The Gifted [Paperback]

Terri Blackstock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

Three friends whose lives needed a jolt... An earthquake that struck without warning... A supernatural gifting of mysterious powers...

The Gifted is one of Terri Blackstock's most intriguing novels. A massive natural disaster leads to an even more earth-shaking supernatural transformation in the lives of three friends who have no idea why they've been spared or infused with these distinct gifts.

One thing is certain...the earthquake was just the warm-up for what lies ahead.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In a departure from her mysteries (Trial by Fire), perennial favorite Blackstock tells the story of three ordinary Christians who experience extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit. After surviving severe injuries when an earthquake demolishes their office building, Bree Harris, Carl Dennis, and Andy Hendrix are miraculously healed and "gifted." Over a 48-hour period, Carl leads his companions to those in need, Bree "sees" these peoples' spiritual pain, and Andy (a new Christian) quotes and interprets Scripture to bring the people to Christ. Fast-paced and full of believable characters, this feel-good snapshot of God working miracles through humans is recommended for strong evangelical collections. [Blackstock's The Gifted Sophomores, written for young adults, uses the same theme and story line with teen protagonists.]
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

[The Gifted's] power is in its innocence. -- Christian Retailing, August 5, 2002

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849943418
• ISBN-13: 978-0849943416
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over six million copies sold worldwide. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in an Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual "new kid," her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.

In 1994 Terri was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. As she was praying about her transition, she went on a cruise and noticed that almost everyone on the boat (including her) had a John Grisham novel. It occurred to her that some of Grisham's readers were Christians, and that if she wrote a fast-paced thriller with an added faith element, she might just find her niche. As God would have it, Christian publishers were showing interest in the suspense genre, so she quickly sold a four-book series to Zondervan. Since that time, she's written over thirty Christian titles, most of them suspense novels.

Besides entertaining her readers, Terri tackles issues that she hopes will change lives. Her recent book, Predator, was inspired by her experiences on Facebook and Twitter, and her concern that people posted too much personal information about themselves. The book deals with an online predator who uses social networks as his playground. She hopes the book will change readers' online habits. Her New York Times best-seller, Intervention, was inspired by her own personal struggles with a daughter on drugs. In the book, a mother hires an interventionist for her drug-addicted daughter. But on the way to treatment, the interventionist is murdered, and the daughter disappears. Barbara, the mother, sets out to search for her daughter. Terri modeled Barbara after herself, and poured many of her own emotions and experiences into that character. As a result, many families experiencing drug addiction have written to thank her for telling their story and giving them hope.

Other recent books include her stand-alone novel Shadow in Serenity, and Vicious Cycle (Book 2 in her Intervention Series). She's also known for popular series such as the Restoration Series, the Cape Refuge Series, the Newpointe 911 Series, and the SunCoast Chronicles series.

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as "The 700 Club" and "Home Life," and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, November 11, 2002

By 

Beverly J. Scott "Author and avid reader" (Ankeny, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gifted (Paperback)

When an earthquake crumbles a school building trapping three unfriends together, Miracles abound. While trapped under rubble three people are drawn together for comfort and support. Each sustains an injury, still they rejoice when they realize they will be rescued. Over night the three are Healed and God blesses them with gifts that they don't appreciate at first. Written for the young adult set, "The Gifted" is well crafted and timely. Blackstock presents her readers with writing that provokes thought long after the book is finished.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Use your gifts, February 20, 2003

By 

Janis Creveling (Millville, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gifted (Paperback)

I really enjoy reading Terri Blackstock's books and The Gifted was no let down. It is fast pased and a quick read. The supernatural setting is a great way of portraying the use of spiritual gifts.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing..., January 15, 2003

By 

Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Gifted (Paperback)

This short novel just doesn't work, in my opinion. The character development is sorely lacking, and the plot is predictable and kind of hokey. Blackstock has also written a similar book for teens, called "The Gifted Sophomores".

I was expecting better from Terri Blackstock. I absolutely loved her book "The Covenant Child" and I highly recommend it (see my review of that book for more info).

Perhaps the short novel isn't something that every good author can pull off. If you're interested in an excellent short novel, check out "A Choice to Cherish" by Alan Maki, "The Touch" by Patricia Hickman, or "Lullaby" by Jane Orcutt.

You might want to check out my other reviews of Christian books and music.