MrsK Books: Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston

Monday, August 20, 2018

Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston

Room on the Porch Swing (Amish Homestead #2)

Amy Clipston

ISBN: 9780310349075

Publisher's Synopsis:

Ever since her best friend died six months ago, Laura Reihl has vowed to make each day count. And that means she should probably break off her relationship with Rudy. They’ve been together for so many years, and his friendship means the world to her. But she knows friendship doesn’t come close to the fireworks of true love, and she’s not really feeling the fireworks.

So when Savilla’s widower, Allen, asks her to help him take care of the baby Savilla left behind, Laura jumps at the chance. Maybe the change of scenery will help her gain perspective on her relationship with Rudy. And she’d do anything to help Allen out—he’s always been a good friend to her, and he’s Rudy’s best friend as well.

When she arrives at Allen’s house, though, she finds a man she barely recognizes. Allen is distraught over his wife’s death, blaming himself for not taking her to the doctor soon enough.

As Laura helps Allen work through his grief, she remembers just how easy he is to talk to. And she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. She can’t be falling for Allen, can she? It would be a betrayal to the two people she’s care most about, Savilla and Rudy. But if she denies her feelings, is she betraying herself?

"The only sound he heard was his heart

shattering into a million pieces."

MrsK's Review:

"Allen!" It was at 2:12am when Allen heard his wife's voice. Nothing seemed impossible once the doctors had Savilla's fever down and ready to go home. Until the moment when he noticed all of the "flurry" outside of her hospital room. When grief strikes, not much matters. Allen will attempt his best every day for his little Mollie Faith, yet sometimes reality can come knocking at all hours of the day or night. If it wasn't for Savilla's best friend, Allen would not be slowly moving forward... nor would he be getting any sleep.

Laura was Savilla's best friend. Still in a process of grieving her mother's death, Laura must do something to help Allen and Mollie Faith. With a sequence of events, Laura realizes that Allen can not take care of a little one and continue his buggy/carriage business. As is custom, Laura asks her family about her plan to stay overnight at Allen's whenever Mollie Faith is unsettled. On faith, Laura proceeds forward with her plans. Laura is unprepared for Rudy's thoughtless accusations. Even though they have been "somewhat" courting for the last four years, something has changed. Does she need to take a step back and look to see how her decisions are impacting Rudy and their future?

Children are such a blessing. How should Laura guard her heart when it comes to Mollie Faith? Even though it has only been a few weeks time, Mollie Faith is beginning to toddle to her, sleeping through the night, and calling her "Lala." Yet, on the weekends when Laura is at her own home, Mollie Faith is crying out for her during the night. Laura knows she must begin to back away from Allen and Mollie Faith, yet how to do so when your heart is aching for them will take much strength and faith.

This realistic relationship is beautifully crafted. In so many ways, as a reader, you will want Laura to move forward and back away from Allen's needs. Allen is healing, yet Laura could get him stuck in a reliance on her. Mollie Faith is just as precious as any little one. There is no way not to fall under her sweetness. Family and friends are honest and supportive during a time of struggle. The truth involving a search for what our Lord would want is very poignant. This is a story crafted around the separation of our will for His Will. Choices that we all make with every new season...
MrsK

"I've changed since Mamm died...

... I need more than youth groups and singing."

"Rejoice always,

pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God's Will

for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A friendship, a loss, a hope...
a second chance.

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 from the Fiction Guild for this review."

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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)