God's Gift Paperback – November 1, 2011

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.

God's Gift by Dee Henderson is not the typical Dee Henderson book I've read! Although it is older than most of the exciting, action-packed mystery-types that have made me a Dee Henderson fan, and it is considered a romance, I found that the same great writing style and expert weaving of a story line still apply. 'God's Gift' was worth every minute I spent reading, and will remain on my list as a good read. Her characters are so real in this story that I felt their pain, and ached along with the grieving heroine. It makes me think that the author has known personal grief, so precise did she describe that. But, in the way of a good writer, she did not just present you with the grief in this book, she also took you along with the character as she climbed out of her dark hole into the light again. Also, the book is realistic in its Christian witness, not handing the reader sugar-coated Christian slogans, but in-depth and thought-provoking scenarios about our natural life and all its troubles embracing God's promises in scripture to make us stronger and get us through the hard times. This is a wonderful, well-written book that is much more than its labled "romance". Thank you, Dee Henderson, for sharing your amazing writing talent with the world through a Christian viewpoint! More books like God's Gift are truly needed on the market!

Not quite what one would expect if you've read all her other books, so don't think you're getting typical Dee Henderson classic fare here. I believe this was one of her earlier books... Focused on a relationship of two Christan young people dealing with loss in their own way. It's cute, and deals with some serious questions, but Henderson doesn't delve into specifics like she does in later books. The specificity and attention to detail she now includes shows focus and her extensive research for each topic and setting. Not so much of that here, just light reading. Not what I would consider a "page-turner" like the O'Malley series or other Christian suspense novels.

I loved the way Ms Henderson again worked the every day person and God together with such ease and knowledge. It was beautifullly written so that certain things snuck up on you, and then you would say-now I get it!! The thouhgts of what God had done and what he had intended all along. Also, you don't get the feeling that Ms Henderson is preaching her feelings,d she just helops you to understand situations and feeling with such grace. It was a very good read, and hard to put down.

I love Dee Henderson's books. I was, however, disappointed in this one. It lacked the story depth I've come to expect with Henderson books. There was so much more that could have been developed. I got bored with whole story as it centered around one person's physical pain and another's job anxiety. The first chapter and the last few are the only ones that really kept my attention. I have never checked to see how many chapters were left with a Dee Henderson book except to hope there was a lot. Not so with this book.

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 was a sweet and touching story of a missionary who battled a disease that was crippling. He came home from the mission field to recuperate and met a woman who he fell in love with but did not want to burden her with his pain. Both had to experience pain before they could move ahead in their relationship.

I really like Dee's style of writing. You never know when there will be an interesting twist or a complete blindside. I've read all of the O Malley series and several others. It was good that they each had a chance to experience from the others point of view.

great read

An excellent read something all of us can relate too in life.I would definitely recommend it to my family and friends.