This was an excellent book. I loved it! It was so sweet and exciting! I could not put it down!

I met Shelley at the 2008 ACFW conference AFTER I had read her novel. I didn't have the book with me so she graciously signed a book plate for me to bring home from the conference.

This is an Amish story with a difference. Even though I am also an anabaptist (Old German Baptist Brethren) I do not always feel the published Amish stories are "realistic," This one was. I highly recommend this book and will read the next one.

I don't usually enjoy reading Amish stories but I enjoyed this one. The only reason I cannot give this book five stars is I think for the cost of $12.95 which is what this book cost retail it should be longer than 240 pages. I wish the storyline of what happened before she went into hiding should have been developed more. Author did an excellent job of making her ex boyfriend a dispicable character and making the Amish family a close and loving family.

I did enjoy this book. I liked the little romantic notions through out. The characters portayed are well played out in the story.

This is a well written book by a young author that I could not put down! I read in a day and a half because I couldn't wait to see what the next page would bring! LOVED IT!!

THIS AGAIN IS ONE OF THE BOOKS YOU CAN;T PUT DOWN ONCE YOU START READING IT. THIS GAL IS AN AWESOME AUTHOR AND I WILL BUY ANY MORE OF HER BOOKS SHE PUTS OUT. VERY PLEASED AND I READ LOTS OF BOOKS AND COLLECT ALL OF THE AMISH BOOKS I CAN GET MY HANDS ON. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
JUNE THOMPSON--jtpvallred@sbcglobal.net

Anna has finally seen her abusive boyfriend for what he is, an overgrown bully, and she knows that she will have to go into hiding to escape him. Since Ron has completely bamboozled her family and support system she knows of only one place to run. She runs to the place where she has always felt completely safe - the Brenneman's Bed and Breakfast. Anna does not have much trouble fitting into the Brenneman's simple way of life as Amish plain folk, and it actually seems to help her to decide what she really wants out of life. Anna is glad she and Katie have stayed friends since the quilting class she took years ago. Now if only Katie's brother Henry would just stop jumping to conclusions about her.

The longer she stays the more she figures out what she wants in life. And the more that Henry learns where he might have misjudged her. Will Anna decide what is best for her or will Ron catch up with her? And will her parents abide by her decisions?

Hidden was a sweet and thoughtful story surrounding not just the simple lifestyle of the Amish. It deals with an individual's real path in life and also deals with actions of abuse, and how someone might get in too deep to see what is happening. I found I was drawn into this story from the beginning and when it ended I was hoping the next book in the series was already out, I'm not that lucky and am now left impatiently waiting for it to be printed. But, that is ok as it will allow me to share my thoughts on Hidden. I think Ms. Shepard Gray did a fine job in telling the story of Anna and what is really important in her life and where she is the most comfortable. It also shows the strength of a community that many see as too simple. I thoroughly enjoyed Hidden and hope you will also.

Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved this book! I am a great fan of Amish romance and thought nobody could top Wanda Brunstetter's novels but she has met her match with Shelley Shephard Gray. I felt Anna was very realistic and human and I really liked that about her character. So many authors protray their heroine as perfect and flawless. I also really liked Henry- definately the strong silent type, but I wish he would have acted a little more concerned when the nutcass boyfriend showed up at the B&B to kidnap her at gunpoint. But then again he is amish so it would be out of character for him to beat the crap out of the guy, which was what I was hoping for. Overall this was an awesome book and it was such a tease getting the first two chapters of the next book in the series. I don't think I can wait till Jan for it to be released.

this was a very good book, i am looking forward to reading the next book in the series,

Fabulous, that's the first thing I must say about this book, but I'll come back to that. I do not know the correct terminology, yet I will try. There is just something about the covers of Avon Inpire books, I have loved every one that I have seen and this is my favorite so far. There is just something about the flat finish, instead of a glossy print that I just adore. Not to mention the road with the Amish sky ahead and the image of the blonde girl with green eyes. (A little curious as to why she did not have the curly hair of our character though...) Now, about the actual story. Anna's live is an interesting one. A girl searching to belong and often as most looking in the wrong places for excitement and affection. (The evil in the book reminds me of the evil in that movie Enough. But this is not a story of how to beat up your evil counterpart. This is a story about strength and growth.)This book is a story about the heart, and about doing things that are right. It brings in the idea of political evil and abuse, but everything bad brought in by the author is handled tactfully and revealed in a respectable manner. This is a fabulous book, and a wonderful romance.

Anna has fallen in love with the wrong man. Rob Peterson is a well-known Cincinnati lawyer running for a seat in the House of Representatives who is accustomed to getting his way. Anna's parents are so impressed by their daughter's beau they urge her to stay with him even as she tells them she needs to get away. Walking away from Rob is just another example of her quitting.

Rob's need to control sometimes turns to violence. The police don't believe Anna so she feels the need to run and hide. Going undercover in an Amish community where her childhood friend, Katie, lives seems to be the safest thing to do. Katie's brother Henry doesn't seem to approve of her being there and fears she will bring danger to his family as she works in their bed and breakfast.

Rob visits Anna's parents and his anger and bullying make them wonder if she's in danger. She said she was going to the beach with friends, but she didn't take her suitcases or swimsuits. Something is terribly wrong.

While her parents and fiancé look for her, Anna becomes aware of how her life needs to change. Her Amish friends live so simply, yet so fully. Can she give up the lifestyle she knows for the life she needs? Will Henry be a part of her new life even though he has been deeply hurt by a woman who left him for an Englisher?

Shelley Gray's characters deal with real life, real love and real redemption. Can Anna forgive Rob yet again, or her parents? Can Henry forgive the woman from his past in order to love the woman who could be his future? When the world seems to have turned against her, Anna must seek God's will in her life. Repentance and forgiveness ring loudly in this first Christian book for the award-winning romance writer Shelley Galloway.

Armchair Interviews says: Reading this first in the new Sisters of the Heart series will make you anxious to read the second.

I loved the story. It was very hard to put down. I also thought it was very inspirational. I am looking forward to your next book.

The book Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray was a book that held my interest from start to finish.Can hardly wait for her next book, "Wanted" due out in January!!! Keep up the good writing Shelley Shepard..

HIDDEN the first in the Sisters of the Heart series, follows Anna Metzger as she leaves her controlling boyfriend and flees to an Amish community to stay with an old friend. Anna thought Rob Peterson had it all. He¡¯s handsome, charismatic, and an up-and-coming politician. He seems too good to be true. But when Anna discovers he is misappropriating his campaign contributions and experiences his violent behavior first hand, she realizes she has to get out from under his manipulative control. Feeling as if there is no where she can go without Rob finding her, she decides to head to Amish country and hide out among the Plain. There, she is greeted warming by Katie, her old friend. The Brenneman¡¯s accept Anna with open arms, all but Henry, Katie¡¯s older brother. Henry does not like the Englisher and feels she is a disruption to their simple way of life. Or is he stilling stinging from the abandonment of the young woman he was going to marry? The story continues as Anna learns the ways of the Amish. And though she and Henry get off to a frigid start, they both soon realize that they have developing feelings for each other. Anna struggles with the idea of leaving the Englisher way of life permanently. She feels accepted among the Amish community, something she has never felt before. As Anna struggles with thoughts of her future, Rob is doing everything in his power to hunt down Anna and take her back as one of his possessions.


HIDDEN was a very pleasant read. Though I tend to lean towards books with more action, HIDDEN kept my interest. The story moves along at a slow but enjoyable pace. Shelley Shepard Gray¡¯s style reminds me a lot of Lori Wick, especially her Big Sky Dreams series. A sweet story that is completely suitable for the YA reader.¢¾