HER SECRET – Shelley Shepard Gray
The Amish of Hart County , Book 1
A Perfect 10
Avon Inspire
ISBN: 978-0-06-246910-6
E-book: 978-0-06-246911-3
March 2017
Inspirational Romance

Munfordville, Kentucky, the Present

The Hilty family—father, mother, and three children—lived in the thriving Amish community in Berlin, Ohio . . . until they were forced to move. Hannah, the eldest child at twenty, was being stalked by a young English (non-Amish) man, a former friend who would not take a no. Trent constantly followed her around, pestering her. The final insults came when he sent her sneaky pictures and a scary note. The time had come when she must tell her parents and even the law. The latter tell them they can do nothing; there is no evidence, not even a fingerprint.

Three months later, the Hiltys have sold their big house and all their land and are living in Munfordville, Kentucky. Everything is smaller, their house, the lot it sits on, and the Amish community. Are they happier? Even now, Hannah is terrified to leave the house, certainly alone! The younger kids, Jenny and Ben, are in their early teens and strongly resent having to move away from their school and friends.

It turns out, however, that the Munfordville Amish are a friendly group who begin to win over the family. The Troyers next door, especially the oldest son, Isaac, take an interest. But as Hannah begins to relax a little, the three children are given disastrous news! And does she have another reason to run?

While all the trials the family goes through might be a departure from the usual Amish romance, they add page-turning suspense, yet HER SECRET still maintains a light tone with well-defined characters a reader will enjoy meeting. Wait until you encounter the storyline built around sandwiches!

The story unfolds smoothly; the family dynamics are realistic and engaging, and the spirituality evident and uplifting. All in all, Hart County sounds like a great place to live, and I'm eager for the chapters to come.

Jane Bowers