Review: A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipson

Carolyn Lapp dreams of marrying for love. But will the errors of her past destroy this dream forever? Carolyn Lapp longs to have a traditional Amish family. But she lives on her brother’s farm with her parents and her 15-year old son, Benjamin. Carolyn has never revealed the identity of Benjamin’s father and lives daily with the guilt and shame of her youthful indiscretion. Her brother simply will not forgive her. His answer is to arrange a practical marriage for Carolyn to Saul, a widower with a little girl. But Carolyn isn’t convinced that Saul really loves her and believes he is simply looking for someone to help raise his daughter. When Benjamin causes trouble at a local horse auction, horse breeder Joshua Glick decides that he must be taught a lesson. Carolyn and Joshua are unmistakably drawn to each other, but Joshua mistakenly assumes that Benjamin is Carolyn’s brother. Carolyn fears that if he discovers the truth, her past will destroy their budding romance. After years of shame and loneliness, Carolyn suddenly has two men vying for her attention. But which of them will give her the family - and the unconditional love - she’s longed for?

I did not know this when I chose this book for review, but it is part of a series called Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel.  Book One is A Hopeful Heart and A Mother's Secret is Book 2.  I enjoyed the story and the characters.  I would be interested in reading other books in the series as well.  It is a bit different than your typical Amish novel since the main character is an Amish woman who had a child out of wedlock.  Carolyn's parents are very good to her and her son and have forgiven her for her past indiscretion.  Many others, including her brother has not and Carolyn lives everyday of her life feeling like it is hanging over her head.  In this story we learn about forgiveness, not just asking for it, but also giving it and giving it freely.  Also we are reminded that once we have asked God's forgiveness, we are forgiven and do not need to live our lives as Carolyn did holding on to the shame.  It is forgiven.  We also learn that we should not settle for less than God's best for each of our lives.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.  I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC regulations.