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The Amish of Hart County #5
Her Fear
In New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s latest novel of suspense in her Amish of Hart County series, an EMT falls for a woman with ties to an Amish community where people are dying similar, suspicious deaths
Sadie Detweiler never imagined she’d move to Kentucky, yet here she is: a pregnant, unmarried Amish girl banished by unforgiving parents to live with kin she barely knows. The men are gruff and her cousins are secretive. Worst of all, elderly matriarch Verba becomes mysteriously ill shortly after Sadie moves in. When EMT Noah Freeman arrives, Sadie immediately notices he’s unlike any other Amish man she’s met. Noah is warm, confident, and has an easy way with practically everyone in the community, both Amish and English. Though Sadie is drawn to him, she has little hope he will reciprocate her feelings once he learns she’s with child.
Noah can’t understand how a girl as sweet and lovely as Sadie ended up sleeping on a cot in Verba Stauffer’s kitchen. He also senses Sadie is terrified of something. Concerned, he checks up on her. Eventually they strike up a friendship and soon their attraction is undeniable. When Verba later dies at the hospital and her death is followed by two others, Noah’s boss wants him to dig around the Amish community for clues. He agrees—for Sadie’s sake—because only the truth will keep her safe and by his side.
Sadie Detweiler never imagined she’d move to Kentucky, yet here she is: a pregnant, unmarried Amish girl banished by unforgiving parents to live with kin she barely knows. The men are gruff and her cousins are secretive. Worst of all, elderly matriarch Verba becomes mysteriously ill shortly after Sadie moves in. When EMT Noah Freeman arrives, Sadie immediately notices he’s unlike any other Amish man she’s met. Noah is warm, confident, and has an easy way with practically everyone in the community, both Amish and English. Though Sadie is drawn to him, she has little hope he will reciprocate her feelings once he learns she’s with child.
Noah can’t understand how a girl as sweet and lovely as Sadie ended up sleeping on a cot in Verba Stauffer’s kitchen. He also senses Sadie is terrified of something. Concerned, he checks up on her. Eventually they strike up a friendship and soon their attraction is undeniable. When Verba later dies at the hospital and her death is followed by two others, Noah’s boss wants him to dig around the Amish community for clues. He agrees—for Sadie’s sake—because only the truth will keep her safe and by his side.
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First published June 27, 2018
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About the author
Shelley Shepard Gray
127 books2,325 followersLibrarian Note: AKA Shelley Gray (Western Romance).
Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.
Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.
Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter. She also has a website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
July 21, 2018
Her Fear, the latest book in The Amish of Hart County, captured me from the beginning. Shelley Shepard Gray deals with some tough situations in this book--an unplanned pregnancy, family abandonment, bootlegging in the hills of Kentucky, unexpected deaths and finding new beginnings when tragic strikes. I was in the moment whether it was Sadie’s dad putting her on a bus to go to unknown relatives, the talks between Sadie and cousin Esther, the paramedics’ arrival when individuals needed assistance or in the hills at the stills. The descriptive scenes, thoughts and conversations were true to life with unexpected happenings that kept the pages flow. My heart went out to young Sadie and all she had to endure because of a deceitful young man. Noah Freeman, the hero, won my heart with his kindness and knowing something was amidst with the look of fear in Sadie’s eyes. I appreciate the depth of the story and research Gray completed before writing Her Fear. Emotions were high throughout with read with pages turning as fast as possible.
I borrowed the book from my sister, who won an ARC copy in a giveaway. I was not required to write a review but have shared my own opinion.
I borrowed the book from my sister, who won an ARC copy in a giveaway. I was not required to write a review but have shared my own opinion.
August 12, 2018
I have enjoyed reading this series of Amish novels set in Kentucky. Her Fear is definitely my favorite of the series so far!
The author did a very good job of creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the house that Sadie was living in. As I read the story, I could feel the fears that Sadie had as they weighed her down.
The thread of suspense in this novel, the tense living situation that Sadie was in, the knowledge that Sadie was pregnant out of wedlock, and the Amish EMT made for a very good story which also had a really enjoyable romantic thread running through it. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The author did a very good job of creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the house that Sadie was living in. As I read the story, I could feel the fears that Sadie had as they weighed her down.
The thread of suspense in this novel, the tense living situation that Sadie was in, the knowledge that Sadie was pregnant out of wedlock, and the Amish EMT made for a very good story which also had a really enjoyable romantic thread running through it. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
September 9, 2018
I was a recipient of an ARC of Her Fear by Shelley Shepard Gray which I won in a Goodreads giveaway that was sent to me by the publisher, Avon Inspire. It should be considered Christian romantic suspense. I have in the past read a number of Amish novels in this category, but none were in this series by Shelley Shepard Gray.
What I liked most about this book is that Gray doesn't portray the Amish as uniform in their beliefs and practices. The Old Order Amish that I read about in novels by Beverly Lewis still exist, but there are also New Order Amish and other distinct flavors of Amish that represent a variety of approaches. Gray has done her research. She includes notes on a couple of different topics that are relevant to this book. I was surprised to learn about the New Order Amish attitude toward alcohol use.
I appreciated Shelley Shepard Gray's characterization in Her Fear. The slow development of Sadie, the female protagonist, toward independent judgement and the evolution of her attitude toward the male protagonist was very well handled. I considered all the characters and relationships in this novel credible. There were some very emotionally powerful moments.
I also thought that the investigation of the murders that were happening among Sadie's relatives led to surprising revelations. So I would evaluate the suspense aspect of the novel as successful as well.
Unfortunately, the ARC edition that I received from the publisher contained errors that went beyond ordinary typographical mistakes. The most serious was an inconsistency in describing the relationship between Sadie's family of origin and her cousins. Were they related to her mother or her father? The first is more likely, but the second is possible and would alter my entire view of Sadie's father. I have no idea if this inconsistency exists in the finished book. I did see another review from someone who received a free copy on Goodreads who complained about this error and others that were less serious. Since it is a significant inconsistency, I can't in good conscience give this book a five star rating.
Publishers ask professional reviewers to consider only the text in finished copies even if they received an ARC. They are expected to consult the published version before finalizing their reviews. I feel that readers who aren't writing professional reviews shouldn't be expected to consult anything but the edition in their hands. I myself am in the category of non-professional reviewer. I do this in my spare time. So I'm telling you about the copy of the book that I read, but for the sake of accuracy I'm notifying readers who are considering a purchase of this book that the version for sale may be a corrected text without the errors that I found in the ARC. I'm really sorry that the early edition of such a good book had such a serious problem.
For the blog version of my review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
What I liked most about this book is that Gray doesn't portray the Amish as uniform in their beliefs and practices. The Old Order Amish that I read about in novels by Beverly Lewis still exist, but there are also New Order Amish and other distinct flavors of Amish that represent a variety of approaches. Gray has done her research. She includes notes on a couple of different topics that are relevant to this book. I was surprised to learn about the New Order Amish attitude toward alcohol use.
I appreciated Shelley Shepard Gray's characterization in Her Fear. The slow development of Sadie, the female protagonist, toward independent judgement and the evolution of her attitude toward the male protagonist was very well handled. I considered all the characters and relationships in this novel credible. There were some very emotionally powerful moments.
I also thought that the investigation of the murders that were happening among Sadie's relatives led to surprising revelations. So I would evaluate the suspense aspect of the novel as successful as well.
Unfortunately, the ARC edition that I received from the publisher contained errors that went beyond ordinary typographical mistakes. The most serious was an inconsistency in describing the relationship between Sadie's family of origin and her cousins. Were they related to her mother or her father? The first is more likely, but the second is possible and would alter my entire view of Sadie's father. I have no idea if this inconsistency exists in the finished book. I did see another review from someone who received a free copy on Goodreads who complained about this error and others that were less serious. Since it is a significant inconsistency, I can't in good conscience give this book a five star rating.
Publishers ask professional reviewers to consider only the text in finished copies even if they received an ARC. They are expected to consult the published version before finalizing their reviews. I feel that readers who aren't writing professional reviews shouldn't be expected to consult anything but the edition in their hands. I myself am in the category of non-professional reviewer. I do this in my spare time. So I'm telling you about the copy of the book that I read, but for the sake of accuracy I'm notifying readers who are considering a purchase of this book that the version for sale may be a corrected text without the errors that I found in the ARC. I'm really sorry that the early edition of such a good book had such a serious problem.
For the blog version of my review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
July 13, 2018
I received this book to review from the author, but all opinions are my own. I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. It has the right amount of suspense and romance to keep me interested. It’s very different from other Amish fiction in my opinion. Shelley never disappoints! Give this a try!
July 27, 2018
I received a free copy of this book for review. Opinions shared are mine.
This is the latest novel in the Amish of Hart County series. I've read 4 of the 5 titles. As with the other books in this series, the author doesn't shy away from hard topics in Her Fear. In fact, it's as if she goes after the most intense subject matter at the moment! Her Fear centers around a family hiding their involvement in illegal activities. Watch any reality TV show set in the South and you're likely to find a similar story line, but this time there are Amish characters involved! Other than the Amish mentions, there's relatively little mention of anything faith-related or Biblical in the story.
The setting of the book holds a lot of interest for me. When the characters visited Mammoth Cave, for example, it reminded me of our Horse Cave trip. That's the main reason I continue to read the Hart County books; it's fun to read about familiar places!
Though I wanted to really love this story, there were some issues that I couldn't ignore. It was confusing to figure out exactly how Sadie's family was connected to Stephen's family. At first mention, Stephen was an only child (page 8). On page 39, Sadie told Noah that Stephen was her mother's younger brother. Yet on page 212, Stephen says that his brother kicked Sadie out. Also, upon first introductions (page 52) it seemed that Stephen really disliked Daisy. He almost acts like she deserved to be "an old maid." Later, though, we're given the impression that he and Daisy had a thing going for years. STRANGE!
I did not like Sadie, and it had nothing to do with her situation as an unwed mother. Her parents were horribly abusive and cruel to her, which was sad, but honestly? She became a mooch. She lived with her relatives with zero thought about taking care of her own expenses or needs, and really took advantage of Noah. I did not respect her at all!
In deciding upon this book's overall review, I'd rate it 3 out of 5 stars. I liked that the author took risks about subject matter. It's interesting to learn about the different beliefs of various Amish groups, and I enjoyed seeing some of them hold jobs in the English world.
This is the latest novel in the Amish of Hart County series. I've read 4 of the 5 titles. As with the other books in this series, the author doesn't shy away from hard topics in Her Fear. In fact, it's as if she goes after the most intense subject matter at the moment! Her Fear centers around a family hiding their involvement in illegal activities. Watch any reality TV show set in the South and you're likely to find a similar story line, but this time there are Amish characters involved! Other than the Amish mentions, there's relatively little mention of anything faith-related or Biblical in the story.
The setting of the book holds a lot of interest for me. When the characters visited Mammoth Cave, for example, it reminded me of our Horse Cave trip. That's the main reason I continue to read the Hart County books; it's fun to read about familiar places!
Though I wanted to really love this story, there were some issues that I couldn't ignore. It was confusing to figure out exactly how Sadie's family was connected to Stephen's family. At first mention, Stephen was an only child (page 8). On page 39, Sadie told Noah that Stephen was her mother's younger brother. Yet on page 212, Stephen says that his brother kicked Sadie out. Also, upon first introductions (page 52) it seemed that Stephen really disliked Daisy. He almost acts like she deserved to be "an old maid." Later, though, we're given the impression that he and Daisy had a thing going for years. STRANGE!
I did not like Sadie, and it had nothing to do with her situation as an unwed mother. Her parents were horribly abusive and cruel to her, which was sad, but honestly? She became a mooch. She lived with her relatives with zero thought about taking care of her own expenses or needs, and really took advantage of Noah. I did not respect her at all!
In deciding upon this book's overall review, I'd rate it 3 out of 5 stars. I liked that the author took risks about subject matter. It's interesting to learn about the different beliefs of various Amish groups, and I enjoyed seeing some of them hold jobs in the English world.
July 9, 2018
In this heartwarming story, the reader is reminded of how love can be found in many ways. From unplanned pregnancy to family rules to the possibility of finding love, this story brings many emotions. I enjoyed this one very much. I received a copy of this book and this is my personal honest opinion. No review was required.
July 25, 2018
I have enjoyed this series and I really liked the fact that this one was not your average Amish book. Gray does not write and make you feel that the Amish are perfect and never sin. It was a refreshing read. I recommend it!
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
September 17, 2018
Gray's The Amish of Hart County is an exciting Amish series, and Her Fear is great new addition to it! I love the creative and unusual conflicts that Gray writes into her Amish novels, and Her Fear has a doozy. Sadie finds herself in a situation which is rarely mentioned in terms of the Amish but is a real problem in our American society. It's refreshing to see this realism written into an Amish novel.
While the problems are real, Gray's signature sweetness still rules the novel. Sadie's faith and innocence, despite her problems, make her a loveable main character. I enjoyed the way that she works to overcome her problems and find a workable solution to them.
In that same vein, Noah is an exciting leading man. I admired his dedication to doing what was right and to helping others My favorite books are those that feature characters I'd want as friends, and Gray excels at creating this kind of cast.
Although this is the last book in the series, I'm excited to share that there's a Christmas book, too! I'm super happy about that - we get at least one more visit to Hart County.
If edgy or unusual Amish fiction is your thing, you'll definitely want to read Her Fear.
I received a free copy of Her Fear from the author. All opinions are my own.
While the problems are real, Gray's signature sweetness still rules the novel. Sadie's faith and innocence, despite her problems, make her a loveable main character. I enjoyed the way that she works to overcome her problems and find a workable solution to them.
In that same vein, Noah is an exciting leading man. I admired his dedication to doing what was right and to helping others My favorite books are those that feature characters I'd want as friends, and Gray excels at creating this kind of cast.
Although this is the last book in the series, I'm excited to share that there's a Christmas book, too! I'm super happy about that - we get at least one more visit to Hart County.
If edgy or unusual Amish fiction is your thing, you'll definitely want to read Her Fear.
I received a free copy of Her Fear from the author. All opinions are my own.
September 26, 2018
It was written fine, the story was not a run of the mill story, it was interesting. The main character, Sadie, was fine. Like many romance novels the author really lays it on thick how downtrodden the heroine is, how wronged she is. It was a bit much but the author keeps her firmly in the role of someone to feel sorry for because of how she's been treated and that she's vulnerable in several ways.
Sadie's realization about how poorly her parents have treated her, her clarity with which she views them by the end of the book is too much. Too much to believe that she could see and understand her parents so clearly, objectively in so short a time.
Worth reading, especially if you like Amish fiction. More than just a romance, there are other things going on that are interesting.
If you like Amish fiction if you like Shelley Shephard Gray who specializes in Amish fiction you'll want to read this book. You might want to own a copy, it's above average. My library copy was fine for me, I can just return it and read it again some other time if I want to though I'm not sure I'll ever read it again. Too many other books I've never read. :)
Sadie's realization about how poorly her parents have treated her, her clarity with which she views them by the end of the book is too much. Too much to believe that she could see and understand her parents so clearly, objectively in so short a time.
Worth reading, especially if you like Amish fiction. More than just a romance, there are other things going on that are interesting.
If you like Amish fiction if you like Shelley Shephard Gray who specializes in Amish fiction you'll want to read this book. You might want to own a copy, it's above average. My library copy was fine for me, I can just return it and read it again some other time if I want to though I'm not sure I'll ever read it again. Too many other books I've never read. :)
October 30, 2018
"Fear was being alone. Fear was feeling abandoned. Fear was realizing that anyone could lie, hurt, and betray her. Anyone at all."
Phew! That whoosh you hear is hours worth of pent-up breath being released at last. What an emotional, mysterious, compelling read! Amish with a bit of a Gothic vibe is how I'd describe Her Fear.
Burdened by crippling fear is no way to face a fresh start -- especially when there seems to be more to fear in Sadie's new situation than her last. Gray draws out the intrigue and the drama in the midst of family dysfunction shadowed by something sinister.
And there's Noah, a bright light shining in the darkness. Too good to be true -- especially for a woman who wears fear like a second skin. He's drawn to her and she's more than a little wary. Their life stories are completely opposite. He's from a nurturing family whose love and support has allowed him to make his own way in a non-traditional Amish occupation. She's browbeaten and abandoned by a harsh father after a lifetime of condemnation and ridicule. Love blossoms beneath a cloak of mystery and I gobbled up their story in one sitting because I couldn't stand not knowing what would happen next.
Phew! That whoosh you hear is hours worth of pent-up breath being released at last. What an emotional, mysterious, compelling read! Amish with a bit of a Gothic vibe is how I'd describe Her Fear.
Burdened by crippling fear is no way to face a fresh start -- especially when there seems to be more to fear in Sadie's new situation than her last. Gray draws out the intrigue and the drama in the midst of family dysfunction shadowed by something sinister.
And there's Noah, a bright light shining in the darkness. Too good to be true -- especially for a woman who wears fear like a second skin. He's drawn to her and she's more than a little wary. Their life stories are completely opposite. He's from a nurturing family whose love and support has allowed him to make his own way in a non-traditional Amish occupation. She's browbeaten and abandoned by a harsh father after a lifetime of condemnation and ridicule. Love blossoms beneath a cloak of mystery and I gobbled up their story in one sitting because I couldn't stand not knowing what would happen next.
July 14, 2024
Her Fear by Shelley Shepard Gray
The Amish of Hart County #5
276-page Hardback story ends on page 261, there are 14 P. S. pages
Genre: Amish Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Christian Romance
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Epigraphs, Note to Reader - Not based on Individuals; Days & Dates, Dumped Trope, Pregnancy Out of Wedlock, Kicked Out, Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio; June, July, August, EMTs, Kentucky; Hart County, Kentucky; Mysterious Deaths, Multiple POVs, Secrets, P. S. - Meet the Author, Author's Letter, Moonshine, Kentucky; Amish Firemen and EMTs, Discussion Questions, Sneak Peak at Book 6 His Promise
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🤰🏼
My thoughts: 📖 Page 57 of 261/276 Chapter 7 - I love it! I'm going to be mad if her ex doesn't get called out and proven to be the father.
I liked this one a lot. It was pretty comforting. I was satisfied with the ending and the pacing was great.
Recommend to others: Yes! This series has been great and this is one of the best stories of it.
Amish of Hart County
1. Her Secret (2017)
2. His Guilt (2017)
3. The Gift (2017)
4. His Risk (2018)
5. Her Fear (2018)
6. His Promise (2018)
The Amish of Hart County #5
276-page Hardback story ends on page 261, there are 14 P. S. pages
Genre: Amish Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Christian Romance
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Epigraphs, Note to Reader - Not based on Individuals; Days & Dates, Dumped Trope, Pregnancy Out of Wedlock, Kicked Out, Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio; June, July, August, EMTs, Kentucky; Hart County, Kentucky; Mysterious Deaths, Multiple POVs, Secrets, P. S. - Meet the Author, Author's Letter, Moonshine, Kentucky; Amish Firemen and EMTs, Discussion Questions, Sneak Peak at Book 6 His Promise
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½🤰🏼
My thoughts: 📖 Page 57 of 261/276 Chapter 7 - I love it! I'm going to be mad if her ex doesn't get called out and proven to be the father.
I liked this one a lot. It was pretty comforting. I was satisfied with the ending and the pacing was great.
Recommend to others: Yes! This series has been great and this is one of the best stories of it.
Amish of Hart County
1. Her Secret (2017)
2. His Guilt (2017)
3. The Gift (2017)
4. His Risk (2018)
5. Her Fear (2018)
6. His Promise (2018)
August 7, 2018
A raw and emotional look at the Amish who have flaws instead of painting them in a perfect light. It deals with an unexpected pregnancy and a lie that sets off a series of events that sends Sadie away. The course has many twists and turns and your heart is broken for her. It is a story of overcoming fear, forgiveness, finding love in unexpected places, and running the race that God has set before us. I love the Amish Proverb, “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” Sadie does just that...she makes the best of a difficult situation and does whatever is required to protect her unborn child. This is a book of Hope and draws you in with its characterization and a story that grabs you from the first line. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
July 23, 2018
I could not put this book down which was perfect for a rainy, lazy Sunday. Shelley Shepard Gray has done it again. A five star read in her The Amish of Hart County series.
Sadie finds herself in Kentucky with relatives she has never met. On top of that she is pregnant. When her aunt falls ill and the EMTs are called she meets Noah, an Amish EMT. Sparks fly instantly but he doesn't know she is pregnant and she doesn't know he thinks something sinister is going on at the home. Will Sadie and Noah be able to overcome all the odds against them to pursue a relationship?
Sadie's strength and strong, unwavering belief in God is amazing. If I ever found myself in a similar situation I hope I can have comfort that God has me. I hope I can be as forgiving as Noah if the time ever presented itself.
This series is a favorite of mine as it is set in my home state so a lot of places mentioned I either know of them or have been there. Shelley does a great job in making sure each book is connected but at the same time letting them read as a stand alone novel.
I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and the publisher, Avon Inspire. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Sadie finds herself in Kentucky with relatives she has never met. On top of that she is pregnant. When her aunt falls ill and the EMTs are called she meets Noah, an Amish EMT. Sparks fly instantly but he doesn't know she is pregnant and she doesn't know he thinks something sinister is going on at the home. Will Sadie and Noah be able to overcome all the odds against them to pursue a relationship?
Sadie's strength and strong, unwavering belief in God is amazing. If I ever found myself in a similar situation I hope I can have comfort that God has me. I hope I can be as forgiving as Noah if the time ever presented itself.
This series is a favorite of mine as it is set in my home state so a lot of places mentioned I either know of them or have been there. Shelley does a great job in making sure each book is connected but at the same time letting them read as a stand alone novel.
I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and the publisher, Avon Inspire. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
January 14, 2022
An old story of man promise women anything that leaves when she get pregnant. In this Amish setting, Sade’s parent believed the man rather than their daughter on who were the participants. Disowned by her father, Sade is sent away to leave with relatives with their own secrets. Her aunt dies and one of the emergency medical technicians just happens to be Amish. This is a story of faith, consequences and trust. The many layers of relationship was illustrated by Sade’s thoughts as her mother tried to convince her it was time to return to mother’s now husbandless home. “Sade knew her mother probably believed that, but she also knew that her mother had willingly turned a blind eye to many cruel things her husband had done.”
August 20, 2018
Her Fear is the fifth installment from Shelley Shepard Gray’s The Amish of Hart County series. I believe it can be read as a stand alone. I found the story line in this book to be pretty intense. I found it to be worth a read even though it having some confusing scenes that I did not understand. It was mostly good with some suspense and mystery.
I give Her Fear three and a half stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I give Her Fear three and a half stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
October 11, 2018
Sadie is an unmarried Amish girl whose family sends her away to a family with lots of secrets. She had been living with a harsh father so is enjoying some comforts and the attention of an Amish man. The grandmother dies and it isn’t from natural causes, when 3 more people die the hunt is on for the cause. This had interesting information on the Amish being EMTs and other parts of the Amish life.
July 9, 2018
This book grabbed my interest right from the beginning. It was so well written that I felt like I personally knew the characters. The author did a lot of research about the Amish customs and traditions and that is reflected in her book. I especially loved the character Sadie. She had many struggles with her family and dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. I am now interested in reading more from this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book to read and give an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity, thank you
I received an ARC copy of this book to read and give an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity, thank you
August 4, 2018
I liked this one more than the previous book in this series but not as much as the first three. This one deals with a family figuring out the right path for each one to take. There wasn't much talk of faith, though, which was disappointing. I thought that it should, would play a bigger role in this story.
July 1, 2018
What a story you are about to begin as you turn the pages on the latest sequel to the Hart County Amish, and it will sure keep your attention.
The author has touched on some really deep subjects here including, abandonment, abuse, bootlegging, death, and then you will see how it all ties together.
I have loved all of the books in this series so far, and this one sure doesn’t disappoint, and when finished I was ready to read on in their lives of these new friends.
I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher Avon Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
The author has touched on some really deep subjects here including, abandonment, abuse, bootlegging, death, and then you will see how it all ties together.
I have loved all of the books in this series so far, and this one sure doesn’t disappoint, and when finished I was ready to read on in their lives of these new friends.
I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher Avon Inspired, and was not required to give a positive review.
July 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! I really liked the storyline and the characters. It was really different to read about an Amish EMT, but I liked it. It was nice to see a familiar face in this story and to kind of get an update on his life. This whole series is my favorite of Shelley Shepard Gray’s books. I highly recommend them!
*I was provided a free copy of the book from the publisher, but I wasn’t obligated to post a review. All thoughts are my own.*
*I was provided a free copy of the book from the publisher, but I wasn’t obligated to post a review. All thoughts are my own.*
April 15, 2021
Shelley Shepard Gray often writes about the Amish but she doesn't portray them as perfect people with no faults or problems. Her characters are like most of us. We try, we falter and we sometimes fail but through God's love and grace, we can be forgiven. Sadie Detweiler is Amish but she is no different than many other young women who have trusted in the wrong person and then found themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy alone. Sadie is forced to leave her Ohio home and go to live with relatives she barely knows in Hart County, Kentucky and she immediately becomes a part of circumstances that are both mysterious and perhaps life-threatening. Noah Freeman is a young Amish man working as an EMT and he intuitively recognizes her need for friendship and understanding. He steps in to help her and his strength and his kindness support her as she tries to make a life for her unborn child.
This book deals with deceit and manipulation, the illegal production of moonshine, some unexplained deaths and the consequences of breaking the law. I found the title Her Fear very appropriate because there are many kinds of fear woven into this story and they affect several of the characters. Fear of disobedience, fear of discovery, fear of failure, fear of being unable to provide for a child and fear of being alone and never finding happiness. Through it all, however, there is the presence of hope and a reminder that forgiveness is possible and that God will prevail.
Shelley Shepard Gray possesses a wonderful talent of creating characters who are fallible but never beyond redemption and situations that seem hopeless but never irreparable. I heartily recommend this fifth book of The Amish of Hart County series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher but I wasn't obligated to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.
This book deals with deceit and manipulation, the illegal production of moonshine, some unexplained deaths and the consequences of breaking the law. I found the title Her Fear very appropriate because there are many kinds of fear woven into this story and they affect several of the characters. Fear of disobedience, fear of discovery, fear of failure, fear of being unable to provide for a child and fear of being alone and never finding happiness. Through it all, however, there is the presence of hope and a reminder that forgiveness is possible and that God will prevail.
Shelley Shepard Gray possesses a wonderful talent of creating characters who are fallible but never beyond redemption and situations that seem hopeless but never irreparable. I heartily recommend this fifth book of The Amish of Hart County series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher but I wasn't obligated to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.
July 12, 2018
This is the fifth of the Amish of Hart County Series and in my opinion , the best yet!! As I have read each book in this series, I have been impressed with this author's ability to draw one into the lives of the characters in the stories to the extent of feeling their every fear, hurt and challenge. Her Fear is no exception!! The characters are described in such a vivid , detailed way that the reader immediately finds herself walking alongside them in their rocky road of life . The somewhat delicate subjects of unplanned pregnancy, abuse, bootlegging, as well as abandonment, are dealt with in a respectful, caring manner. Shelley has done her research well. The reactions of the community are those that are often somewhat surprising to us, as we just don't expect this quiet faith to encounter these problems. Well, guess what? We are all human and God puts us all in challenging positions at one time or another. The real test is how we handle it.
The plot moves quickly with surprising twists and turns in the most unexpected places. I was totally engaged from the first to the last page of this book. My inability to put it down was evidence of the power it held over my emotions. The love of family and community is what makes us who we are, but it certainly is not an easy road. Love can be found in many different ways, as this story shows. Strong family ties can help hurts heal and make the future brighter.
Fantastic read!! A unique novel in the Amish Fiction genre! Don't miss it!!! Being released on July 27th.
This book was supplied by the author and publisher. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
July 24, 2018
Her Fear is book 5 in the The Amish of Hart County series. I have not read all the series but plan on going back to read those i missed. This book was fine as a stand alone also. Wonderful Characters well written.
Sadie finds herself pregnant and the father accuses her of being with someone else it isn't his. Her parents don't believe her and send her away to relatives she doesn't even know. Things are going on that are secretive and even a sudden death of a relative. People are coming up dead in other places also. What is killing these people is it a accident or is it on purpose? What is going on in the basement of the house that is so secretive ? Another great novel by Shelley.
Sadie finds herself pregnant and the father accuses her of being with someone else it isn't his. Her parents don't believe her and send her away to relatives she doesn't even know. Things are going on that are secretive and even a sudden death of a relative. People are coming up dead in other places also. What is killing these people is it a accident or is it on purpose? What is going on in the basement of the house that is so secretive ? Another great novel by Shelley.
November 6, 2022
I enjoyed reading this but had some problems with some plot points. I may have misread and, quite frankly, do not want to bother to go back and check, but at one point the reason the family kept making moonshine was that they wee being blackmailed, but it is never mentioned again. Another was if everyone, including the sheriff, knows that they are doing something illegal, why are they not brought in earlier? Anyway, glad it all worked out, but that is one of the benefits of reading this kind of novel, you know it will all work out.
April 24, 2018
Another really good read in this series.
September 10, 2018
Today's post is a book review on Her Fear by Shelley Shepard Gray. This is the fifth book in The Amish of Hart County series, and since we've been on board with this series since March of 2017, it was great to be included in this book too!
First in the series was Her Secret released in March of 2017. The second book in the series was His Guilt in released in July of 2017, and the third book was The Gift released in November of 2017. The fourth book in the series was His Risk, which was released in March of 2018.
Thank you Shelley Shepard Gray! While I have completely enjoyed this series, I have to say I really liked the fact that this one was not your average Amish book. While Her Fear can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the entire series.
While Her Fear provides the traditional things we have come to love in an Amish story like romance and mystery, but it also included topics we usually don't see in Amish fiction novels. To be honest, Her Fear reminds us that Amish folks are just like English folks - they are not perfect people, and no one is perfect except God.
Her Fear centers around Sadie Detweiler who becomes pregnant and is faced with an unexpected response to that pregnancy. As a result, her family sends her away to distant and extended family of a different sect of the Amish community. When she arrives, she learns that this family does many things so differently than her family.
When Sadie arrives, the matriarch of the family, Verba, becomes mysteriously ill and later dies. An EMT that comes to the scene notices Sadie standing alone and quiet. Noah Freeman is that EMT and over time, Sadie grows attracted to him. Noah is an Amish EMT and I was a little surprised at this, so I looked it up and found out that the Amish do work as EMTs, firefighters and first responders. Anyway, Noah is different than all of the other Amish men Sadie has met; she's comfortable with him and she finds herself really liking him. The only thing holding Sadie back from being honest with her feelings is the fact that she is pregnant and she's not sure how Noah will react when he finds out.
Verba later dies at the hospital and then two others die suspiciously, so Noah's boss wants him to dig around the Amish community for clues. He finds himself attracted to Sadie, and he sees her as vulnerable and fearful. Noah wants to help Sadie and wants to be there for her as he senses something going on in the house that Sadie is living in. Noah can’t help himself from thinking about Sadie, so he finds reasons just to check up on her.
This book was such a super great read. Shelley Shepard Gray's writing is phenomenal (as always) and with the plot twists and turns, reading the book from cover to cover was very easy to do. Whether you've read the other books in the series or whether this would be your first, I definitely recommend Her Fear, and I can't wait for October, when His Promise is released!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins Publishing and Thomas Nelson, in exchange for this post. A positive review was not required.
First in the series was Her Secret released in March of 2017. The second book in the series was His Guilt in released in July of 2017, and the third book was The Gift released in November of 2017. The fourth book in the series was His Risk, which was released in March of 2018.
Thank you Shelley Shepard Gray! While I have completely enjoyed this series, I have to say I really liked the fact that this one was not your average Amish book. While Her Fear can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the entire series.
While Her Fear provides the traditional things we have come to love in an Amish story like romance and mystery, but it also included topics we usually don't see in Amish fiction novels. To be honest, Her Fear reminds us that Amish folks are just like English folks - they are not perfect people, and no one is perfect except God.
Her Fear centers around Sadie Detweiler who becomes pregnant and is faced with an unexpected response to that pregnancy. As a result, her family sends her away to distant and extended family of a different sect of the Amish community. When she arrives, she learns that this family does many things so differently than her family.
When Sadie arrives, the matriarch of the family, Verba, becomes mysteriously ill and later dies. An EMT that comes to the scene notices Sadie standing alone and quiet. Noah Freeman is that EMT and over time, Sadie grows attracted to him. Noah is an Amish EMT and I was a little surprised at this, so I looked it up and found out that the Amish do work as EMTs, firefighters and first responders. Anyway, Noah is different than all of the other Amish men Sadie has met; she's comfortable with him and she finds herself really liking him. The only thing holding Sadie back from being honest with her feelings is the fact that she is pregnant and she's not sure how Noah will react when he finds out.
Verba later dies at the hospital and then two others die suspiciously, so Noah's boss wants him to dig around the Amish community for clues. He finds himself attracted to Sadie, and he sees her as vulnerable and fearful. Noah wants to help Sadie and wants to be there for her as he senses something going on in the house that Sadie is living in. Noah can’t help himself from thinking about Sadie, so he finds reasons just to check up on her.
This book was such a super great read. Shelley Shepard Gray's writing is phenomenal (as always) and with the plot twists and turns, reading the book from cover to cover was very easy to do. Whether you've read the other books in the series or whether this would be your first, I definitely recommend Her Fear, and I can't wait for October, when His Promise is released!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins Publishing and Thomas Nelson, in exchange for this post. A positive review was not required.
November 2, 2018
For the love of all the tomatoes, the darkness that shadows this community has a reach that extends the borders of Hart County and even beyond Kentucky. I know that sounds bad but let me explain. Each book has brought us less than ideal families, predominately in the Amish communities. Dysfunctional families with shades of abuse are not uncommon. There are no boundaries for negative family dynamics. Shelley Shepard Gray manages to remind us that these dynamics have as much potential to occur in Amish communities as English communities. I feel like someone is going to take these statements all kinds of skewed, please bear with me as I attempt to make thoughts become words. Most members of these dysfunctional families aren't out there advertising the issues at home, whether they be physical or emotional. There is a level of embarrassment that plays into this, along with shame and the obvious guilt. The fact that the Amish separate themselves from the English world, as much as possible, it is less likely to be recognized in these communities. While facts tell us that this travesty literally crosses all socioeconomic boundaries, religions, ethnic backgrounds, et al; in our misguided idealizing of the Amish faith we forget that in reality it's a human problem and Amish are just human. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have even picked up on this if I wasn't power reading this series, but I digress. Moving on. Sadie isn't from Hart County but she finds herself there due to human condition; a dysfunctional family and a little jumping the gun on marriage benefits. Pregnant, lied about, not believed by her family, sent packing by her family to cousins in Hart County, and finding herself drowning in even more secrets and subterfuge.
Let's start by addressing the elephant in the community. I don't mean to spoiler you but I'm going to so um, if you don't wanna know? Don't read this. The Stauffer's still moonshine. Everyone knows it. Everyone. It's not a secret, they just think it is. To be fair, Sadie doesn't know it. It's not specifically said until deep into the story but I mean. The. Entire. County. Knows. It. Everyone. Perhaps that's why Sadie's parents thought they were the worst of the worst. Although, in my opinion, her parent's aren't very redeeming themselves. Everyone needs someone to look down on I suppose. Noah. Noah has an annoying streak to him that grated on and off my nerves. He is so convinced that this shy, skittish, young woman is in danger. She's sworn she's not in danger. In trouble yes, not in danger. Until he pushes them all so far that her personal situation is revealed in a crowded nursery for all to hear. So much for the ability to share her own news at her own time. I completely blame Noah. I mean, don't get me wrong he's totally redeeming but he's obsessive. Like I said it was grating on and off. His obsession does have some positives to it. He saved Sadie from her family. He saved Sadie from herself. His loved possibly saved them both.
There is so much redemption in this book beyond Sadie and Noah. The Stauffer family finds their own redemption. Stephen and his guilt between bringing his children into the family business after the death of their mother. Stephen and forgiving himself for falling back into the 'family business' instead of fighting harder to find another way to support his family when things started falling apart. Monroe, for fighting with himself over the moonshine. His fight to keep it secret while also fighting the fact that he hated doing it. There's two qoutes I highlighted as I read this book that I think really hit home the theme of redemption that this book has for me. First, Monroe is asking his dad if he still loves him after Esther ends up in the hospital due to the family business. 'I can,' he whispered, thinking that was what Jesus did for them. He loved them even when He didn't understand their actions. The second thing that really clung to me was when Sadie realized that the family she found with the Stauffer's was the best family she had ever had. That their care and concern and even love for her, even when it came across as sideways, was something she had never had with her family. Finally, she understood what God's love really was. It didn't come with conditions or favors or sacrifices. He didn't want her to be perfect or obedient or demure. He wanted her to be the person He'd intended for her to be. That right there is something I think needs to cling to all of us for a moment or ninety. Until next week . . . with the release of 'His Promise'.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Edelweiss+. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/her-fear/.
Let's start by addressing the elephant in the community. I don't mean to spoiler you but I'm going to so um, if you don't wanna know? Don't read this. The Stauffer's still moonshine. Everyone knows it. Everyone. It's not a secret, they just think it is. To be fair, Sadie doesn't know it. It's not specifically said until deep into the story but I mean. The. Entire. County. Knows. It. Everyone. Perhaps that's why Sadie's parents thought they were the worst of the worst. Although, in my opinion, her parent's aren't very redeeming themselves. Everyone needs someone to look down on I suppose. Noah. Noah has an annoying streak to him that grated on and off my nerves. He is so convinced that this shy, skittish, young woman is in danger. She's sworn she's not in danger. In trouble yes, not in danger. Until he pushes them all so far that her personal situation is revealed in a crowded nursery for all to hear. So much for the ability to share her own news at her own time. I completely blame Noah. I mean, don't get me wrong he's totally redeeming but he's obsessive. Like I said it was grating on and off. His obsession does have some positives to it. He saved Sadie from her family. He saved Sadie from herself. His loved possibly saved them both.
There is so much redemption in this book beyond Sadie and Noah. The Stauffer family finds their own redemption. Stephen and his guilt between bringing his children into the family business after the death of their mother. Stephen and forgiving himself for falling back into the 'family business' instead of fighting harder to find another way to support his family when things started falling apart. Monroe, for fighting with himself over the moonshine. His fight to keep it secret while also fighting the fact that he hated doing it. There's two qoutes I highlighted as I read this book that I think really hit home the theme of redemption that this book has for me. First, Monroe is asking his dad if he still loves him after Esther ends up in the hospital due to the family business. 'I can,' he whispered, thinking that was what Jesus did for them. He loved them even when He didn't understand their actions. The second thing that really clung to me was when Sadie realized that the family she found with the Stauffer's was the best family she had ever had. That their care and concern and even love for her, even when it came across as sideways, was something she had never had with her family. Finally, she understood what God's love really was. It didn't come with conditions or favors or sacrifices. He didn't want her to be perfect or obedient or demure. He wanted her to be the person He'd intended for her to be. That right there is something I think needs to cling to all of us for a moment or ninety. Until next week . . . with the release of 'His Promise'.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Edelweiss+. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.com/her-fear/.
September 28, 2018
Her Fear by author Shelley Shepard Gray is a Christian Contemporary Amish Romance Suspense novel published by Avon. This 271 page book is Book 5 in the Amish of Hart County. Being a Hoosier, I especially enjoyed this series on the Amish of Hart County, Kentucky where some of our friends live.
This captivating book starts out getting your attention and refuses to let loose. The characters are endearing or aggravating. Topics tackled are tough yet relevant to today’s society. While many do not deal with bootlegging the issue of abandonment, unplanned pregnancies, and family relations are very real. Some topics are frightening and mysterious.
This is the tale of Sadie Detweiler, an Amish young woman who finds herself shuffled off to Kentucky. She is staying with relatives that are basically strangers. In fact, they will only provide a place for her in the kitchen. It is also about Amish EMT Noah Freeman. Noah is a kind, compassionate man. Everyone likes him.
Tragedy strikes throwing Sadie and Noah together. Unexpected things happen, a mystery develops, and emotions went crazy with this reader. With the fabulous way Author Gray writes, I felt as if I was in the middle of this upheaval. The descriptions of what happened and where were very authentic. Dialogue was smooth and freely flowed. Main and secondary characters were so well rounded it was easy to become invested in their lives.
Author Gray did an exemplary job researching, planning, and writing this series. Each book gets better. This book was a fast paced, do not put me down one. I hope it is made into a television series. All five books are so good and should not be missed. Each one taught me a little something I did not know about the Amish.
I definitely recommend this to any reader. It is is good. I wanted to call up a friend to chat about it. The emotional roller coaster ride it took me on was one I wish I had shared with a friend. Do that. Read it in a group. There is much to discuss. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher and author. All opinions are my own honest ones.
This captivating book starts out getting your attention and refuses to let loose. The characters are endearing or aggravating. Topics tackled are tough yet relevant to today’s society. While many do not deal with bootlegging the issue of abandonment, unplanned pregnancies, and family relations are very real. Some topics are frightening and mysterious.
This is the tale of Sadie Detweiler, an Amish young woman who finds herself shuffled off to Kentucky. She is staying with relatives that are basically strangers. In fact, they will only provide a place for her in the kitchen. It is also about Amish EMT Noah Freeman. Noah is a kind, compassionate man. Everyone likes him.
Tragedy strikes throwing Sadie and Noah together. Unexpected things happen, a mystery develops, and emotions went crazy with this reader. With the fabulous way Author Gray writes, I felt as if I was in the middle of this upheaval. The descriptions of what happened and where were very authentic. Dialogue was smooth and freely flowed. Main and secondary characters were so well rounded it was easy to become invested in their lives.
Author Gray did an exemplary job researching, planning, and writing this series. Each book gets better. This book was a fast paced, do not put me down one. I hope it is made into a television series. All five books are so good and should not be missed. Each one taught me a little something I did not know about the Amish.
I definitely recommend this to any reader. It is is good. I wanted to call up a friend to chat about it. The emotional roller coaster ride it took me on was one I wish I had shared with a friend. Do that. Read it in a group. There is much to discuss. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher and author. All opinions are my own honest ones.
September 18, 2018
Her fear is the 5th book written by author Shelley Shepard Gray in the Amish of Hart County series. There are 288 pages and 33 chapters that will keep you as the reader, enthralled till the very end. I have been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to read and review 4 out of her 6 books in this Amish series.
This book is centered around young Amish girl, Sadie Detweiler. She has an unplanned pregnancy that throws her entire life into turmoil. The man who impregnated her refuses to marry her after finding out about the pregnancy. Her parents then shunned her in order to maintain their standing in the Amish community. Sadie, is then sent to live with relatives in Kentucky. There is some tension between her and her relatives, The Stauffer's. This only increases shortly after her arrival in Kentucky. The matriarch, Verba Stauffer dies of a mysterious illness. Noah Freeman is one of the paramedics who responds to the Stauffer home when Verba passes away. He is young, an Amish EMT, & is immediately smitten with the mysterious Sadie . The Stauffer family urge's Sadie to ignore Noah. Unaware that there is more to Sadie's hesitation to become involved with him, Noah is shocked when he learns about her pregnancy.
There are some tough and sensitive things that happen in this book to the characters. The author does not shy away from writing about these issues either. There is unplanned pregnancy, family abandonment issues, and unexpected mysterious deaths. This story moves fast but with some surprising twists and turns. As in life, where tragedy strikes, there will most certainly be new beginnings. Will Sadie and Noah be able to overcome all these things happening to be able to truly pursue a relationship? Unlike some of the other books in this series by author Shelley Shepard Gray, there is of little mention about the Amish's faith and their religion. Each book I read in this book series, gets better and better, the author does great job at telling very surreal stories. Her Fear, an Amish fiction tale, was a worthy read.
This book is centered around young Amish girl, Sadie Detweiler. She has an unplanned pregnancy that throws her entire life into turmoil. The man who impregnated her refuses to marry her after finding out about the pregnancy. Her parents then shunned her in order to maintain their standing in the Amish community. Sadie, is then sent to live with relatives in Kentucky. There is some tension between her and her relatives, The Stauffer's. This only increases shortly after her arrival in Kentucky. The matriarch, Verba Stauffer dies of a mysterious illness. Noah Freeman is one of the paramedics who responds to the Stauffer home when Verba passes away. He is young, an Amish EMT, & is immediately smitten with the mysterious Sadie . The Stauffer family urge's Sadie to ignore Noah. Unaware that there is more to Sadie's hesitation to become involved with him, Noah is shocked when he learns about her pregnancy.
There are some tough and sensitive things that happen in this book to the characters. The author does not shy away from writing about these issues either. There is unplanned pregnancy, family abandonment issues, and unexpected mysterious deaths. This story moves fast but with some surprising twists and turns. As in life, where tragedy strikes, there will most certainly be new beginnings. Will Sadie and Noah be able to overcome all these things happening to be able to truly pursue a relationship? Unlike some of the other books in this series by author Shelley Shepard Gray, there is of little mention about the Amish's faith and their religion. Each book I read in this book series, gets better and better, the author does great job at telling very surreal stories. Her Fear, an Amish fiction tale, was a worthy read.
August 5, 2018
Shelley Shepherd Gray often writes about the Amish but she doesn't portray them as perfect people with no faults or problems. Her characters are like most of us. We try, we falter and we sometimes fail but through God's love and grace, we can be forgiven. Sadie Detweiler is Amish but she is no different than many other young women who have trusted in the wrong person and then found themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy alone. Sadie is forced to leave her Ohio home and go to live with relatives she barely knows in Hart County, Kentucky and she immediately becomes a part of circumstances that are both mysterious and perhaps life-threatening. Noah Freeman is a young Amish man working as an EMT and he intuitively recognizes her need for friendship and understanding. He steps in to help her and his strength and his kindness support her as she tries to make a life for her unborn child.
This book deals with deceit and manipulation, the illegal production of moonshine, some unexplained deaths and the consequences of breaking the law. I found the title Her Fear very appropriate because there are many kinds of fear woven into this story and they affect several of the characters. Fear of disobedience, fear of discovery, fear of failure, fear of being unable to provide for a child and fear of being alone and never finding happiness. Through it all, however, there is the presence of hope and a reminder that forgiveness is possible and that God will prevail.
Shelley Shepherd Gray possesses a wonderful talent of creating characters who are fallible but never beyond redemption and situations that seem hopeless but never irreparable. I heartily recommend this fifth book of The Amish of Hart County series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher but I wasn't obligated to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.
This book deals with deceit and manipulation, the illegal production of moonshine, some unexplained deaths and the consequences of breaking the law. I found the title Her Fear very appropriate because there are many kinds of fear woven into this story and they affect several of the characters. Fear of disobedience, fear of discovery, fear of failure, fear of being unable to provide for a child and fear of being alone and never finding happiness. Through it all, however, there is the presence of hope and a reminder that forgiveness is possible and that God will prevail.
Shelley Shepherd Gray possesses a wonderful talent of creating characters who are fallible but never beyond redemption and situations that seem hopeless but never irreparable. I heartily recommend this fifth book of The Amish of Hart County series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher but I wasn't obligated to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.
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