Friday, March 20, 2015

The Promise of Palm Grove: Book One of Amish Brides of Pinecraft By Shelley Shepard Gray

 I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description: 


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 the beloved New York Times bestselling author’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 Kauffman, Leona’s faced with two vastly different futures.
Leona must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

My Thoughts:  

The Promise of Palm Grove is the first book in Shelley Shepard Gray's latest series Amish Brides of Pinecraft and it is a great read.  As a huge fan of Amish Fiction and Shelley Shepard Gray, I was very excited for the chance to read this book.  Leona and two of her cousins make the trip from Walnut Creek, Ohio to Pinecraft, FL for two weeks, as sort of a getaway before Leona marries Edmund, the Amish man she is engaged to.  Leona is so happy to be away from the stress of the wedding plans and Edmund's overbearing ways.  Everyone but Leona are so sure that Edmund is the one and that once they are married Leona will help calm Edmund's overbearing ways but Leona has serious doubts about the whole situation. So the girls stay at The Orange Blossom Inn that is owned by Beverly Overholt, a one time resident of Sugar Creek, Ohio who came to Pinecraft after her wedding was called off.  Leona and her cousins are a welcome sight for Beverly, and really help brighten up the Inn and Beverly.  As Leona and her cousins start to explore, Leona finds herself having a chance meeting with an Amish man named Zachary Kauffman. A kind, fun man who takes care of his disabled sister and his family. Leona finds herself at a crossroads and must decide the best path for her despite everyone's opinions.

The Promise of Palm Grove is a great book by Shelley Shepard Gray. As a huge fan of both Amish Fiction and Shelley Shepard Gray I couldn't wait to read this new series. Shelley Shepard Gray writes with authority about The Amish Faith, Amish rules, the different Amish communities especially in Ohio and Pinecraft, Florida, and running of an Inn. I found myself taken in with this book right away and found it hard to put down. I enjoyed "taking" the trip from Walnut Creek,OH to Pinecraft, FL with Leona and her cousins. I enjoyed "seeing" Pinecraft through the eyes of Leona and the other characters in this book The characters are well developed and really great. I enjoyed all of them but my favorite had to be Zachary Kauffman. His love and devotion not only to his sister but his family was heartwarming, along with his strong faith. This book kept me guessing until the end and kept my interest from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more books in the wonderful series. I give this book 4 STARS. 

 Don't miss Shelley Shepard Gray's new series, Amish Brides of Pinecraft, and the first book in the series, The Promise of Palm Grove! Romantic Times said, "Vibrant descriptions and details bring the plot to life in this heartwarming tale of new beginnings and renewal." Does Leona follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

Enter to win a copy of The Promise of Palm Grove—five winners will be chosen! The winners will be announced March 30 on Shelley's blog!

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