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Winter’s Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray
Published by Avon Inspire
Pages: 304
Publishers Summary:
Joshua Graber knows his future is set. He′s expected to work at his family business, the Graber Country Store. He′s expected to marry Gretta Hershberger, who he′s been courting for several years. But when a new English family moves next door and their lovely teenage daughter, Lilly Allen, catches his eye, Joshua wonders if all the plans for his future are too set in stone.
Gretta doesn′t know what′s going on with Joshua. When they argue and later stew in silence, it feels a lot like the frosty atmosphere at her home. After promising herself to never have a marriage like her parents, she wonders if perhaps another man might be a better match. A man such as Roland Schrock. He′s steady and kind and somewhat boring. If she marries him, she won′t ever have to worry about loving him and getting hurt.
Meanwhile, Lilly is enamored with the Amish way of life, and especially her handsome neighbor Joshua. But despite being drawn to him, she has a secret that will only drive him away. Her family moved to Sugarcreek to hide her pregnancy from their community back home. Once she′s had the baby, they plan to send her off to college without anyone from their old neighborhood knowing the truth. But as Lilly becomes wrapped up in the simplicity and graciousness of the Amish people, she begins to question what′s expected of her, and whether giving up her baby, and leaving Sugarcreek, is what she truly wants.
As the coldest winter on record blows into Sugarcreek, these three young people must struggle to determine the path of their futures.
“Winter’s Awakening was a breathe of fresh air for me. It was refreshing to read a story about young love that didn’t involve an overly immoral theme. Granted one of the main characters had committed an indiscretion and landed her family in Sugarcreek to escape the humiliation that would come in their hometown; it still focuses on more important things. Things like making the right choices, accepting others’ faults, and growing up.
“Every character in this story is wonderful and I loved being able to hear from each of the main characters. They all were at a stage in their lives where they needed to make some difficult decisions and become adults. Being what I consider a fairly spiritual person myself I really appreciated Gretta’s character, her quiet thoughtful ways and her desire to listen to God. And though each of the characters eventually acknowledged their own need to rely on God I never felt I was being ‘preached’ to. I have to say, that was so nice!
“One of the other wonderful bits about this story that I loved is that it was in Ohio. It is in fact somewhere that holds a special place in my heart after spending a year and a half long mission for my church in the areas central and southern Ohio. It was wonderful being transported back to a time and place that I fell in love with. I still recall the buggy’s riding down the road and the Amish store just within walking distance of one of my residences. Shelley did a magnificent job of describing the scenery and beauty that encompass that entire area, somewhere I long to visit again.
“All in all I would highly recommend this book. It was a quick, fun and meaningful read. And as I said before, refreshing in today’s market that’s saturated with immorality, it was nice to read a book that wasn’t preachy, but still morally based. Another great thing is that it’s the first in a series with the second book, Spring’s Renewal, due out in May. I can’t wait!”
The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 14 and up. A delightful story, wonderful characters and an amazing setting.
Be sure to check out Shelley Shepard Gray’s site and find out more about her books.
Other reviews of Winter’s Awakening on the TLC Book Tour:
Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot
Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
This book provided for review as part of TLC Book Tours.
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