Charlotte Hubbard celebrates the joys and challenges of motherhood in this uplifting story, set amid the warmth and tradition of an Amish Missouri farm community. As a young girl, Leah Otto was captivated by Jude Shetler’s good looks and talent as an auctioneer. So when Jude, now a widower with three children, begins to court her, Leah doesn’t hesitate. Other men may not appreciate her tomboy … not appreciate her tomboy ways, but Jude values Leah’s practical nature and her skill with the animals she tends, and both enter the marriage with optimism. Yet three months later, Leah feels as if her world is coming down around her.
Her twin teenage step-daughters are pushing far too many boundaries, while the five-year-old deeply misses his mother. Leah, more at ease in a barn than a kitchen, struggles with her housekeeping duties. . . . Then a baby is abandoned on their doorstep. Caring for the infant renews Leah’s strength to pull her family together. With Jude’s steadfast support, Leah finds that what she once thought of as a happy ending may be something even better—the beginning of a life rich in love, faith, and unexpected blessings.
“A satisfying story of belonging, love of family, and love for God.”
—Booklist
“Hubbard writes heartfelt books with a message.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
“Thought-provoking and fresh.”
—Publishers Weekly
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Charlotte Hubbard has given us a really sweet romantic Amish love story, and we get to experience this with this page-turning read.
Can a single, not expecting to marry, Amish woman with a love of animals, and a widowed Amish man with three children, find happiness with what the community feels an unlikely pair.
I loved this heartwarming love story and family, and how things work out will keep you page turning.
This one will stay a favorite of mine, but then I love this author’s books, and am so glad she shares her gifts with us.
I received this book through Goddess Fish Promotions, and was not required to give a positive review.
I am a huge Charlotte Hubbard fan, I have been reading her books for a few years now which is kind of shocking being as my go to genre is paranormal. Charlotte doesn’t need any hosts or ghouls to bring her fascinating tales of Amish families to life. This book is the my favorite so far of all of her books I have read, and I have loved them all. As a Stepmom myself I can relate to some of this of this book, and enjoyed all of this book. Perfect book with Mother’s Day just around the corner.
The book is about Leah Otto, a real Tomboy. Instead of learning to cook and sew like most Amish girls, Leah helped her father with the farm animals. When she was about 13 she goes with her father to auctions and she meets Jude Shetler who is calling the action.
Years later Jude is a widower with 3 children. He has twin 16 year old girls and a 5 year old boy. Jude and Leah fall in love and decide to marry. Both of their families do not believe this to be a good idea, and the night before the wedding tell each of them their thoughts on the marriage. But they go through with it anyway.
Once married the twins really test Leah to the point after just a few months Leah is just miserable. She has kept all the things the girls have done to her over the past few months to herself, but at her wits end tells Jude she cannot live with him anymore. Jude unlike a lot of men steps in to keep his family together.
This is not just a case of telling the girl to be nice to their new step mom. It goes way further then that. Already acting out and dating English men the girls over hear Jude tell Leah that he is not their biological father.
While trying to get their little family straightened out. One night they hear a car pull up then leave, then a cry of a baby. Someone has left a tiny baby on their porch. Leah now has to decide how she can make them all a family.
A Mother’s Gift is the latest novel by Charlotte Hubbard. Leah Otto is marrying Jude Shetler, but her mother is worried that Leah has not thought it through completely. Jude has twin daughters who are sixteen and enjoying their rumspringa along with a five-year-old son who misses his mother. Leah has always preferred working with animals to taking care of a home and feels that Jude is the right man for her. There is the added benefit of Jude’s mother, Margaret who takes care of the household. Jeremiah, Jude’s older brother, has his doubts about the match as well and wishes Jude would delay the wedding. Jude and Leah have no reservations and proceed with their wedding. Three months pass, and Leah is miserable. Margaret moved out after the wedding, the twins are making life difficult for Leah, Stevie is still not talking to Leah, and Jude has not been supportive. Something needs to change if their marriage is to survive. Then a baby named Betsy is left on their porch with a note asking that they give the baby a loving home. Leah has no clue on how to care for a baby and is thankful when Lenore, Leah’s mother, comes to assist her. After a long-needed talk, Jude alters his behavior and begins reigning in the twins. This is just the beginning for Leah and Jude. With communication, faith, and love they can have a happy, rich life together that is full of unexpected blessings. Come along for the journey in A Mother’s Gift.
I found A Mother’s Gift to be well-written in a nice, conversational writing style. There are a variety of characters in the story with different personalities. They are realistic in their attitudes and behaviors. A blended marriage is challenging for all parties and it takes time for people to adjust (come together as a family). There are good life lessons in the story and we can see that the Amish have the same problems/struggles as Englischers. It is important not to judge others, the harm that gossip can cause to people, forgiveness of oneself and others, God is in control, the power of prayer and the importance of having a strong faith in God. God had a plan when he brought Leah and Jude together. My rating for A Mother’s Gift is 4 out of 5 stars. I do wish the characters had been introduced into the story differently (in the beginning). A Mother’s Gift is such a lovely, heartwarming story that will take readers on an emotional journey.
I have been unable to read this book which I paid for
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