Showing posts with label Christian Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Fiction. Show all posts

August 4, 2015

Excerpe & Giveaway! A Wish on Garden Street, Amish Brides of Pinecraft Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray


Bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray continues her Amish Brides of Pinecraft series with a special addition—a tale of wishing and wanting...and what the heart really needs.

Good things may come to those who wait, but Mattie Miller is confident that great things come to those who go after what they want…and Mattie wants Danny Brenneman. Danny is the reason she's returned to the sunny Amish community of Pinecraft, Florida—well, that and to see her best friend Leona get married.

Mattie's met Danny only once before but she knows the spark between them is sure to lead to something special. Despite a missing cat, wedding day chaos, and Danny himself, she's confident this vacation can only end one way: in an engagement of her very own!


When they reached the attic room, Leona looked around the room with a grin. “I canna believe Miss Beverly placed you up here again. And this time, you’re all alone.”

“Well, Sara was supposed to be here. Then Miss Beverly had a mix-up with one of the guests who is on crutches.” Unable to resist teasing her, Mattie added, “But if you really feel sorry for me, you can share my room.”

Leona smiled softly. “I just might do that.”

“Truly?”

She nodded. “Though I am having fun staying in the rental house with my parents, it’s not the same as staying with you. Plus, I think I’m going to need to have at least a couple more nights as a single girl before I get married.”

Mattie waved a hand around the room. “Feel free to stay as many nights as you’d like.”

“Danke.”

Noticing how pink Leona’s cheeks had become, she asked, “So, are you neahfich about the wedding?”

“I’m not nervous about marrying Zack at all,” Leona said as she plopped down on one of the quilted twin beds. “I can’t wait until we exchange our vows.”

“I meant about everything else. Last time we talked, it sounded like you had a lot to do.”

Leona grabbed one of the pillows and hugged it tightly. “Oh, there’s so much to do. And every time I think I can relax for a few hours, my mamm and Zack’s mamm come up with a new idea. It’s exhausting, it is.”

“I’m really glad I came here a full week before your wedding, then.”

“Me, too. I hope you really won’t mind helping me with all the table runners and placemats.”

“That’s why I came, though we both know that I’m a better teacher than seamstress,” Mattie said as she eyed the pretty stitches on the white quilt she was sitting on. No matter how hard she tried, she knew it was doubtful that she’d ever be able to stich something so neatly.

“We’re only going to be making table runners, not dresses. I think even you will be able to handle that just fine. Plus, my sisters and their husbands are arriving in four days. They’ll be able to get anything finished that we need help with. However, I fear you’re not going to have much time to sleep in and just relax.”

“I wanted to help you prepare, not be entertained, silly. And to make sure you are okay. Are you okay?” Of course, the minute she uttered the question, Mattie knew it was a ridiculous one. Leona Weaver radiated happiness. Her blond hair was sun-streaked, her skin was lightly tanned against her bright pink short-sleeved dress, and she seemed to be wearing a permanent smile. Mattie felt pudgy, pale and unkempt next to her.

“I am better than okay. I am happy. Zack is so wonderful. I can’t wait to be his wife. I feel so blessed to know him.” Still looking moony, Leona blushed. “You know, when I think about how different my life was a year ago back in Ohio, it makes my head spin.”

“I can’t believe I actually thought you should have married Edmund. You never looked this happy when you were by his side.”

Instantly, Leona’s smile faltered. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound as if I didn’t appreciate your bruder. Edmund is a gut man.”

“He is. But he was not the right man for you.”

Looking a little uncomfortable, Leona asked, “Is he seeing anyone else now?” 

Mattie nodded. “He’s recently started courting Tillie Zook.”

“Tillie?” Leona’s eyebrows rose. “Now that seems like an odd pairing.”

Mattie knew exactly what Leona wasn’t saying. Tillie had a reputation for giving her opinion about everything and anything. And Edmund…well, Edmund was a man who liked his opinions best. Mattie would have never guessed that he would accept a woman who sometimes disagreed with him. “At first me and my mamm thought that, but they seem rather well suited. I think he needs a woman to challenge him from time to time.” “That is gut news.” With a happy sigh, Leona kicked off her flip flops and crossed her legs. Suddenly, she looked like a young teenager instead of a grown woman about to say vows. “Well, my mamm was right. Everything does happen for a reason. Now I am happy and Edmund is, too.”



Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Hold Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.