The Proposal at Siesta Key Part 29

Meet Sh.e.l.ley Shepard Gray

Photo by The New Studio PEOPLE OFTEN ASK how I started writing. Some believe I've been a writer all my life; others ask if I've always felt I had a story I needed to tell. I'm afraid my reasons couldn't be more different. See, I started writing one day because I didn't have anything to read.

I've always loved to read. I was the girl in the back of the cla.s.sroom with her nose in a book, the mom who kept a couple of novels in her car to read during soccer practice, the person who made weekly visits to the bookstore and the library.

Back when I taught elementary school, I used to read during my lunch breaks. One day, when I realized I'd forgotten to bring something to read, I turned on my computer and took a leap of faith. Feeling a little like I was doing something wrong, I typed those first words: Chapter One.

I didn't start writing with the intention of publishing a book. Actually, I just wrote for myself.

For the most part, I still write for myself, which is why, I think, I'm able to write so much. I write books that I'd like to read. Books that I would have liked to have had in my old teacher tote bag. I'm always relieved and surprised and so happy when other people want to read my books, too!

Another question I'm often asked is why I choose to write inspirational fiction. Maybe at first glance, it does seem surprising. I'm not the type of person who usually talks about my faith in the line at the grocery store or when I'm out to lunch with friends. For me, my faith has always felt like more of a private thing. I feel that I'm still on my faith journey-still learning and studying G.o.d's word.

And that, I think, is why writing inspirational fiction is such a good fit for me. I enjoy writing about characters who happen to be in the middle of their faith journeys, too. They're not perfect, and they don't always make the right decisions. Sometimes they make mistakes, and sometimes they do something they're proud of. They're characters who are a lot like me.

Only G.o.d knows what else He has in store for me. He's given me the will and the ability to write stories to glorify Him. He's put many people in my life who are supportive and caring. I feel blessed and thankful . . . and excited to see what will happen next!

About the book

Letter from the Author

Dear Reader, Last February when Tom and I visited Sarasota, Florida, we ended up at Pinecraft Park around five that evening. My Amish friend walked us over, and the three of us stood on one side of the chain-link fence chatting with everyone on the other side who were playing shuffleboard. In the distance, some boys were playing basketball, while a group of young children were playing tag. The street nearby was filled with parked bicycles and a couple of scooters and a whole lot of people of all ages. Everyone was simply visiting and pa.s.sing time.

Then I noticed that under the nearby pavilion, a crowd had gathered. A sense of antic.i.p.ation filled the air. Soon, the benches were becoming filled and others crowded around the stage. I was kind of confused, and asked my friend what was going on. With a smile, she said a missionary group had come to talk. Tom and I were just as intrigued by the event as everyone else, so we walked over and stood on the outskirts.

After a brief introduction, a whole family took the stage, which was basically just a raised platform on one side of the pavilion. Then, the father spoke. And as he told his story, the crowd hushed. He told all of us about some trials his family had gone through, and how prayer and G.o.d's light had gotten them through that difficult time.

It was a beautiful testimony.

And then, very sweetly, his daughters started singing "Amazing Grace." Soon, almost everyone present was singing along.

I squeezed Tom's arm, knowing that I would never forget that moment. It was absolutely beautiful!

That evening was one of the highlights of my time in Pinecraft. I also knew by the time I went to sleep that night that I wanted to write about a family like the one I'd heard. I hope I did them justice.

I hope you are enjoying this series as much as I am enjoying writing it! Next up is A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn. The romance features two people who have been widowed, their many children, and a beagle named Frankie. I can't wait to share more of Pinecraft with you!

With blessings,

Sh.e.l.ley

P.S. I love to hear from readers, either on Facebook, through my website, or through the postal system! If you'd care to write and tell me what you thought of the book, please do!

Sh.e.l.ley Shepard Gray

10663 Loveland Madeira Rd. #167

Loveland, OH 45140

Questions for Discussion

1.At the beginning of the book, it's obvious that both Penny and Michael need to make some changes in their lives after spending years of keeping everything the same. Can you remember a time in your life when you needed a change? What led you to make the change?

2.Both Penny and Michael have overcome traumatic incidents in their past. Though their situations were extreme, most people can point to difficult situations that they've had to overcome. How have you moved forward after a trying time in your life?

3.Showing Penny's growth through her new job at the Orange Blossom Inn was gratifying for me to write about. Do you think she could have become as confident and self-a.s.sured if she'd been working at a different place? Why do you think her parents needed her to be the one to move forward first?

4.Michael's conversation with Drew was a turning point for him. Who in your life has provided some desperately needed wisdom?

5.Beverly and Eric's relationship continues to evolve in The Proposal at Siesta Key. They have begun to trust each other and now have slowly begun to form a friendship. Is there anyone in your life who became a friend over time?

6.Why do you think Beverly needs Tricia in her life?

7.The idea that bad things can happen to good people is one of the mysteries of faith. In the novel, Penny's family certainly grapples with it. How have you come to terms with this idea?

8.I used the following Scripture verse to guide me while writing this book: Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions (Psalm 119:18). What wonderful truths has the Lord asked you to open your eyes to see?

9.I felt the following Amish proverb was particularly meaningful to many of the characters in the book: Growing old is easy-the hard part is growing up. What does it mean to you?

Chocolate Pecan Pie

2 tablespoons margarine cup chocolate chips 3 eggs (beaten) cup white sugar 1 cup light or dark corn syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cups chopped pecans 1 unbaked pie sh.e.l.l Melt margarine, then add chocolate chips and stir until melted. Set aside. Beat together eggs, sugar, syrup, and vanilla in a medium bowl until creamy. Add melted chocolate chips. Stir in pecans and pour into unbaked pie sh.e.l.l. Bake at 400F until done, about 50 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Taken from Our Family's Favorite Recipes by Clara Coblentz. Used by permission of the Shrock's Homestead, 9943 Copperhead Rd. N.W., Sugarcreek, OH 44681.

Read on

Sh.e.l.ley's Top Five Must-See Spots in Pinecraft

HONESTLY, I FELL IN LOVE with everything about the tiny village of Pinecraft, nestled in the heart of Sarasota and nearby Siesta Key! Here are five places to start your journey: 1.Yoder's Restaurant. I've been to a lot of Amish restaurants. I've eaten a lot of coconut cream pie at each one. But nothing has compared to this well-known restaurant. The line to get in is always long, usually at least a thirty-minute wait. But the long lines allow everyone to chat and make friends.

2.The Produce Market at Yoder's. The market next to Yoder's is full of beautiful Florida-fresh produce. We couldn't resist picking up two pints of strawberries and five oranges. Just to snack on-in between servings of pie, of course!

3.Pinecraft Park. It's the social center of the community! The night we were there, kids were playing basketball, men and women were playing shuffleboard (women have their own lane), and there were at least another forty or fifty people standing around and visiting.

4.The Bus Parking Lot. Behind the post office is a large parking lot where everyone meets to either board one of the Pioneer Trails buses or to watch who is arriving and leaving.

5.Village Pizza. It's located right behind Olaf's Creamery. You can order a pie and take it right over to one of the picnic tables outside. The pizza is delicious. Eating pizza outside in the sunshine in February in the Florida sun? Priceless.

Scenes from Pinecraft

Photographs courtesy of Katie Troyer, Sarasota, Florida The Pioneer Trails bus arrives in Pinecraft.

Siblings and friends at Big Olaf in Pinecraft.

Enjoying a Song Fest at Pinecraft Park.

Playing bocce in Pinecraft Park.

A Sneak Peek of Sh.e.l.ley Shepard Gray's Next Book, A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

Coming Fall 2015 from Avon Inspire FRANKIE WAS ON THE LOOSE. Again. "Mandy, dear, are you sure you didn't see where he went off to?" Emma asked her six-year-old daughter.

Mandy shook her head, the long white ties of her kapp swinging with the movement. "I was talking to Frankie about my daisies, but I guess he weren't too interested in them."

"I fear his actions have less to do with your daisies and more to do with the scent of pizza," Emma said around a frown. "He has never met a pizza he didn't want his stomach to know well."

"I'm sorry, Mamm. I thought the gate was closed."

Walking to the freshly painted white fence that surrounded their house like pretty white icing on a cake, Emma examined the gate. The latch was in place. Then she noticed the beagle-sized hold underneath it.

"Looks like Frankie dug his way out this morning."

"Oh, brother." Mandy let out an exasperated lungful of air. "Frankie can sure be a bad beagle, Mamm."

"Indeed." Ever since Frankie had been a puppy, he'd had an inordinate fondness for pizza. But now that he'd reached the ripe old age of ten, he seemed to have developed a real problem with wandering off in search of his favorite snack. Honestly, one would think he was too old for such nonsense.

Emma knew she was. She had three girls to take care of by herself, as well as her home and part-time job. She had no time to track down wayward beagles.

"One day I'm going to have had enough of his foolishness," she muttered.

"Frankie don't mean to be bad, Mamm," Mandy protested as she grabbed Emma's arm. "Don't be mad. He's simply a really hungry beagle." She brightened. "Like the caterpillar in that picture book!"