John Steiner is an extremely stubborn man, but then he hasn't met Hester Detweiler yet. John decides to ride out the hurricane that is bearing down on the gulf coast of Florida as well as his home, outbuildings and land he owns out from Sarasota. Hester is the Field Director of the MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service). This organization helps people in need after disaster strikes, regardless of their religious preference or community standing.

John's property is devastated by the storm and he is lucky to be alive when Hester and her father, Arlen, find him. Hester tends John's wounds while Arlen and others investigate the destruction. At first, John refuses to leave his property, wanting to cling to his hermit lifestyle. But when the helicopter arrives to airlift him, he decides he will at least get his broken wrist tended to at the hospital. However, he repeatedly refuses help from the MDS in rebuilding his place.

John continues to be a thorn in Hester's side with every one of their encounters. She doesn't understand why she keeps trying to get him to accept help when it is clear he doesn't want it. But there is something about John that she sees in herself, besides the stubbornness. Is she running away from something the same as John? Is she being as selfish and arrogant as well?

When the devastation from the hurricane is cleaned up in town and life is almost back to normal, Hester finds another project that she believes will help restore the homeless shelter that has been closed down. Her close interaction with John on this project brings them together more and more. John has given up his experiment on his land, trying to live a self-sustaining life without human interaction. He plans to sell his property and go back to the Amish community in Indiana where his troubles all began. Hester needs to use his newly restored packing house for her project. Can they make this combination work?

A STRANGER'S GIFT is a moving story about letting go of the past hurts in your life, learning that you can't change the past and making a plan for the future. There are many other warm and endearing stories and characters within this story. Anna Schmidt has given us a real treat with this inspirational romantic novel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Book Summary

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. Will she find a way through his shield and into his heart? Although the hurricane has left John homeless and badly injured, the last thing he wants is some do-gooder Mennonite woman intruding in his life. Will his impatience with her intention of restoring his faith and property keep him from accepting this beguiling stranger’s kindness?