REVIEW: The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray

The Gift (The Amish of Hart County #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray is one of those books that you find yourself plugging your kindle, and then your phone, in, so that you can find out what happens next, regardless of the charge you have left on your device! Shelley Shepard Gray continues to weave such a compelling story with such well developed characters. I am always excited to read any of her books!

In this Amish of Hart County series, a nice feature is that the books are kind of “stand alones”, meaning if you pick up # # 2 or #3 without having read #1, you won’t be lost. That’s always a positive when you discover a new series.

In “The Gift”, we meet Susanna Schwartz and her family who have just moved to their newly owned farm in Horse Cave Kentucky- they are excited, as in the past they have not been able to own their own farm. They suddenly and unfortunately find that not all their community members are pleased, as they feel the Schwartz family forced the Vance family out with too low a price on the farm. Accidents start befalling the Schwartz sisters, first Susanna, than Traci, are injured. Meanwhile, Neil Vance, who rescued Susanna from a buggy accident, fights the feelings he quickly developed for her due to his difficulty dealing with his family’s misfortunes. He starts trying to help her and her sisters discover who is trying to harm her family.

As their relationship gradually deepens, along with Amanda’s relationship with neighbor Dale Kaufmann, the story takes several twists and turns. Throughout, readers are treated to the beauty of how the Amish value community and relationships, as the community bands together to help the Schwartzes, about whom they were so skeptical in the beginning.

I highly recommend “The Gift”.

Book Info:

Publication: November 7, 2017 | Avon Inspire | The Amish of Hart County #2

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.