A Gift of Grace

This is my first time reading and reviewing a book for Blog Tour Spot and I'm thankful for the opportunity to read a book by first time author Amy Clipston. I think we'll be seeing more of her works in the future.


A Gift of Grace was like a breath of fresh air with the Amish community setting. Rebecca has longed for children but never been able to conceive. Now her sister (who left the Amish community many years ago) has perished in a car accident along with her husband leaving behind two teen daughters. Rebecca is given custody of her "English" nieces and somehow the two cultures must find compromise. Rebecca's husband, Daniel, isn't sure how his nieces will ever learn to live in their culture and he may be right. You'll have to read this refreshing, enjoyable and overall wonderful first novel to learn how conflicts are resolved.
I have never studied the Amish faith and culture so I wondered if the facts presented in this story were accurate. Upon reading an interview with the author, I discovered Amy did a great deal of research while writing this work of fiction.

An Interview with Amy Clipston:

Where did you get the idea for the book?
I’m half-German, and my father immigrated to the United States with his parents and siblings in 1929. He once told me the Amish speak the same dialect as our relatives, so I feel a connection to them. I’ve always had a great respect and fascination with their faith and simple lives. I began reading other Amish authors, and I was moved to create my own series.

What are the major themes of the book?
The themes are forgiveness, acceptance, and also listening to God and really hearing what He’s trying to tell you.

What kind of research did you have to do for the book?
I read many, many books on the Amish, visited Lancaster, and interviewed a wonderful Amish woman.

With which character do you, personally, identify most and why?
I most identify with Jessica. I remember what it feels like to not fit in since I experienced that often as a child.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope that readers will feel a sense of hope after reading the book. Sometimes we may be convinced God has forgotten us or that what we’re experiencing isn’t part of His plan. However, things may not go the way we’d hoped, but God is always in control.

To read more reviews of this wonderful first time work, check out:
Blog Tour Spot
Book Nook Club
Bound to His Heart
Camy’s Loft
CommuniKate
Fictionary
Gatorskunz and Mudcats
J’s Spot
Kells Creative Musings
Kindred Heart Writers
Lighthouse Academy
My Christian Fiction Blog
Prayerfully Penned
Scraps and Snippets
The Friendly Book Nook
The Gospel Writer
The Journey of Writer Danica Favorite
This That and The Other
wandering, wonderings of a whacked-out woman
Writer for a Reader

Be sure to check out Amy's website for information about upcoming book signings and other books from the heart.