A Life of Joy (Kauffman Amish Bakery, #4)

Mar 31, 2012 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lindsay Bedford was 18 now, and had lived with her Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Daniel for four years since her parents had died, and left her and her sister Jessica in her Aunt's care. She was growing up, and was very troubled about her future, she knew she was very comfortable with her Amish family, but a few doubts about taking the classes for baptism linger in her mind. An accident with her Aunt Trish, close friends of her parents back in Virginia, takes Lindsay back to Virginia to help take care...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Before I started reading Amish fiction I always thought the Amish automatically joined the church and became members without any deliberation at all. Obviously, that is not the case. An Englisher joining the church must have an even harder time trying to make such a momentous decision. A Life of Joy brought me right into the decision making process!

In this 4th installment of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, we see 18 year old Lindsay Bedford on the threshold of adulthood. Does she join the chur...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Iola rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, amish, christian-fiction, kindle, netgalley

Since her parents died four years ago, Lindsay Bedford has lived with her Amish Aunt and Uncle in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She is now eighteen, and her friends are planning on taking the ‘Instruction for Baptism’ classes, after which they will be baptised and become full members of the Amish faith, responsible for fulfilling all the rules of the Ordnung. While her friends expect her to join them in the class and get baptised, her sister, Jessica, who is attending college, is encouraging L...more Since her parents died four years ago, Lindsay Bedford has lived with her Amish Aunt and Uncle in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She is now eighteen, and her friends are planning on taking the ‘Instruction for Baptism’ classes, after which they will be baptised and become full members of the Amish faith, responsible for fulfilling all the rules of the Ordnung. While her friends expect her to join them in the class and get baptised, her sister, Jessica, who is attending college, is encouraging Lindsay to complete her high school education and consider further education. As Lindsay is pondering her choice, she is asked to spend the summer back in her old hometown in Virginia, helping a close family friend recover from a broken leg. This brings her into contact with some of her old friends, and helps her decide which life she will choose.

A Life of Joy is the fourth in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series, following A Gift of Grace, A Place of Peace and A Promise of Hope. However, it can easily be read as a stand-alone, as the relevant events from the previous books are covered in enough depth that the new reader understands the background, without providing so much detail as to bore the regular reader. I suspect these titles are more focused at the Young Adult than then Adult market. While there was nothing wrong with the book, I am old enough that I don’t really want to read about teenagers any more – but I can fully see that these would be worthwhile books for my daughter to read in a few years. A Life of Joy emphasised the importance of making your own decisions based on your own faith in God, and not allowing external pressures or ‘worldly’ people to influence that decision, and this is certainly something I expect that many Christian parents seek to teach their children.

There were a few things that puzzled me in A Life of Joy, but these are more a commentary on US life in general and Amish life in particular than any criticism of the book. I found it amusing that while the Amish are not permitted to own or use most modern technology, it is permitted for them to sell souvenirs like “books, maps, postcards, magnets, keychains, collectible spoons and note cards”, all of which must be mass-produced (probably in China) using manufacturing methods that the Amish would not themselves be permitted to use. And is it a cash-only business, or are they permitted the electronic machinery necessary to accept credit cards? I found it frustrating when one character reminds another that “the Bible tells us not to judge one another”, when the central plot feature of so many Amish books (although not this one) is shunning – casting ‘sinners’ out of the Amish community until they repent. And I just shook my head when Lindsay passed her GED (the equivalent of a high school diploma). How hard can it be if a teen with no formal high school education can pass by studying one book for only a month? No wonder most American teenagers seem to spend their high school years in a mainstream equivalent to the Amish rumspringa (‘running around’).

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. This review also appears on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.

By the way, WaterbrookMultnomah give away free books at random to those readers who rank reviews of their books. You can rank my review using the buttons below, or read and rank more reviews on their website, http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggi.... This will also help me - the more people rate my reviews, the bigger the selection of books I get to choose from.
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Jan 14, 2012 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Amy has done it again...another great book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series.
Four years ago Jessica and Lindsey Bedford came to live with their Aunt and Uncle Rebecca and Daniel Kauffman, when their parents were tragically killed. Jessica is now in college and taking an internship in NY City and wants Lindsey to join her.
Lindsey has embraced the Amish way of life in all ways, except by joining the Church. She loves working in the bakery, helping Aentie Rebecca, caring and playing with her lit...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Story Description:

In A Life of Joy, the fourth installment in the series, eighteen-year-old Lindsay Bedford has reached a crossroads. Should she stay in the small Amish community she's known and loved for four years or return to the English life in her hometown in Virginia where her older sister is a college student? An extended visit to Virginia might just tip the scales as Lindsay reconnects with friends, joins a new church, works on her GED, and is pressured by her sister to stay and 'make so...more Story Description:

In A Life of Joy, the fourth installment in the series, eighteen-year-old Lindsay Bedford has reached a crossroads. Should she stay in the small Amish community she's known and loved for four years or return to the English life in her hometown in Virginia where her older sister is a college student? An extended visit to Virginia might just tip the scales as Lindsay reconnects with friends, joins a new church, works on her GED, and is pressured by her sister to stay and 'make something of herself.' Will Lindsay leave her aunt Rebecca and become English or settle in Bird-in-Hand and join the Amish church?

My Review:

Lindsay Bedford couldn’t decide whether to be baptized with her two best friends Katie and Lizzie Anne. She had lived in the English world before coming to live with her Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Daniel four years ago. Once she turned 18, there was more an expectation for her to be baptized into the Amish community. Lindsay did feel like the Amish world felt right for her, but something deep down in her heart was holding her back from making the final commitment. Lindsay felt that her friends were disappointed in her for her indecision.

Lindsay works at the Kauffman bakery and she notices that her Aunt Rachel seems to be unusually tired when she returns home from the bakery each day. She asks if she is feeling okay and Rachel tries to reassure Lindsay that she is just tired and needs to go to bed earlier at night. Looking after her 3-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter must be wearing her out more than she thought. Daniel too notices Rachel’s tiredness and is worried about her and asks if she needs to see a doctor but Rachel refuses saying the pain in her stomach is from eating too much. She tells Daniel that he worries too much. Is Rachel suffering from indigestion or is it more serious than that?

I absolutely loved this book and felt as though I was with Lindsay wherever she went. I could picture in my mind’s eye Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania where she lives with Rebecca and Daniel and Virginia Beach where she stayed for a while with good family friends Trish and Frank. Lindsay is a devoutly independent and mature girl for her age who remains true to her deepest beliefs. I’d recommend this book for everyone!!
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Mar 23, 2012 Andrea Guy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, amish, amishfictionreadingchallenge, christian, ebook, netgalley, series

A Life Of Joy is quite different from most of the Amish fiction out there. Why? The main character, Lindsay, grew up English, and came to Lancaster County to live with her sister and aunt when her parents died. Her older sister Jessica, left the Amish way of life behind, but Lindsay embraced it. This story revolves around Lindsay and her struggle to decide whether she wants to join the Amish church.

This story has a lot of family struggles. Lindsay and Jessica don't see eye to eye on how they wan...more A Life Of Joy is quite different from most of the Amish fiction out there. Why? The main character, Lindsay, grew up English, and came to Lancaster County to live with her sister and aunt when her parents died. Her older sister Jessica, left the Amish way of life behind, but Lindsay embraced it. This story revolves around Lindsay and her struggle to decide whether she wants to join the Amish church.

This story has a lot of family struggles. Lindsay and Jessica don't see eye to eye on how they want to live their lives. Jessica is very much a worldly girl and she often foists her view on her sister, who is very comfortable living the "plain" life.

Linsday has many challenges to face. Her parents good friend is hurt in a fall, and she is sent back into the "English" world for a summer. This is really her rumspringa (running around time), for those familiar with the Amish Culture. Her aunt Rebecca discovers she's pregnant shortly before she leaves, and she almost successfully keeps the difficult pregnancy from her, so she can enjoy Virginia. I can understand why Rebecca would do that, though at times I struggled with the reasoning of the Amish to not tell people when they are "In the family way."

There are times when you aren't sure if Lindsay is going to return to Pennsylvania, but her heart belongs in Bird-In-Hand. She no longer fits in with her old friends in Virginia, but she does take the time to explore things when she is there. What she learns is not very surprising, because she really seems to have embraced the Amish way of life.

I really enjoyed Clipston's characters. They seemed more real than some in other Amish fiction. Their struggles where more "real life." This is Book 4 in the Kaufmann Amish Bakery series. I haven't read the other 3 books, but I definitely want to go ahead and find them. I love books set in Lancaster County. It is a place I'm familiar with from family vacations. Reading books set in this location always makes me feel like I'm back there.

If you like Amish fiction and are looking for an author besides Lewis or Brunstetter, Amy Clipston's series will delight you.(less)

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Aug 13, 2012 Gail rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 13, 2012 Shari Larsen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the 4th book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series, and so far my favorite.

Lindsay Bedford and her sister Jessica came to live with their Amish aunt, Rebecca, 4 years ago, after their parents were killed in a car accident. Their mother was raised Amish but the left the community to live in the "English" world. Lindsay liked the Amish way of life, and had planned to join the church, but now that she is 18, she has doubts and cannot decide which world she belongs to. When she is called to Vi...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Life of Joy
Amy Clipston

Book Summary: Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the "English" way of life-and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the imp...more A Life of Joy
Amy Clipston

Book Summary: Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the "English" way of life-and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. In A Life of Joy, the fourth installment in the series, eighteen-year-old Lindsay Bedford has reached a crossroads. Should she stay in the small Amish community she's known and loved for four years or return to the English life in her hometown in Virginia where her older sister is a college student? An extended visit to Virginia might just tip the scales as Lindsay reconnects with friends, joins a new church, works on her GED, and is pressured by her sister to stay and "make something of herself." Will Lindsay leave her aunt Rebecca and become English or settle in Bird-in-Hand and join the Amish church? Legions of Clipston fans want to know. Full of well-researched Amish culture, Clipston's book is true to form, delivering the best of the Amish fiction genre wrapped around a compelling story, with characters who will touch the hearts of loyal fans and new readers alike.
Review: I loved the characters in this book. The story line was believable and engrossing with characters you would root for and care about. The book was the fourth in a series and had many reoccurring characters and a continuous storyline of faith and family. I have not read all of the other books aside from one novella for the holidays I found it was easy to ease into the characters and relationships that were explained and never overdone. The book was easy to read and enjoyable throughout the story. The only problem I had was that the end seemed abrupt and with more questions than answers. I realize that this is a book in a series, however many resolve the main theme in the current book. This ending would not deter me from reading more books by this author.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Zondervan Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
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Sep 29, 2012 Michele Minor rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books

Four years after her parents's death Lindsay Bedford is still living in Bird in Hand, PA with her Amish aunt and uncle. Though she is now eighteen years old and is still trying to decide if she had wanted to stay in her small Amish community or move away like her older sister who is going to college in Virginia. She has an opportunity to go back to Virginia in order to help out one of her parent's old friends who had badly broken her leg and needs Lindsay's help. Lindsay meets up with her old fr...more

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Feb 17, 2012 IrenesChristianReviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Life of Joy, written by Amy Clipston, is part of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series. You do not have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this story.

Lindsay has been living with her Amish Aunt since the passing of both of her parents. Her sister Jessica has taken a different road and has chosen to live outside the Amish community. Lindsay has just found out that all of her friends are being baptized into the Amish faith. Now it is time for her to decide what she wants for herself.

When...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Janet C. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction

This is my second Amy Clipson book. I enjoy her style of writing. I have not read all the books in the series but I was able to pick up the threads by the first chapter of this book. Lindsey, who went to live four years ago with her Amish family side after her parents died, is at a crossroads in her life. She needs to decide whether to get baptized in the Amish faith and way of life or choose her English roots and world. This was a good book about the decision process this young woman went throu...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Lindsay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish, 2012-reading-challenge, a-z-title-challenge-2012, borrowed-library, series, series-completed

Lindsay has been living with her aunt Rebecca and Uncle Daniel Kauffman. Lindsay Bradford comes to a crossroads in her live to join the church or return back to the English world where are older sister is college student. Lindsay needs to make a big decision.

Lindsay hear about her family friend Trish has an accedent and decide to got live with her until she can get back on her feet. Lindsay also while visiting Trish and Frank, her sister Jessica pressures her to get her GED and make life of for...more

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Feb 15, 2012 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

For the past four years, Lindsay Bedford has lived with her Amish aunt, Rebecca Kauffman, and her family. She and her sister, Jessica, moved to Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania after their parents died in a car accident. Lindsay is eighteen years old, an age where she can take classes so she can be baptized into the Amish faith. While her Amish friends are sure that they are ready to make the lifetime commitment, she's not. It doesn't help that Jessica, who no longer lives with the Kauffmans, seems to...more For the past four years, Lindsay Bedford has lived with her Amish aunt, Rebecca Kauffman, and her family. She and her sister, Jessica, moved to Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania after their parents died in a car accident. Lindsay is eighteen years old, an age where she can take classes so she can be baptized into the Amish faith. While her Amish friends are sure that they are ready to make the lifetime commitment, she's not. It doesn't help that Jessica, who no longer lives with the Kauffmans, seems to always be pushing her to do something more with her life. Lindsay has also started to notice how cute Matthew Glick is, but they can't date until she is baptized.

Lindsay really struggles with the decision of whether she should stay English or became Amish. She loves her life in Bird-In-Hand. She works at the Kaufman family bakery. She also helps Rebecca take care of her two younger children. Lindsay prays for God's guidance and gets an answer.

Her parent's best friends Frank and Trisha McCabe live in Virginia. When Trisha breaks her leg, they ask Lindsay to stay with them for several weeks to help out. Lindsay experiences living like the English again. She goes out with old friends and uses all the modern conveniences, like laptop computers. Lindsay soon realizes where she belongs. Is it in Bird-In-Hand, where she has spent the last four years of her life? Or is it back in the English world where she was born? Read A Life Of Joy to find out.

This story focuses mainly on Lindsay's decision but there are smaller stories going on. Rebecca is having health issues, Jessica is living the life she always wanted, and Matthew and Lindsay develop a friendship. I really enjoyed this book. Lindsay wanted to do what God wants for her life, she's just not sure what that is. Her friends and family are very supportive of her not getting baptized with the rest of her friends. The McCabes aren't pushing her to stay English, the Kaufman's aren't pushing her to become Amish. She has to figure out on her own what to do. This book shows us to trust God for His guidance in our lives.

This is book 4 in the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series. I didn't read the first three books and think this could be a stand alone book. I wasn't lost or confused about the characters as I read through the book.

I received this free e-book from NetGalley for honest review.(less)

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Feb 07, 2012 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is simply one of the best Amish stories I've EVER read. I was hooked from beginning to end. Lindsay is a soft-hearted, willing worker who ends up spending time in the "English" world for awhile. Her choices are clear, but the reasons for choosing either/or are not. The book dissects her thoughts as she searches her heart for the answer she so desires. As a young girl, Lindsay's difficult decisions will affect her life and others around her, and this could be helpful to young adult read...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Leah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

I like reading Amish fiction, but I've never read anything outside Beverly Lewis. Amy Clipston's fourth book in her Kauffman Amish Bakery series was a pleasant surprise.

I did not know when I read the book that it was the fourth book in the series. I didn't feel I lost anything not reading the first three books, but I do want to go back and read them. The characters back stories from those novels was sufficiently explained in this one that I could enjoy it just the same.

18-year-old Lindsay Bedfor...more

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Feb 26, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a delight from start to finish. I loved it. Really could not put the book down, and had to find out what the ending was. It was beautifully written, and reading it, could tell that a lot of love and hard work went into this. I felt for Lindsay, her unsureness of committing to being baptised into the Amish life. The side story of Rebecca and her problems with her pregnancy were all too familiar. There were times when I felt like getting hold of Jessica and telling her to leave her sister...more

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Nov 26, 2012 India Sturgill rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed this series so far. Out of the four books that I have read A Life of Joy has to be my least favorite. Although I enjoyed the book I found the plot to be a little boring. Lindsey left Bird-in-hand, PA to go to Virginia Beach to take care of her hurt Aunt. While there she was faced with the choice of whether she wanted to be Amish for the rest of her life or she wanted to continue her old life. The plot seemed to drag on and the book ended abruptly. Overall I love the series...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Jeni rated it 4 of 5 stars

Finally we get back to Jessica and Lindsey, the two teens who were transported directly from the English world into the old world Amish community when their parents were killed in the first book of this series. I’ve really admired Clipston’s unique storylines throughout this series, but I have to admit I’ve really been wondering when we’d find out more about Lindsey and Jessica. Aside from a few cameo appearances in the last two books, the storylines have really focused on other members of the K...more

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May 24, 2012 Eustacia Tan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

Normally, I like reading books about the Amish. We don't have anyone/any community like that in Singapore, and I think it's interesting to read about my brothers and sisters in Christ. A Life of Joy was supposed to be like this - a sweet young girl choosing if she wants to be Amish. Instead, I found myself unaccountably annoyed with the protagonist.

Lindsay grew up 'English', a term that encompasses anyone that isn't Amish. But when her parents died, her sister (Jessica) and her was moved to Bir...more Normally, I like reading books about the Amish. We don't have anyone/any community like that in Singapore, and I think it's interesting to read about my brothers and sisters in Christ. A Life of Joy was supposed to be like this - a sweet young girl choosing if she wants to be Amish. Instead, I found myself unaccountably annoyed with the protagonist.

Lindsay grew up 'English', a term that encompasses anyone that isn't Amish. But when her parents died, her sister (Jessica) and her was moved to Bird-in-Hand. Jessica couldn't take the Amish way of life and fled to college, but Lindsay loves it, although now with Baptism class coming up, she's starting to feel uncertain. And in order for her to compare, an opportunity arises for her to live with the 'English' a little while.

For some weird reason, I found Lindsay annoying and egoistical. She seems to be convinced that people won't be able to function without her. To quote:

Lindsay gestured toward Rebecca. "But you need me too. You're my family, my real, blood family."
"I'll be just fine if you want to go to Virginia" Rebecca said.
"What about the bakery? Elizabeth depends on me."
If you don't know, she's considering whether to go and help her Aunt Trisha, who broke her leg badly and has no one to help. If I were her, I'll go right away, because that's where I'm needed. But instead, she angst's over it.

Perhaps it's because I identify more with Jessica. She's very driven, especially with regards to college and she wants Lindsay to go to college to (something that won't happen if she joins the Amish). But of course, Lindsay resents this interference. I probably would, but as the older sister, I'm prone to be more like Jessica than Lindsay. What I wanted to see more of in the book was the interactions between Jessica and Jake. The implications of an 'English' girl falling in love with a Mennonite boy would be really interesting, although I don't like Jake that much.

The only other problem I have with the book is with regards to characterisation. Everyone is almost too nice, except, of course, the 'English' teenagers who are try to grope Lindsay and drink all the time. To clarify: these are only the non-Christian teenagers. What I would have liked was to see a little more complex characters, why can't there be nice non-Christians (I want to see more Vicki and Heather) and unpleasant Amish/Christians (more on Katie's mom!). Then, it would seem more like real life. Because we Christians are also flawed. Perhaps that's why Jessica is my favourite character - she's flawed yes, but also has good intentions.

All these negatives aside, the book is a good read. I kept reading on, hoping against hope that the ending wasn't what I thought it would be (it was), but I enjoyed reading it. I actually have a feeling that I would like to read more about Bird-In-Hand, so perhaps it was the choice of protagonist that prevented me from liking the book as much as I should have. If you're new to reading Amish stories, I would recommend reading Beverly Lewis's books first, before going on to read this.

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was requested to write a review, but all opinions here are mine.

(First published at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile)(less)

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Jan 02, 2012 Lynne Young rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was really looking forward to this book! Ms. Clipston did not disappoint! It was worth waiting for and a must read! If you have read any of Ms. Clipston's Kauffman Amish Bakery series then you will love this one! This is Book #4 in the series and a wonderful addition to the Kauffman family story.

Lindsay Bedford and her sister were taken in 4 years ago, after the tragic death of their parents, by the Amish sister and her husband of their mother after spending the first 14 years of their life gr...more I was really looking forward to this book! Ms. Clipston did not disappoint! It was worth waiting for and a must read! If you have read any of Ms. Clipston's Kauffman Amish Bakery series then you will love this one! This is Book #4 in the series and a wonderful addition to the Kauffman family story.

Lindsay Bedford and her sister were taken in 4 years ago, after the tragic death of their parents, by the Amish sister and her husband of their mother after spending the first 14 years of their life growing up in Virginia. While her sister did not like or want to adjust to the Amish way of life and soon went back to live with family friends in Virginia to attend college, Lindsay took to the Amish way of life and enjoyed living the simple life. Now that she has turned eighteen, the expectation that she will join the church is upon her. Her two best friends are taking the classes to join and can't understand why Lindsay has not signed up. She is just not sure if she is ready to make that commitment yet. She is also getting pressure from her sister who feels she knows what's best for Lindsay, to move back to Virginia and go to college with her after getting her GED. Lindsay sees no reason to go to college and doesn't like her sisters constant criticism of the Amish way of life.

Lindsay's days are filled with working at the Kauffman bakery where she is learning a lot, helping to care for her Aunt and Uncle's two small children, and spending time with her friends. One day she receives a call from her sister who has accepted an internship in New York and says their family friend in Virginia had an accident and broke her leg. Since she can't go because she doesn't want to give up her internship, would Lindsay go and help for the summer. Can Lindsay say no? Of course not. Besides, going home will give her a chance to see which world she really wants to live in, English or Amish.

The reader travels through the ups and downs and indecision that haunt Lindsay and we see her struggle to make the right decision. The time she spends in Virginia offers her the opportunity to not only help, but learn about herself and what she really wants, where she wants to be, and the desires of her heart. When I got to the end of this book I wanted more! I didn't want to see the story end! I can't wait for the next book! Ms. Clipston has done an amazing job of drawing the reader in and keeping them involved in the events of the very large Kauffman family.(less)

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Jan 30, 2012 Rachel Brand rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, amish, amy-clipston, net-galley, zondervan, christian, 2012, almost-favourites

GENRE: AMISH
PUBLISHER: ZONDERVAN
PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 01, 2012
RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5 – EXCELLENT

PROS: Lindsay’s struggles are easy to relate to; breaks out of the mould of traditional romantic Amish novels; revisits characters from earlier books in the series

CONS: Ending is very abrupt and leaves some unanswered questions

Eighteen-year-old Linsday Bedford has lived with her Amish aunt and uncle in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania ever since her parents died in a car accident. While she’s settled in...more GENRE: AMISH
PUBLISHER: ZONDERVAN
PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 01, 2012
RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5 – EXCELLENT

PROS: Lindsay’s struggles are easy to relate to; breaks out of the mould of traditional romantic Amish novels; revisits characters from earlier books in the series

CONS: Ending is very abrupt and leaves some unanswered questions

Eighteen-year-old Linsday Bedford has lived with her Amish aunt and uncle in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania ever since her parents died in a car accident. While she’s settled into the Amish way of life and enjoys working in the family bakery and helping to care for her younger cousins, her older sister, Jessica, lives with a family friend back home in Virginia and is pursuing a college degree. Lindsay thinks that she’s settled in her new lifestyle, until her sister comes to visit and encourages her to experiment more in the English world that she grew up in and see all that she’s missing out on. As much as Lindsay enjoys life in Bird-in-Hand, she can’t help but wonder whether she’s letting her real parents down by not pursing a college degree and a career like her sister. So instead of taking baptismal classes with her friends, she spends the summer staying with Jessica’s legal guardians and caring their “Aunt”, who has broken her leg. But although the temptations of the English world are all around her, Lindsay feels uncomfortable wearing the typical beach clothes everyone in Virginia is wearing, attending rowdy parties with her old school friends and eating off paper plates in front of the television. As her old friends and neighbours question the way of life she’s been living with her aunt and uncle back in Pennsylvania, Lindsay also questions the route she’s meant to take in her life. Does God want her to be career-motivated like Jessica? Or is her contentment in Bird-in-Hand a sign that she’s meant to stay there?

Next to Beverly Lewis, Amy Clipston was the first Amish author I ever read. The first book in her Kauffman Amish Bakery series appealed to me because it wasn’t a standard romance, but the tale of two orphaned English teenagers who came to live with the childless Amish uncle and aunt. A Life of Joy revisits these teenagers, who are now young women, and follows Lindsay as she figures out which path in life she’s destined to take. This novel differs from a lot of other Amish novels in that at least half of it takes place in the “English” world in Virginia, where Lindsay is staying with family friends. But despite the lack of buggies and prayer kapps, Amy has crafted an incredibly compelling story. There’s a little romance in the background of the story, kept alive through letters and phone calls between Lindsay and a male friend back in Pennsylvania, but the main body of the story deals with Lindsay finding herself.

Any woman who has felt torn between the life God wants her to lead and that which the world and her peers think is best for her will be able to relate to Lindsay’s struggles. This book came at just the right time for me, so I may be a little biased in my review. I’ve known since I was a teenager that all I want to do in life is get married and have a family. I’d love nothing more than to be a stay-at-home mum; but right now I’m getting married this summer rather than pursuing an internship or searching for work experience bemuses my fellow classmates. I’m not driven like they are when it comes to career matters, but they don’t always understand this; just like Jessica doesn’t understand how her sister can enjoy baking pies and babysitting her cousins over going to college. I could completely empathise with Lindsay feeling pulled towards the English world even though she was normally content being Amish. Sometimes the pressures of friends and family make us feel like we’re not doing enough, just because we’re taking the path that most avoid. Reading about Lindsay’s search for the place she was meant to be and the role she was meant to inhabit truly encouraged me, and I hope it does the same for many other readers.

This is the fourth novel in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series, and unlike some books in the Amish genre I don’t think it can be read as a standalone. That said, long-term fans of Amy’s novels will be pleased to revisit characters like Lindsay and Jessica, as well as their aunt and uncle, in this novel. Characters from the second and third instalments in the series also appear in the background from time to time, as do popular locations such as the bakery and furniture store. But just as this book follows on from earlier instalments in the series, the ending left me wondering if Lindsay and Jessica’s stories were going to be concluded in the fifth and final book. I turned the page on my Kindle expecting another chapter or an epilogue to find discussion questions and had to go back and reread the last paragraph, surprised at how abrupt the ending was. While it was optimistic for Lindsay, I couldn’t help but feel that Jessica’s story wasn’t finished yet, and there were some unanswered questions regarding Lindsay’s aunt and one of her friends. I do hope that Amy plans to answer these questions in the final book in the series, and since she’s announced that she’ll be writing a YA spinoff of the Kauffman Amish Bakery series perhaps this will revisit some of Lindsay’s teenage friends.

The fourth novel in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series is just as delightful as those that came before it, and many readers will be able to relate to Lindsay’s struggles to discover her place in life. Long-term fans of the series will be pleased to revisit old favourite characters in A Life of Joy and will be left greatly anticipating the fifth and final instalment, A Season of Love.

Review title provided by Zondervan. (less)

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Feb 17, 2012 Camille rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction, christian-fiction, net-galley-reviews, 4-and-a-half-stars, zondervan

From my blog: http://books-camilleelise4.blogspot.com

A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston

I was graciously given a copy of this book through NetGalley and Zondervan to read and write a review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston is the 4th book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series.

I have read the 1st (click here for a review) and 3rd (click here for a review) book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series, and it's safe to say that I really, tru...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Tillie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-from-publisher-for-review, amish-fiction

To view all of my reviews, check out my blog Nuttier Reads

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Amy seriously does it again with the fourth book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. In this installment, you meet back up with Lindsay, who in the first book was thrust into the Amish life after the death of her parents. She thrived there even though she was missing her sister (who left to go stay with family friends when she realized she couldn't make it there).

Lindsay is reaching the point in her life where all of her friends ar...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Lorie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amish-fiction, downloaded-to-kindle, netgalley, review-book

A Life of Joy is the fourth book in Amy Clipston’s Kauffman’s Amish Bakery series. I had been awaiting this book for awhile now. This book focused on Lindsey Bedford. Lindsey and her sister Jessica came to live with her Amish Aunt and Uncle after her parents die. Lindsey decided to stay with her Aunt and Uncle and live Amish while Jessica went back to live with her parent’s best friends who were English like her parents. Lindsey had been living among the Amish for 4 years now. Lindsey’s friends...more A Life of Joy is the fourth book in Amy Clipston’s Kauffman’s Amish Bakery series. I had been awaiting this book for awhile now. This book focused on Lindsey Bedford. Lindsey and her sister Jessica came to live with her Amish Aunt and Uncle after her parents die. Lindsey decided to stay with her Aunt and Uncle and live Amish while Jessica went back to live with her parent’s best friends who were English like her parents. Lindsey had been living among the Amish for 4 years now. Lindsey’s friends start talking about taking classes in preparation to join the Amish church. Lindsey does not feel ready to join yet. Lindsey’s sister Jessica comes flying into town to tell them she is taking a big internship in New York and wants Lindsey to go with her. Jessica also is always onto Lindsey about taking her GED test. Lindsey ends up having to go to help her parent’s friends that Jessica was living with before going to New York. Her Aunt Trish as they call her has broken her leg and Lindsey must go and help her. Will Lindsey be able to hold onto her Amish beliefs and customs while living with them or will she decides she wants to come back to the English world? Lindsey goes on a discovery for what she wants out of life.
As with all these books I really enjoyed this one. A lot of this book took place in the English world, so I missed all the Amish bakery scenes as in the previous books. Even though I missed those bakery moments, I was really glad to get to go on this self discovery journey with Lindsey. I think she really grows up and finds herself throughout this book. It was a great chance to catch up with these characters and know what was going on with them. I really liked how Rebecca allowed Lindsey to make the decision that she knew would be one of the biggest decisions of her life. While Aunt Trish tried to allow her to make her own decisions, I felt like she also tried to push her into the English world as did her sister. I am looking forward to learning more about Jessica and her relationship with Jake. I’m hoping that will be the next book will be more about that, but we shall see.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and Zondervan. I was not required to give a positive review only an honest one.
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Nov 11, 2011 Dani Moore rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a joy to read more about the life of Lindsey and Jessica,Two young adult women, four years down the road after the death of their parents. Lindsey chose to stay in Bird-in-Hand with her Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Daniel, while Jessica returned to the "English" life with their parents friends. The two sisters butt heads over their very different life choices. The many Amish recipes made my mouth water! I can't wait to read more about the famlies and return for a visit to Bird-in-Hand.

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Apr 01, 2012 Dorrice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Having read the previous books of this series, I much enjoyed catching up with the people in the earlier books. But oh my goodness, Amy Clipston, you cut us off too soon. I wanted to read about the reunion between Lindsay and Matthew, I wanted to know about Rebecca and her baby, Katie and her so far unidentified suitor, etc. It's all very well to leave everything to the reader's imagination. But you invented these people and you should let us know what happened! The only thing I can suggest now...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, library-book, fiction, religious

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 19, 2012 Joann10 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: relaxing-fiction

My favorite book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. Lindsay has to decide if she is ready to join the Amish church, but before she decides she heads out into the English world to help her friend who was injured in a fall. She faces many choices along the way, and I was very pleased with the conclusion...although I wish it continued.

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May 06, 2012 April Suter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lindsay is troubled with her the decision to join or not to join the church. Matthew has talked to a little, which she is glad about. Her sister is bugging her to get her GED and go on with her education. So she must choose the Amish way of life or English.

326 pages

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A Life of Joy (Kauffman Amish Bakery #4)

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