The First Gift

Happy Sunday!  I hope all of you have had a good day.  This weekend just went by so quickly.  There are some great new books coming out Tuesday.  Some of the titles are The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston, The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg, First Degree Mudder by Kate Dyer-Seeley, Shades of Wrath by Karen Rose Smith , Haunted is Always in Fashion by Rose Pressey, and Glow of Death by Jane K. Cleland.

The First Gift by Ruth Logan Herne is set in Phillipsburg, New York.  Cassandra “Cassie” Carruthers is four years old (at the very beginning of the novel).  Her mother passed away when she was little and Cassie lives with her father.  Cassie’s father, Jed is a drunk and neglectful (grieving).  But the local community has noticed Cassie’s situation, and they want to help her.  The father will now allow what he calls charity, so they need to get creative.  Cassie turns out to be very clever.  The local pastors take up a collection to pay for Cassie to go to Daystar (a private school).  Cassie is put into Kerry McHenry’s class.  Kerry will be able to help Cassie and guide her.  Join the citizens of Phillipsburg as they set out to help one special little girl.

The First Gift is a well-written, engaging, and heartwarming novel.  There are a couple of slow sections that dealt with Kerry’s boyfriend, Ryan (but they set things up for later in the novel).  The First Gift is a Christian novel with the main theme being that with God all things are possible.  There is also hope, forgiveness, and much more.  I give The First Gift 4.25 out of 5 stars.  The one problem I had with the book was the multiple POVs (there are quite a few characters in the novel).  It was confusing at times (and distracting).  I think the novel would have been better if told from one point-of-view (a narrator would have been perfect).  I need to warn you that towards the end of the novel you will need to have the tissues (or a hanky) handy.  

I hope you enjoyed my review of The First Gift.  This is the perfect novel to read during the holiday season with the theme of helping others especially a child.  I am off to read The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser and enjoy dinner before The Librarians and Once Upon a Time come on.  May all of you have a pleasant evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader