A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

Everybody has that one special book.  It's a book that you pick up by an author you've never read before and enter a new reality.  You either really enjoy the stories and come back for more or you decide that you don't really care for them and don't pick up anymore of their books.

The first book I ever read by Amy Clipston was A Gift of Grace.  This is the first book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series.

From the back: Rebecca Kauffman’s tranquil Old Order Amish life is transformed when she suddenly becomes guardian to her two teenage nieces after her English sister and brother-in-law are killed in an automobile accident. Instant motherhood, after years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child of her own, is both a joy and a heartache. Rebecca struggles to give the teenage girls the guidance they need as well as fulfill her duties to Daniel as an Amish wife.

Rebellious Jessica is resistant to Amish ways and constantly in trouble with the community. Younger sister Lindsay is caught in the middle, and the strain between Rebecca and Daniel mounts as Jessica’s rebellion escalates. Instead of the beautiful family life she dreamed of creating for her nieces, Rebecca is frustrated by her new role and begins to question her place in the Amish community, her marriage, and her faith in God. Will she be able to reconcile differences in her home—or will the clash of cultures tear her world apart?

This book was and still is an enjoyable read.  I empathized with Rebecca as she was unable to have children of her own.  She was so excited to have a shot at motherhood with her nieces.  Both children, have come from a different culture and as you can imagine, there is a lot of struggles as two worlds collide.  The children have to adjust and so do Rebecca and Daniel.  

Jessica struggles to adapt to an unfamiliar lifestyle while Lindsay flourishes in it.  The sisters couldn't be more opposite.  The book moves at a good pace and you find yourself wondering what is going to happen next.  I won't spoil the ending if you haven't read it yet, but I will say that it wasn't what I had expected.  

This book holds a special place on my shelf and in my heart.  It's a book I took a chance on a few years ago and entered into Amy's world.  I'm so glad I did.  It's become one of my favorites and I find myself revisiting the Kauffman family often.  Pick up your copy and step into a different world! Happy reading!