"On the heels of a horrific hurricane, Hester Detlef, field director for the Mennonite Disaster Service, blows into the life of self-made, shunned Amish man John Hafner."

Hester is trying her best to help her neighbors and friends prepare for a hurricane that's coming, but she really doesn't have the time or patience to deal with John Hafner, who is getting preferential treatment because his aunt is a Congresswoman. John is as stubborn as Hester, so the sparks fly right away between these two. In fact, their stubbornness is exactly why I had a bit of trouble getting into this story, but once I did, it was a quick read. I think I liked the side characters more, which is a good thing given that this is the first book in a trilogy. I just wanted to shake the crap out of both Hester and John because they got into their own way all the time, but you find yourself rooting for them by the end,

Recommended - 4/5 stars. ( )

Spoilers abound. Free on kindle. I'm not sure about this book. I'm not sure the characters are at all realistic. I don't know much about the culture that was being portrayed but it didn't seem very consistent. I read but I didn't really believe it.

Hester is a Mennonite volunteer who offers a helping hand to John, who repeatedly refuses help, even through a devastating hurricane. Does John have the patience to put up with the Menonite do-gooder who is determined to restore his faith and other help?

Review: A Stranger's Gift by Anna Schmidt
5 STARS
It makes me want to go help more or at least get out and make a goal again to make at least 52 hats this year for those in need. I enjoyed reading this book to start the new year.
John Steiner has spent the last two years since he moved to Florida fixing up the old house,orchards,gardens and packing warehouse. He wants to be alone and self sustaining on his land. He is Amish but left his church and state when they shunned him.
Two different people came and told him he need to ride out the hurricane in a shelter. John refused he went to a shelter the last time and it was crowded and he didn't have to go.
Hester Detweiler is in charge of one of the Mennonite charities that help in times of diaster. Because John's Aunt's is a Senator she was asked to go warn him. Hester resented having to go warn him and than he refused to go. She felt their were others who needed her help more.
Margery Barker is a widow that lives and runs a fishing charters close to John
and trying for the past two years to friend him. She was the first to try and get him into a shelter.
Well the hurricane hit his place hard. The river was coming into his house fast as he was gathering stuff to take upstairs with him the roof and a wall crashed in on him. He was lucky to have survived holding onto a beam. all of his trees the old and the new ones destroyed. Could not get to town by road with all the trees down across his road. Chicken coop destroyed, damage to the warehouse. Broke his wrist and had to be airlifted out.
He had to learn again that he had to accept help and give it. Forgive himself for his mother's death and realize that he can trust others again.
It is a Christian story of helping others,relying on prayer and scriptures. That
positive things can come out of our trials. I would read gladly more books from Anna. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
11/01/2011 PUB Barbour Publishing, Inc. ( )