The Proposal at Siesta Key (Amish Brides of Pinecraft #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

About the Book:

The Proposal at Siesta Key (Avon Inspire, May 2015)

A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house.

But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.

Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest…to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.

But new friendships can’t stop time. Soon, Michael’s time in Pinecraft will be over and he’ll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she’s sure she’ll never have the courage to do?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author: 

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 Shelley online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Dynamic Uno here:  If you've kept up with my blog and social media posts within the last year or so, you will know that I have a soft spot for the Pinecraft area of Sarasota.  When I learned that book #2 in the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series was coming out, I knew I had to read more about this lovely area and people, even if the characters were fictionalized.

Michael Knoxx is touring the country with his family to discuss how God used a horrible situation in his life (losing a leg from a fall in a ravine) for the good. After having a sister who was brutally murdered, Penny Troyer has since lived a very sheltered life, until she decides she can't stand it any more.   Both are living out the Amish proverb "Growing old is easy--the hard part is growing up," by deciding to change their lives in an amazing way with God's help.  The actual proposal Michael had for Penny was to embrace each hour/day and to cherish each moment as they move forward in their lives.

I think we can all apply this proposal to our lives.  I know that I tend to wish for the work day to end or the weekend to come, so I can go home and relax rather than enjoy the little moments of peace throughout the day.  I need to learn to enjoy each of the little moments as they come rather than wishing my life away.

I enjoyed the strong friendship that developed between Michael and Penny from their basic day-to-day interactions.  Their raw emotions being shared and honestly painful stories brought both of the characters closer as trust began to form in their bond.  I also liked how each character began to notice the little details about one another as they forged their friendship and it began to blossom into a mutual attraction.  This gives me hope that I may find someone with whom I can be completely honest with and share my innermost concerns and feelings.

While The Proposal of Siesta Key dealt with some heavy topics, all were treated with dignity and respect and were not over-dramatized.  Michael's mission and Penny's new found freedom were the main parts of the story, as was their friendship.  All in all it was a light-hearted read that made me want to visit Pinecraft again, just so that I might have the chance to run into a few of the "characters."

If you enjoy Amish romance, or even if you want to explore life in a new order village, this series is for you!  

Let me know what you think and Happy Reading!