Sometimes the best giftsAre those freely given from the heart . . .Ready to begin a new life far away from the sad memories of the Civil War, J.B. and Nora Nash head west on the Oregon Trail. They settle into the small community of Pendleton, Oregon, on a piece of land where they’re excited to build a future and their dreams together. A devastating tragedy leaves them both reeling as they draw … devastating tragedy leaves them both reeling as they draw further and further apart. Nora blames J.B. for her unhappiness while he struggles through his own challenges. Only a miracle can bring them through their trials and reunite them for Christmas.
Together, will they discover the gift of grace in this sweet holiday romance brimming with hope, history, and abiding love?
Gift of Grace is the first book in the Gifts of Christmas series, a collection of heartwarming, wholesome romances, featuring precious gifts given straight from the heart.
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What a beautiful story. This couple is happy and then their little baby Grace dies. They are both in dark places, but eventually together they make it back. Along the way, they help many others and are helped themselves. This is a historical romance set in the 1800’s. The story is heartbreaking, but also show’s God’s Grace.
Gift of Grace has it all. I am an avid Shanna Hatfield fan, and I believe she outdid herself on this book. I had been anxiously awaiting for this book to be released because it is a prequel to “Aundy” and I loved that book also. Whoa this blew that one out of the water. Their excitement at moving and starting a new life together, expecting a baby, liking their new neighbors. Life was perfect…until it wasn’t.
I can re-write the description but you already know what the story is about, so here is what you need to know. This is a book of love. A book of family, dedication and perseverance. That joy comes in the morning moment so you know to keep on keeping on. JB is a wonderful man and husband. Nora has to deal and Shanna does a great job of describing her (Nora) thoughts and pain.
This is a story to fall into. You will not want to put it down. It’s easy to connect with, to put yourself into. All though this is a “historical” it is something that happens every day and could well be a modern day tale. I cannot give this book enough praise.
I would highly recommend this book. It is a clean read and one you will also fall in love with.
4 Sweet, easy read.
When J.B and Nora moved to Pendleton to start a new life they think they can finally leave behind all their sorrows. But after a devastating event their loving relationship changed. Can they heal enough to get their loving relationship back?
I loved this story, the way they have to heal and the help they get. Also helping others does help yourself.
A sweet story of overcoming grief
J.B. and Nora Nash had already overcome their grief over the death of their families. Moving to Pendleton, Oregon allowed them to have a fresh start. With their wonderful neighbors and the community they helped establish, things were looking up.
Until…
When tragedy hit, Nora was inconsolable. Her grief was debilitating and I felt so bad for her. J.B. was such a rock and though he grieved as well, instead of hiding from life as Nora did, he threw himself into the chores and upkeep of their ranch.
I greatly admired J.B. and the way he handled his pain. And how he continued to put up with Nora. I loved the courage he showed and how he finally got her to leave her bed of sorrow!! While I understood Nora’s grief and empathized with her, I disliked the way she treated her husband during that time. Yet she did grow past it by learning to look beyond herself to the needs of others.
While the story could have been bogged down by the sadness and lashing out, it didn’t. Shanna Hatfield added just enough detail about Nora’s pain to make it clear yet infused the story with hope. The secondary characters, such as little Erik and his caring mother, kept the tone light.
There is a lot of backstory here and as it unfolded, some of it felt like an information dump. The story awas not like this in general but there were a few pages worth.
Overall, this was a sweet story of sacrifice in the midst of pain that ended with hope and forgiveness.
If you have read the Pendleton Petticoats series, you will enjoy getting this introduction to the Nash family from before the time that series begins.
Read my review of Gift of Grace by Shanna Hatfield at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
As always this is a delightful emotional rollercoaster. Characters are enchanting and pull you in close while the story gives you a little shake. A sweet Christmas time story of love, faith and trust in the Lord. Can’t wait for the next one
After I concluded the 1st few chapters my emotion’s were waterworks. Never have I read such a touching book of loss and the power of love that heals one’s heart.
If you know me, I do not cry easily, but Shanna had me gushing.
Gift Of Grace was a beautifully written book about overcoming tragedy and learning how to live one day at a time.
A Gift Of Grace is a beautiful gift from Shanna Hatfield to her fan’s, a gift to remember God never gives us more than we can handle, plus a reminder to hold close to those you love. Love will carry us all through the hard times.
As with all Ms. Hatfield’s stories this is another really good one. It is the story of JB and Nora Nash of Pendleton. This is their beginning when they first traveled to Oregon to start their ranch. They started Nash’s Folly in Pendleton. They were young and happy and excited with a baby on the way.
But I have to say this story made me laugh and cry a lot. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. But as always it has a most wonderful HEA.
I received this as an ARC from the author without asking for reviews. I wrote this review because this is a most wonderful holiday story and one with inspiration as well as many other things.
I highly recommend this first story of a new series by Ms. Hatfield.
Wonderful! A sweet inspirational Christmas Story of love, loss, perseverance, friendships and God’s amazing Grace. Don’t miss this great short read from Shanna Hatfield!
James Benjamin Nash comes back after the war to find he has no family left and his homestead is gone. He heads out on the road looking for a new way in life. When he ends up on Nora’s family ranch he falls for her immediately. They move to Pendleton and start new there. They learn that as long as you love each other you can weather any storm!
Oh my goodness! I loved it! It was so emotional and so sweet. JB and Nora have been through so much and there is more to come. But, they come out the other side in a much better place. Again, loved it!
An emotional story of broken hearts, hope, and healing.
I was immediately drawn into this story of Nora and JB. We were taken back to the start of the Pendleton community and I loved seeing the familiar characters grow and develop.
Nora and JB arrive to Pendleton and are excited to start building their new ranch. They are thrilled to meet new friends and to start their family together. Unfortunately they learn that some gifts are just for the short term and they need to learn how to let them go and keep moving on. An emotional story that many can relate to.
I definitely recommend reading this book, especially if you have read any of the Pendleton Petticoats series.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
The loss of a child and the whole it leaves. Love that brings them back together and faith to help them carry on.
J.B. and Nora Nash left Omaha to move to Pendleton, Oregon, in 1870, after losing their families to the war. They are excited to make a fresh start, but then a tragic event occurs. Rather than dealing with it together, Nora pushes J.B. away and he is left to grieve alone. Missing his wife and with Christmas coming, J.B. resorts to “cavedweller-like behavior” to restore their once loving and affectionate relationship.
Shanna Hatfield’s first book in the Gifts Of Christmas series is a funny, heartbreaking, warm, faith-filled, adventurous journey. J.B. and Nora are such a cute couple, so in love and always teasing each other. The author’s portrayal of their loss is devastating, as it should be. Nora’s newfound strength and goodness afterward is remarkable, something that could only be acquired from God. The story is filled with some wonderful thoughts of encouragement for anyone in need of comfort.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.
I truly enjoyed reading this delightful
& moving story. A beautifully written
book, & wonderful characters, make
it the perfect Christmas read.
With all the sad memories, JB & Nora, traveled from Omaha to Pendleton, Oregon, to start
a new life.
It’s a great story! I loved it from beginning
to end!!
This is a story about a young couple moving to Oregon to build a new life. Deaths on both sides of the family due to the war. They have a baby coming and a new life to build. But that love was tested do to a tragedy. A wonderful story full of love and god. Excellent story. HEA