The Gift

I wanted to post this yesterday, but the day just got away from me. I had to run to the store.  My father has a cold and needed some medicine and soup.  Summer colds are no picnic (especially when you are 78).

The Gift by Wanda E. Brunstetter is the second book in Prairie State Friends series.  Leah Mast learned reflexology from her Grandmother Yoder as a teenager and she uses those skills to help those in her community.   Since she is not licensed, she only accepts donations for her services.  Adam Beachy is really against reflexology (there has to be a story behind his attitude) and makes it a point to tell Leah about his feelings when he gives her a lift home during the rain (she was riding her bike). 

Adam is on his front porch waiting for the arrival of his sister, Mary and her family when police officers arrive.  They were in an auto accident.  Mary and her husband, Amos were severely injured and did not make it.  Adam is left with taking care of their three girls (Amy-10, Linda-7, and Carrie-4).  Adam is used to living alone and running his hardware store.  Adam does not have a clue how to raise three girls.  Leah’s mother until she has to go take care of her sister who is pregnant and bedridden.  Leah takes over the care of the girls during the day.   She schedules her reflexology appointments for evenings when she is at home (she feels that her talents for healing are a gift from God).   When Leah tries to take care of Amy’s headache one day with reflexology, Adam is very upset.  He insists that Leah not use it on any of his children.  What does Adam have against reflexology?  Adam is grateful for Leah’s help with the children, but he needs a wife.  The children care for Leah and respond to her.  Adam proposes a marriage of convenience.  Will it work out between Adam and Leah? 

Cora Finley is a nurse in Chicago, Illinois.  She is divorced and has a teenage son named Jared.  Jared has been getting into trouble since the divorce.  He has been hanging around with the wrong crowd.  Cora has decided to move to a more rural area and get her son away from the bad influences.  Cora gets a job in Arthur, Illinois at a clinic.  Cora’s past, though, is about to catch up with her.  Jonah Miller and Sara have married and are expecting their first child.  Jonah was courting Elaine Schrock until her grandmother became ill.  Elaine had to take care of her grandmother, Edna so she told Jonah a little lie (that she did not care for him).  Elaine was hoping that Jonah would still be available after her grandmother passed away and that he would understand her reasoning. Unfortunately, Jonah married Sara within a few months.  Elaine has started the dinners again at her farm (English visitors get a traditional Amish dinner and can ask questions about their life and culture) trying to move forward, but she misses Jonah. 

The Gift was a typical Wanda E. Brunstetter novel.   It is well-written and enjoyable to read.  There is a lot going on in the novel, but it all ties together in the end.  I give The Gift 4 out of 5 stars (which means I liked it, but I did not love it).  This is the second book in the series, but it can be read without reading the previous book (but it really helps to have read The Decision).   The Gift will be out Tuesday, August 4, 2015.  There is a free preview of The Gift available on Amazon. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Gift in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my latest review.  I am currently reading Mrs. Sinclair's Suitcase by Louise Walters (I am not enjoying it).  Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader