Friday, March 20, 2015

Review + GIVEAWAY: The Promise of Palm Grove


The Promise of Palm Grove
By Shelley Shepard Gray
Amish Brides of Pinecraft, #1
Avon Inspire, 2015


Summary

Leona must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she's pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love---the first volume in the beloved New York Times bestselling author's new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini-vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she's happy because she's away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona's real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man, and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her---and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kauffman, Leona's faced with two vastly different futures.


My thoughts

With The Promise of Palm Grove, Shelley Shepard Gray has written a sweet Amish romance with a great supporting cast, a solid and entertaining beginning to the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series. It's a lighter type of read, fun to relax with, and I enjoyed every minute of the reading experience.

One thing that I especially enjoy about Shelley's books is that the flow of her writing is conversational and well paced, allowing readers to get more deeply acquainted with everyone. Lead characters, Zach and Leona, are so easy to relate to - and they are supported by several family members that I hope to see more of in future stories. One of these captured my heart, and that's Zach's twelve-year-old sister, Effie, who suffers from Perthes disease. Zach, who loves to feel needed, has willingly devoted his time to taking care of Effie - and Leona finds a bravery deep within herself, enabling her to make a major change in her life's direction.

The Pinecraft village in Sarasota, Florida has become one of my favorite settings for Amish fiction because, while still containing all the elements I love about this genre, the setting itself creates a more laidback feel.  Shelley has done a great job at capturing the essence of this Amish/Mennonite vacation community located in the heart of Sarasota. Visit this book's page on Pinterest and enjoy the pictures Shelley has assembled to get a good feel for Pinecraft.

Set among the streets and shops that actually make up this village is the fictitious Orange Blossom Inn, which serves as the home base for all four books in the series. I love these words of Beverly Overholt, owner of the inn, for they not only convey the vibrancy of Pinecraft, but the spiritual themes of hope, renewal, and new beginnings . . .

"Beverly Overholt dreamed in color now. Pinks and yellows, blues and reds. Green, purple, indigo, orange. So many vibrant colors, so much promise. . . . God was so good because He reminded her in dozens of ways each day that change was possible. Every morning, He gave her the beautiful sunrises over the Gulf of Mexico, warm weather, and gentle rains. Flowers and blue skies, palm trees and always, always the hint of happiness. In more ways than she could ever name, the Lord promised new beginnings. Renewal. Paradise."

One of this story's spiritual themes is something that most of us can identify with, and that is trying to make our own plans without seeking God's guidance. This Scripture that Shelley quotes at the beginning of this book never fails to speak to me:  "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps" (Proverbs 16:9). I loved the way this message is conveyed through the story of Zach, Leona, and Beverly.

The Promise of Palm Grove is a heartwarming story of new beginnings, new directions, and renewal. Recommended to all who enjoy Amish fiction.



Shelley Shepard Gray

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.

Meet Shelley online at shelleyshepardgray.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Also visit the Litfuse Blog Tour page to learn more.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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GIVEAWAY

This story is set in Pinecraft, a vacation destination enjoyed by the Amish. To enter the drawing for The Promise of Palm Grove, share something about vacations - a favorite family vacation spot, a memorable trip, where you plan to go this summer, etc. Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for making this giveaway possible.

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing.

If you'd like to receive e-mail notifications of reviews, author interviews and giveaways, please subscribe to my blog in the upper right corner. "Likes" on my Facebook page, ThePowerofWordsBookReviews, are also greatly appreciated, as are followers on Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and this blog.

E-mail required for entry in the drawing. Contest ends at midnight PST on Tuesday, March 31. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.

Eligibility: US residents

33 comments:

  1. My husband and I are going to Branson in a few weeks. We used to go to amusement parks when the kisds wer younger.
    Thereadmaster(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Probably my most favorite vacation was when my late husband and I went to Alaska for our 20th wedding anniversary. We had so much fun. I treasure those precious memories!
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Susan in NC

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vacation. I need one! Lol! We have not taken a vacation except to visit family (which does NOT count) since 2006. carriemschmidt (at) gmail (dot) com

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  4. Some of our best vacations have been to the Amish country. The beautiful rolling hills, the cleanliness of each place, perfect flower and vegetable gardens......great vacations there!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  5. I got to go to Disney World when I was 16 with my family.. loved going on one of the rides with my dad.. never heard him laugh so much :) I would enjoy reading this sweet Amish romance.
    dkstevensneAToutlookD (otCoM)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've had some really awesome vacations. I think the best one would have to be my 25th Anniversary vacation to San Diego, Ca. We stayed at a Bay side hotel, went to Disney Land and on the day of our Anniversary we went to the San Diego Zoo and got a Back Stage Pass, so we got to see some of the animals up close and personal. It was a lot of fun. Our 30th Anniversary was also spent on the ocean, at the Outer Banks, now that was an awesome vacation too.

    Kim wakim98[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to read this! I love Shelley's books and appreciate the giveaway opportunity! I loved our vacation with the kids at Big Bear Lake in CA. We went out on the lake, shopping in the little town of Big Bear, and enjoyed seeing them film a movie on location there!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. A memorable vacation trip for me was joining a group from the Eastern Star Group, and people from my church and going on a rented bus to Branson, Mo. The time we spent together on the bus going and going was fun. And, I loved Branson. Was the only time I got to go on a trip like that, just because I wanted to. Most of our vacations was to visit our parents, but then they were all gone. So got to visit some of my siblings some summers.BUT, one I would love to be able to take would be to Amish country. Would sure like to win Shelley's book. Thanks for a chance.
    Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

    ReplyDelete
  9. We took an extended family vacation almost two years ago with my husband's entire family. Road trip from Michigan to Florida!!! We didn't know it at the time, but it would be our last vacation with my mother-in-law. Great memories for my kids!!!

    ingmankidsmom AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really love to read Shelly's books ! Thank you for giveaway , I am looking forward to this new series.
    I love going to Garden City Beach S. C. it is more laid back and quiet , but very accessible to all the amenities of Myrtle Beach area.
    mcnuttjem0{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  11. There are so many vacations we would love to go on. With 12 children unfortunately we can't afford to and never have and we have been married since 1992. I love Amish fiction and this author is one of my absolute favorites !
    Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. We've had a lot of vacations over the years! I loved last years anniversary vacation where the hubby & I went to the Redwood forest. First time ever for me to visit California! Wow, I would love to go again. There is so much to see & do. Driving down the coast was a very beautiful scenic drive, I never get tired of seeing the ocean. There are just such quaint towns to go through! We even got to pet sharks at the museum in Cresent City, California! So many memories!! We always enjoy it when we can get away, even if it isn't that far or for that long.
    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of "The Promise of Palm Grove". Shelley is one of my favorite authors!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love Shelley's books! They are always so good :D thanks for the giveaway!

    sierrafaith327(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Someday, I hope to see Pinecraft when I visit my sister and brother-in-law who are snowbirds for 3 months. They go to Florida every year and I have been trying to get there. Will not fly and driving with the vehicle I have right now is out of the question. Next year may be the time because I will be getting a new vehicle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Forgot email address: kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

      Delete
  15. This summer, my family and I plan to move to Florida.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca, please remember to leave your e-mail address.

      You're going to have a busy summer. My family has enjoyed many Florida vacations. Are you moving from a cold climate?

      Delete
  16. So many memorable vacations! I would hate to try to pick just one. We love to camp and love vacations with history. I would say that our most memorable vacations were probably Hawaii, Alaska and Mexico because their histories are so rich and diverse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love your vacation connections to historical spots, Connie. Alaska is a place I dream of visiting.

      Be sure to leave your e-mail, Connie.

      Delete
  17. My husband and I are planning on going to Virginia this summer , meeting some friends there and going Quilt Shop Hopping . We have did this before and love it . I would love to win The Palm Grove book . It sounds so good . Thanks .
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Growing up in Texas, vacations always meant a trip to Southern California to see my Daddy's family. Then once, when I was 13, they planned a trip to Hot Springs Arkansas. Daddy rented a house on a lake for the week. The first day, I came down with chicken pox and had a terrible case of 'em. They got me a kiddie's pool and I 'bathed' in oatmeal bathes practically the whole time, but I remember Arkansas being beautiful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. We annually go to the Smokies....Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, etc. We take our grandkids each summer and have a wonderful time with them that week. All of us
    look forward to it each year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're talking about my part of the country! We've spent many a family vacation in north Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

      Be sure to leave your e-mail for the drawing!

      Delete
  20. Love your books Shelley.
    I like going to Tennessee for vacation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn, I live in north Georgia and always visiting Tennessee - any time of the year.

      Be sure to leave your e-mail address for the drawing.

      Delete
  21. She is such an amazing author, regardless of whether I win or lose, I WILL be reading this book. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Our vacation this year is to the town I grew up in and lived for 48 years for a family reunion. We moved to be closer to our daughter who had gotten married and had started having children and at the time we had 2 and we lived about 220 miles away and I did not want to be an every couple of month grandma so husband youngest son and I moved. Our daughter now has 10 children ranging in age from 17 years old to 9 months old and it still is great to see their faces light up when we go visit. The only sad thing is we have a son who lives in Tulsa, Ok who has 2 little girls ages 10 and 7 who we only see in person once a year but Skype a lot. They know we love them just as much as the local grandchildren and the time we do spend is all the more special!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you are able to be close to those precious grandchildren! And you're right that Skype helps, because my daughter lives in Germany and we depend on it.

      Please don't forget to leave your e-mail address for the drawing.

      Delete
  23. I enjoy your books so much. After I finish, they go to a friend's cousin in a geriatric facility library so they can enjoy them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penny, be sure to answer the question and leave your e-mail for the drawing. So glad that you enjoy Shelley's books and are able to share them.

      Delete
  24. My family always went camping when I was growing up in Oklahoma, and we had some of the very best times of my life. We would go to Platt National Park, Lake Tenkiller, Beaver's Bend State Park, Lake Murray, Lake Texhoma, Robber's Cave, all sorts of different parts of the state. Shelley is an awesome writer. Thank you for giving me a chance to win her newest book! ReadingMama922@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't have time to personally respond to every comment, but I love seeing all of your vacation posts. Would actually love to go with most of you!

    FYI, several have left comments without an e-mail address. Please remember that to be entered in the drawing, you have to leave your e-mail. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great review of what looks to be a really good book. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete