Joyful~ Shelley Shepard Gray~ Litfuse Blog Tour with review and giveaway

{MORE ABOUT JOYFUL}

Joyful || Return to Sugarcreek series

A young Amish couple gets a second chance at love in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s final book in her Return to Sugarcreek series.

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm’s needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious—and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth’s heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse—to stay far away from the man who hurt her—but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she’s older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Randal, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her—or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth—or risk losing his chance at love forever.

Learn more and purchase a copy at Shelley’s website.

{MORE ABOUT SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY}

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt 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.

Find out more about Shelley athttp://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

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My take on this book:

I was totally excited to read the latest installment in Shelley Shepard Gray's series Return to Sugarcreek, because the author has created memorable characters and reading Joyful was like catching up with old friends. We get the story of another Beiler brother, this time Randall. Elizabeth Holt has been struggling financially to take care of her ailing grandmother, but hopes that when her long time beau Randall asks her to marry him that her grandmother can live with them, but just when she thinks he is going to propose he does the opposite and calls the relationship off. Elizabeth is devastated, why would he break off their two year relationship? It seems that he feels an obligation to his family as well, will this pair figure out how to overcome the obstacles and find a second chance at love?

I have loved this entire series and my only complaint was knowing that this was the final installment. The characters in this book were portrayed very realistically. I will say that Elizabeth seemed more mature than Randall, but it was interesting to see them both grow and change as the story progressed. While there is the somewhat rocky romance between the main characters there are also a few inspirational messages woven into this story as well. Plenty of secondary characters and their storylines kept the plot zipping along for me. Amish fans will be delighted with the entire series, and while I have read each book I do believe that the author provides enough background information that each one could be read as a stand alone. Overall, a book that will appeal to Amish fiction fans, but honestly anyone looking for a good clean romance that deals with family issues will find this a good read as well. 

Read what other reviewers are saying by following along on the Litfuse blog tour here.

Don't miss Shelley Shepard Gray's newest book in the Return to Sugarcreek series, Joyful. USA Today raved: "A sweet, straightforward story about how love can be tested by family, faith, and personal insecurity. Enjoyable and heartwarming."

Click the banner for a chance to win books 1-3 in Shelley's Return to Sugarcreek series! 
Winner announced on Shelley's blog on 9/30.