Friday, March 23, 2012

Missing by Shelley Shephard Gray

Shelley Shephard Gray does it again- creating page turning Amish bliss in Missing, book one of her new series, The Secrets of Crittenden County.

Though Missing is about the mystery of who murdered Perry Borntrager, a troubled Amish youth, the title is also reflective of the people whose lives touched Perry's in one way or another, and shines light on the truth of the "missing" pieces in their own lives.  As the community ponders Perry's life and death and the events leading up to his murder, secrets are revealed that have lain dormant- for the time has come for truth to be revealed.

Missing focuses mainly on Lydia Plank, Perry's ex girlfriend and Walker Anderson, Perry's Englischer friend.  It explores how relationships are affected and personalities change with drug abuse; and how the drug abuser isn't the only victim caught in a cycle of lies.

Shelley Shephard Gray continues to write about tough issues with her trademark warmth and somehow serves up some comfort food for your soul in the process.

Please read on for more from the publisher!


This week, the
 
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
 
is introducing
 
Missing
 
Avon Inspire; Original edition (March 20, 2012)
 
by
 
Shelley Shepard Gray
 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, Abingdon Press, and Avon Inspire. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.


Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page


ABOUT THE BOOK


In the first book in her new Secrets of Crittenden County series, Shelley Shepard Gray delivers another page-turning romance set in Amish country


Perry Borntrager had been missing from the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky, for months when his body was discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well. Everyone had assumed Perry left Crittenden on his own, seduced by the wider world he discovered during his rumspringa, but now the truth has thrown this once-peaceful town into chaos. The first death from mysterious circumstances in Crittenden in more than two decades has invited the scrutiny of the outside world: a police detective arrives to help their local sheriff with the investigation. His questioning begins with Lydia Plank, Perry’s former girlfriend, and Perry’s best friend, the Englisher Walker Anderson.

Lydia and Walker know they didn’t have anything to do with Perry’s death, but they both hold secrets about his final days. Do they dare to open up about the kind of man Perry had become? In the oppressive shadow of these dark times, they discover strength in a most unlikely companionship that offers solace, understanding, and the promise of something more.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Missing, go HERE.

10 comments:

Karen Lange said...

I have not read any of Shelley's books, so I really appreciate this info. Thanks so much! I think it is interesting that there is the mystery element in the book. I like that! There are so many Amish books (or bonnet fiction, as some publishers call it) out there, and I like to see something different. I may have to check this out.

Have a great weekend! :)

Cheryl Klarich said...

Hi Karen!

So good to hear from you. I really like Shelley Shephard Gray's writing and I highly recommend her books. I think you would enjoy Missing- the mystery element is well done but doesn't steal the limelight from the characters. Check her out and I would love to hear your feedback!

Blessings!!

Jennifer Shirk said...

I have read a few of Shelley's Amish books and really enjoyed them! This one sounds great too.

Shelley Shepard Gray said...

Cheryl, thank you for reading Missing!I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! : )

Terri Tiffany said...

This book sounds like one I might read. Love that she tackles tough issues and that she has written so many! Wow!

Cheryl Klarich said...

Hi Jennifer! I think you'll like this series too... Shelley offers some neat surprises.

Hi Shelley!! I'm so jazzed to have you stop by! Thank you for continuing to impress and bless with your stories.

Terri!! Shelley's warmth shines through the hard topics. I'm sure you'll find her story worth reading!

Blessings!!!

Daisy Carter said...

I haven't read any of Shelley's books, but this sounds intriguing!

I'm popping over from the A-Z challenge (new follower - hi!). I'm number 1013, and I thought I'd check out all the other 13s on the list! Looking forward to reading more from you during the challenge!

Robyn Campbell said...

Great sounding book. Over thirty novels. Wow! That is great. I'll look for this at my local bookstore. Thanks Cheryl!

Jill Kemerer said...

Shelley is new to me, so I appreciate this review. I've heard so many good things about Amish fiction--maybe it's time I took the plunge? :)

Cheryl Klarich said...

Welcome Daisy!! Your blog is adorable! Thanks for stopping by. :)

Jill- Shelly's books cross over from Amish to English in a contemporary setting. Kind of what's happening today in the Amish world.