“Shelley Shepard Gray writes with honesty, tenderness, and depth. Her characters are admirable, richly-layered, and impossible to forget.” —Jillian Hart A truly beloved writer of Christian romantic fiction, Shelley Shepard Gray, author of the popular Sisters of the Heart series, once again joins the ranks of Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall as she celebrates the beauty and simplicity of the Amish community.  A story of faith, dedication, and deep, heartfelt emotion, The Protector is the second book in her acclaimed Families of Honor inspirational series—a moving and beautiful story of young Amish woman forced to turn over the family farm after her parents’ death to a man who secretly desires to share it with her…as her husband. “Clara is a well-crafted and relatable character. You’ll soon be as partial to Clara as the author, especially as she develops and comes out of her shell.” - Romantic Times BOOKclub “Gray’s latest embodies the meaning of Christmas. It is a reminder that all situations ― good, bad or inconvenient ― happen for a reason: It is God’s plan.” - Romantic Times BOOKclub “Will appeal to fans of Amish inspirational fiction.” - Library Journal Everyone needs a safe place to call home When her mother passes away, Ella's forced to auction off her family's farm. Her father died years ago, and she could never manage the fifty acres on her own. But after she moves to town, she can't deny the pain she feels watching the new owner, Loyal Weaver, repairing her family's old farmhouse—everything Ella had once dreamed of doing. What Ella doesn't know is that Loyal secretly hopes she will occupy this house again . . . as his wife. He begins inviting her over, to ask her opinion on changes he wants to make. As their friendship blooms, Ella starts to wonder about Loyal's intentions, especially when her best friend, Dorothy, hints that Loyal is not who he seems. There's no way the golden boy of their close-knit Amish community could be interested in Ella, long the wallflower, hidden away caring for her ailing parents. Should she trust the man she's always yearned for, or the friend who's always been by her side? When one of them threatens to disrupt the independence she's finally achieved, Ella is faced with a choice. She can protect her heart and keep things the way they've always been. Or she can come out of her shell, risk everything for the love she's always wanted, and finally have a place to call home. 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.