Kayla Dienner has suffered her fair share of heartache, which is why she vows to protect her heart at all costs . . . until she meets Jamie Riehl. Along with his volunteer work at the local fire department, running his Amish farm keeps Jamie Riehl busy. He barely has time to eat at the family table, never mind find someone to date. But when he meets Kayla Dienner, he is smitten. Kayla tries hard …
Kayla tries hard to deny her attraction to Jamie. After all, she’s spent the last year discouraging her younger brother, Nathan, from becoming a firefighter. The death of their older brother in a fire a year ago is fresh in her mind–she can’t bear the idea of putting her heart on the line every time the sirens blare.
Then tragedy strikes, and Jamie wants to extinguish any flame between him and Kayla. Can Kayla set aside her own fears to save the love she was determined to deny?
The first book in the Amish Homestead series, A Place at Our Table invites us to a quiet community in Lancaster County where love burns brightly no matter the cost.
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This is a tender, beautiful book about dealing with loss and moving forward. Amy is an excellent writer.
I love finding new to me authors. If you enjoy Amish fiction, this is a good series. During this simpler time for all of us, this novel reminds me that living simply is a positive thing. I’ve tried to appreciate the slower pace of the past four months. The Amish have some things to teach us.
This was one of my favorite books I have read by Amy Clipston. This had romance and a little bit of tragedy. Both Kayla and Jamie must overcome some tough obstacles to make it together. This will have you laughing and crying. I believe that this will make a great beach read or anytime read.
This is a good Amish romance set in Lancaster County. Kayla Dienner works in her family restaurant and is trying to get over Abram who broke up with her. Kayla has a brother, Nathan who wants to be a firefighter like his older brother Simeon. But Simeon was killed fighting a fire and Kayla completely discourages Nathan. Then she meets Jamie Riehl. He is a Amish dairy farmer and a firefighter. Just as it would seem that Jamie and Kayla might decide to date a accident leaves Jamie’s mother dead. The plot gets bogged down at times with over reactions from Jamie and Kayla but it has exciting fire scenes.
More for younger girls.
Very different Amish story. Very interesting.
A Place at our Table, by Amy Clipston, is the first book in her new An Amish Homestead series. This book is so good. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning and held it all the way to the end. The story is so well written and the characters so well defined, it feels like you are in the room with them.
Jamie is a volunteer fireman who responds to a barn fire at Kayla’s family farm. Kayla’s brother has gone into the barn to rescue the horses but gets hurt and can’t get out. Jamie and another fireman go in to help Nathan and the horses get out. Nathan quickly looks up to Jamie. Nathan’s older brother was a fireman who lost his life in a house fire and now Nathan wants to train to be a fireman.
Kayla’s family has a barn raising and Jamie’s mother and sisters come to help feed the men. The families find themselves quickly building friendships. A very short time after the barn raising, Jamie’s mother died in a freak accident. Jamie’s family is hurting and Kayla’s family is there to help them through this painful time.
This is a fast paced story that I found very hard to put down. I enjoyed how the author wrote a heart warming story of grief. The thing that stands out most for me in this story is how Jamie’s father felt. When his wife wanted to take a vacation, he always said he could not leave the farm. After her death he speaks with Jamie and confesses, Jamie and his brother could have handled the farm fine, but he didn’t want to admit they could do it without him. Jamie’s father also reminds Jamie that there is no guarantee there will be tomorrow, don’t wait to do things he dreamed off, don’t have regrets, live his life to the fullest.
This is such a good book. I think anyone who enjoys reading Amish stories will enjoy this story. This story is about two people growing their relationship. As well as a story of family, grief and faith.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.
Well written and hard to put down.
A Place at Our Table by Amy Clipston is the first An Amish Homestead Novel. Kayla Dienner lives in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania with her family. They are awakened in the middle of the night when lightning strikes their barn setting it on fire. James Riehl is one of the volunteer firefighters who responds and he is smitten with Kayla. Kayla, though, does not appreciate James encouraging her younger brother, Nathan in signing up for volunteer firefighting training. The Dienner family lost their oldest son, Simeon while he was serving as a volunteer. Kayla is attracted to James, but she is not sure she is willing to risk her heart again. After several chance encounters, James starts to court Kayla. Then a tragic accident happens upsetting James and his plans for his future. Kayla becomes frustrated and pushes James away. Is there a chance for these two to have their happily-ever-after?
A Place at Our Table is well-written and has a good pace. I thought the characters were well-constructed and realistic. I was immediately drawn into the story and it held my attention until the very last page. There is heartache, love, grief, anger, forgiveness, grace, fear, guilt and regret in A Place at Our Table. I also appreciated the messages regarding God’s will, power of prayer, and His has plans for each of us. It is lovely to see how an Amish community comes together to help their neighbors. It is a shame there is not more of this in our world. I enjoyed the Amish volunteer firefighter angle. This is my first Amish novel with this theme (very unique). A Place at Our Table is a heartwarming as well as heartbreaking story. I look forward to reading the next An Amish Homestead Novel (Room on the Porch Swing) when it comes out in the spring.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. I was not asked to give a favorable review. Another wonderful story from Amy. This was a wonderful book about love, loss and the true meaning of healing. Kayla lost her brother Simeon in a fire, he was a volunteer fireman, and his wife was pregnant with their baby. When one night there is a fire in their barn and the fireman show to put it, but her anxious little brother was trying to get the horses out. Jamie is one of the fireman to help save the barn and rescued Nathan. I didn’t realize the had Amish volunteers, but I guess they would understand a bit more about the animals in barn fires. Jamie like Kayla, but it takes a while for Kayla to trust him. Then he loses his mom and Kayla’s family is their to help them after they helped with the rebuilding of the Kayla’s families barn. I loved the story, the writing draws you in and makes you feel everything they are. Especially the relationship ups & down between Kayla & Jamie.
Recommend you have a box of tissue handy. I know some of you may not be into Amish but this book isn’t just about the Amish way of life but how we all deal with heartache, tragedy, self-proclaimed guilt, standing along side and helping others when they face trials in their lives. They are highs and lows, sorrow and happiness. This shows how our hero Jamie and heroine Kayla deal with what life has thrown at them and their families.
Amy Clipston has a way with a story that takes you into the pages and reaches into your heart. Her own faith shines through her books and she is a wonderful story teller. I’ve never been disappointed in anything that Amy writes.
I bought this book through a local bookstore (that pre-orders my books by author) . No one asked me to do this review & all opinions are my own. I highly recommend A Place at Our Table and any other books by Amy Clipston.
A PLACE AT OUR TABLE. by Amy Clipston. Zondervan Publishers Amish Homestead series. Book 1
Jamie was called out with a barn on fire. Rescuing children, and animals in this Amish community. Kayla is angry now, that Nathan wants to begin training as a firefighter. He was a hero, until he encouraged Nathan, she didn’t want to lose anyone, again. Her eyes lingered on James, how strong he was, in control. Jamie apologizes, yet, the hostility that Kayla has. Then the guys told him, of her brother dying as a firefighter. When Jamie reacts without thinking at a fire, Kayla realizes , the deep love she has for him. Will Jamie except her, and will Kayla be okay with Nathan going in as a volunteer. This was an emotional look at a family that had suffered a lose, yet, letting Nathan following what he wants to do. It wasn’t following his brothers footstep, but the need within him. Readers will feel the emotion of the characters in this story, and the healing that came about. A new series, and looking for more by her. Given ARC copy by publishers for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
It was almost as if I were watching this story unfold in slow motion, and found myself yelling “No”, and knew exactly what was going to happen, and having no way to prevent it.
Heartache prevails here, and enough grief to cover everyone, and yet you feel God’s presence and love covering these souls.
Can a seasoned griever help one with new grief, or will they end up helping each other, and that is the hope.
This story shows personal grief, but because we are with the emergency responders, we meet a lot of tragic situations head on. Will working and living in this situation be the catalyst to bring two hurting people together, or the ultimate reason they go their separate ways.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zondervan, and was not required to give a positive review.
As always, a great book by author Amy Clipston. This one dramatically shows the stress of responsibility that can be experienced by our first responders. At grief to the mix and you have a family who needs God’s grace and mercy.
I found it very interesting the way that Clipston mixed the cultures of the English and the Amish worlds. Well-formed characters will pull you right into this story of love, loyalty and healing. I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.