Customer Reviews

God's Gift (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #19)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

James Graham's dream is falling apart. A mysterious illness has ravaged his body, taking away his ability to continue building clinics on the African mission field. With pain consuming him, James is sent home to Chicago to recuperate.

When James arrives home, he finds Rachel (Rae) Ashcroft sitting at his mother's table. A Good Samaritan, Rae is dubbed Rachel the Angel by James's co-workers for the thoughtful parcels she sent out to the mission field. James is drawn to the woman whose face is shadowed by sadness.

His attraction to Rae is at first cautious, knowing he will soon return to Africa. But as Rae's group of friends involve him in their lives, the attraction can no longer be ignored.

Rae struggles with mixed emotions. She's loved and lost once before, and the sense of loyalty is still strong. Although attracted to James, she realizes there is little room in her overworked life for love, and can she risk her heart to another man?

GOD'S GIFT is a heart-warming story revolving around two people who face lost dreams. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we can trust that God is in control, and Henderson shows this beautifully throughout this romance.

Dee Henderson first captured my attention through her O'Malley series, and later with the Uncommon Hero's books. I was eager to read her earlier work, and this, my first dive into her pre-O'Malley writing, didn't disappoint. If you're looking for a fast paced romantic suspense, like the O'Malley's or Uncommon Hero's, then you could be a little disappointed, but if you are looking for an inspirational romance, then this is the book for you.

Dee Henderson is a familiar name to Christian fiction aficionados, with her bestselling "Uncommon Heroes" and "O'Malley" series dominating the sales charts. Perhaps with this in mind, Steeple Hill has brought back some of her older romance titles, including the enjoyable GOD'S GIFT. Here, Henderson manages to spin a sweet romance with an intriguing storyline that sidesteps the drippy sentimentality so often found in Christian fiction.

Henderson knows how to hook her readers by creating believable characters who lead interesting lives, and GOD'S GIFT has both ingredients. Thirty-five-year-old James Graham is back in Chicago fresh off six years in the mission field, but not by choice. A bug bite in Africa has left him with a severe, arthritis-like condition that comes and goes, leaving his joints stiff and swollen, and James finds he is unable to continue building clinics for impoverished communities until his body recovers.

The women in Henderson's novels usually have strong personalities and surprising careers, and those in GOD'S GIFT is no exception. Almost immediately, we meet James's mother, Mary, who raises Samoyeds, and the gorgeous Rachel Ashcroft, who owns a brokerage company and is working on her first book. Rachel fuels her intense workaholic lifestyle with grief over the loss of her fiancé, with whom she shared ownership of the company. She and her friends, Dave and Lace, have a comfortable, loyal "Three Musketeers" sort of friendship that will be the envy of every reader. The witty repartee and generous giving between the trio provide some enjoyable, often humorous moments throughout the book.

Soon, the threesome expands its circle to include James, who muses: "He'd never experienced anything like it, a camaraderie coupled with loyalty that went so deep as to be nearly unbreakable." A gentle goodness permeates the novel. There are no bad guys with evil intentions, just the battles fought with physical limitations, depression, disappointment, and grief. Few readers will not be able to relate to at least one of the challenges faced by the characters, and be absorbed by how Henderson plots the way they will meet them with faith and courage.

There are a few quirks to Henderson's prose --- she insists on calling women "ladies" or referring to Rae as "the lady" to the point that it becomes irksome, and repetition occasionally creeps in. Mostly, however, the story still clips along at a steady pace. The romance that is sparked between the couples is telegraphed from the very first pages, but in Henderson's capable hands, the knowledge of who will end up with whom doesn't lessen the reader's interest in pursuing the story.

And, the story is a good one. James's temporary stay in Chicago lengthens as he continues to relapse into chronic pain, and soon he despairs of ever returning to Africa --- or living a normal life. "God, I am so angry at this pain! Why, God? Why me? Why show me a future I would love to have and then cripple me so I can't have it?"

However, James is forced to rethink his situation in a surprising twist toward the end of the book, which exemplifies what true love is and what it sometimes will cost. Henderson's characters believe the bad things that happen to them are all part of God's bigger plan for their lives, and James and Rae will come to this realization through heartache, many tears, and the sacrifice of their dreams.

Henderson has matured as a writer since penning GOD'S GIFT, but fans of her "Uncommon Heroes" and "O'Malley" series will find this earlier book an enjoyable read, full of Henderson's trademark characters and well-integrated faith themes.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

It amazes me how Dee Henderson can capture the essence of true and deep friendship and put it into words. God's Gift is not just about James and Rachel's quest to understand where God wants them to be, but a tribute to being the kind of friend that God calls us to be. Thanks for another great book, Dee!

I read the book in the time span of a couple days, which should say the most about this book. Generally Dee Henderson's books are so gripping I can't put them down, but not so with this one. The story was cute as most love stories are, but it really lacked the WOW factor that the O'Malley series had. It's a good read on a Saturday afternoon if you don't have much to do, but it's not one that you'll forever remember like you do with her other books.

This is a really sweet and touching book, but lacks the punch of her later books - the O'Malleys and others. Its not a suspense and not meant to be, but a little disappointing when you know what she can get into a book now! But definitely a good afternoon read.

I was given an opportunity to read this book by one of my very good friends.

I think Ms. Henderson consistently finds a way to take everyday events, adds her blend of humor, friendship, love, romance, and impeccable sense of timing to make Christian fiction fun to read.

I'll admit that I haven't read Ms. Henderson's books in chronological order. As I understand it...this one was her second book to write. You couldn't prove it by me. It is as good as her more recent books. I truly believe Ms. Henderson was given writing as one of God's Gifts.

Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)

I must admit that this book started out sort of slow, but it sure did get my interest by page 100!

James is a missionary in Africa, but had to return to the states after an unknown disease causes him severe pain. Then just when he thinks it's over, it hits him again. He's beginning to realize that he would never return to Africa.

Rae is a stock broker dealing with the loss of her almost fiance a year and a half before.

James and Rae meet. They begin dating.

*SPOILER ALERT*

I am very satisfied with the way the book ended. Unfortunately, it's not always a "happily ever after with no more pain" sort of life we live. Rae and James are both going to be struggling with the pain for the rest of their lives. I weep for them and wonder if they will ever be able to have the family they need...I wish there was a sequel to this so I would know that, yes, they did recover enough to have children and a real marriage, but then I guess I'll have to write the ending in my own mind...

The twist and turns this book took in the last fifty pages was so good. I was crying so hard at what happened to Rae. The story did not leave you with a deep sigh of relief, because you knew the battle was far from being over.

This is a definite must read!

The religious undertones in this story were wonderful. Sometimes we question God and it may take a lifetime before we get our answers, such as in James' case...He may never know the "WHY"

I have read 13 of Dee Henderson Books. Some are better than others. But all of them teach Christian concepts without being preachy. They are well written. True thrillers. and show how you can write good fiction and talk about Christian concepts without it ruining the story line. I have yet to find a book of her's that I don't like. Though I think I like the Uncommon Heroes the most. If you get a chance, whether you are a believer or not, you should read her books.

This is Henderson's her second novel, published in 1998, and it's more of a straight romance than her later books, which are more thriller/mystery/romantic suspense. I've never seen it in the shops so was pleasantly suprised to find it in my local library.

James is a 35-year-old architect/carpenter who has served as a missionary in Africa for the last six years, but is sent home with an ongoing undiagnosed medical complaint that causes sore joints to the point where it can hurt to breathe, let alone wield a hammer. Back in Chicago, he meets Rachel (Rae), a committed Christian from his family church who is carrying around her own burdens, as her business partner and almost-fiance died in an accident, leaving her with a high-pressure stockbroking practice to run. James is drawn into friendship with Rae, Lace and Dave, and begins to fall for her, but is mindful of the fact that he is scheduled to return to Africa once he is better. Rae is also attracted to James, but is still grieved over the sudden loss of Leo, almost two years ago.

This was a good read, similar in depth and tone to many of the Steeple Hill books, but showing Henderson's solid prose, characterisation and the beginnings of her more suspenseful stories. God's Gift examines suffering and friendship, themes which she develops further in the O'Malley series (for a while, I was wondering if this was the same Dave, but it is not). It would appeal particularly to Dee Henderson fans who have not read her earlier works, and inspirational romance fans who don't like the more suspenseful genre. 3 1/2 stars, because it is better than OK, but not up to the standard she achieves with later books.

Here is another Christian fiction I think you will like. God's Gift by Dee Henderson. When I bought it, I thought it was her latest book. I think because Amazon sent me an email saying it was new. Now, I'm wondering if the ad said it was now available on the Kindle. Doesn't matter. I still enjoyed it. At the end of the book, I learned it was her second book and came out in 1998.

Due to an unknown illness, thirty-five year old James Graham is sent home from Zaire after six years working in missionary construction. His plan is to get well and go back to work a few more years before returning to Chicago to work with his partner Kevin building and remodeling homes.

James' mother introduces him to Rae Ashcroft who is grieving the loss of Leo, the man she may have married if he had lived. Leo, who had been her partner in an investment company, died in an automobile accident eighteen months ago.

She introduces James to her lawyer friends Dave and Lace who end up dating each other eventually. The foursome has some nice times together.

Rae works many hours a week and is also researching and writing a book so she doesn't have much time to socialize. Also, she is afraid to get too close to another man after what happened with Leo. James wants to get back to Africa as soon as he can and is not interested in a serious relationship.

However, God has other plans for these two. Perhaps that is the meaning of the title, God's Gift. It is difficult to tell more without giving away the story. It is a romance rather than a thriller Dee Henderson is known for, but still, the story takes some interesting turns and twists that fooled me.

I have read other Dee Henderson books and enjoyed them all. This one is no exception.