Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Unexpected Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Unexpected Caller
Series: The Amish Widows Club #1
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Genre: Amish Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
She finds sisterhood in the Amish Widows Club--but will she risk loving again?
Leanna Mast never imagined she'd be a widow at forty-one, but it seems God had other plans. After mourning her husband for a year, she realizes it's time to start living again. But her community expects her to remarry, and after living on her own, she's not eager to start cooking and cleaning in another man's home.
When she's invited to join the Amish Widows Club, she discovers a place of belonging she didn't even know she needed. In this group of women who support each other through sharing books, stories, and companionship, Leanna immediately feels welcome. She's sure her life as a widow will bring her the fulfillment she craves . . . until handsome, kind Evan Keim comes calling. As their relationship deepens, her heart becomes involved. But how could she possibly leave the widows club for a dream that might be too good to be true?
New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray skillfully draws readers into an endearing and delightful Amish community of friendship during widowhood and a second chance at love.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub
More in This Series
Book Excerpt
Taking a deep breath, Leanna poured Zeke another cup of coffee. And yes, took care to add two teaspoons of sugar. Mentally counting down the minutes, she returned to the living room. The day had been pleasant. Almost springlike. If she’d been alone, she would’ve walked barefoot on the smooth wood floor. Instead, she was still in her gray dress, stockings, and black tennis shoes.
Zeke was leaning against the back of the couch and surveying her back wall of books when she returned. He was also frowning. So much so, he didn’t even bother to acknowledge that she’d refilled his cup.
“Are all of those yours, Leanna?”
Though she knew what he was referring to, she turned around.
“Do you mean my books?”
“Of course.”
Facing him again, she nodded. “Yes, they’re my books. I like to read.”
“Willis allowed you to do that?”
“He did.” She lifted her chin. “Why do you ask?”
Zeke’s expression tightened. “I don’t believe in women reading. Especially not fiction.”
Though everything inside of her encouraged her to look away, she didn’t. Their church district was rather progressive. She’d never heard any of their bishops or deacons over the years tell women not to read whatever they wanted.
Looking him directly in the eye, she blurted, “What’s wrong with reading fiction?”
“It keeps them away from more important things, don’t you think?”
“What things?” Though Zeke was being rude, Leanna was curious. Her house was spotless, the coffee in his cup was fresh, she’d gone to church that morning, and he’d eaten two cookies that she’d baked only yesterday. What else was she supposed to be doing?
“Taking care of one’s husband and children.”
The proper and right thing would be to nod politely. Maybe smile in a self-deprecating way. But sometime around her fortieth birthday, her tongue had gotten a little loose.
Or maybe it had happened when she’d had to stand by Willis’s grave and realize that everything in her life had changed.
Whatever the reason, she uttered some words that she probably shouldn’t have. “Since I have neither a husband nor children, I believe I have time to read books.”
Zeke frowned. “What about your housekeeping?”
Willis had taught her that a man’s pride was a delicate thing, but she had no desire to coddle Zeke’s delicate emotions. Even though she would probably regret her choice, she gave in to impulse. “What about it?”
Her words— or maybe it was her tone—obviously struck a nerve because Zeke flinched.
Leanna felt the corners of her lips lift a fraction before her composure returned. As the silence stretched and tightened between them, he finished his coffee. At last he stood up.
She did not.
“Leanna Mast, I do not believe we would suit.”
She knew they would not. But instead of voicing her opinion, she inclined her head. “Thank you for coming by this afternoon.”
“Humph.” He picked up his hat and strode to the door. “I’d like to give you some advice, Leanna. Men don’t like women who speak their minds.” He looked her over. “Even women as attractive as you. Looks fade, but one’s true personality does not. You would do well to remember that.”
She knew Zeke was looking for an apology. That wasn’t going to happen. Instead, she got to her feet, walked directly to the door, and opened it. “Good day, Zeke.”
After delivering one more scathing look, the man turned and walked down her front porch steps and almost ran into the rather short woman in a navy dress who was approaching on the walkway.
The woman stopped and gave him a pointed look.
Zeke quickly moved to the side. “Beg pardon,” he muttered as he strode down the walkway. He tipped his hat.
Her expression softened. “It’s quite all right,” she replied in a gracious tone. “No harm done at all.”
Of course, Zeke was already out of sight.
The woman turned, watching Zeke climb into his buggy. When she turned back to Leanna, her smile was bright.
“It seems I came here just in time,” she said.
Shelley Shepard Gray, The Unexpected Caller
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2026. Used by permission
About the Author
Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and finalist for both the Christy and the Carol Awards, 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. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 13, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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