The Caregiver

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Caregiver Avon Inspire (March 8, 2011)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the author of the Seasons of Sugarcreek and Sisters of the Heart series. She lives with her family in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time.







ABOUT THE BOOK

Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to Cleveland

Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.

The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.

Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?


MY THOUGHTS:
Shelley Shepard Gray is on my short list of favorite authors of Amish novels,and with this new Families of Honor series, she has once again created a wonderful story with situations that are commmon to both Amish and Englischers. Lucy, Mattie, and Calvin are each facing difficult challenges in life and struggling with a variety of strong emotions, yet Ms. Gray portrays these with sensitivity without resorting to dramatics and theatrics. The result is a tender story where enough was resolved to satisfy me as it drew to a close, and enough was left hanging to leave me eagerly awaiting book #2, The Protector, due to be released in June!