Her Secret by Shelley Shepard Gray Series: The Amish of Hart County #1
Published by HarperCollins on March 14, 2017
Genres: Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Clean & Wholesome, Fiction, Romance
Pages: 272
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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray begins a new series—The Amish of Hart County—with this suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker.
After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she’s getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky…if only she wasn’t too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone—even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she'll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.
For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called “The Recluse” confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he's misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God’s gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye.
Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County.
I’ve heard great things about Shelley Shepard Gray’s writing. Outside of a novella collection or two I’ve not previously read any of her full length books. When I say I hear great things? Total understatement. How did I go so long without reading her books? Actually, truth be told I’ve been inundated with the knowledge of her books that I was pretty certain I’d actually read her. I have so many on my want to read list that I felt like I knew her writing. Does that make sense? Nevermind, it totally does to me. Let’s just say that expectation (and perhaps false memories) did not meet reality, it exceeded it. This will assuredly NOT be my last Shelley book. Although to be fair, I’ve got plans for the entire The Amish of Hart County series over the next few weeks. However, I can’t stop there now that I’ve fallen in.
I already knew that Gray creates memorable characters and isn’t afraid to shy away from real life. Her Amish characters face real life. Dark, messy, sometimes overwhelming, convoluted, yet full of grace real life. I mean Hannah and her family relocated from Ohio to Kentucky partly because of a stalker. That’s the reason they gave, but of course there was more than that. Things you hear on the news, things that might even happen to someone that someone you know knows, things that you don’t necessarily equate with Amish fiction. However, the truth is the Amish are as much a part of real life as any other person. Living life ‘separate’ is not quite what it used to be and doesn’t immune this faith group from the real life dangers we all potentially face every single day. So much of Amish fiction shy’s away from this idea and creates a near idealized version of life. Gray does not. I love that about her. Finally, it all became clear to Isaac. Life was full of ups and downs. Kittens and chores and friendships and family. It was uneven and unexpected. It was full of quiet moments and chewing gum and fish that got away. That. That right there is the essence of life, Amish or Christian or Agnostic or Pagan, it doesn’t matter your faith it matters the world you live in and how you choose to embrace it.
Hannah needed to learn this. Her father needed to learn this. Tomatoes, her entire family needed to learn this. However so did the community they found themselves in. I think I still need the reminders that I need to learn this. Holding out his hand, her father whispered, ‘Indeed, child. Even in the midst of darkness, there is always something to be thankful for.’ Hannah’s world was very dark in the beginning of this book. Truth be told I figured out the big twist before chapter 6 but that’s OK. Knowing the twist just made the build and anticipation throughout the rest of the book so much more intense and so much sweeter as well. Through Hannah and her family and even her community in Kentucky, Shelley Shepard Gray gently reminds us that even in the dark there is light. Even in secrets there is redemption. And even when you live through, what feels to you, unimaginable there is redemption. Uncertainty and fear thrive in the darkness. Healing and hope happen in the light. Seek the light.
About Shelley Shepard Gray
I grew up in Houston, Texas, went to Colorado for college, and after living in Arizona, Dallas, and Denver, we moved to southern Ohio about ten years ago.
I’ve always thought of myself as a very hard worker, but not ‘great’ at anything. I’ve obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree…but I never was a gifted student. I took years of ballet and dance, but I never was anywhere near the star of any recital. I love to cook, but I’m certainly not close to being gourmet…and finally I love to write books, but I’ve certainly read far better authors.
Maybe you are a little bit like me. I’ve been married for almost twenty years and have raised two kids. I try to exercise but really should put on my tennis shoes a whole lot more. I’m not a great housekeeper, I hate to drive in the snow, and I don’t think I’ve ever won a Monopoly game. However, I am the best wife and mother I know how to be.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that in God’s eyes that is okay? That from His point of view, we are all exceptional? I treasure that knowledge and am always so thankful for my faith. His faith in me makes me stand a little straighter, smile a little bit more, and be so very grateful for every gift He’s given me.
I started writing about the Amish because their way of life appealed to me. I wanted to write stories about regular. likeable people in extraordinary situations-and who just happened to be Amish.
Getting the opportunity to write Inspirational novels is truly gratifying. With every book, I feel my faith grows stronger. And that makes me feel very special indeed.
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