As the buggy crashes into the ditch, Susanna slips into unconsciousness. She only had a brief look into the light blue eyes of her rescuer, but she dearly wants to thank him for the early Christmas gift of saving her life. It was a chance encounter and Neil Vance also remembers the pretty girl with the beautiful green eyes. He is sure that the Lord had intended them to meet and is happy to see her until he hears her last name. Now, he swears he will have nothing to do with her, especially after her family had taken advantage of his parents' selling their farm and forcing them out.

After a short while, Neil's closest friend, Dale Kaufman. is happy to be introduced to the bright and cheerful Amanda, Susanne's sister. The sisters hope to build bridges of friendship in their new community of Hart County and ask permission for a short cut. Dale is happy to let them cross his family's farm and Neil is annoyed with him for being friendly. Yet, despite his anger he is drawn to Susanne. Is it really her fault that they lost their farm? Can his family ever forget what has happened?

Meanwhile, a series of dangerous and potential dangerous events threatened the joy that the Schwartz family had hoped to get in their new community. They had worked so hard and squeezed every dime and dollar to save for their own farm. Will they ever find peace in their new home?

THE GIFT is a beautifully written story of jealousy and forgiveness by best selling author Shelley Shepard Gray and is the third book in her The Amish of Hart County series. With her talents at crafting mysteries, Gray sets out a multi-layered tale that is sure to capture her reader's interest. With very likable and realistic characters, THE GIFT sets the bar high for Amish romance stories. While I thoroughly enjoyed THE GIFT as a standalone story, I am sure Gray's many fans will delight in this story of how a community's meanness changed as people began taking responsibility for their own actions instead of blaming others.

Like the enchantment of a first snowfall, you will be immediately pulled into the inspiring story in THE GIFT right from the first page to its very moving and satisfying conclusion. Now, I can't wait for the next in the series!

THE GIFT is a wonderful winter/Christmas reading treat you definitely will not want to miss! Enjoy!

Book Summary

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.

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