Phoebe’s Gift

Phoebe's Gift. by Jerry .Eicher. The death of the grandmother, has left Phoebe with questions, to fulfill grandmother dreams with the ponies, or go back and teach. David, a worker, will continue with the chores and ponies for now. They were Assategue wild ponies from Maryland, and didn't belong in the quiet Amish community, most people thought. Teaching school people would either approve or disapprove of her. While the ponies, were accepting, and.had a loving nature, without worry or concern, how she wanted to be. The children wanted to sell house, ponies, but what did Phoebe want. If only she knew the plan, David comes, and he knew. Even to the grandmother had given him a year's wages, if Phoebe did accept. It was for the work with Child Protective Service. A working farm for troubled English children. No one does things like this in their community,there would be talk and whispers. Can Phoebe without training do this, and what of her plans for marriage. An entertains story of a shy Amish woman venturing into doing something the Amish wouldn't dream of doing. In doing, will there be anyone who will share the dreams her grandmother and now Phoebe has. An excellent story for all to read and enjoy. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. AUG. 1

Phoebe’s Gift by Jerry S. Eicher is the second installment in Peace in the Valley series. Phoebe Lapp’s grandmother has just passed away and she learns why her grandmother had purchased the three Assateague ponies. It turns out that Grandma Lapp (who was slightly eccentric) had a dream to turn her farm into a place to help troubled children. Grandma Lapp had requested neighbor, David Fisher tell Phoebe about the idea and see if she would be willing to see it through to fruition (with David’s help). Phoebe is not sure she is up to the task and feels she is unworthy (of the farm, of love, a happy life). Grandma Lapp’s prayer journal will help guide Phoebe through this difficult time. Ruth Fisher, David’s sister, has yet to commit herself to the Amish faith and is considering leaving the community. Ruth is given a great opportunity, but it would mean giving up her Englischer boyfriend. What choices will Ruth and Phoebe make?

Phoebe’s Gift is a sweet, predictable story. It is nicely written and has a decent pace (once you get past the 40% mark). However, the self-doubts and self-esteem issues overwhelmed the story (I started skimming after a while). Phoebe deciding if she is worthy of love (David feels the same way) and can she complete Grandma Lapp’s mission. The internal dialogue went on and on (you get my drift). The same details are repeated too often making for a tedious book. I did like the unique storyline of an Amish person starting a place for troubled children (great concept). My rating for Phoebe’s Gift is 3 out of 5 stars (okay, but not for me). I wish more of the book had been devoted to developing the farm for new therapy program (they just had the three ponies). I did not understand why the therapy idea was not fully fleshed out. The characters felt underdeveloped and extremely naïve. Ruth’s storyline felt like an add-in. It was not fully developed. The way the story is written reminds me of books written for young adults and since it is a clean, wholesome story a younger audience can easily enjoy it. As an adult, though, I wanted and expected more from Jerry Eicher.