Friday, February 6, 2015

The Promise of Palm Grove

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
THE PROMISE OF PALM GROVE

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 beloved New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray'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 Kaufmann, Leona's faced with two vastly different futures.

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

My Review:

Gray is a consummate storyteller and I don't think I will ever get enough of her unique brand of Amish tales. I especially love the setting of this new series since I've long been fascinated by the town of Pinecraft, Florida so I was just a tad shy of giddy when The Promise of Palm Grove arrived on my doorstep. And now that I've read it, I'm in a full blown readerly tailspin over the promise of more.

Once again, Gray has created a memorable Amish community and I'm hoping we will be meeting up with this wonderful cast of characters again and again. Some of the secondary characters in this novel are just crying out for their own story. I certainly hope that Gray gives them a voice.

This book is a celebration of all kinds of relationships. There is so much meat to what, at the core, is a sweet love story. It is a study in contrasts -- between the idyllic camaraderie of youth and the stilted estrangement of friendships past; between the wonder of fresh love and the pain of broken promises. And then there is the complicated dynamics in Zachery's family. So much fodder for a writer to make an emotional impact and Gray does just that, over and over again. Insert blissful readerly sigh here. I was very reluctant to leave Pinecraft when I reached the end. That sunny Florida destination was made all the more alluring by the frigid temperatures and multiple snowstorms buffeting my wee little house while I read. An incredible start to a very promising new Amish series.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Promise of Palm Grove please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 8 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

29 comments:

  1. I love a book series and this sounds like one to look forward to! Lovely review, Kav!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  2. thanks for the chance to read this novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  3. What a beautiful cover Shelley's book has! Love the shades of blue and the model's expression. I enjoy Amish fiction and read more in 2014 than ever before. Thanks for the giveaway, Kav.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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    1. The colours reflect the Pinecraft Amish 'vibe', for lack of a better word. It's just a little different tone from the usual Amish book covers, isn't it? Good luck, Carole.

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    2. I read a book last year that was set in Pinecraft and really liked it. Can't remember the title at the moment, but it was the first book in a series by Lynette Sowell. I liked the Amish flavor without so much of the Ordnung strictness, as well as the beach setting. Thanks, Kav.

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  4. I just love Shelley Shepard Gray's books. This one sounds fun. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    Brittany McEuen
    kbmceuen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. I HAVE to read this book. Your review is just too enticing and juicy to miss out on this one! And the cover is so pretty! And I love Shelley's books! I sound as though I have consumed a whole pot of coffee, and I have had nary a cup. :/

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. LOL -- I sound the exact same way when I start talking Amish books too, Diana. Isn't that normal? Good luck.

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    2. With me it seems to be normal when talking books period. Any books--all books! All Christian fiction books that is. :)

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  6. Shelley Shepard Gray is a great writer! I know this book joins the rest in being wonderful. Thank you, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Satisfaction guaranteed for sure. Good luck, Melanie.

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  7. Another good review that makes one want to read the book. Sounds really, really good. And, I love Shelley's books. Wish I had all of her books, but my SS check won't allow it. Please put my name in. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  8. Wow - another good Amish book! Shelley's books are always good.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  9. Shelley writes such great books who can pass up a chance to win one written by her. I am loving this cover, that lavender dress is beautiful.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Sigh, and so spring like. I getting tired of the cold. LOL. Good luck, Wendy.

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  10. Hi Kav,

    I'm sorry if I end up with two comments I tried to post this earlier, but it disappeared.

    I don't think that I have read any of Shelley Shepard Gray's novels before, although I know that I have some of her books on my ever growing reading list. The Promise of Palm Grove sounds like a story that I would enjoy.


    Blessings,

    ~Tammi

    dandtdearing {at} earthlink {dot} net

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    1. It's a perfect one to start with since it's the first in a new series. Good luck, Tammi. And bad blogger, not playing nice with you.

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  11. I´ve read about this one! And the conflict seems very interesting. (And I am pretty sure you plan to convert me to Amish fiction reader! :)). So, bear the responsibility and count me in, plase :)

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Rats, you are onto my hidden agenda, Janka. Good luck.

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  12. I'm intrigued! Never read anything by this author and would love to try. :)

    lieniitte(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Nice review. Would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the chance.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  14. What a sweet cover. I would like to read Leona's story. My husband has an aunt named Leona too! Amish fiction is my favorite genre.

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