Friday, February 21, 2014

Review - Hopeful by Shelley Shepard Gray

Hopeful
Return to Sugar Creek, Book One
By Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire
Pub. Date: February 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-0062204462
Pages: 256
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/tacpd
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

Review:

I grew up reading Goosebumps, Fear Street and other horror novels. Plus, I watched countless horror films, but for some odd reason one of my guilty pleasures is reading Amish fiction. I can't explain it, but it started thirteen or fourteen years ago when I first read a Bethany Lewis novel, who was one of the few authors writing Amish romances at the time. Fast forward to the present day and you can find dozens of Amish fiction titles in the bookstores. It is practically becoming its own genre.

At first Bethany Lewis was the only author I would read writing the genre, but I slowly began reading other authors, whom have all put their own spin on the Amish life. Another one of my favorite authors of the genre is Shelly Shepard Gray, so when I had a chance to review her newest book "Hopeful" through Liftfuse Publicity Group, I instantly signed up to review it.

"Hopeful" centers on Miriam Zehr, who spends most of her time working at the Sugarcreek Inn, a popular restaurant of the town residents as well as the many tourists that stop by the Amish town. From one look at Miriam's lovely smile you would have never guessed that she would rather be somewhere else. She has always dreamed of getting married and starting a family, but she has low hopes that that will ever happen.

Miriam has always had low-self-esteem, always comparing herself to the skinner girls her own age. Out-of-nowhere, Junior Beiler takes a sudden interest in her. Of course she is thrilled over this, as she has always had a crush on him, but she her hopes are quickly let down when she learns his true motivations. It seems Junior only wants her to help him get the attention of Mary Kathryn Hershberger, who happens to be one of her friends.

After reading several of the author's other books, I thought "Hopeful" would have more a mystery plot to it, but I was wrong, which isn't a bad thing, as the book is a sweet, clean-cut romantic tale that can appeal to both teens and adults. Is it just me or does the young woman on the book cover look like a young Anna Kendrick (the actress from Pitch Perfect)? Overall, I loved reading "Hopeful" and I highly recommend it to others.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


Enter Today - 2/4-2/23!
Shelley Shepard Gray Hopeful

About the Author:

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. Learn more about Shelley at: http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com

No comments:

Post a Comment

I adore reading reader feedback! I will, however, remove all spam and pointless comments.

Please take note that I have the right to delete comments from this site. Please only post constructive and respectful feedback.