First, thanks so much to Laura Bradford for inviting me to be a Good Girl for the day. I’m honored!

Of course, the first thing I worried about was what to write. After all, I write romances for Harlequin American and Inspirationals for Avon Inspire, not mysteries! As I thought about that, my heart sank. Maybe I didn’t have much to offer the GG’s! But then, after a nudge from Laura, I realized that I might actually have something in common with the very talented GG’s after all.

See, I too, make stuff up for a living.

Nothing excites me more than getting mid-way through a book, discussing the characters with my husband, and realizing that I’m actually thinking my cast of characters are ‘real’ people. That’s when everything starts to click. Suddenly, I want to know their backstories. I want to know what made them decide to do the things they do.

Or not do.

This came in handy when I was writing HIDDEN, the first of my Sisters of the Heart series for Avon Inspire. After somehow convincing everyone I could not only write an Amish Inspirational series, in which no only do characters find romance and God’s grace, but escape from a bit of trouble too- I began to realize one important point.

I’m not Amish.

Not even close.

Actually, at first glance, I’m about as un-Amish as a girl could get. I live in the suburbs. I drive a car, work on a computer for a living, and have been known to be pretty darn crabby without my usual pot of coffee.

Although numerous people have told me that I walk slower than they ever thought it was possible, that’s about the only thing ‘slow’ about my lifestyle. And well, the Amish are busy people, I’ve yet to hear they meander anywhere.

In addition, I have dyed hair and acrylic nails. I really like reality TV. And, well, since we’re on a roll here, I might as well add that I’ve never been abused, dated a person running for Congress, or had to go into hiding at an Amish bed and breakfast.

But that’s what HIDDEN is about.

Luckily, there’s lots of research out there for wannabe Good Girls like me. I hightailed it to the library, found The Amish Cook by way of my friend Heather Webber, and dove right in. Suddenly, everywhere I looked, there were Amish opportunities. I started visiting an Amish country store about an hour from my house, and then started calling up people and asked questions.

Not so different, I imagine, than researching for a mystery.

One of the neatest things I’ve done was visit Holmes County with some ladies from church. Once up north, I was able to meet an Amish lady who very kindly answered some questions. Okay, a lot of questions. She was so fun, and had such a spunky demeanor, I think she, too, might enjoy being a Good Girl in other circumstances.

Now that I’m knee-deep in FORGIVEN, Book 3 of my series, I’ve realized a couple of things that should have been obvious from the very beginning. It turns out the Amish and I have a lot of things in common, too. We work hard, value friends and family, and have discovered a generous, inspiring faith.

No, I’m still not Amish, but I can now say I have an Amish friend.

That’s good enough for me.

~Shelley

***Shelley Shepard Gray also writes as Shelley Galloway for Harlequin American. Her books have graced the Waldenbooks Bestseller Lists and been listed as Top Picks by RT Magazine. HIDDEN, Shelley’s first inspirational romance, was chosen as a featured alternate selection for Crossings Book Club. You can find more about her and her books by visiting her websites: www.shelleyshepardgray.com and www.shelleygalloway.com.