Best-selling author gathers inspiration from Ross County area

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
·2 min read
Many of Shelley Shepard Gray's books can be found at the local library.
Many of Shelley Shepard Gray's books can be found at the local library.

CHILLICOTHE — Inside any of the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Libraries sits hundreds and even thousands of books of various genres. These books take place anywhere from space to Ireland, but did you know some of these books take place and were inspired by Ross County?

Shelley Shepard Gray wasn't always a writer, in fact in her early years she never even considered herself a good writer. She was more of a reader who enjoyed reading on her breaks as a teacher. It wasn't until one day that she forgot her book that she started writing.

Writing started as a hobby for Gray to do in her spare time. Originally she wrote about cowboy romance books as that is what she knew from growing up in Texas. It wasn't until an editor told her they were looking for an Amish romance writer that she tried her hand at her most popular genre.

Gray said her husband has been a large supporter of her work as well as the local writing group she joined after moving to Ohio. With all of the support and encouragement, she has now written and published over 100 books.

"I never expected to sell a book," said Gray. "Let alone so many."

Changing her style slightly Gray wrote the "Rumors In Ross County Series" after being inspired by stories she heard in an online Bible study. While these stories still feature Amish communities, they are more of a secondary part of the book. The main plot focuses on those newly out of prison who are working to change their lives and assimilate back into society. Having traveled around the state for research on her other books she knew Ross County would be a good setting as it had corrections facilities within it.

"I wanted to highlight people who maybe a lot of people don't think about as heroes in a romance novel," said Gray.

This shift made Gray slightly nervous as she was not sure if readers would like her new work since they were so used to the Amish romances. She, however, said she has received a lot of positive comments and reactions from this series.

To learn more about Shelley Shepard Gray, get updates and see all of her work you can visit her website.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Shelley Shepard Gray gathers inspiration from Ross County area for books