I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Series: The Amish of Hart County #2
Published by HarperCollins on July 4th 2017
Source: Litfuse Publicity Group
Genres: Fiction, Amish & Mennonite, Christian, Romance, Clean & Wholesome
Pages: 304
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray delivers the next novel in her Amish of Hart County series—a suspenseful tale of an Amish man who will risk all to protect the woman he loves.
Mark Fisher has returned home to Hart County, determined to put the past behind him. Two years ago, after being wrongly accused of assault, he left the Amish community, though never forgot his home. When the one person who had helped him through his rough times asks for help, Mark returns. But it is pretty Waneta Cain who makes him want to stay...
Neeta is one of the few people in Hart County who doesn’t believe Mark is guilty of hurting anyone. However, his worldliness and tough exterior do make her uneasy. As she begins to see the real man behind all the gossip and prejudice, she wonders if he is the man for her.
Just when Mark starts to believe a new life is possible, a close friend of Neeta’s is attacked. Once again, everyone in the community seems to believe he is guilty. But what hurts most is Neeta’s sudden wariness around him. When another woman is hurt, a woman who is close to both Neeta and himself, Mark fears he knows the real culprit. And time is running out. Will Mark be able to find him before Neeta becomes his next victim?
His Guilt by Shelley Shepard Gray is the second book in The Amish of Hart County series. I really liked this book! I feel the need to issue a trigger warning before proceeding with this review, however.
We don’t tend to think of spousal abuse, child abuse or rape happening amongst the Amish. Bad things happen in their communities as well and I appreciated an edgier book for this genre.
Not only can bad things happen to the Amish but they are capable of sinning—same as anyone. I found it refreshing to see a community that was not without fault. Even those that were respected within the community needed gentle reminders to cease gossip and embrace their brother in Christ.
If you’re tired of the oft-romanticized versions of the Amish—this may be the book for you. I wouldn’t really call this book an Amish Romance but rather as a clean Amish thriller. As already stated, if the mention of rape or abuse is offensive to you then you may wish to skip this book.
In full disclosure: There are a few scenes in which women are brutally beaten. Attempted rape is mentioned and there is a scene in which a girl has her top ripped. She is rescued in the nick of time. I hate to give spoilers but feel that within this genre and given the more gentle nature of most Amish books that it is necessary to give a trigger warning.
The storyline was fairly solid and though certain elements felt a little rushed to me—I really did enjoy it. I look forward to the next installment. The Gift—book four of the series—is expected to be released on November 7, 2017.
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.
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