". . . out of the darkness had come the light. In all of its blinding goodness."
Title: The GiftSeries: The Amish of Hart County, Book 3
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Release Date: November 7, 2017
Genre: Amish Contemporary Fiction
New York Times Bestselling Author Shelley Shepard Gray gifts us with a special Christmas story about love and blessings in this next book in her Amish of Hart County series.
The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.
Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.
Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt…or worse.
The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.
Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.
Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt…or worse.
". . . you raised me to respect others, have faith in Jesus, and practice forgiveness toward others . . ."
"The Lord was showing her that light could shine in almost every corner of the world. "
A story about jealousy, pride, resentment, fear and ultimately forgiveness and peace, The Gift resonates with readers, even if the experiences are not the same. There's a certain level of veracity to human nature that I find so poignant yet hopeful. There's hope because of light shines the most in darkness. There's such candor in the author's writing that I just love. It may not be what I'd want to feel at the moment, but many times, I would think back of the message, the story, the characters, and then realize, they made an impact that lasts. And that is The Gift, and the author's gift to her readers, at least to me. So, thank you, Shelley Shepard Gray.
". . . we're all just people in training. . ."
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
Please note, all quotes are taken from ARC (essentially an uncorrected proof). Please do not share quote or if do, please make note that it is taken from an ARC.
BOOKS IN THE AMISH OF HART COUNTY SERIES (Click on the covers to take you to my review / Goodreads)
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| Her Fear |
Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.
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Thank you for the review. I can't wait to read THE GIFT.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay!! This one is special! I guess they all are. LOL! Hope you'll get the chance to read it soon!
DeleteWhat a wonderful review of The Gift I am looking forward to reading it soon. I enjoy all of Shelley's books Thanks for the chance to win copy
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia. I agree. Though I still need to catch up to her earlier ones!
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