Amish Fiction Book Review: The Farm Stand
About the Book
Title: The Farm Stand
Publisher's Description
"Salina
Petersheim runs her own booth at the Amish market, where she’s known for having
the freshest and most delicious produce in the area. Her father is the bishop
of her church district, and her brother is a deacon. They are a very close
family, yet sometimes she tires of being compared to her older brother, Neil,
who is married and has two children. She also feels the pressure of having to
be the perfect daughter for her parents.
Salina
has been dating Josiah for almost a year now, but he feels more like a friend
than a boyfriend. Her parents approve of Josiah, who is a hardworking roofer.
He’s handsome and easy to talk to, but he just doesn’t warm her heart the way
she feels a boyfriend and future husband should. She secretly longs for
more.
Along
comes William “Will” Zimmerman, a Mennonite chef who runs a restaurant located
next door to the Amish market. He wants Salina to supply the produce for his
restaurant, and as they forge a business relationship, they both feel
themselves falling in love. Salina especially tries to deny her feelings for
Will since her father wants her to marry within the community.
Both Salina and
Will feel stuck in their current relationships, but they cannot deny what they
feel for each other. Will they follow their hearts or bow to the pressure of
family? Or will God provide a surprising new road for them?"
My Review
The Farm
Stand, by Amy Clipston,
is the second book in the Amish Marketplace series. With its charming
marketplace setting, endearing characters, and compelling love story, this
novel is certainly a special addition to the Amish fiction genre. From
beginning to end, this story is moving, memorable, and truly enjoyable.
Ms. Clipston
excels at creating communities and characters that draw the reader in
wholeheartedly. The marketplace, the restaurant, the bookshop, the homes, and
even the front porches where the characters work, live, and fellowship together
are vibrant with life and activity. The relationships between the families and
friends within this novel and the ways in which they interact with one another are
wholly believable and satisfying. The conflict explored throughout the plot
offers an excellent level of dramatic tension that keeps the pages turning
toward a gratifying conclusion. Themes of faith, loyalty, obedience, integrity,
and love enhance the story and ensure that this book is not only entertaining,
but also relevant and uplifting.
Beyond its
beautiful cover art, The Farm Stand offers hours of cozy reading time
that are definitely pleasurable and enriching. In this novel, Ms. Clipston has
written a touching story that is appealing and thoughtful. I enjoyed reading
it, and I gladly recommend it.
*I was given a
copy of this book by the author. A review was not required. The review I have
written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
About the Author: Amy Clipston
"Amy
Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing
"career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote
and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia
Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian
Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the
bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of
HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation,
Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation,
her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched
another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will
be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ
and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons,
mother, and four spoiled rotten cats." –Biography from Amy Clipston's
author page on Amazon.com.
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