.

    Thanks Shelley and Michelle

    Reply

  14. O, Love Shelley’s books. Would love to read these (but I’ve read A Wedding at Orange Blossom and it was GREAT). Since I haven’t read the others, would love to win this giveaway.

    Reply

  19. Thank-you to Shelley Shephard Grey for writing all these marvelous books. I have almost all of your series except the newest Pinecraft Series! I can’t wait to be able to read them ! I am so excited! Thanks for the chance to win this series of books!

    Reply

  20. I enjoy reading all Amish genre books. Shelley is a great author and I look forward to reading A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft. Thank you for the giveaway. The books will be a great addition to the winner’s personal library to share with friends.

    Reply

  21. I shared on Facebook and Twitter. I absolutely love this series and can’t wait til this book is in my hands!

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  22. I enjoyed this review.Thanks for sharing.I would love to visit Pinecraft.Also would love to win these books.I love your books.

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  24. II really like what you said “That’s to do my best to appreciate every day and to give thanks often. I’ve found that I try to live my faith each day now, and for that I am grateful.” We can all learn to do that.

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  25. Shared on Facebook and would love to win this contest. I just finished Seasons of Sugarcreek and Christmas in Sugarcreek too. Awesome series.

    Reply

  26. I love A,ish books and how they live so l would love to just see how they live and participate in their everyday lives and see how they live and how they are always so willing to help their neighbors. See how they celebrate Christmas and how they prepare for it and the food they prepare.

    I shared on Facebook and Twitter!

    Reply

  28. I really like what you’ve taken away from the Amish “that’s to do my best to appreciate every day and to give thanks often”. I’d like to think I do this everyday, because if we really look, we can always find something to be grateful for in each day 🙂 And to always thank the Lord in everything! That always brings me happiness and joy. Thanks for the interview, Shelly, I really enjoyed learning about your time in Amish country and your writing! I’ve loved every book I’ve read by you, thank you for the chance to win the set of “Amish Brides of Pincraft”!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
    Shared on Facebook and Twitter

    FB: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1038490709502831&id=100000257365683&ref=bookmarks

    Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/sea_tea04/status/659395015433519104

    Reply

  34. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway!! I have loved every single book! I am always excited for the new releases. Thank you for writing such wonderful books that bring me such joy and inspiration!

    Reply

  41. I would seriously LOVE to win this collection! I’m a big fan of Shelley’s books. I’ve been looking forward to this new series set in Pinecraft, but wanted to wait to read them until the Christmas one came out. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of each. They would be excellent birthday and Christmas gifts to me if I win them. 🙂
    But I have other friends who might want to be blessed by these books as well (including another December birthday friend), so I will be sharing this on my FB page!
    Thanks again!

    Reply

  44. I can’t wait to read this book and now I’m looking forward to the next series! Shelley is one of my favorite authors!!

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  46. I love reading…period. Shelley is one of my favorite authors. Thanks for the chance to be in the drawing for these 4 books. (morganlindasg at yahoo dot com)

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  48. It’s the perfect time of year to sit and read a book and then another and then another and then another! How nice that you think the same way I do! I would LOVE to read your books! THANK YOU for this opportunity!

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  49. Love all your books. These all look great. Can’t wait to read them. Love getting a chance to win them. Thanks

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  53. Would love to win these for my mom. She lost her husband; my dad, in May after 32 years of marriage and 8 years before that being best friends. Forty years being inseparable, she is pretty much lost. She has Fibromyalgia, and Osteoarthritis so bad that she rarely leaves the house. She loves your books and mostly reads Amish fictions. Thanks for the chance to win your books. That’s Awesome! ??

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  54. Looks like Shelley will become a favorite author for me too. Her books sound beautifully written and I love Amish works. j

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  63. Reading Amish fiction has been such a wonderful thing to do. I look forward each day to some reading time!

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  67. I love your Amish stories very much and I cannot wait to read these books. If I win I will love reading them. If I lose I will still love reading them. Thank you for your books.

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  69. I love all your books and can’t wait to read this new collection. I’d be honored to win these books to add to my collection. I shared this page.

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  72. I LOVE your Amish books….have read almost all. It is very hard to pick a fav….Actually, I can’t! Just bought the first 2 Pinecraft books….and will read when I have all of them. Guess I am impatient, but hate to finish one and then have to wait for the next! Love Pinecraft/Sarasota area!

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  76. Love to read your books. When I start to read, I just get lost. Thanks for all your writings. I read 3-4 books a week. I like to get the series before I start to read. Thanks again.

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  78. Pinecraft is one of my favorite places to visit here in Florida and Shelley is one of my favorite authors. What more ca a girl ask for!!

    Reply

  83. I would love to add these books to all of my other amish books which is over 50. I recently found out that i have relation in amish. Im so intrigued by the amish. I would love to win these books so i can read and enjoy more about them

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  84. I have always enjoyed all of Shelly’s very inspiring books, I have not had the chance to read any of this series and I would love to read these.
    Thank you for giveaway.

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  85. I have been reading books by Shelley Shepard Gray ever since she first started writing. I have enjoyed them all and am always ready for the next one. I would love to win this collection.

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  87. I LOVE SSG and had the opportunity to meet her earlier this year. She is such a fascinating person, kind and lovely! I can’t find enough good things to say about her and her books! Congratulations, Shelley!

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  89. I have only read a couple of Shelley’s books, but I recognized the name right away. I am looking forward to reading these.

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  93. I have a stack of books from the library literally 1 foot high and wedding at Orange blossom inn is on the top!!! Would love love love to win!

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  94. The winner of the four book prize pack is: C.J. with the comment of:

    I LOVE your Amish books….have read almost all. It is very hard to pick a fav….Actually, I can’t! Just bought the first 2 Pinecraft books….and will read when I have all of them. Guess I am impatient, but hate to finish one and then have to wait for the next! Love Pinecraft/Sarasota area!

    Congratulations! Thanks for entering, everyone. Be on the lookout for new giveaways! 🙂

    Reply

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