A Place of Peace: A Novel - eBook

Amy Clipston is the award-winning and bestselling author of the Kauffman Amish Bakery, Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel, Amish Heirloom, Amish Homestead, and Amish Marketplace series. Her novels have hit multiple bestseller lists including Christian Book, CBA, and ECPA. Amy holds a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan University and works full-time for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and six spoiled rotten cats. Visit her online at amyclipston.com; Facebook: @AmyClipstonBooks; Twitter: @AmyClipston; Instagram: @amy_clipston; BookBub: @AmyClipston.

Clipston wraps up the Kauffman Amish Bakery series with a tale of Amish star-crossed lovers Timothy Kauffman and Miriam Lapp. Miriam has left her Amish community, but returns when she receives news of her mother's death. There she must face her estrangement from her family because of a painful incident in the past and the presence of Timothy, to whom she was once engaged and whom she still loves, and who is now involved with someone else. A complicated web of relationships, tangled by lies, reticence, and indirection, is slowly resolved as the story unfolds. Clipston's narrative drags repetitively around the lovers--how many times can Timothy raise his eyebrows in surprise and eat Miriam's crumbly peach pie?--and misses chances for conveying greater emotion in central family relationships. Yes, there are recipes for baked goods, a tasty addition. A mitteling addition to the Amish romance shelf. (Dec.) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

A Place of Peace, the third novel in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series by Amy Clipston, tells the emotional story of Miriam Lapp, a former Amish woman seeking forgiveness from her family. Miriam, who has adapted to the modern world of Englishers, is shocked by the news that her mother has died. Devastated, Miriam returns to her former community only to face rejections and false accusations from both her family and the man she once loved.

The author tells the story by using multiple viewpoints that allow readers a peek into the mindset of an Amish community. Readers will be caught up in character conflict as they watch sparks fly between Miriam and her former love interest. It is this relationship in particular that reveals the most artfully-woven plot points. Readers are sure to be properly frustrated by the author's page-turning ability to keep her main characters apart.

The central portion of the plot revolves around Miriam and her desire to be reunited with her Amish roots. Though she is continually shunned by her family, Miriam slowly wins her way back into the hearts of her friends and even manages to catch the eye of her old sweetheart, Timothy Kauffman. But the opening of old wounds and the unraveling of a deceitful web leaves Miriam's future hanging in the balance. Ultimately, Miriam must decide if she will return to her Amish upbringing or permanently abandon it in favor of a comfortable English life.

Miriam Lapp is a sweet, confused human who desires to be accepted and loved by those people she cares for most. While her long-suffering nature can make her seem almost too perfect at times, her loyalty to family and concern for friends is admirable. It is also notable that minor characters who are initially portrayed as antagonists are, in the end, only well-meaning members of what is essentially a somewhat dysfunctional, Amish family. Overall, the theme of Clipston's latest tale solidly upholds biblical truths, such as those found in Colossians 3:13: “Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

Reading A Place of Peace was an experience that can be compared to eating a whoopie pie. The first few bites were tasty, but by the time the entire dessert was consumed, I was left wondering if Clipston's creation was just a little too sweet. However, unlike the empty calories of a whoopie pie, this Amish treat does offer up some nutritious value. Generous portions of Christian love and forgiveness, along with liberal dashes of loyalty and friendship, are found throughout the book. Top it all off with a dollop of romance, and you have a recipe for a story that any Beverly Lewis or Wanda Brunstetter fan will be sure to enjoy. – Kari Travis, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

“This is the third book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Readers who haven’t read the previous two books may be confused as characters’ histories are not really explained. The love between Timothy and Miriam is apparent from the first time they see each other again. The author adheres to the old Plain traditions, both in relationships and the way of life for the Amish community. This is an entertaining story of Amish life, loss, love and family.” -- RT Book Reviews, 4-star review