A Hopeful Heart

I am so intrigued by the Amish - I don't understand so much of their belief system, and why they choose to live the way they do. Fortunately, there are several authors who write fantastic stories that incorporate explanation into their work, so learning about this often mysterious religious community is easy and enjoyable. Amy Clipston is at the top of that list.

I love Amy's books.

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book but just a few things to get
past. The speed of following in love just isn't realistic, I know this is a book
of fiction but still.
I enjoy the building relationship between Hannah and Trey, it just needed to
not be so rushed. Enjoyed Amanda and Mike,looking forward to seeing where that
goes I the next book.

A good heartwarming story.

Have you ever wanted to line up most of the characters in a book and then backhand them as you walk down the row? I became so exasperated with most of the characters that I wanted to do just that, several times! But again, I wanted to tell them that I understood how they felt. The book left me feeling torn and emotional. I didn't want to put it down. I found myself in bed trying to reason with the characters. I knew they were not real people but still.......a fantastic read that left me breathless at times.

I was Soo disappointed in this book. Kept hoping it would get better.

A Hopeful Heart (Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel)Amy ClipstonBook Description: In A Hopeful Heart, the first novel of the new Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series from best-selling author Amy Clipston, Hannah finds herself at a crossroads in her life. Her community offers her love and support after the untimely death of her husband, but an Englisher offers her the chance of a new life after her unexpected tragedy. Wealthy businessman Trey Peterson is surprised by his attraction to the gentle Amish woman who works as a housekeeper in the Lancaster Grand Hotel. They share a common bond of loss and are able to offer each other comfort and support as they journey through their grief. Joshua Glick wants nothing more than to offer his friendship and love to Hannah and her family. Not only is he her late husband’s brother and business partner, he has always been in love with Hannah. A Hopeful Heart is filled with surprising twists as Hannah tries to balance her life in the Amish community and her growing love for an outsider.Review: I loved the majority of this book. I liked the characters and the setting. The story line was sad at the start. Yet the book was not gloomy overall. I did find it difficult to believe that leaving the Amish life could be so easily resolved and that it would be harder than anyone could imagine. I believed the way Hannah’s mother-in-law treated her especially when Hannah was friendly with an Engilsher. I found much of the book to be realistic. In my own personal opinion I think that Hannah was a selfish about pursuing her own desires since the Amish are raised to be community minded. I felt very mixed by the end of the book and that is really where I still am. I would like to thank Book Sneeze 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.

Friday, March 31, 2017A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston, © 2013, © 2016Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel, Book 1The Grand Hotel in Paradise, Pennsylvania, employs Amish women to be housekeepers for their guest rooms. Widow Hannah Glick co-owns a horse farm business with her brother-in-law, Joshua. Her hotel wages will help toward hiring a man to work in the stables.Hannah has three children. Her twin teenage daughters, Lillian and Amanda, work within their community members. On the alternate days that their mamm is away from home, Lillian cares for their younger brother, Andrew.Hannah unexpectedly begins talking with an English guest at the hotel who has lost his wife and teenage daughter to an accident. She finds herself at ease sharing her thoughts about loss and life changes she has not voiced to anyone. She is reminded by an older coworker about talking with guests at the hotel. And, by her family...Families were full of complicated, intertwined relationships that somehow translated into love and support.--A Hopeful Heart, 69.Each character is fully developed and although Hannah is the main character, her family and those around them have a complete voice. Do we see our intentions as others see them? Matters of the heart being justified or are others warily looking on?Conversational, author Amy Clipston reveals each character's heart with their thoughts and interactions together. Hannah has a good listening friend in Ruth, who allows her to speak out loud to hear and process her thoughts. Unsure how it is going to turn out until arriving at the last page will keep you engaged in this first story in this new series.

A Hopeful Heart is just that, and full of painful decisions, and life changing ones. Trey Peterson has suffered the imaginable, losing both his wife and daughter to a horrible accident. He was away at the time on one of his many business trips, this saved his life, but he now wishes it hadn’t. He is now dealing with the ramifications of not being there, being spared, oh if only it could have been him?Trey is now trying to make a dream of his wife’s come true, opening an Amish style Bed and Breakfast, he is now search the Lancaster area for the perfect place. While staying at the Lancaster Grand Hotel he has a chance meeting, or I should say surprise meeting with Hannah Glick.Hannah is suffering from her own loss of her husband, raising her children, and trying to provide for them. Her brother in law has