Breaking New Ground

An Amish Legacy Novel, Book 3

By: Amy Clipston

Narrated by: Lauren Berst

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Korey Bontrager and Savannah Zook are just pretending to date—but could their feelings turn into something more?

Korey Bontrager knows he’s been an immature dummkopp. When his widowed dad remarried, Korey was unwelcoming to his kindhearted stepmother. Then he became estranged from his older brother. But after fourteen months in Ohio, God called Korey back to Pennsylvania.

Easier said than done. Back home, Korey feels left behind by his family and friends, who want to see him happily married. Instead of looking for a new relationship, he finds himself spending time with Savannah Zook: the most outspoken maedel he’s ever met. She’s also confident and brave, having raised her younger brother from a young age. And she’s a natural beauty. But, hard as her friends try to convince her otherwise, she has no interest in dating. Her priority is looking out for her bullied brother.

So when Savannah suggests they pretend to date as a way to get her friends—and his family—off their backs, Korey readily agrees. Soon, he can’t imagine life without her. But could Savannah ever truly be part of his future?

Set in the faithful Amish community of Lancaster County, Breaking New Ground gives the most stubborn Bontrager a chance to redeem his story.

• Sweet, inspirational Amish romance
• Full-length novel (85,000 words)
• Second book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Legacy series
• Book 1: Foundation of Love
• Book 2: Building a Future
• Book 3: Breaking New Ground
• Book 4: The Heart’s Shelter (coming winter 2024)

©2023 Amy Clipston (P)2023 Zondervan

A Wonderful Addition to the Series!

Although I received a complimentary review copy through NetGalley, I ended up deciding to purchase the audio version because I have loved each book in this series and was excited to listen to this one. I am so glad that I did! I really enjoyed both the story and the narration.

Korey was such a frustrating character in the first two books in the series. He had some real anger issues and was very immature. It was clear that his behavior stemmed from emotional distress related to his mother’s death, as well as jealousy of his older brother. He definitely did not handle himself well.

I did wonder if I would be able to care about Korey as a main character as much as I had for the other Bontrager men in the first two novels. I am happy to report that the author did a wonderful job of redeeming this young man! I liked that his change in attitude was gradual, which made it very believable. He still battled some anger, resentment, and hurt toward Tyler and Tyler’s wife, Michelle, when he first returned. I found that extremely realistic. I loved watching Korey grow and work at asking for forgiveness and granting it, as well. His change in attitude as the story progressed was refreshing.

Savannah was a sweet character who definitely took on more responsibility for her brother than she ever needed to. I understood why she did this, however, her stubbornness almost cost her everything! It was great to see what a good friend Korey was to both Savannah and her brother, Toby. I loved seeing Savannah and Korey falling for each other. And this story has such a wonderful epilogue! It left me smiling and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary ebook copy, however, I purchased the audio book format for myself. All opinions are my own.

Breaking New Ground.

I recommend for all to click the Sample for this story and it gives you a good update of this book and some from the first two if you need a refresher as I had not read the others recently. Leads you right into the beginning which a great way to get started.

I do love the Amish traditions that is followed in most all of the different Authors. Every time I read how they have to harness up the horse for the typical buggy to go for a short ride or the longer one. I always hold my breath as in some of the books there could be an accident on the road as they drive along side the ongoing traffic of cars that do speed on the same road. None in this book so you will be forewarned about that.

I will mention about how their Church Service every other Sunday is a three hour length. The men sit on one side and the women and children on the other. After is the prepared meal by the women and served by them. The men are served first and honestly I do not remember it all so I have copied and pasted here how the Amish completely have their Sunday service from the beginning to the end.

"Amish eat in shifts, segregated by sex, and sitting at the same benches used for church which have been rearranged to form seats and table. Older adults eat first, on down to the younger ones and youth in later shifts. Amish women make the rounds pouring out black coffee and ice water."

I do remember another tradition when their homes are built. The walls are built to be portable meaning that the wall between two rooms are removed to make room for the complete families totaling up to several hundred are able to be seated for a service or a special wedding. The benches are again used. Many times the service will be held in a large barn. The information I am writing about is usually quite true. The Amish Sunday service will be held in turn so that mostly all the families will have in turn to open their home to the service. It also is cleaned from top to bottom preparing for the service.

I have added these descriptions of the Amish that they follow. It is not in this book as such, but one will pick up on some of this here and there. I believe it is still true to this day in the Amish Communities. Their meals are also very traditional and so very good. In some communities today there will be a home that advertises that reservations are signed up for their traditional meal.
I am adding another information that I have copied and pasted here about the gardens, raising their own food below.

"Nearly all Amish homes have a sizable garden, tended by the woman of the home with help from her children. Sweet corn, celery, beets, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and a wide variety of other vegetables are grown in the typical Amish garden. Amish may have fruit trees or grapevines on their property as well. Amish eat a lot of fresh foods in the growing and harvest months, and can large quantities of fruits and vegetables for the winter."

Well I have made this into more than just a book review, but what I have added here is what one will read from time to time in these wonderful Amish stories. Hope you might find this interesting as it still goes on today.
I have added some information of the Amish living in my own words. I am very taken with the life of these wonderful people. I think I have it somewhat correct.

Marilyn

Worst of the series

I love Amy Clipston books and this series has been great until this one. This book was extremely frustrating. Over and over the characters are stubborn and annoying. Hopefully the next one will be better.