Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Promises of Tomorrow
    Promises of Tomorrow
    Promises of Tomorrow
    Ebook102 pages1 hour

    Promises of Tomorrow

    By Shelley Shepard Gray

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to audiobook
    Read preview

    About this ebook

    From Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Times bestselling author and the “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader through her characters that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews) comes a warm-hearted and charming enovella.

    Two years have passed since their friend Andy’s death, and the Eight is still struggling to cope with their loss. In an attempt to give the group some time to reconnect with one another, remember their friend, and reflect on the last two years, Marie decides that a relaxing couple’s getaway is just what they need before the craziness of the holiday season begins. When their large cabin in the woods turns out to be more rundown than rustic, though, Marie fears that she’s ruined everything, but at least, she thinks, the trip can’t get any worse—that is, until a lost English girl named Beth appears at the cabin. And with such heavy snow, the Eight is forced to take her in for the next twenty-four hours.

    Although Marie feels as if all her planning and good intentions were for nothing, she has no idea that Beth will give the group a gift they didn’t know they needed: the reminder that life may not always be fair and sometimes it’s painful, but there’s always another day.

    With Shelley Shepard Gray’s signature “thought-provoking, emotional” (Patricia Davids, USA TODAY bestselling author) prose, Promises of Tomorrow is a moving story of love, friendship, and faith.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGallery Books
    Release dateJul 6, 2020
    ISBN9781982100964
    Author

    Shelley Shepard Gray

    Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, 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.  Find Shelley on her website: ShelleyShepardGray.com; on Facebook: ShelleyShepardGray; Twitter: @ShelleySGray.

    Read more from Shelley Shepard Gray

    Related to Promises of Tomorrow

    Titles in the series (7)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    Christian Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Amish On Vacation

      May 30, 2020

      Amish On Vacation
      7 min read

    • Article

      Summer Reading Guide

      Jan 2, 2022

      Summer Reading Guide
      6 min read

    • Article

      Mirror Mirror On The Wall

      Oct 5, 2023

      Mirror Mirror On The Wall
      10 min read

    • Article

      Happy Endings

      Sep 1, 2023

      Happy Endings
      5 min read

    • Article

      Dirty John: The Real Thing

      Oct 2, 2017

      LOS ANGELES - Their first date was at Houston's, a restaurant in Irvine where he opened the door for her and put her napkin on her lap. Candles flickered along the polished-mahogany bar; jazz drifted from speakers; conversation purred. Debra Newell h

      10 min read

    • Article

      Something Even Better

      Oct 27, 2022

      Something Even Better
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Teacher’s Daughter

      Oct 5, 2023

      The Teacher’s Daughter
      10 min read

    • Article

      Love & miracles

      Aug 14, 2022

      Delia Ephron, the screen-writer, novelist and wit, was in her apartment in Greenwich Village in New York City when I phoned. She was disappointed we weren’t doing the interview via video. “That’s too bad. I look fabulous.” She is appearing, virtually

      7 min read

    • Article

      Forged In Flames

      Aug 12, 2020

      Forged In Flames
      11 min read

    • Article

      Forged In Flames

      Aug 12, 2020

      Forged In Flames
      11 min read

    • Article

      Mammy Dearest

      Mar 20, 2022

      Noelle McCarthy, the broadcaster, podcaster and journalist, has two obsessions: her mother and Dracula. She has written a memoir, Grand: Becoming my mother’s daughter, in which both characters flounce across the pages, one with fangs wearing a cape,

      8 min read

    • Article

      Just “Sister”

      Dec 31, 2023

      Just “Sister”
      4 min read

    • Article

      The Teacher’s Daughter

      Oct 5, 2023

      The Teacher’s Daughter
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Unauthorised Version

      Mar 28, 2021

      The Unauthorised Version
      13 min read

    • Article

      Book Extract

      Jan 20, 2020

      My year off was also interesting, in that I didn’t feel any less loved, or cherished, or wanted. Why? Because my life is already rich with soulmates, and I got the chance to behold that. You don’t have to shag someone for them to be a soulmate. We do

      7 min read

    • Article

      Join The Weekly Conversation

      Sep 25, 2023

      Join The Weekly Conversation
      3 min read

    • Article

      Home For The Holidays

      Aug 10, 2021

      It’s been a year since I’ve been home. I missed Christmas because of work, so Thanksgiving marks a full lap around the calendar. My mom’s been complaining lately about how difficult things have gotten for her. Everything seemed so out of reach, so im

      7 min read

    • Article

      The Memory Box

      Sep 26, 2023

      The Memory Box
      6 min read

    • Article

      Fireworks

      Oct 27, 2020

      Fireworks
      6 min read

    • Article

      Stocking Full Of Coal

      Oct 28, 2021

      Stocking Full Of Coal
      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Promises of Tomorrow

    4/5

    9 ratings5 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 2/5
      Too short. The story should have focused on Beth more because the last chapter was about Beth and she was the most interesting character. The build up to the story about Andy was way bigger than the story. It said the parents didn't know the whole story and that they might be mad. There wasn't anything to be mad about and there wasn't much to the story.
    • 3/5
      This novella is part of a series and I suggest you do not read this unless you've read the other books first. Because I had not read any of the others I was totally clueless, yet it did have something about it that made me keep reading and thinking that I may go and buy the first couple of books.This series seems to deal with a past member of this group that has committed suicide - so if that may be a trigger to you - beware.*ARC supplied by the publisher.
    • 5/5
      I enjoyed this novella that is part of a great series. Each of these characters in the series are wonderful. I love how we learn a little more about each person in this group of friends in each book. I am never disappointed in this author. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. These books make me laugh and cry.
    • 4/5
      Promises of Tomorrow by Shelley Shepard Gray is a novella that is #4.5 in The Walnut Creek Series. I thought Promises of Tomorrow was well-written with steady pacing and developed characters. It is best that this series be read in order otherwise you will be lost plus it will spoil the previous books for you. The story begins with Mr. & Mrs. Warner having their annual “It’s December!” holiday party where it is Marie’s turn to share a tale about Andy. This side story is told in small parts before each chapter. I like how it had me laughing as it unfolded. The Eight which has changed since the series began, all meet to share a couple’s retreat weekend before the holidays begin. They encounter Beth Trainor who also rented a nearby cabin, but she became lost while walking. Because of the heavy snowfall and approaching nightfall, the group gets Beth to agree to stay with them overnight. It turns out to be what the group and Beth needed. They get a chance to help a woman in need which in turns helps them as well. The main themes in Promises of Tomorrow are grief and hope. I like how the group of friends lift each other up. There are two phrases from Promises of Tomorrow that I wanted to share. “Everything was easier with friends” is the first one. The second phrase was provided by Beth when she said, “That there is always, always the promise of tomorrow.” In this novella, we see that God puts us where we need to be when we need to be there. Promises of Tomorrow is an uplifting and inspiring story.
    • 5/5
      A sweet Christmas Novella and we are back with the eight. Although, this is a short read, this story packs a lot into it, and it filled with love and compassion, who wouldn't want to be friends with group. At the top of each chapter there is a small blip of a side story, but then we are gifted by this author of a read that resonates of the true meaning of Christmas, and when the last page is turned, I wanted more!Can't wait for future stories of this wonderful group!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Gallery Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

    Book preview

    Promises of Tomorrow - Shelley Shepard Gray

    Prologue

    DECEMBER 1

    Even though a good amount of time had passed, Marie Hartman Byler still felt Andy Warner’s absence a lot of the time. Sometimes she thought she noticed his loss more than the rest of the Eight—their large group of longtime friends.

    Though they’d all been close from the time their mothers had dropped them off for day care at Mrs. Kurtz’s house in the summers, only she and Andy had attended school together. The two of them had shared teachers, classrooms, and a large group of English friends all the way until they’d graduated high school.

    Andy had been a constant in her life, a friend who had helped her through biology and chemistry. The boy she’d watched play football. The boy who’d stood by her side when she’d been crowned homecoming queen. Andy had known all her faults and foibles but had still liked her anyway.

    Even though two years had passed, there were still times when she’d feel his loss as if he’d died just a few days before.

    Like right that very moment.

    She and her husband, John, plus the rest of the Eight were standing in Andy’s parents’ beautifully bedazzled living room. Not only did the Warners have their ten-foot tree already decorated in silver and gold, but the whole house also looked like something out of a Christmas catalog.

    Then, again, Mrs. Warner had always gone all out for their annual It’s December! holiday party. Except for last year, they’d thrown the festive party the first weekend of December for as long as Marie could remember. It was always a lot of fun, and everyone had gone—even their Amish and Mennonite friends.

    Marie had felt so awkward about going without Andy that she and John had almost made other plans. But when they realized that the rest of the Eight—and all their parents—were going, Marie had gone out and bought a new blue velvet dress.

    Seeing everyone had been good. Really good. Mr. and Mrs. Warner had given Marie warm hugs. All of the Eight’s parents were standing in a group catching up, just like they always had. But for the last hour, she, John, and the rest of the Eight had been struggling. Oh, they’d eaten the tasty prime rib sliders, caught up with one another, and admired the Warners’ grand piano, which played Christmas music by itself. However, as the minutes passed, it was getting harder and harder to act as if it was okay that Andy wasn’t standing with them.

    She and John had just finished their plates of food and were sitting down in the Warners’ game room when Katie, Harley, and their new baby joined them.

    I think we’re going to leave soon, Harley said as he sat down on the couch beside John.

    Marie was surprised. Their baby was sound asleep in Katie’s arms. Katie usually tried not to wake him if she didn’t have to. You’re going to wake up Kevin.

    Harley shrugged. As grumpy as he’ll be, I’m hoping it will help him sleep tonight.

    John frowned. Aren’t your parents still here?

    "Jah, but they don’t need us, Harley replied. They’re sitting with the Warners and the Clarks."

    Though she felt bad about leaving early, if Katie and Harley were going to leave, maybe she and John could sneak out too. My parents have been hanging out with them too, Marie said. She covered her mouth when a yawn escaped her. Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I can hardly stay up until ten right now.

    That’s because you’ve been working overtime, shopping for Christmas, and getting ready for our big camping trip, John chided. Turning to the other couple, he continued. I’ve told Marie at least a dozen times that she needs to stop trying to do everything. She never listens.

    Harley grinned at Logan and Tricia when they approached. Hi, you two. I was just about to go find you.

    Oh? What’s going on? Logan asked.

    The four of us are going to leave soon, Katie explained. Smiling down at her baby, she said, I mean, the five of us.

    Tricia looked crestfallen. Do you all really have to go so soon?

    I mean no offense to your parents, Trish, Marie hastened to explain. This is a lovely party.

    It’s not that. After glancing at Logan, Tricia explained. I actually came down here to get you all.

    Because? John asked.

    All of our parents asked that you join them. Looking more than a little awkward, she swallowed. Everyone is gathered around…

    Marie was starting to get a bad feeling. Trish, what’s going on?

    You know what I’m asking. My parents, well, a lot of our parents, are asking for one of us to share a story about the Eight.

    John frowned. I don’t think this is the best time for that.

    As a matter of fact, I think it might be, Tricia said. The stories you all share about growing up together always help my parents. They help all of us a lot, if you want to know the truth. Her voice softened. As the months pass, I think it’s tempting for us all to try to make Andy into something he really wasn’t. You all sharing your memories helps us remember the way Andy really was. She gazed at all of them. Please, will one of you tell a story?

    Taking hold of his wife’s hand, Logan looked at the rest of the Eight. Tricia has a good point. Can’t someone step up?

    I’m sorry, but I’m not up for it tonight, Katie said. I spoke at your brother’s funeral, and it just about killed me. Wincing, she closed her eyes. I didn’t mean to just say that.

    E.A. spoke at Marie and John’s wedding. And Kendra spoke at the anniversary of his death, Logan said. What do you think, Marie? Could you share a story tonight?

    Why me? Marie asked. Feeling panicked, she turned to her husband. John, couldn’t you talk tonight?

    Um, I don’t think so. You would be much better.

    She glared at her husband. Oh, John. Really?

    Sorry, but I have to say, I don’t think this is John’s thing, Logan said. You know how he gets shy in front of people he doesn’t know. He mumbles and fidgets. No one can figure out what he’s trying to say half the time.

    It’s true, John said. I hate standing up in front of big groups of people. Within five minutes, I’ll be stumbling over every word.

    I agree with Logan, Harley

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1