Tag Archive | Shelley Shepard Gray

The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray

Aug24

To Protect And Serve

LoyalThe Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepard Gray is a Christian historical romance and I loved it. It is set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Bonds and vows sworn in war time were not easily broken. The novel follows the fortunes of one group of men who pledged loyalty to each other.

No matter who ‘wins’ the war, the reality is – everyone loses. Husbands, sons, brothers, fathers, friends on both sides perished. War changes people. Peace time can be hard to live through if loved ones are lost. The novel deals with the subject of deep depression and thoughts of suicide. “Perhaps today was not the day to die after all. ” War robs people of hope. People mourn the loss of their dreams. “Men and women of strong grit survived instead of giving up.” It takes courage and determination to live without ones loved ones.

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A Daughter’s Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

May24

Developing Dreams

DaughterA Daughter’s Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray is an Amish romance and book number two in the Charmed Amish Life series. It can however be read as a stand-alone.

There are a great many themes within the novel and a major one is grief. Grief comes in many forms, none of them are right or wrong. Everyone grieves in different ways. Lukas and Rebecca are still coming to terms with the loss of their factory owning father (book one). Lilly Yoder is recovering from the sudden death of her parents. The town is still feeling the effects of the loss of the men in the factory fire (book one). Everyone needs support and in a small close knit community, they all try to help each other.

Families are another major theme. Family members stick together. They help each other. The extended Amish community seems particularly good at supporting and loving its members.

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