Unforgotten

After years of recovery following an attempted rape, Bethanne Hostetler, weighed down by guilt and fear, is still learning to navigate life in her Amish community. Her English cousin Candace, Crittenden County's newest pageant queen, understands Bethanne's vulnerability as she deals with her own terrifying online stalker, whose persistence shakes Candace's sense of safety. When confronted with the past and emboldened attempts to isolate women with fear, they must choose between suffering in silence or stepping out in faith, and they discover that no matter what evil they face, in God's love they have not been forgotten. Gray's latest Amish romantic suspense novel is a thoughtful exploration of themes of shame, empowerment, and forgiveness. Unforgotten features characters of admirable fortitude and handles difficult topics like assault and digital-age stalking with honesty and sensitivity. Featuring more intensity than her previous works, this tale illustrates communities and individuals serving as sanctuaries for survivors. This uplifting story of healing reminds readers that God's love and grace endures even within one's trauma and fear.

Shepard Gray's riveting follow-up to Unforgiven centers on a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in Crittenden County, Ky. Bethanne Hoestetler, 23 and Amish, is still recovering emotionally from being attacked by a love interest seven years earlier, so when handsome Jay Byler starts courting her she rebuffs his advances. She has other things to focus on, like the fact that her Englisch cousin Candace Evans has a stalker who's anonymously messaging her on social media and showing up at the beauty pageants she competes in. When Candace wins Miss Crittenden County and the stalker doubles down on his efforts, police officer Ryan Mulaney is assigned to protect her, and what begins as a professional relationship quickly becomes something more. Meanwhile, Bethanne warms to Jay, drawn in by his kindness and faith. Just as it seems the four might find their happily ever afters, a chilling plan hatched by Candace's stalker puts their lives in danger. While the contrast between beauty queen Candace and her sweet, simple Amish cousin is drawn a bit crudely, readers won't be able to resist the propulsive plotting. This begs to be read in one sitting. (Nov.)