Monday, February 8, 2016

Review + GIVEAWAY: A Son's Vow


A Son’s Vow
By Shelley Shepard Gray
The Charmed Amish Life, #1
Avon Inspire, 2016


Summary

Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family.

Darla’s father was responsible for a terrible fire at Charm’s lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn’t looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger—with whom Darla used to have a close friendship.

Now her brother’s anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn’t change soon, Darla fears it will cost her—and her family—even more.

Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find the time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father’s lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he’s feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone—especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can’t simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.

As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?

Shelley Shepard Gray’s first book in her Charmed Amish Life series is set in the quaint Amish village of Charm, Ohio, and tells the stories of the Kinsinger siblings who are each struggling to find both forgiveness and love in the face of tragedy.


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Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, 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.

Connect with Shelley:
shelleyshepardgray.com, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest


My thoughts

With A Son’s Vow, Shelley Shepard Gray begins a new four-book series, transporting readers to the Amish village of Charm, Ohio (population 110). I always find much to enjoy in Shelley’s writing and am delighted with this new series. Although Shelley incorporates a wealth of sensitive issues (grief, anger, physical abuse, blame), the narrative isn’t especially deep - but other factors combine to make this a really good story. The heart and emotion of its characters are vividly conveyed, and the story’s length of 262 pages seemed just right. And the bottom line? A Son’s Vow is not your typical Amish story, and that makes for a compelling read.


Charm, Ohio
I loved Shelley’s previous series set in Pinecraft, but am just as hooked on the small community of Charm. A wonderful little village map is included at the beginning, and it was fun to explore online pictures of this area that inspired the series. While Lukas and Darla are the lead characters, they are surrounded by a great ensemble cast of family and friends. One of my favorite things about a series like this is that we get to come back to familiar characters and see their development.

At the center of this story is the lingering effect of an accidental fire at the Kinsinger Lumber Mill that killed five men, including the fathers of Lukas and Darla. Lukas, the eldest son, shoulders the responsibility of running the mill and taking care of his family. Anger manifests itself in different ways . . . For some, it’s in laying blame at the feet of Darla’s father; for Aaron, Darla’s brother, it’s an uncontrollable anger that leads to abusive behavior.

One of the things I liked most about A Son’s Vow is that it presents a realistic look into the lives of a flawed people, showing that there’s really no difference between the Amish community and us when it comes to dealing with life issues. From unimaginable grief over the loss of a loved one, to the need to forgive and go on – the Amish struggle is just as difficult as ours.

For Lukas and Darla, the road to redemption and forgiveness might be rocky, but God’s hand and lovingkindness is seen throughout. I look forward to all that is to come in this series – hopefully more from Lukas and Darla, as well as Hannah, Rob, Aaron and Hope. Book #2, A Daughter’s Dream, releases in May 2016.

Recommended

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


Litfuse landing page:

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GIVEAWAY

Are you new to Shelley’s writing or a long-time fan? Do you have a favorite story or series by Shelley? (I don’t know that I have a favorite, but I enjoyed her recent series set in Pinecraft very much.) To enter the drawing, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Saturday, February 13. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

44 comments:

  1. I really liked The Secrets of Crittenden County series, but one of my favorites is Peace. With her writing she pulls you literally into the story. I have shared via Facebook.
    Wonderful review. I look forward to reading this. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings
    eppersonkatrina(at)yahoo(do)com

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    1. I haven't read that series yet, Katrina, but hope to eventually. As you said, Shelley has a gift for pulling you into the story. Thanks so much for sharing, Katrina.

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  2. I'm new to reading your stories, and am hoping to find many hours to be able to read your books. Where to start? I can look on your web pages and Amazon, to see! How exciting! I'm sharing on Facebook.
    In Jesus,
    acrylicboyar123(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Nancy. I love the website fantasticfiction.co.uk because you can see how an author's books lay out chronologically and by series. Here's the link to Shelley's page: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/shelley-shepard-gray/

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  3. I have read as many of SHelley's books as are available at my local library -would love to win a copy of this one. kimberbakos(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I haven't read some of Shelley's earlier books yet, Kim, but I hope to soon. Thanks for visiting and best wishes in the drawing.

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  4. I have been reading Shelley's books ever since she first started writing them! I have the whole set of the Brides of Pinecraft. I REALLY love the covers on those! Thanks for the opportunity to win A Son's Vow. I enjoyed your review so much, Carole!
    I shared on FB!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You are so kind, Diana. Thank you! As for Shelley's books, I've got some catching up to do. And I thought the covers of the Pinecraft series were wonderful, simply begging to be picked up. Thanks for visiting and please come back, Diana.

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  5. Replies
    1. Me too, Karen. Somehow, I've got to find the time to read her earlier books. Did you read her recent historical series? I read the last book and loved it.

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  6. Shelley is one of the best! Keeping my fingers crossed!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. No argument from me, Melanie! Best wishes in the drawing.

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  7. Read all her books from the libaray. and I shared on my facebook page. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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    1. I've got a lot more books to go, Kim. Oh, for more time! Thank you for visiting and sharing.

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  8. I have read many of Shelley' s series and I'm not sure I have a favorite. I really enjoyed the series set in Pinecraft. The descriptions made me feel like I was right there. Reading Mama922@gmail.com

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    1. Debbie, the Pinecraft setting just seems to be more relaxed, or with less strictness to the rules - to me, at least. And like you, I thought Shelley conveyed the setting vividly. Thank you for visiting today.

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  9. I have enjoyed every book I have read by Shelley. I always look forward to her stories.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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    1. Same here, Virginia. Good luck in the drawing!

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  10. I always enjoy Shelley's books. One series I enjoyed was the Return to Sugarcreek series. Like you I also enjoyed Pinecraft series.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Beth, I've got to find time to read the Sugarcreek series because I know I'll enjoy it. And I love the Pinecraft setting because everything seems more easygoing. So glad you visited, Beth!

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  11. I'm a long-time fan of Shelley's books. This one sounds especially captivating. Hope to win it! Thanks for the chance.
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Susan, it's a great start to a new series and characters to follow. Best wishes in the drawing.

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  12. I have read different books from her, and loved them all. Keep writing Shelley Shepard Gray. lga2511(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Have you read her historical romance series? I enjoyed the one historical I've read so far. Thanks for visiting!

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  13. I have always enjoyed Shelly's books. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to reading this new series. Faithhope75athotmaildotcom

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    1. You're welcome, and thanks very much for visiting, Marilyn. I always enjoy beginning a new series, and I think all the books will be released this year. Thanks for visiting, Marilyn.

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  14. I am not sure I have read any of her books. She does not look familiar, but it sound like something I would like to try.
    As always Carole, great post!
    amylsmith AT bledsoe DOT net
    I shared :-)

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    1. Amy, I can't remember - Do you enjoy Amish fiction? That's how I first connected with Shelley's books. But she recently wrote a historical romance series set in Chicago that I really enjoyed. So glad you stopped by, Amy!

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  15. I haven't read any of Shelley's Amish fiction, but have been convinced that I need to. I have her a few of her historical fiction books, but I couldn't say which ones I like best. I do know that I have been waiting excitedly for this new series. I was so intrigued by the book blurb and immediately put it on my wish list months ago. Book 2 comes out soon (May,) as well. Thanks Carole. Shared on FB. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Terrill, I probably enjoy Amish fiction so much because it is always character driven. But I've also read the 3rd book in Shelley's recent historical series and loved it. Like you, I look forward to more of her books. So glad you stopped by, Terrill.

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  16. I have read quite a few of Shelly's books and can't wait to read this new one!! jynhoffman@yahoo.com

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    1. I hope you get to read it soon! Thanks for stopping by today.

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  17. Love all of Shelley's books. She is a wonderful author and a very sweet person that I have had the honor of meeting.
    Would love to win her book.
    donnac.taylor@hotmail.com

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  18. I love all of Shelley's books! It is hard to pick one but I would pick A Christmas for Katie!
    rcourts@twc.com

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  19. I love reading the Pine craft Series. Still need to read the last Book. Love the series could not put it down. Shelly is amazing writer. kris-win{at}mynamehasbeenstolen.com

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  20. I am a fan of Shelley's work and I especially loved the Brides of Pinecraft series. Look forward to reading this latest release.

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  21. Shelley's books are wonderful- I have enjoyed every one I have read. Shared on FB ;). cmcfaithingod at gmail dot com

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  22. I love Shelley's books and would love to add this one to my collection.

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  23. I have Read and Loved all of Shelly's books and I so look forward to reading this new one

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  24. I really enjoy Shelley's books and would live to add this one to my collection. kmorgan518 at yahoo dot com

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  25. I read mostly all of Shelley's books and can't wait until the next one comes out

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  26. You are a wonderful writer, Shelley! I love all your books, and I especially liked the Brides of Pinecraft Series!!! Keep up the good work, I can wait to read the next one!!!
    cavallofrances@yahoo.com

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  27. I have enjoyed several of Shelley's series. She is a sweet person (she lives about 30 minutes from me)and an awesome storyteller! She also encouraged me to write Amish fiction several years ago, and I'm glad I finally listened to her.

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