My Review:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
This story focuses primarily on the Riehl and Dienner families as they meet each other and their lives become interwoven through loss and moving forward. It is a story of hope and continuance in the building of relationships with each other and growing trust in the Lord.
James Riehl, affectionately called Jamie by his family and close friends, has a lot on his plate that has nothing to do with food. As the oldest son, he is determined to be responsible for the major upkeep of their Amish homestead to lessen the chores on their dairy farm for their daed, Vernon Riehl. Jamie has been a volunteer fireman since a teenager and is in his middle twenties. He has a twin brother and sister near his age, Mark and Laura, and a younger sister, Cindy, 17. Jamie has recently transferred to Station 5.
Kayla Dienner's family own a restaurant in Bird-in-Hand, near the fire station. Her brother, Simeon, was a firefighter and died during a rescue the previous year. Meeting Jamie when Station 5 is called to their barn fire, her younger teen brother, Nathan, discloses his desire to be trained too. Simeon's widow, Eva, and their baby live in an apartment within their family home. They all work together at their Dienner's Family Restaurant.The families initially come together to help during the rebuilding of the Dienner's barn. I liked the growing relationship between Kayla and Jamie's sisters, Laura and Cindy. Struggles surface with what Kayla perceives as interference when Jamie tells Nathan about previous assistance calls, she sees as encouraging him when she has already lost one brother.
The support within the families is encouraging for them as difficulties are talked about together with a listening ear. Standing by each other, they develop an ability to see beyond today to a future that can be promising beyond their painful memories and cares. But it doesn't come quickly as burdens are shared and processed. A budding relationship is tenderly nurtured without becoming crowding or advising by those close to them, but knowing "I am here for you."
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| author Amy Clipston |
A Place at Our Table is very special to me because it’s the first in my Amish Homestead series. I’m thrilled for my readers to meet the Riehl family members, and experience their joys and heartaches with them. Since Jamie Riehl, the hero in this book, is a volunteer firefighter, this book is dedicated to all the brave men and women who are serving or have served as firefighters and emergency medical technicians. ~ author Amy Clipston
***Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for sending a copy of this novel. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
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