• A Gift of Grace

  • Kauffman Amish Bakery Series
  • By: Amy Clipston
  • Narrated by: Devon O' Day
  • Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (189 ratings)

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A Gift of Grace  By  cover art

A Gift of Grace

By: Amy Clipston
Narrated by: Devon O' Day
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Publisher's summary

When Rebecca Kauffman's older sister, who left the Amish community when she was a teenager, dies in an automobile accident, Rebecca is left custody of her two modern non-Amish teenage nieces, Jessica and Lindsay. Will she be able to reconcile the two worlds in her home - or will the clash of cultures tear her world, including her marriage, apart?
©2009 Amy Clipston (P)2009 Zondervan

What listeners say about A Gift of Grace

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I wanted to like it

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I really wish I could say this was a better book. I just feel like the writing was very repetitive, almost like the author was just filling space to make the book longer. I did not like the way it was narrated at all. Unfortunately, I will avoid any more books by this author and this narrator. I hope to find a similar Amish series that will be more satisfying for me. I did love the spiritual aspect though and overall found it was uplifting and positive.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

LOVED THE AUDIO VERSION BOOK

What made the experience of listening to A Gift of Grace the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed listening to the characters. You became so involved with each character and how they were feeling while listening to the audio version it made you feel as if you were there. I worked in my office I found myself being helped by the advice being given in the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Gift of Grace?

When Rebecca realizes it's in giving up what was most precious to her in order to hear God clearly she was trying to hold onto what she wanted and after obeying God she was receiving the blessings and peace in her life. The book was exciting and had me captivated and looking for the next book. I loved this book.

What about Devon O' Day’s performance did you like?

The reader had so much expression and did so well with discovering a voice for each of the characters that you could tell who was speaking while listening. I listen to a lot of audio books and this was one of the best.

Any additional comments?

A lesson in love and giving up of yourself and your needs for others and learning how to find your way back in your marriage when you have both been very hurt. Love and forgiveness is the key to restoring broken relationships.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

3.5 Stars. A Gift of Grace is the first Amish book that I have read. It was pretty good. I found it to be captivating and did not want to put it down. Perhaps that was because I haven't listened to this sub-genre before so I wasn't sure what was going to happen. Otherwise, it wasn't all that unique or full of excitement.

This book is about two teenage sisters whose parents die suddenly and tragically and their only living relative is an Aunt whom they have never met because she is Amish and their mother left the Amish community when she was a teenager. Their mother left custody of them to said aunt and it thrust them into an unfamiliar and completely different type of life. 14 year old Lindsay takes to her Aunt and the Amish way quickly as she says it makes her feel closer to her recently deceased mother. 15 year old Jessica doesn't fit in at all and is horrified to learn that the Amish do not attend school beyond 8th grade and she would no longer be permitted to attend school or finish out high school. Instead, the girls are to take jobs, Lindsay at the bakery with her aunt and Jessica doing the books and front counter at her uncle's furniture shop. Lindsay is thrilled, Jessica is not. To make matters worse, Aunt Rebecca's husband, Uncle Daniel, feels that the girls do not belong there and should be sent to live with friends of the girls' parents. Rebecca feels like this is her chance to be a mother as she and Daniel were never able to have children of their own and she knows that it was her sister's wish and wants to honor that as well. The arrival of the girls and Jessica's continued and unintentional missteps threaten to ruin Daniel and Rebecca's standing in their community and among their people.

I struggled with the narrow-mindedness and judgments cast by people in this "Christian" community. I found it to be very hypocritical and disgusting. It was annoying how often Jessica had to be "talked to" or told how important it was that she be mindful and respectful of their way of life and follow the rules of their community, yet never once did anyone explain these rules. If you want someone to follow rules that are completely foreign to them, it would be helpful to spell it out to them or clue the person in on these rules.

Another thing that was odd was just how into the Amish way of life and thought process Lindsay was. She was so quick to be exactly what and who she needed to be and it didn't feel genuine. I needed to see some sort of adjustment or difficulties for her.

When it was all said and done, I felt underwhelmed with the wrap up. We spent a lot of time getting to know these characters, so what happens next for them? Instead we got another traumatic event that served as setting up book 2 for a side character to get her own book and story. I need more.

I'm still interested in seeing more, so I am going to try book 2. I contemplated skipping to books 4 and 5 just so I can get the rest of the story with these characters, but I think I will give the series overall a chance.

As for the narration, it was okay. The narrator had a pleasant voice, but I didn't feel that her tone was appropriate for the story. She literally sounded jovial and on the verge of a big joyous laugh the entire time. Super emotional stuff was happening and she sounded straight up giddy throughout all of it. It was really strange and not appropriate. I also wasn't fond of her lack of distinct character voices. I would still listen to the narration if I had it to do all over again, but it just doesn't fit the story and it takes a bit away from the overall engagement.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • JM
  • 06-11-12

Good Read.

If you could sum up A Gift of Grace in three words, what would they be?

Good story. I love Amish books. I really enjoyed this one. Did not want the story to end. A pleasure to drive and listen. It is like watching a movie in your head while you listen. Good Job.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

i liked it

it was a little unbelievable but at the same time brought the thinking of two different worlds togather the division and decisions were believable the story kept my attention and it was not just another amish love story

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Amish reading

What did you like about this audiobook?

I love the humbleness of the Amish. I know this is fiction, but I really desire to be more humble and rely on God more and more. I love the scripture that is constantly quoted.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

A whole lot. I want to read more and more about the Amish.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes, to a large degree. I got just a little tired of the relationships going back and forth, but it certainly did not keep me from going on with the book.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

I did not like the narration at all. Emphasis was almost nil. When someone would be in a tramatic situation, as when the girls godmother would speak, the narration just didn't meet the situation at all. I was "oh really"....I felt there should have been more dramatics in her voice/output. Was not happy at all with the narration of just this one book.

Do you have any additional comments?

Just a great series.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good Story

This was a good but sad story. It tells if teens losing their parents and how it changes their lives. They go to live with Amish aunt n uncle and meet the other side of the family. It’s interesting to learn how the girls fit in and how tragedy pulls everyone together. Surprises at the end. Good story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Audio

I just truly enjoy Amish stories so much faith and Godly living. Simple family life, so much love of God and family.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

rather boring

I love that it is a good clean book with no profanity but it is rather boring, the narrator puts me to sleep. the dialogue is long and drawn out, the story itself is good just needs a better narrator and more excitement. I love the use of bible scripture throughout the story which is refreshing

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed

enjoyed reading this book very much
looking forward to reading the next book !! the promise of hope

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