MrsK Books: The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston

Saturday, October 29, 2016

The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston

ISBN: 9780310342014

Publisher's Synopsis:

Rachel Fisher is devastated when the young man she’s loved for years leaves her to date her best friend. Her heart is broken, and she has all but given up on love. Determined to keep her mind off the pain, she starts teaching at an Amish school for children with learning disabilities.

Since his father became ill, Mike Lantz has been overwhelmed with the responsibility of providing for his family and caring for his six-year-old brother, John. When John joins Rachel’s class and she learns that his mother is deceased and his father sick, she desperately wants to help the family, even with something as simple as a meal.

With her parents’ old picnic basket, Rachel begins sending food to the Lantz family. As the weeks go by, John’s grades start to improve, and the attraction grows between Rachel and Mike. They can’t deny that their friendship is growing toward something more, but both of them are hesitant to risk a more serious relationship.

The last thing Rachel wants is another heartbreak, and Mike is worried about providing for his loved ones. Will the two be able to reconcile their past hurts with new hope for the future?

"And our hope for you is firm,

because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,

so also you share in our comfort."

2 Corinthians 1:7

MrsK's Review:

What should have been a delightful gathering became a moment of truth so heart breaking that Rachel will become determined to keep herself from ever allowing love to enter and reside within. Or so she thinks. With betrayal comes a deception that one is guilty of some wrong doing. It will take courage, faith, friendship, and love to accept the goodness of a life well lived.

Rachel's story begins in a classroom. Now that she is no longer engaged, many have encouraged her that her talent with children should be a focal point for her healing. As with any educator, Rachel finds a deep level of concern for her students. The preparation for a new student will not cease once the student becomes accustomed to the ways of this school. In fact, John's struggle with reading and math will prove to be a joint learning experience in which many will be blessed.

Mike is John's older brother. He is a craftsman at Bird-in-Hand Builders. His time is consumed with keeping his father's business in production, as well as the duties of their home and his father's failing health. John is a joy, yet his needs can be overwhelming when there is so much to do every day. Even though Mike has extended family to help, he can't take the time to just enjoy being with other young adults in his community. Embedded with in his soul is the faith that "God would see him through this difficult time in his life."

"...Please stop by the school as soon as possible."

"Received your notes and voice mail. Will be in touch."

Will be in touch, really. This man must not understand the magnitude of John's problem. With that in mind, the stubbornness with in Rachel sets forth a series of events that is quite entertaining. Armed with determination, Rachel will go to Mike's business and promote her case for his "at home" responsibility. Of course, it does not go the way she envisioned. Now Rachel will need to make amends and discover a different path for helping John. Never did she foresee that her mother's food basket would be the instrument for an overflow of blessings.

Rachel will discover that once you begin doing for others your hurts become healed,

Love is found within...

MrsK

"Today is the day!"

So endearing!

A read-it-forward book worthy to be shared.

Meet the Author:

Hi, I’m Amy Clipston. I am an author of Amish and Christian fiction with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Most of my books focus on the Amish community, faith, and love. I also write romance novels and young adult inspirational stories.

"I received this book for free from the Fiction Guild for this review."

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)