Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Unforgiven and Unforgotten. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
In this interview, Shelley shares some of her insights into her latest novel, Unforgotten.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel, Unforgotten?
Unforgotten is the story of two cousins living in Marion, KY. One is Amish and still recovering from a traumatic event while the other is English, outgoing, and filled with big dreams about her future. At first glance, they seem like polar opposites, and in many cases they see themselves that way too. However, when both of them are forced to confront incidents from their pasts, they realize that each has attributes that will help them survive an unimaginable situation.
FF: In Unforgotten, we meet characters who are facing serious challenges to their personal safety, their ability to forgive, and their ability to trust. What is it about these themes that resonates with you?
Again and again, I’ve always been drawn to the idea that a person’s picture-perfect life is just a façade. Almost every person in this novel is struggling with something, whether it’s their faith, their job, or a relationship. I enjoy creating characters who are flawed and in need of compassion and patience—just like most of us are in real life.
FF: What do you hope readers come away with after reading Unforgotten?
My goal when writing a novel is that readers are transported to another world for a few hours and thoroughly enjoy themselves. That said, for Unforgotten, it would be nice if readers were also reminded that they’re likely much stronger than they realize.
FF: In writing a story that includes assault, did you do any special research or interviews with survivors in order to get the physical and emotional responses right?
During the twenty years that I’ve been writing, I’ve done quite a bit of research on a variety of topics. In addition, I recently met a therapist who works with survivors of domestic abuse. Her insight was invaluable.
FF: In Unforgotten, you blend together the lives of Amish with Englishers. How are your characters connected?
Since I live so close to an Amish community, I view the Amish and English communities as blended. In Unforgotten, since the community is rather small and the central characters are cousins, this melding was even more pronounced. I like that both the Amish and the English communities respected each other’s ways.
FF: Do you have a favorite character in Unforgotten and why?
I have to admit to really enjoying Ryan Mulaney. Ryan is a cop from the northeast who has recently joined the Marion police force. I loved that his point of view was as an outsider. I also enjoyed the conflict between him and Candace. There were so many reasons for him not to fall in love with her, but he couldn’t help himself.
FF: Why do you think readers continue to love Amish fiction? What do you love most about writing Amish fiction?
I think the Amish fiction genre is still so strong because it provides some insight to a world that is still secret and confusing to a lot of folks. Nowadays, it’s hard to find anything like that. I love setting stories in Amish communities because I think there’s a wealth of opportunities for the characters. In addition, their faith is so strong, they continually inspire me. I’m very grateful to have been given the chance to write so many books with Amish heroes and heroines.
FF: What are you working on next?
I’m currently writing the next book set in Crittenden County. It’s tentatively called Undeniable, and is about an Amish witness on the run.
Unforgotten
Shelley Shepard Gray
Revell
Genres: Amish Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2024
ISBN-10: 0800746031
ISBN-13: 978-0800746032
Book Summary:
Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace–who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County–reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne’s old fears come rushing back.
Jay Byler had once been Peter’s best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him–even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be.
As Candace’s stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone’s worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.
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