Winter's Awakening

Shelley Shepard Gray

Jan 2010 · Harper Collins

About this eBook

A love triangle threatens a young Amish couple’s plan to marry in this inspirational romance from a New York Times–bestselling author.

In the small Amish town of Sugarcreek, Ohio, Joshua knows what's expected of him: to work at the family store and to finally marry Gretta, whom he's courted for years. But when a new English family moves in next door—and their teenage daughter catches his eye—Joshua wonders if his future plans are too firmly set in stone.

Gretta is shocked by the sudden change in Joshua. Their arguments followed by tense silences feel too much like the frosty atmosphere at home between her parents. When Roland begins to take an interest in her, she considers what her life might be like with Joshua out of the picture. With Roland, Gretta would have steady, kind companionship . . . although she knows she could never love him.

When Lilly moved to Sugarcreek, she never imagined she'd be enamored with the Amish way of life—and especially with her handsome new neighbor, Joshua. But she guards a secret that will surely drive him away, one that compelled her family to leave their old home and move to Sugarcreek in the first place: Lilly is pregnant.

As the coldest winter on record blows into Sugarcreek, will three hearts have the courage to discover the life that God wants for them?

Ratings and reviews

Winter's Awakening was a wonderful look at the prejudices on both sides. It was also a look at the temptations that both sides faced. I believe we tend to assume things when we don't have all of the information. Joshua and Gretta live in Sugarcreek and it has always been expected that they will get married. Then an English family moves in next door to Joshua and Lily catches his eye. This causes him to question his feelings for Gretta. Gretta’s family has moved here because Gretta is pregnant. People are talking on both sides about Joshua and Gretta. Gretta just wants a friend and finds it in Joshua. When a snow storm blows in can both sides put aside their differences and their beliefs to help each other? I really liked this one. It is well known that the Amish don’t associate on a personal, friendship level with the non-English because of a difference in beliefs. I thought this was a very accurate telling of that relationship. Because of their relationship with God they will bend over backwards to help those in need. Great recommended read.

About the author

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 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.