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An Amish Homecoming
The Courage to Love
An Amish Homecoming story from bestselling author Shelley Shepard Grey.
After the death of her Englisch husband, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for helping them around the house. But when Mary Ruth and Henry's son Marcus comes around, he isn't pleased with the woman they've taken in and is determined to push her out. Misunderstandings abound, but both Irene and Marcus learn that people aren't always what they seem.
After the death of her Englisch husband, Irene Keim seeks a fresh start by staying with her new friends Mary Ruth and Henry Wengerd in exchange for helping them around the house. But when Mary Ruth and Henry's son Marcus comes around, he isn't pleased with the woman they've taken in and is determined to push her out. Misunderstandings abound, but both Irene and Marcus learn that people aren't always what they seem.
- GenresAmish
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2018
15 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Shepard Gray
126 books2,319 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 18, 2024
Such a lovely and emotional short story. Some great messages in this one. A very happyreader and listener!
March 30, 2025
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray (2018)
Amish Homecoming series
related series Amish of Hart County
+85-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Christian Romance > Amish Fiction
Featuring: Epigraphs, Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words, Sequel, Characters From Another Story, Recap, PTSD, Hart County, Kentucky; Older Couple, Boarder, Adult Child, Prejudice-to-Lovers Trope, Close Proximity Trope, Shopkeeper, Discussion Questions, Cover Advertisement for What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller, Author's Links
Rating as a movie: PG
Books and Authors mentioned: His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray
Memorable Quotes: Marcus got to his feet. “Mamm, Daed, did you know about this?” Henry nodded. “We did. And now you do too. Sit back down.” He didn’t move an inch. “But don’t you think we ought to discuss this?” “There is nothing to talk about,” Mary Ruth said, her voice crisp. “Now, please. Sit back down and relax. You’re making Irene upset.” At last Marcus did what his mother asked, but it was obvious he wanted to discuss things further. Irene looked at her feet and tried to calm down. It was difficult, though, because she could feel the tension in the room. “You are letting your past taint the present, son,” Henry said. “This has nothing to do with Beth,” Marcus blurted before closing his eyes. After exhaling, he looked at Irene again. “I’m sorry for my outburst. I . . . well, I must be more tired than I thought.” “It’s all right,” Irene murmured, though she knew she was lying. She hadn’t appreciated his outburst at all. Honestly, it was as if all the joy she’d felt only thirty minutes earlier had evaporated and left the air in the room feeling almost brittle. Though it was selfish, she felt like glaring at Marcus. Why had he decided to visit his parents this very night? They’d been having such a good time. Then she remembered something West had once told her: Nobody’s past could remain a secret forever. It always came back to call. It seemed hers had picked that very evening to do so.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🛒✝️
My thoughts: This story continues the story of the minor character Irene from His Risk, it's not necessary to read His Risk but Alice and Calvin make appearances so you will get major spoilers for that story including the climax. The story wasn't bad, I just wasn't a fan of Marcus.
Recommend to others: Sure, it's a quick read, nice for a palate cleanser, or if you want to know what happens next after His Risk.
Amish Homecoming
An Amish Homecoming (2018) Omnibus
The Courage to Love (2018) S. S. Gray
No Place Like Home (2018) Amy Clipston
What Love Built (2018) Kathleen Fuller
When Love Returns (2018) Beth Wiseman
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)
Amish Homecoming series
related series Amish of Hart County
+85-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Christian Romance > Amish Fiction
Featuring: Epigraphs, Glossary of Pennsylvania Dutch Words, Sequel, Characters From Another Story, Recap, PTSD, Hart County, Kentucky; Older Couple, Boarder, Adult Child, Prejudice-to-Lovers Trope, Close Proximity Trope, Shopkeeper, Discussion Questions, Cover Advertisement for What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller, Author's Links
Rating as a movie: PG
Books and Authors mentioned: His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray
Memorable Quotes: Marcus got to his feet. “Mamm, Daed, did you know about this?” Henry nodded. “We did. And now you do too. Sit back down.” He didn’t move an inch. “But don’t you think we ought to discuss this?” “There is nothing to talk about,” Mary Ruth said, her voice crisp. “Now, please. Sit back down and relax. You’re making Irene upset.” At last Marcus did what his mother asked, but it was obvious he wanted to discuss things further. Irene looked at her feet and tried to calm down. It was difficult, though, because she could feel the tension in the room. “You are letting your past taint the present, son,” Henry said. “This has nothing to do with Beth,” Marcus blurted before closing his eyes. After exhaling, he looked at Irene again. “I’m sorry for my outburst. I . . . well, I must be more tired than I thought.” “It’s all right,” Irene murmured, though she knew she was lying. She hadn’t appreciated his outburst at all. Honestly, it was as if all the joy she’d felt only thirty minutes earlier had evaporated and left the air in the room feeling almost brittle. Though it was selfish, she felt like glaring at Marcus. Why had he decided to visit his parents this very night? They’d been having such a good time. Then she remembered something West had once told her: Nobody’s past could remain a secret forever. It always came back to call. It seemed hers had picked that very evening to do so.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🛒✝️
My thoughts: This story continues the story of the minor character Irene from His Risk, it's not necessary to read His Risk but Alice and Calvin make appearances so you will get major spoilers for that story including the climax. The story wasn't bad, I just wasn't a fan of Marcus.
Recommend to others: Sure, it's a quick read, nice for a palate cleanser, or if you want to know what happens next after His Risk.
Amish Homecoming
An Amish Homecoming (2018) Omnibus
The Courage to Love (2018) S. S. Gray
No Place Like Home (2018) Amy Clipston
What Love Built (2018) Kathleen Fuller
When Love Returns (2018) Beth Wiseman
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)
November 2, 2018
The Courage to Love is asweet, heartwarming story about correcting mistakes and love written by Shelley Shepard Gray. This amazing story takes a lonely young Amish women on a quest to feel part of a family. I connected this story right away to the previous story that Irene appeared in
The author has done an amazing job selecting her characters for this story. I loved Irene knowing all that she has been thru but when Marcus entered the story it was a whole new ball game. The stiryline was smooth and moved right along that I read the entire story without stopping. This story shows how you can really misjudge people on first impressions and hear say.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached by anyone to post a favorable review. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
Congratulations to Shelley Shepard Gray on writing another fantastic story for her readers to enjoy. I look forward to more amazing stories from this author in the future.
The author has done an amazing job selecting her characters for this story. I loved Irene knowing all that she has been thru but when Marcus entered the story it was a whole new ball game. The stiryline was smooth and moved right along that I read the entire story without stopping. This story shows how you can really misjudge people on first impressions and hear say.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached by anyone to post a favorable review. I have rated this book with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
Congratulations to Shelley Shepard Gray on writing another fantastic story for her readers to enjoy. I look forward to more amazing stories from this author in the future.
December 27, 2018
‘The Courage to Love’ is story 3. Even though this story wasn’t your traditional Amish Novella I still enjoyed it. This story is a reminder that you can’t judge others from what you hear or from their past.
November 6, 2019
Finding family
Irene and Marcus are a very cute Amish couple about to discover love and faith. Shelley Shepard Gray has a special way of making that happen.
Irene and Marcus are a very cute Amish couple about to discover love and faith. Shelley Shepard Gray has a special way of making that happen.
October 1, 2020
Cute story
Continuation of Irene from the Amish of Hart County. Short story of Irene and the next steps in her life. Enjoyed
Continuation of Irene from the Amish of Hart County. Short story of Irene and the next steps in her life. Enjoyed
August 8, 2021
Courage to Love
I personally love all Shelley Shepard Gray's books. She makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. I really loved the story of Irene and Marcus.
I personally love all Shelley Shepard Gray's books. She makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. I really loved the story of Irene and Marcus.
December 4, 2018
An Amish Homecoming: Four Stories
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
This novella brought back fond remembrances of His Risk, the fourth book in Gray’s The Amish of Hart County series. Irene Keim was introduced in that story and in The Courage to Love we find her living with the Wengerd’s, an older Amish couple that befriended her. With Irene’s volatile family past, the Wengerd’s affection is a balm to her lonely soul and they enjoy many laughter-filled evenings playing Clue. Their home is a safe haven for Irene until their son Marcus returns from an out of town trip and discovers her living there. Marcus has some superiority issues and negative emotions from a former breakup that he hasn’t dealt with but once that is done, the game is on.
The Courage to Love is a quick and enjoyable read. My heart was stirred because of the references to West from His Risk. I won’t give a spoiler in case you haven’t read that one, but he was one of my favorite characters. I loved how Gray builds a complete story in under a hundred pages. Her talent is admirable, for sure and for certain.
Amish fiction fans will undoubtedly be entertained for a few hours. I’m looking forward to reading the other three novellas included in this collection by authors Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, and Kathleen fuller.
I was gifted a copy of the book from the author and publisher. No review was required. No compensation was received.
The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray
This novella brought back fond remembrances of His Risk, the fourth book in Gray’s The Amish of Hart County series. Irene Keim was introduced in that story and in The Courage to Love we find her living with the Wengerd’s, an older Amish couple that befriended her. With Irene’s volatile family past, the Wengerd’s affection is a balm to her lonely soul and they enjoy many laughter-filled evenings playing Clue. Their home is a safe haven for Irene until their son Marcus returns from an out of town trip and discovers her living there. Marcus has some superiority issues and negative emotions from a former breakup that he hasn’t dealt with but once that is done, the game is on.
The Courage to Love is a quick and enjoyable read. My heart was stirred because of the references to West from His Risk. I won’t give a spoiler in case you haven’t read that one, but he was one of my favorite characters. I loved how Gray builds a complete story in under a hundred pages. Her talent is admirable, for sure and for certain.
Amish fiction fans will undoubtedly be entertained for a few hours. I’m looking forward to reading the other three novellas included in this collection by authors Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, and Kathleen fuller.
I was gifted a copy of the book from the author and publisher. No review was required. No compensation was received.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews