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Shady Gully #4
The Shepherds
The battle between good and evil emerges when a clever priest joins forces with a weary, defeated evangelist to overcome a grotesque injustice…
When the charismatic pastor of Kentucky’s biggest and most popular megachurch collapses on stage in front of thousands, a frenzy of speculation erupts. Is he sick? Washed up? Or is it that woman? Mysterious and strikingly beautiful, could “Meadow from small-town Louisiana” be responsible for the revered Timothy’s downfall? Desperate to escape scrutiny, Timothy inflames rumors even more when he takes a sabbatical with the lovely Meadow—to Shady Gully, Louisiana.
A jaunt to his hometown also fits the bill for Sterling, the handsome lead musician at Northlake Christian Church. Since his love life and secret aspirations are in the tank, he eagerly joins Timothy’s exodus. When they arrive in Shady Gully they find a thriving community with several new businesses, including Sterling’s sister’s booming Veterinary Hospital. While Sterling grapples with his failures—which seem especially magnified in light of his sister’s success—Timothy seeks counsel with Father Patrick, a man of faith and the only one he can trust with his sordid history.
Despite the mounting challenges, The Shepherds resonates with the power of kindness, reveals a life-changing epiphany, and erupts in a battle between good and evil as a clever priest joins forces with a weary, defeated evangelist to overcome a grotesque injustice.
A jaunt to his hometown also fits the bill for Sterling, the handsome lead musician at Northlake Christian Church. Since his love life and secret aspirations are in the tank, he eagerly joins Timothy’s exodus. When they arrive in Shady Gully they find a thriving community with several new businesses, including Sterling’s sister’s booming Veterinary Hospital. While Sterling grapples with his failures—which seem especially magnified in light of his sister’s success—Timothy seeks counsel with Father Patrick, a man of faith and the only one he can trust with his sordid history.
Despite the mounting challenges, The Shepherds resonates with the power of kindness, reveals a life-changing epiphany, and erupts in a battle between good and evil as a clever priest joins forces with a weary, defeated evangelist to overcome a grotesque injustice.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2024
About the author
Hallie Lee
4 books71 followersBorn and raised in Louisiana, most of Hallie’s screenplays and novels are set in the south. Inspired by a landscape rich with cantankerous, salt of the earth folks, Hallie’s characters tend to be dramatic, but kind, and quirky, but smarter than they appear.
A move to the creative community of Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2005 gave her the opportunity to take up screenwriting. As her screenplays were recognized with awards and placements in various contests, she had the opportunity to learn from award winning talents like Kirk Ellis (The John Adams miniseries) and Ronnie Clemmer (A League of Their Own).
But alas, her heart is southern, and when she and her family made another move to Kentucky, it renewed her passion for writing novels. And southern story telling.
Paint Me Fearless is the first in The Shady Gully Series, a series which promises thought provoking, relatable journeys whose cast of characters tend to be ornery, but loveable.
It’s women’s literature. It’s book club fiction. It's faith based. It’s Hallie Lee.
A move to the creative community of Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2005 gave her the opportunity to take up screenwriting. As her screenplays were recognized with awards and placements in various contests, she had the opportunity to learn from award winning talents like Kirk Ellis (The John Adams miniseries) and Ronnie Clemmer (A League of Their Own).
But alas, her heart is southern, and when she and her family made another move to Kentucky, it renewed her passion for writing novels. And southern story telling.
Paint Me Fearless is the first in The Shady Gully Series, a series which promises thought provoking, relatable journeys whose cast of characters tend to be ornery, but loveable.
It’s women’s literature. It’s book club fiction. It's faith based. It’s Hallie Lee.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 12, 2025
I have read all of the books in this series and The Shepherd does not disappoint! I have actually purchased both the book and the audio version of this story line because the narrative is so perfectly done it brings you right into the characters life, even though I love to hold a book when reading, the audio allows me to cry and dab tears without missing a beat lol. The emotions that this book pulled from me have made me come face to face with events I pushed into a deep corner of my memory banks and helped me realize that forgiveness is freedom. Do yourself a huge favor and give The Shady Gully Series a spot on your summer reading list, you will be so happy that you did. Hallie Lee , you have captured my heart with another fantastic story.
September 12, 2024
Very deep story, told with humor and a level of “in the book” that is sometimes difficult to find with other writers. I loved hearing Timothy’s story and this book helped me realize even more that we are all meant to help one another move forward in our journeys through life while God is there helping us all. Well done, Hallie Lee! 💕
October 28, 2025
I Love this Series
This was my favorite so far in the series. When we carry so much weight from our past and never feel like we’re enough. It’s nice to see that God has always been there through it all and he is our,enough.
This was my favorite so far in the series. When we carry so much weight from our past and never feel like we’re enough. It’s nice to see that God has always been there through it all and he is our,enough.
September 4, 2024
The Shepherds continues the wonderful journey in Shady Gully! The characters are memorable and I really cared what would happen to them, worrying until the very satisfying resolution. The whole series is highly recommended. Hallie is a great writer. I can’t wait until Book #5.
February 13, 2025
A MUST READ - SUPURB!!!
People say they don't want a book to end, this is the one for me! Outstanding! I've loved all the books in the Shady Gully series, but Hallie Lee - you saved the best for Book #4. I laughed, cried, and cheered on each character as they moved seamlessly through the story. Ms. Lee, thank you for a job well done!!! Can't wait for the next one!
People say they don't want a book to end, this is the one for me! Outstanding! I've loved all the books in the Shady Gully series, but Hallie Lee - you saved the best for Book #4. I laughed, cried, and cheered on each character as they moved seamlessly through the story. Ms. Lee, thank you for a job well done!!! Can't wait for the next one!
April 22, 2025
I'm ready to pack my bags and move to Shady Gully! In fact, Lee's beautiful writing transports me so that I feel like I already live there! In book 4 the saga that began with two high school friends continues...
Told in a multi-POV, the characters are real and relatable people who face real life issues with love, family, and sin, forgiveness, and the darker aspects of humanity. There are several characters' stories in the book, but the two that resonated the most with me were Sterling and Timothy's stories. Sterling is an aspiring author who struggles to find his place in the publishing world, who struggles with confidence, and being seen and recognized. Further, he aches for people he loves the most to see him through his work and to appreciate his work. The other story that resonated with me was about Timothy, the pastor of a megachurch. When he passes out during a sermon one morning, he goes on a personal quest to speak with another clergyman he trusts. It's soon discovered he's being blackmailed. As Timothy's past and character flaws are revealed he comes to a place of understanding about himself and God's grace and forgiveness. Through Timothy we see that there are no perfect Christians. That we are all mired in and struggle with sin--even our pastors! And it's only because of God's grace--and the shepherds He places in our lives--that we come through the other side.
But other characters learn about forgiveness as well and through them we learn that forgiveness is less about the person who hurts us and more about our own peace--a peace that then ripples out through our lives. We also learn that shepherds come in all forms and God often uses people we least expect to act as shepherds in our lives. The book was beautiful, down to earth, full of southern charm, on its surface, but beneath this surface was a profound message about love, forgiveness, and how God touches our lives through people we least expect. It also reminds us that you never know what people are dealing with when you meet them, that people who seem to have it all together may be dealing with a mess or come from a broken past. The best part is that Lee's skilled touch and beautiful prose conveys all these profound messages without being "preachy," which is an incredibly delicate balance to strike.
Told in a multi-POV, the characters are real and relatable people who face real life issues with love, family, and sin, forgiveness, and the darker aspects of humanity. There are several characters' stories in the book, but the two that resonated the most with me were Sterling and Timothy's stories. Sterling is an aspiring author who struggles to find his place in the publishing world, who struggles with confidence, and being seen and recognized. Further, he aches for people he loves the most to see him through his work and to appreciate his work. The other story that resonated with me was about Timothy, the pastor of a megachurch. When he passes out during a sermon one morning, he goes on a personal quest to speak with another clergyman he trusts. It's soon discovered he's being blackmailed. As Timothy's past and character flaws are revealed he comes to a place of understanding about himself and God's grace and forgiveness. Through Timothy we see that there are no perfect Christians. That we are all mired in and struggle with sin--even our pastors! And it's only because of God's grace--and the shepherds He places in our lives--that we come through the other side.
But other characters learn about forgiveness as well and through them we learn that forgiveness is less about the person who hurts us and more about our own peace--a peace that then ripples out through our lives. We also learn that shepherds come in all forms and God often uses people we least expect to act as shepherds in our lives. The book was beautiful, down to earth, full of southern charm, on its surface, but beneath this surface was a profound message about love, forgiveness, and how God touches our lives through people we least expect. It also reminds us that you never know what people are dealing with when you meet them, that people who seem to have it all together may be dealing with a mess or come from a broken past. The best part is that Lee's skilled touch and beautiful prose conveys all these profound messages without being "preachy," which is an incredibly delicate balance to strike.
June 9, 2025
Oh my goodness! I cannot express how much I enjoyed The Shepherds! The titular shepherds are the Protestant Pastor Timothy and the Catholic Father Patrick, and throughout the book, Hallie Lee weaves a heartfelt storyline of mutual support and respect between these two dedicated men of God. I so very much appreciated the non-issue she made of the fact that these two men are from very different denominations of Christianity. They each put their faith in Jesus. That is what matters! Too often, there is too much infighting and even derision between various denominations of Christianity. This cannot please God. Instead of holding each other at arm’s length, or criticizing each others’ means of worshipping God, these men trust each other and counsel one another, as the body of Christ should. I loved this message with all of my heart!
Within this storyline, Hallie Lee weaves a gripping mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. And I loved seeing how Meadow’s relationship with God (and romance with Timothy!) has opened her up as a person. She’s still herself, just with … fewer edges. I also appreciated Fireman and Sterling’s journeys – especially how Fireman’s story links in with Wolfheart, and Sterling’s scatterbrained yet sparkling writing critique partner, Pippa! (I hope we see more of her!) Last, but not least, the escapade with Bubba’s snake was absolutely hysterical!
I’m eagerly awaiting my next trip to Shady Gully! It’s not perfect there, but I think the world would be a better place if it were all a little more like this little Louisiana town.
Within this storyline, Hallie Lee weaves a gripping mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. And I loved seeing how Meadow’s relationship with God (and romance with Timothy!) has opened her up as a person. She’s still herself, just with … fewer edges. I also appreciated Fireman and Sterling’s journeys – especially how Fireman’s story links in with Wolfheart, and Sterling’s scatterbrained yet sparkling writing critique partner, Pippa! (I hope we see more of her!) Last, but not least, the escapade with Bubba’s snake was absolutely hysterical!
I’m eagerly awaiting my next trip to Shady Gully! It’s not perfect there, but I think the world would be a better place if it were all a little more like this little Louisiana town.
September 30, 2024
Written in multiple perspectives, The Shepherds takes the reader on an uplifting, heartfelt journey into the lives of characters who are written so well that you'll think you're living next door to them. The way Hallie Lee weaves such beauty into her writing takes Book 4 in the Shady Gully series to the next level, and so my heart and mind were always fully engaged. While The Shepherds delves into some very deeply emotional, tragic backstories, there are also moments of stark humor, charm, and outright laughter peppered throughout, which truly made this a difficult book to set aside. I can only hope we continue to get more of Fireman and Wolfheart's stories.
September 4, 2024
The Shepherds dives into the lives of Timothy, Fireman and Sterling with a good peak into Father Patrick plus the whole Shady Gully cast of characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you love backstory, motives, progression of relationships with surprising dashes of laughter, and redemption, you will enjoy The Shepherds. Hallie Lee continues to set a high bar in her ability to spin tales, to make her characters come alive, and in book 4 of her series, she shines!
September 20, 2024
A Small Town with So Much Heart
For me, The Shepherds took the series to a whole new level. The shock of Timothy's past is gritty, hard to take, but the horror of his childhood is tempered with the charm of Shady Gully, a small town that's full of grace.
This book was a perfect mix of laughter and tears. My favorite Shady Gully book yet!
For me, The Shepherds took the series to a whole new level. The shock of Timothy's past is gritty, hard to take, but the horror of his childhood is tempered with the charm of Shady Gully, a small town that's full of grace.
This book was a perfect mix of laughter and tears. My favorite Shady Gully book yet!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews