|
|
BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Merrimon Book Reviews
|
|
Winter's Awakening
by Shelley Shepard
Gray
When an English family moves to the
small Amish town of Sugarcreek, residents re-examine familiar patterns,
routines and expectations. Until now, Joshua has had his life all
planned out. He works at the family store. He will marry
Gretta, the woman he has courted for years. The sudden changes in
Joshua hurt Gretta. His sharpness and quietness feel all too much
like the coldness of her parents. Gretta wants something more out
of a marriage. With the changes in Joshua and his distancing,
Gretta begins to consider a possible future with Roland. With
him, she would feel safe, but is that enough for a fulfilling
marriage? Is God answering her prayers in Roland? Does God
call her into a more challenging future, a future less safe but one
that will fill her heart and challenge it to grow? Lilly's family
moved to Sugarcreek in order to protect her but her family does not
listen to her desires. Instead they plan for her. When she
meets Joshua, Lilly finds a neighbor and friend who listens, but can
she truly trust him? Will her secret drive him away? When
change threatens to disrupt all expectations and plans, will prayer and
community together discover a fullness beyond the surface, a fullness
that will both challenge and comfort the soul? WINTER'S AWAKENING
brings unexpected new understandings and closeness to the new and old
residents of Sugarcreek.
In this, the first book of a second Amish inspirational series, WINTER'S AWAKENING takes readers
into the heart of the Amish community of Sugarcreek through the
characters of Joshua, Gretta and Lilly. Shelley Shepard Grey both
sets the scene and creates a moving inspirational romantic
conflict. Both Joshua and Gretta are admirable characters, but
not so perfect that they lack depth and feeling. In fact, the
beauty of Shelley Shepard Gray's inspirational romances emerges from
the richness and humanity she gives to her characters. WINTER'S AWAKENING creates a wonderful
portrait of a traditional religious community and the individual
residents as they struggle to incorporate faith and the longings of
their hearts in themselves as individuals, the community in
which they live and their understanding of God's plan. Without
preaching down to her audience, Shelley Shepard Gray creates a
community through which God's presence can be seen in the events and
hearts of her characters.
Written in an easy-to-read style that flows naturally from page to
page, WINTER'S AWAKENING is not
simplistic. This inspirational romance will appeal on many levels
from young to old, from those readers craving a light read to a more
in-depth book study or church reading group discussion. Ten
thoughtful questions (or groups of questions) are included at the end
to guide reading and group discussions. In this reader's opinion,
WINTER'S AWAKENING makes Shelley Shepard Gray one of the most
stunning inspirational writers writing today. Not only will WINTER'S
AWAKENING appeal to the traditional inspirational romance
audience but also to the wider community of faith on account of the
author's ability to present meaningful questions of faith and
relationships that are not limited by denominational or political
interpretations of Christianity. While the author gives the
reader an insider's look into the Amish community, she also centers on
those essential moments of the heart and of faith that unite the wider
community. If you love inspirational romance, Shelley Shepard Gray's WINTER'S AWAKENING is the best of
the best. Even if you do not typically include inspirational
romance in your repertoire of spiritual reading, Shelley Shepard Gray
would be one of the first in the genre to try, in this reader's
opinion, on account of the author's exquisite storytelling abilities
and the art of her writing. A beautiful inspiring romance!
Publisher: Avon Inspire (Feb.
2, 2010)
Series: Seasons of
Sugarcreek
Other books in the series: Spring's Renewal (May 2010), Autumn's
Promise (August 2010)
Author website
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
|
|
|
