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God's Gift
Missionary work in Africa was the most difficult and faith-affirming labor James Graham had ever faced, and warm, homey presents from a Good Samaritan back home gave him hope to carry on. But an injury halted his work and sent him home to Chicago.
There, James met Rachel Ashcroft, who'd sent those thoughtful gifts, and he was intrigued by the sadness that shadowed her features. Bringing the light back into Rachel's face gave him new purpose, but was this respite only temporary? Or could James release his past and open his heart to receive Rachel's gift of love?
There, James met Rachel Ashcroft, who'd sent those thoughtful gifts, and he was intrigued by the sadness that shadowed her features. Bringing the light back into Rachel's face gave him new purpose, but was this respite only temporary? Or could James release his past and open his heart to receive Rachel's gift of love?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
60 people are currently reading
1271 people want to read
About the author
Dee Henderson
71 books4,194 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Dee Henderson is the author of 27 non-fiction and fiction titles, including Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Truth and the Life, The Good News Project, Taken and the acclaimed O’MALLEY series. Several titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller list; Full Disclosure has also appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. For details visit: DeeHenderson.com
Dee Henderson is the author of 27 non-fiction and fiction titles, including Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Truth and the Life, The Good News Project, Taken and the acclaimed O’MALLEY series. Several titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestseller list; Full Disclosure has also appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. For details visit: DeeHenderson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 27, 2018
Loved how their relationship progresses and her book writing!! I connected to Rae through her book.... lol
November 20, 2010
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.
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.
January 29, 2013
A review from my old blog...
I fell in love with Henderson's O'Malley series. I felt connected to these characters even though all of them were ten to fifteen years old than me. Her combination of suspense and romance went right up my alley.
This book, published before the O'Malley series but after the prequel Danger in the Shadows, did not have that same vibe. I struggled to enter the book. Henderson loaded a good deal of back story even before the twentieth page.
The relationship between Rae and Leo, a character deceased before the beginning of the novel also confused me. Not until much later in the book does Henderson reveal that Rae and Leo were days away from being engaged. For several pages I couldn't figure out whether Leo was just a business partner, a husband, a fiance or a really good friend. I think that that relationship would have been one to clarify towards the beginning.
Once I got into the book I enjoyed it. I chafed though at the slow pace of the book. Nothing really drove the book, nothing drove Rae and James' relationship one way or the either. Of course the relationship went through its ups and downs but nothing dramatic, like in the O'Malley series laid the undertow to the relationship story.
I still enjoy Dee Henderson but I would not recommend this book to someone who had never read any of her books before.
I fell in love with Henderson's O'Malley series. I felt connected to these characters even though all of them were ten to fifteen years old than me. Her combination of suspense and romance went right up my alley.
This book, published before the O'Malley series but after the prequel Danger in the Shadows, did not have that same vibe. I struggled to enter the book. Henderson loaded a good deal of back story even before the twentieth page.
The relationship between Rae and Leo, a character deceased before the beginning of the novel also confused me. Not until much later in the book does Henderson reveal that Rae and Leo were days away from being engaged. For several pages I couldn't figure out whether Leo was just a business partner, a husband, a fiance or a really good friend. I think that that relationship would have been one to clarify towards the beginning.
Once I got into the book I enjoyed it. I chafed though at the slow pace of the book. Nothing really drove the book, nothing drove Rae and James' relationship one way or the either. Of course the relationship went through its ups and downs but nothing dramatic, like in the O'Malley series laid the undertow to the relationship story.
I still enjoy Dee Henderson but I would not recommend this book to someone who had never read any of her books before.
September 24, 2016
Dee Henderson is a great writer. However, its obvious that she took her different writing sessions and literally stuck them in her book without re-reading to see how the different sections flowed together. Too bad! Just a few transitions and this five-star book would have stayed five-stars, but the lack of editing bumped it down to 3-stars.
Example 1: Character is walking through the airport, then wham! We're in the church nursery in the very next paragraph. (It needs a page break - stars, dash, something!)
Example 2: Character is viewing a new home, then wham! We're with a new character in their living room. (Where are the story transitions?)
Example 1: Character is walking through the airport, then wham! We're in the church nursery in the very next paragraph. (It needs a page break - stars, dash, something!)
Example 2: Character is viewing a new home, then wham! We're with a new character in their living room. (Where are the story transitions?)
January 21, 2025
This author is wow.
I love books that keep me invested and that I can easily follow along with and this book did not disappoint in those areas.
I teared up a few times and smiled. I related to SEVERAL areas in this book so it was healing in a way.
I love books that keep me invested and that I can easily follow along with and this book did not disappoint in those areas.
I teared up a few times and smiled. I related to SEVERAL areas in this book so it was healing in a way.
February 4, 2011
Engaging, easy to read, gentle, tactful. Dee Henderson presents great pictures of good, deep friendhips. She handles the romantic relationships in this novel very well. I enjoyed reading this book and it was just what I needed on a cold, snowy, icy night.
Is God good? Are the circumstances He allows into our lives always for our good? Why does He allow bad things to happen to us? Why does He allow us to have a dream or desire and then take away the fulfillment of it? These are some of the questions with which the characters wrestle in "God's Gift". The book has a good ending, but I thought Henderson left the theological questions unanswered. An epilogue could have solved that issue nicely.
Is God good? Are the circumstances He allows into our lives always for our good? Why does He allow bad things to happen to us? Why does He allow us to have a dream or desire and then take away the fulfillment of it? These are some of the questions with which the characters wrestle in "God's Gift". The book has a good ending, but I thought Henderson left the theological questions unanswered. An epilogue could have solved that issue nicely.
January 12, 2025
This was an all Saturday blitz! Not a bad story, and the characters had decent arcs. I did get a little distracted with how often they said their first names to each other in a scene, and having a "Leo, Rae, Lace and Dave" and later a "James" in a friend group... it's just too many similar sounding, short names! I kept wanting to call her "Race". But that can't really be a point away from it, it just annoys me when names aren't divvied up differently better, but whatever. It was a quick read and a pleasant one at that.
March 9, 2018
Not exciting, but a gentle read about a sweet couple and the trials of faith they experience.
September 6, 2019
I borrowed this book, thinking that it would be completely different than what it was, but that was okay. It was a slow, easy book, but just a bit too slow for my taste. What I was pleasantly surprised with, though, is that the story involved a chronic illness, an undisclosed condition that involved both pain and fatigue; and I unfortunately have firsthand experience with that.
The three stars were derived from the too-slow pace, the punctuation errors, as well as the factual error of how chronic pain is labeled. In this story, a one was the absolute worst pain; but in reality, it’s the opposite. I did enjoy the book, but would have much more had these issues not been present. It’s s little outdated now - VCR instead of DVD player or whatever - but that’s of no consequence to the story.
The three stars were derived from the too-slow pace, the punctuation errors, as well as the factual error of how chronic pain is labeled. In this story, a one was the absolute worst pain; but in reality, it’s the opposite. I did enjoy the book, but would have much more had these issues not been present. It’s s little outdated now - VCR instead of DVD player or whatever - but that’s of no consequence to the story.
November 5, 2020
James is building medical clinics in Africa when he gets a bug bite that leaves him in constant pain. He has to return to the States to recover and get his strength back. He meets a Rachel and they become great friends and fall in love. He breaks up with her because he doesn't want her to have to take care of him. She ends up in an accident which may leave her paralyzed. These two learn to love through loss and health issues. Would recommend.
October 10, 2017
Beautiful
Great read. Beautiful story, well developed and written . The characters struggles are moving and pull at your heart strings. Good lesson about faith and trusting God in the darkest of times.
Great read. Beautiful story, well developed and written . The characters struggles are moving and pull at your heart strings. Good lesson about faith and trusting God in the darkest of times.
December 4, 2017
Wonderful story
I loved so much about this book. The character development was great with a good story line. I also liked the ending. It is not your typical tied in a bow everything is fairytale wonderful kind of an ending. More realistic than most endings! It I a great read!
I loved so much about this book. The character development was great with a good story line. I also liked the ending. It is not your typical tied in a bow everything is fairytale wonderful kind of an ending. More realistic than most endings! It I a great read!
May 20, 2017
Good to read a book based on Christian faith and a romance but mostly from the Man's point of view. Enjoyed.
April 12, 2019
This book started out a bit slow for me...
but once I got into the story I started to enjoy it more...
A nice easy read...
but once I got into the story I started to enjoy it more...
A nice easy read...
April 16, 2020
Dee Henderson
God's Gift, By Dee Henderson, Great book for everyone. I love Dee and her gift of writing good stories..
She is a great example of a clean author.
God's Gift, By Dee Henderson, Great book for everyone. I love Dee and her gift of writing good stories..
She is a great example of a clean author.
Read
September 9, 2020One of her earlier novels, and it shows. Innocent enough read, but it lacked the urgency and the ability to connect with characters.
October 27, 2020
Missionary. Sweet but too much struggle.
February 21, 2021
Not a bad book, but not Dee Henderson's best. It was a bit choppy and skipping from setting to setting. Overall it was a good read, good story- just not up to the standard of all her other books.
March 17, 2021
3.5 stars is about right. Not a good as other stories by this author... slow in places and a few surprises.
April 29, 2021
Good read with some heartbreaking moments. The characters were very realistic and are ones I could be friends with. I would like to read more about both couples in future books.
October 8, 2021
Heartwarming 💗
May 7, 2024
Not as well developed as her later books.
August 3, 2025
this was classic feel good romance - it was cute, tugged the heart strings a little and had a nice, happy ending. no complaints but also nothing special.
September 27, 2025
For Dee Henderson this is a different storyline then her other books. But I love it because it is not your typical storyline. While it might be slow for some people, personally I prefer slow romances over quick ones.
January 1, 2026
what a good story and reminder that you never know what someone is going thru till you are going thru it to
December 19, 2020
I enjoyed this. Worth reading.
February 24, 2017
This was a very good book.
August 30, 2015
I so waited for Dee's first books to come out on ebook. I read her other books and wait to hear what her new one will be called. Dee has a perspective that's her very own n I see many authors she has helped develop their writing skills with her mentoring. Strong professional women and friendships that have developed in childhood seem to be a theme in her books. (I feel I missed out both by not having deep friendships/ education opportunities). I see familiar first names Dee has used in her books eg Dave n Rae. That Rae likes to write like Ann Silver in Dee's other book, n Jennifer. The whole scenes around kissing are so delightful n not really what Mill's n Boon sell but it's been along while for kissing season for me and I liked the respect/endurance round that dating scene. Reading Marriage Wish.
August 15, 2013
A lovely story.
It was quite slow paced, which under normal circumstances I wouldn't appreciate as much. But the theme of the story was powerful, & to capture the nuances, a slow pace was needed.
I don't know whether I have the exact same illness as James, but if not, it is definitely something similiar, & I could relate to him very well. The difficulties he experienced, the adaptations to life he had to make, the bother of burdening others, the hurt of dreams perhaps not being fulfilled, the fears of not getting better, the anguished prayers he flung to heaven, have all been mirrored in my own life.
I just appreciated how the illness was handled, and how a relationship can have space to grow, even against all the odds.
It was quite slow paced, which under normal circumstances I wouldn't appreciate as much. But the theme of the story was powerful, & to capture the nuances, a slow pace was needed.
I don't know whether I have the exact same illness as James, but if not, it is definitely something similiar, & I could relate to him very well. The difficulties he experienced, the adaptations to life he had to make, the bother of burdening others, the hurt of dreams perhaps not being fulfilled, the fears of not getting better, the anguished prayers he flung to heaven, have all been mirrored in my own life.
I just appreciated how the illness was handled, and how a relationship can have space to grow, even against all the odds.
December 3, 2009
This book is the "other side" of inspirational romance. Rather than the ecstatic "sexual love shows us God's love" version, this is the very chaste "let's limit ourselves to one kiss per date" romance. The writing here isn't very good. Everything is left very general as though the author didn't want to research anything. (The hero has "a disease" and takes "some medicine". The couple watches "three movies" [no titles:].) Even the big break that comes between them is really not faced head-on. Although the woman has a strong, important career, she really doesn't seem to be in control of her life or her job. A big disappointment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews