Friday, May 31, 2013

Ray of Light

GIVEAWAY
GRAY, SHELLEY SHEPARD
RAY OF LIGHT

When two hearts connect on a beach in Florida, is it a brief romance . . . or the start of a lasting love?

After family secrets come to light, causing an uproar, Roman Keim is taking a much-needed vacation to Pinecraft, the Amish snowbird community in Florida. The warm weather is a welcome break from the bleak Ohio winter, as is a week off from all his family's drama. But Roman's own drama begins when he meets his next-door neighbors: Amanda Yoder, a beautiful young widow, and her adorable daughter, Regina.

In the two years since her husband died, Amanda has never looked at another man. She certainly doesn't intend to get married again. But she can't deny that there's something special between her and Roman. As his week in Pinecraft comes to a close, Amanda knows that, in spite of her attempt to remain distant, she's given Roman a piece of her heart. And her daughter seems to have fallen in love, too.

Is there hope for a second chance at love for Amanda? Or will duty call Roman home first, far from the two women who have captured his heart?

My Review:

The Keim family is back and this time it's Roman's chance to find some happiness. A sequel to Daybreak, Ray of Light easily reads as a standalone novel even though events and circumstances from book one carry over into book two. Gray handles those transitions very well so new readers won't be left floundering in sub-plots. But this book really shines as a sequel to Daybreak in my humble reader's opinion.

I love this family -- it's complexities and dysfunction and idiosyncrasies! The Keims aren't your typical Amish family...or maybe they are. Gray doesn't sugarcoat relationships and struggles and that was the big lure that reeled me in. Even Amanda Yoder's struggle to find her footing two years after her husband's death is achingly real. Particularly in relation to her in-laws.

And then Roman shows up on the scene and sparks fly and neither knows quite what to do about it. I mean, long distance relationships are difficult enough in the Englisch world -- imagine the complications involved if you are Amish! Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride!

A bonus to The Day of Redemption series fans: we get an exciting sub-plot involving Viola and Ed in the mission field. And thank goodness this series isn't over yet -- we still have more Keim secrets to uncover, a couple of weddings to attend and a single daughter who needs a beau! Can't wait for the next book. And hallelujah, Gray and Avon Inspire usually don't leave us in suspense for long. I'm anticipating the next book to be out sometime in the fall.

Giveway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Ray of Light, 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 June 2 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

14 comments:

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

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your welcome, Karen. Good luck!

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  3. Thanks for the chance to win, might have to check the first in the series out!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Oooh - definitely do, Patty. Good luck!

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  5. Ohh! This sounds really good. Would love a chance to win a copy. Thank you for the giveaway.

    Karen G
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  6. I have the first one in this series and would love to read them back to back! Plus my high school sweetheart's last name was Keim, so that brings back some sweet childhood memories for me. ;) Thanks, Kav!

    dianalflowers[at]aol[dot]com

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  7. Would love to win this one!! Thanks ladies for the interesting post!
    ibjoy1953[at]yahoo.com

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  8. I am so happy to hear that this ia standalone book. I love, love, love Amish fiction!

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. This sounds like an interesting series! Thanks for the review!

    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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  10. I've heard her books are good. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. I haven't read the first book in this series and am going to have to get it now. I definitely want to read this book as well. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. I'd love to be entered!

    cbus.blogger at gmail dot com

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  13. I don't read many Amish books, but this one sounds interesting. Thanks for offering a copy.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete