Shelley Shepard Gray's Blog, page 32

My Weekend

How was your weekend? Mine was busy, and unusual because I hardly wrote. I have to say it felt good to just do regular chores around the house and take some time off. Even though nothing was terribly exciting, I thought I'd go ahead and share…

1) Stayed home by myself and watched the newest Harry Potter movie on DVD. I have to admit to being a big Harry Potter fan. As a writer, I'm amazed at how JK Rowling wrote such an amazing series, with so much tied together. As a reader and movie fan, I simply just liked them. I read the books outloud to my family on car trips. Two of my favorites? The Sorting Hat and Dobby the House Elf.

2) My husband woke up on Saturday with the GREAT IDEA of playing hooky! So, no yardwork, laundry, dishes, or grocery shopping. Instead, we stopped at my favorite donut place, got a few fresh donuts and large coffees, and headed out to Adams County~home of the Murphin Ridge Inn (where I have my writing retreats) and Millers (an Amish furniture store). We went to Millers and I showed him all the furniture I want. (Including 'my' very beautiful desk!) Of course, we left without buying anything…but one day, I'm going to buy that desk…I just know it!

3) Saturday night, we went to a friend's 50th birthday party. She looked so pretty and happy~everyone there had a great time.

4) On Sunday, my husband and I ushered at church. I have a love/hate relationship with ushering. I'm happy to help out…but it's a lot to do! Add Palm Sunday services, double the people we normally have, Palm leaves, a procession into the sanctuary…well you get the idea! By the time we finished cleaning up, I was ready for a nap!

Those are the highlights…what did y'all do?

Oh, I thought I'd also share the link below…it's my first review for The Protector, and it's a good one. So, so happy about that.

with Monday blessings for you all,

Shelley

http://loriesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/protector-by-shelley-shepard-gray.html

Faithful Reader.com

Faithful Reader.com is doing a nice promotion and giveaway on their website for The Caregiver! Below is some of what you will find on their site. I hope some of you will check it out!

 





 


 


 


 


THE CAREGIVER Book Giveaway

We are celebrating the release of THE CAREGIVER — the story of two strangers whose lives fatefully collide when their train breaks down in the Midwest — with a special contest. Twenty readers will have the opportunity to each win a copy of this first installment in Shelley Shepard Gray's Families of Honor series. The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29th at noon ET.

THE CAREGIVER: Families of Honor, Book One by Shelley Shepard Gray (Romance)

Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while. The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.

» Click here to read the study guide for THE CAREGIVER.

» Click here to read more about THE CAREGIVER.

» Click here to read an excerpt from THE CAREGIVE

My Trip to Parma and Middlefield

What a great time I had speaking at the Parma-Snow Branch of the Cuyahoga Libraries and signing books at Sparrow Christian Bookstore in Middlefield!  It was an unbelievably busy two days for me, but here are some of the highlights:

1) I drove up to the Cleveland area by myself, in the drizzling rain. I'm not a fan of driving on the freeway~especially not for four hours. And especially not in the rain! It was a big personal accomplishment for me to make the trip. : )

2) After I checked in, I put on a dress and heels, practiced my speech, then rushed over to the library. Wendy and Paula, two ladies from the library, and Stephanie, the salesrep for Blackstone Audio (the company that produces my books on audio) took me out to dinner before Tuesday night's author talk. We all ended up eating very good lasagna and laughing about kids and pets.

3)I met some of the nicest people after my booktalk!  I signed books, took some pictures, and visited with a few people I'd met in Sugarcreek.  My mother-in-law was also in the audience. For her to sit through my speech just shows she's a very kind lady! 

4) On Wednesday morning, I did my best to write lots. Then, I checked out of the hotel and drove to Middlefield.

5) I met Stephanie again for another meal~this one at Mary Yoder's restaurant. I had the soup and salad bar, and then got down to business…eating pie. Let me just say their coconut cream pie was just as wonderful as I'd hoped.

6) Soon after that, I drove down the street and had my booksigning at Sparrow Christian Bookstore. That's Alan, the owner, me, and one of the gals who works there. (I don't want to post her name here). She's Mennonite, and a senior in high school. I met quite a few people, had a great time, then headed home-with a really awesome poster of The Caregiver to hang in my office!

I walked in the door last night at 9:45. Tired and happy and so ready to just sit on the couch. My daughter and I watched American Idol (she'd recorded it) and just enjoyed being together.

It's great to get away…and just as nice to be back home. 

Shelley

Heading North Tomorrow

After a busy weekend of family time, I'm working hard today to get ready for my trip north tomorrow! Tomorrow evening, I'll be speaking at the Parma-Snow Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library. Below is some info posted on the library's website.

Author Visit with Shelley Shepard Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish romances for HarperCollins' inspirational line, Avon Inspire.  Hidden, Wanted, Forgiven and Grace comprise her popular Sisters of the Heart series.  The Caregiver, the latest book in her new Families of Honor series, will be available in March.  Meet Shelley Shepard Gray and share her special love for the Amish culture.

***  Please NOTE.  Program date has been changed from Monday, March 14, 2011 to Tuesday, April 12 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Registration is requested either online or by calling the Parma Snow Branch at 216-661-4240.

Register

Then, on Wednesday, I'll head east into Geauga County, the setting for my Families of Honor series. At 2:30, I'll be at the Sparrow Christian Bookstore in Middlefield! Below are the directions.

Sparrow Christian Bookstore, April 13, 2:30-4:00

Now open in the Middlefield Heritage Center

14962 South. State Ave.  (SR 87 & 608) Middlefield, OH 44062

Off to go make baskets for drawings, and get my speech finished up.

with Blessings, Shelley

TGIF

Oh, am I so glad it's Friday!

Whew! What a week it's been. Lots of work. Lots of evenings spent working until 7:00 at night, which is very unlike my usual schedule. 

I'm glad I got so much done, though, because it's sure to be a wonderful weekend! It's supposed to get to the 80′s here, and I can't wait to sit outside and enjoy the sun. A pair of squirrels have built a nest right outside our kitchen door, and I've been having more fun watching them carry leaves and twigs up and down their tree.

I'm feeling strong enough to go for a walk, so we're going to hit our town's bike trail for a little while, too.

But the best thing about the weekend is that my son is flying home today. His connection got delayed, so he's coming home a little late, but in just an hour or so, I'll be leaving for the airport to pick him up. I can't wait!  Tonight, the four of us are all going out to dinner. That's something I used to take for granted, but no longer. With a traveling husband, a busy daughter, and college son, dinner together is usually an impossibility.

On Sunday night, after Arthur plays golf with my husband, we'll send him back to school. Then, of course, we'll get ready for another busy week. My husband will fly out again, and I'll be heading north to Parma on Tuesday and Middlefield on Wednesday.

But until things get busy again, I plan to enjoy the warmth of a spring day, sleep a little later, and just be so thankful that everyone is home.

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend, too.

Shelley

A Reader Letter

 

I love getting reader mail, especially on days like today when I've been at my computer for hours and hours.

Sometimes the letters are incredibly sweet, sometimes a little critical…and some just make my day. This one made me smile so much that I asked the person who wrote it if I could share it.

To hear she had a love/hate relationship with my book really made me giggle. See, I, too, have spent way too many nights with a good book telling myself…just one more page. Those are the books I love. Nothing could have made me happier than to read that The Caregiver did the same for her.

So here's the note, in case you're interested. As for me, I'm finally going to say goodbye to my computer for the day!  

Shelley .. I must tell you I have a love / hate relationship with your book the Caregiver. Why you ask? I started the book last night as that is when I get to read when everything is quiet and everyone has gone to bed.. before you know it the clock struck 2 am. The book held my attention and I couldn't put it down. That is the love …part of the book.. hate part of your book is that I am so dragging today. I am more than 3/4 of the way through the book. I do want to finish the book but I really need to get my stuff done. I really enjoy your writings. Thank you for another good read. Can't wait for the other one in this series to come out

thanks for stopping by,

 Shelley

One of those weeks…

Well, I knew this was going to happen. I have revisions for two different books and another book that needs to be finished all pretty much due at the same time. I'm pretty good about getting things done, so this is a pretty rare occurrence. I'm just hoping things don't get too mixed up!

By next Monday, two of the projects have to be turned in, so things will be much better! I've just got to get there…

I hope everyone else is having a good week. When I haven't been writing, I've been watching a mother squirrel build a nest right next to our back deck. And baking. I love to bake when things are stressful. Anyone have a favorite thing they like to bake? I'd love some ideas!

Blessings,

Shelley

Sunday Night Bible Study

For the last couple of years, my husband and I have been part of a small group at our church. One Sunday night a month, we five couples get together and have a Bible study.

Well, that's the basic description of our group.

However, it's become so much more than that. We eat. We talk kids. And movies. And books.  Football. Sometimes, we break out wine and beer. Other times, it's strictly decaf coffee and lemonade. But no matter what we're doing, there's a warmth and companionship that's been fostered over a true belief in each other and a true belief in God.

For years, I've privately called this group of friends my 'safe' place.

I've found that there aren't too many people that you can truly be yourself with. It's hard to be vulnerable, or to admit you don't understand something, or to not be 'on'. I was brought up to always smile and say that I was fine. My small group taught me the value of being honest enough to admit when I'm not.

That kind of trust is rare and priceless, I think.

Anyway, for the last few months we've been studying angels. Last night, we were reading passages from the Bible about Cherubim (who knew they were so fierce looking?!) when all the sudden the hosts' cat appeared at the door with a 'present'. It was dark out and all I could see was a quivering, furry lump on the patio.

A polite guest would've ignored it.  Not me! I started pointing and saying there was a dead animal right next to the sliding glass door,(eek!) which completely derailed all angel discussions (oops!) and next thing you know, we're talking about moles and baby bunnies and the merits of having a really great mouser. My husband started asking if  maybe they would hire out the cat (we have a serious mole problem) and everyone else started discussing birds. And Eagles. And Bald Eagle Cams….

People who didn't know us might have thought the time might have been wasted-after all when we left, we had only gotten through half of what we'd intended to study.

But I, for one, have to say that I thought God had been with us last night in an especially strong way. It's easy to stay on track and say the right thing.  It takes trust and friendship to laugh and, well… squeal.

Next month, I'm sure we'll  all do our best to 'Stay on Track'….but between you and me, I hope I end up laughing a lot, too.

With blessings to  you. And, Happy Monday!

Shelley

A Thursday Evening Post

This morning I took my husband and daughter to the airport.  My husband's taking Lesley on a long weekend trip to Boulder, Colorado. Lesley did apply to CU, but they're not really on a college visit. Tom's mainly taking her there so they can spend some time together.  They're visiting the campus today and will ski tomorrow. The rest of the time? They're going to walk on the mall and see some of our very good friends.

Tom and I met in Boulder. We both went to college there, and actually both went to a summer school session before our freshman year. I met Tom when I was 17, and we dated the whole way through college. As you might imagine, we had a lot of fun times in Boulder. We both did the Greek thing, so there were lots of mixers and dances and all kind of themed parties. I lived within walking distance to the Boulder Mall, so I also remember taking lots of long walks with Tom in the summers.

I'm kind of wondering just how much Tom's going to tell Lesley about our college life!

While they're in Boulder, I'm home with the dogs. Though I'd usually be a little sad about missing the trip, I'm actually kind of happy to be home. I'm still not quite up for traveling, and I've got lots and lots and lots to write.

But this weekend won't be all writing.  I did just schedule a massage. And I plan to go to the mall for a little bit. And…I just happen to have three new books I've been wanting to read…

Uh oh…guess I don't sound too sad at all, do I?

Hope you all are also having a good night. : )

Shelley

Book Signings, Radio Interviews…and a Cobra

I received a very fun email this morning from the ladies at the Cuyahoga Library up in Cleveland. Right now, we have 70 people who've made reservations to hear my author talk on April 12!  I'm so happy about this, because we had to frantically reschedule this when I had to have surgery.  If you live in the Cleveland area and think you might want to come join us, here's the basic information:

I'll be at the Parma Snow Branch, 2121 Snow Road. I'll be speaking at 7:00 pm on April 12. A local Barnes and Noble will be offering books to buy…or you can bring your own and I'll sign them all! I'll also be bringing to lovely baskets to give away in a drawing. It's sure to be fun!

The next day, April 13, I'll be in Middlefield, at Sparrow Christian Bookstore. I'll sign books at 2:30! I'm very excited to visit Middlefield again, because it's in Geauga County, the setting for the Families of Honor series.

All morning I've been sipping tea and carrying around a box of Kleenex. This crazy weather we've been having has given me a cold. I wouldn't care too much except that I have my first radio interview for The Caregiver today. At 10:00 am central, the folks at Second Street Dreams Radio will be visiting with me about the book.  I sure don't want to sound too stuffy.

When I haven't been writing and/or sneezing…I've been helping my daughter and husband get ready for their  to Boulder, Colorado tomorrow.  Lesley's on spring break, and so the two of them decided to plan a fun trip together. My husband and I met in Boulder-we both went to the University of Colorado. Tom and Lesley are going to ski, visit friends who still live in the Denver area, tour campus, and generally just enjoy being together. I'm thrilled for them!

Finally, I've been having a lot of fun reading about the missing Cobra at the Bronx Zoo. It's kind of a silly story, but a welcome change of news for me. I love that the Cobra has its own Twitter account now. Reading the posts about its adventures in NYC sure make me smile.

Well, I better go write and sip more tea. Hope everyone has a good Wednesday!

Shelley