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An Amish Cradle
A Son for Always
Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she--and Ben--will always be taken care of.
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
20 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Amy Clipston
122 books2,245 followersHi! I'm a bestselling author of heartwarming romance and happily ever after.
Contemporary Romance (Non-Amish)
The Heart of Splendid Lake (2021)
The View from Coral Cove (2022)
On the Way to Christmas (Anthology) (2022)
Something Old, Something New (2023)
Starstruck (2023)
Finding You (2024)
With This Ring (2025)
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn (7/2025)
The Lighthouse at the Cove (12/2025)
Stand Alone Amish Fiction
Caring for the Amish Family (4/2025)
Guideposts Amish Suspense
A Heart Set Free (9/2025)
An Amish Legacy
1. Foundation of Love (2022)
2. Building a Future (2022)
3. Breaking New Ground (2023)
4. The Hearts of Shelter (2023)
An Amish Marketplace
1. The Bake Shop (2019)
2. The Farm Stand (2020)
3. The Coffee Corner (2020)
4. The Jam and Jelly Nook (2021)
An Amish Homestead
1. A Place at our Table (2017)
2. Room on the Porch Swing (2018)
3. Seat by the Hearth (2018)
4. A Welcome at Our Door (2019)
An Amish Heirloom
1. The Forgotten Recipe (2015)
2. The Courtship Basket (2016)
3. The Cherished Quilt (2017)
4. The Beloved Hope Chest (2017)
Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel
1. A Hopeful Heart (2013)
2. A Mother’s Secret (2014)
3. A Dream of Home (2015)
4. A Simple Prayer (2015)
Kauffman Amish Bakery
1. A Gift of Grace (2009)
2. A Promise of Hope (2010)
3. A Place of Peace (2011)
4. A Life of Joy (2012)
5. A Season of Love (2012)
Amish Anthologies
• An Amish Kitchen (2012) – Spoonful of Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Cradle (2015) – A Son for Always (This story complements A Mother’s Secret)
• An Amish Market (2016) – Love Birds (This story complements The Forgotten Recipe)
• An Amish Harvest (2016) – Love & Buggy Rides (This complements The Courtship Basket)
• An Amish Home (2017) – Home Sweet Home (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Summer (2017) – Summer Storms (Stand-alone story)
• Amish Sweethearts (2018) –Complements The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and also has a sequel to my story in An Amish Summer
• An Amish Heirloom (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• An Amish Homecoming (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• Seasons of an Amish Garden (2019) – Complements The Christmas Cat, novella included in An Amish Christmas Love
• An Amish Reunion (2019) – Complements Room on the Porch Swing
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019) – Cookies and Cheer (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Singing (2021) (Collection of four stories by Amy Clipston)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020) –Evergreen Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Barn Raising (2021)
• An Amish Schoolroom (2021)
• An Amish Quilting Bee (2021)
Young Adult
1. Roadside Assistance (2011)
2. Reckless Heart (2012) (Kauffman Amish Bakery young adult book)
3. Destination Unknown (2014)
4. Miles from Nowhere (2015)
Non-Fiction
A Gift of Love (2014)
Seasonal
• A Plain and Simple Christmas (2010) Naomi’s Gift (2011)
• Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection (2012)
• An Amish Christmas Gift (2015) includes Naomi’s Gift
• An Amish Christmas Love (2017) –The Christmas Cat
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020)
• On the Way to Christmas (2022)
Contemporary Romance (Non-Amish)
The Heart of Splendid Lake (2021)
The View from Coral Cove (2022)
On the Way to Christmas (Anthology) (2022)
Something Old, Something New (2023)
Starstruck (2023)
Finding You (2024)
With This Ring (2025)
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn (7/2025)
The Lighthouse at the Cove (12/2025)
Stand Alone Amish Fiction
Caring for the Amish Family (4/2025)
Guideposts Amish Suspense
A Heart Set Free (9/2025)
An Amish Legacy
1. Foundation of Love (2022)
2. Building a Future (2022)
3. Breaking New Ground (2023)
4. The Hearts of Shelter (2023)
An Amish Marketplace
1. The Bake Shop (2019)
2. The Farm Stand (2020)
3. The Coffee Corner (2020)
4. The Jam and Jelly Nook (2021)
An Amish Homestead
1. A Place at our Table (2017)
2. Room on the Porch Swing (2018)
3. Seat by the Hearth (2018)
4. A Welcome at Our Door (2019)
An Amish Heirloom
1. The Forgotten Recipe (2015)
2. The Courtship Basket (2016)
3. The Cherished Quilt (2017)
4. The Beloved Hope Chest (2017)
Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel
1. A Hopeful Heart (2013)
2. A Mother’s Secret (2014)
3. A Dream of Home (2015)
4. A Simple Prayer (2015)
Kauffman Amish Bakery
1. A Gift of Grace (2009)
2. A Promise of Hope (2010)
3. A Place of Peace (2011)
4. A Life of Joy (2012)
5. A Season of Love (2012)
Amish Anthologies
• An Amish Kitchen (2012) – Spoonful of Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Cradle (2015) – A Son for Always (This story complements A Mother’s Secret)
• An Amish Market (2016) – Love Birds (This story complements The Forgotten Recipe)
• An Amish Harvest (2016) – Love & Buggy Rides (This complements The Courtship Basket)
• An Amish Home (2017) – Home Sweet Home (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Summer (2017) – Summer Storms (Stand-alone story)
• Amish Sweethearts (2018) –Complements The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and also has a sequel to my story in An Amish Summer
• An Amish Heirloom (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• An Amish Homecoming (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• Seasons of an Amish Garden (2019) – Complements The Christmas Cat, novella included in An Amish Christmas Love
• An Amish Reunion (2019) – Complements Room on the Porch Swing
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019) – Cookies and Cheer (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Singing (2021) (Collection of four stories by Amy Clipston)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020) –Evergreen Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Barn Raising (2021)
• An Amish Schoolroom (2021)
• An Amish Quilting Bee (2021)
Young Adult
1. Roadside Assistance (2011)
2. Reckless Heart (2012) (Kauffman Amish Bakery young adult book)
3. Destination Unknown (2014)
4. Miles from Nowhere (2015)
Non-Fiction
A Gift of Love (2014)
Seasonal
• A Plain and Simple Christmas (2010) Naomi’s Gift (2011)
• Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection (2012)
• An Amish Christmas Gift (2015) includes Naomi’s Gift
• An Amish Christmas Love (2017) –The Christmas Cat
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020)
• On the Way to Christmas (2022)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 2, 2018
This is connecting to ‘A Mother’s Secret’ from the Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel and it was really nice seeing the couple from that book again, this time as a married couple.
I don’t know how Amy Clipston does it, but despite being around 100 pages long, her novellas are well developed. I find that the majority of novellas are rushed and not flushed out, but hers are not.
I don’t know how Amy Clipston does it, but despite being around 100 pages long, her novellas are well developed. I find that the majority of novellas are rushed and not flushed out, but hers are not.
August 11, 2020
Nice!
August 11, 2017
I haven't read much of Amy Clipston's work but the more I read from her, the more I enjoy her storytelling. Once I started reading A Son for Always, I quickly realized this novella must be a continuation of her Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel series which I haven't read yet (but I have them on my kindle waiting). While I wished I read some of that series beforehand, you don't really need to in order to get into this story. I never felt I didn't know these characters or what happened to them, there's enough info sprinkled out that you get the gist of it. I liked the characters of of Carolyn and Josh, happily married and awaiting the birth of their first child. This is a sweet story, but it's a tad repitive. Carolyn's worries and repeats her worries constantly in every chapter and nothing gets resolved until the last page. Okay I get it, let's move forward a bit quicker shall we, especially when the outcome is so easy to see. I totally understood Carolyn's worries, I just wished it wasn't so drawn out. I did enjoy reading A Son for Always and I'm really looking forward to getting into the Grand Hotel Series, and Carolyn's story in the second book of the series A Mother's Secret.
April 13, 2020
I stumbled across this book while purchasing book four in the Lancaster grand hotel series. I began reading the fourth book and realized although not in the series this book should be read before book four because when you read book four it talks about the infant this book talks about the pregnancy and the birth of the infant (I don’t want to give anything away so I am being vague) . With all that said and done another great novel by Amy Clipston.
December 31, 2023
The more Amish romances I read, the more it becomes clear how little this genre was created for me so perhaps my criticisms aren't fair. I did enjoy this book, though it was annoying a lot of the conflict came solely from Carolyn just not listening. However I did like the setup and the idea of family being more than just blood related. And that step fathers can be the actual fathers to their step kids.
Benjamin and Daniel should have been gay. Just saying.
Benjamin and Daniel should have been gay. Just saying.
March 13, 2019
Heartfelt story of Carolyn and Joshua. Carolyn had a son at an early age Nd was solely responsible for him and carries this burden into her marriage.
She and Joshua have. Babe of their own but Carolyn still feels the burden to provide for her son by returning to work.
Joshua proves his life by inviting Benjamin, Carolyn’s son to formally join the family business. A lovely story.
She and Joshua have. Babe of their own but Carolyn still feels the burden to provide for her son by returning to work.
Joshua proves his life by inviting Benjamin, Carolyn’s son to formally join the family business. A lovely story.
May 7, 2021
This is a sweet story about how love triumphs. I liked the story between the main characters. It was a nice story. It also was about forgiveness since the main character had to learn to forgive herself to move on in her life. The story has memorable characters and I will not forget them soon. I would recommend it to others who enjoy stories like these.
July 17, 2025
July 16, 2025
It was a relief to read a novella written by someone more conpetent than Vannetta Chapman. It also helped that I knew these characters and that I liked their main book, so I had a decent time with this book. It would have been ten pages long if Carolyn just listened to her husband telling her that he loved Ben, but oh well. It's a book.
It was a relief to read a novella written by someone more conpetent than Vannetta Chapman. It also helped that I knew these characters and that I liked their main book, so I had a decent time with this book. It would have been ten pages long if Carolyn just listened to her husband telling her that he loved Ben, but oh well. It's a book.
July 10, 2017
I really liked this short story. I like how it tied into Amy"s Lancaster hotel series.
January 24, 2020
It was ok.
May 1, 2023
This was a sweet story. A joy to read. More,please!
May 10, 2024
Sweet novella
March 22, 2015
I was so excited to read An Amish Cradle. This is a great book by four very talented writers with four very different short stories.
In His Father's Arm's by Beth Wiseman leads off the stories in the book. Ruth Anne has spent her whole life just wanting to be a mama. When her son is born with Down syndrome her life is turned upside down. Having two special needs kids I really connected with Ruth Anne. I think I cried through a good part of the story. Ruth Anne struggles to find peace and a place for her and her child. She meets unexpected friends along the way and finds strength she didn't know she had. Beth Wiseman did an amazing job with this story and I would have to say this is my favorite one she has written.
A Son for Always by Amy Clipston is the second story. Carolyn became pregnant out of wedlock with her first child, Benjamin. She has worked hard her whole life to make sure that he is supported. When she married Joshua and they found out she was expecting she is very unsure that her husband has room in his heart for her first son. She worries and worries because that is what moms do. I loved how this story showed that even in the Amish world they still have problems and are not perfect people. The characters were easy to relate to and a really great read!
A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller comes next. Ellie became blind in an accident many years ago. When she becomes pregnant her mom, who is already incredibly hovering, kicks into high gear. She insists her daughter can't handle twins and moves in. The tensions rise and it becomes a battle ground. I rooted for Ellie when she stood up for herself. But finding out the reason why her mom couldn't cut the apron strings was heartbreaking. Another home run in this book.
An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman is the last short story in the book. Etta thought she was finished having children, but God had other plans. She finds herself pregnant at 42. She is missing her son David, who has left the community and also worried about the future of her farm. Will she ever find peace and be reunited with her son? This story was a great end to a really good book.
An Amish Cradle was a fantastic read with four very talented writers. Pick up, or check out this book! You'll be glad you did!
In His Father's Arm's by Beth Wiseman leads off the stories in the book. Ruth Anne has spent her whole life just wanting to be a mama. When her son is born with Down syndrome her life is turned upside down. Having two special needs kids I really connected with Ruth Anne. I think I cried through a good part of the story. Ruth Anne struggles to find peace and a place for her and her child. She meets unexpected friends along the way and finds strength she didn't know she had. Beth Wiseman did an amazing job with this story and I would have to say this is my favorite one she has written.
A Son for Always by Amy Clipston is the second story. Carolyn became pregnant out of wedlock with her first child, Benjamin. She has worked hard her whole life to make sure that he is supported. When she married Joshua and they found out she was expecting she is very unsure that her husband has room in his heart for her first son. She worries and worries because that is what moms do. I loved how this story showed that even in the Amish world they still have problems and are not perfect people. The characters were easy to relate to and a really great read!
A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller comes next. Ellie became blind in an accident many years ago. When she becomes pregnant her mom, who is already incredibly hovering, kicks into high gear. She insists her daughter can't handle twins and moves in. The tensions rise and it becomes a battle ground. I rooted for Ellie when she stood up for herself. But finding out the reason why her mom couldn't cut the apron strings was heartbreaking. Another home run in this book.
An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman is the last short story in the book. Etta thought she was finished having children, but God had other plans. She finds herself pregnant at 42. She is missing her son David, who has left the community and also worried about the future of her farm. Will she ever find peace and be reunited with her son? This story was a great end to a really good book.
An Amish Cradle was a fantastic read with four very talented writers. Pick up, or check out this book! You'll be glad you did!
March 27, 2015
About this book:
“Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she and Ben will always be taken care of.”
Spiritual Content- Prayers; A Scriptures is quoted; Talks about God being in control & being forgiven; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God.
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- Married couples kiss; A baby is born (not-detailed); Mentions of nursing; Carolyn had Ben when she was 16 (all that’s said is “She had given in to the pressures of her then boyfriend and found herself pregnant and alone.”)
-Carolyn Glick
-Joshua Glick
P.O.V. switches between them
96 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
“A Son for Always” by Amy Clipston – Yay! I get to see Carolyn & Joshua & Ben again! Connected to “A Mother’s Secret” a full length story, it was nice to “see” them again...even if I can’t relate to the storyline.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from an Author for this review.
“Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she and Ben will always be taken care of.”
Spiritual Content- Prayers; A Scriptures is quoted; Talks about God being in control & being forgiven; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God.
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- Married couples kiss; A baby is born (not-detailed); Mentions of nursing; Carolyn had Ben when she was 16 (all that’s said is “She had given in to the pressures of her then boyfriend and found herself pregnant and alone.”)
-Carolyn Glick
-Joshua Glick
P.O.V. switches between them
96 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
“A Son for Always” by Amy Clipston – Yay! I get to see Carolyn & Joshua & Ben again! Connected to “A Mother’s Secret” a full length story, it was nice to “see” them again...even if I can’t relate to the storyline.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from an Author for this review.
February 21, 2015
A Son for Always by Amy Clipston
Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she and Ben will always be taken care of.
My thoughts: I give this novella 5 stars. I fell in love with Joshua, he was such a good father to Ben (not his biological son) and watching his love and patience with Carolyn was so endearing. Carolyn struggles to believe that Joshua could love Ben enough to provide for his future as he would his own child. As a stepmother, I could relate to this story.
Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she and Ben will always be taken care of.
My thoughts: I give this novella 5 stars. I fell in love with Joshua, he was such a good father to Ben (not his biological son) and watching his love and patience with Carolyn was so endearing. Carolyn struggles to believe that Joshua could love Ben enough to provide for his future as he would his own child. As a stepmother, I could relate to this story.
July 24, 2016
This story evolved from Amy's Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel series and shows how Carolyn and Joshua Glick are now expecting their first child. However, Carolyn has a son from a previous youthful encounter and feels in her heart that she alone will always be responsible for Benjamin. The plot centers on how she feels the need to continue work at the hotel during her pregnancy and maybe afterwards, too ....... and how Joshua tries to get into her head as to why she feels she has to do this. He finally convinces her of his love for Ben ..... that he will forever consider him a true "Son for Always."
October 3, 2016
An extremely poor attempt to convince modern women to stay home with their children. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 18 years now, and plan to continue. I believe it's a better choice for OUR PARTICULAR FAMILY. However, this was a bunch of hogwash. The book rarely brought up any new topics or any new information other than stay at home with your children you'll be happier, stay at home with your children you'll be happier, stay at home with your children you'll be happier, stay at home with your children you'll be happier.
March 13, 2015
This story was simplistic, and had a more young adult feel to it than women’s fiction. Carolyn had a child out of wedlock and even though her husband adopted him she feels she has to pay his support all alone. I thought her mother-in-law was quite hateful and I hoped they’d come to a truce—I didn’t know how this story would end, and (to be honest) I didn’t really care. Either way was fine with me.
November 30, 2015
A Son For Always
By: Amy Clipston
I really enjoyed this short story “ A Son For Always.” Amy Clipston has weaved us a beautiful story that brings tears to my eyes. The story and the characters are both easy to follow. This is Carolyn and Joshua’s story. There is struggle to accept help when needed in this story. I really loved it and I know you will too .
By: Amy Clipston
I really enjoyed this short story “ A Son For Always.” Amy Clipston has weaved us a beautiful story that brings tears to my eyes. The story and the characters are both easy to follow. This is Carolyn and Joshua’s story. There is struggle to accept help when needed in this story. I really loved it and I know you will too .
February 19, 2015
Carolyn and Joshua's story is truly a amazing story. The love he has for her and Benjamin is beautiful. You can feel God working on Carolyn to direct her to make a good decision about her job. The characters in this book are truly great people. You won't be able to stop reading this book.
September 25, 2016
Conclusion to a great story.
I am going to have to go back and refresh my memory. I seem to be a little confused. I enjoyed the story but I always feel just a wee bit disappointed because they end so quickly!
I am going to have to go back and refresh my memory. I seem to be a little confused. I enjoyed the story but I always feel just a wee bit disappointed because they end so quickly!
February 17, 2016
Excellent novella on the fears a parent has for their bio children in a new marriage and the trials and love step parents can sometimes experience proving their love.
March 30, 2017
A Son for Always by Amy Clipston is part of An Amish Cradle Novella collection from Thomas Nelson. Though this story was short, I felt it relay the message of love and self-forgiveness well. This was one that I had listened to the story rather than reading it. I'm not sure if it will change in perspective if I've read it instead, but I felt the narrator did a good job in expressing the emotions of guilt, grace and love. I think the simplicity of this story, focusing on Carolyn's self-guilt and working through that to accept Joshua's unconditional love of both her and her son allow readers (listeners in my case) a way to find commonality and accept ones own mistakes.
Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book through a giveaway. I was not required to write a review. This is my honest opinion.
Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book through a giveaway. I was not required to write a review. This is my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews