Sarah’s Gift: A Story of Healing, Faith, and the Love We Never Saw Coming
When we least expect it, God sends us exactly what we need.
That belief sits at the very heart of my new release, Sarah’s Gift, Book 2 in The Luck of the Irish Gift series. If you haven’t read Book 1, Johnny’s Gift, that’s where Sarah’s story truly begins, but today I want to share both the heart behind this book and the story itself.
Why I Wrote Sarah’s Gift
When I first introduced Sarah in Johnny’s Gift, she was just a little girl, a little girl who had already lived through more heartbreak than most children ever should. She lost both of her parents, and because she carries the same Luck of the Irish gift as her Uncle Johnny, she didn’t just lose them the way other children do. She felt their fear in the moment they passed. Can you imagine carrying that as a child? It’s no wonder she shut herself off from the world after that.
When I sat down to write Sarah’s own story, I knew she needed something steady beside her, something safe. That’s why I gave her Bella, her rottweiler. I truly believe dogs are one of God’s most beautiful blessings to us. Some of the best emotional support doesn’t need words, it just shows up and stays, right when we need it most.
The setting came from my own memories. I used to live in South Beach, Florida, and I still believe it’s one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Almost every day you’d see photographers doing photo shoots with models, the whole stretch of sand full of beauty and creativity. Since I made Sarah a fashion designer, South Beach felt like the perfect place for her story to unfold, the place where she begins to heal.
About Sarah’s Gift
She has a gift she never asked for. He has a heart he forgot how to trust. And God had a plan neither of them saw coming.
Sarah Mackenzie has spent her whole life feeling everything, the emotions of everyone around her, bleeding through every handshake, every crowded room, every person who gets too close. Her family calls it a gift. The luck of the Irish. Most days, it feels like a burden she carries alone.
When her Uncle Johnny sends her to Miami to quietly use her gift to uncover a design thief inside a prestigious fashion house, Sarah expects a few quiet weeks before heading home to Ohio. She brings Bella, her loyal rottweiler and emotional anchor, and absolutely no intention of getting involved with anyone.
What she doesn’t expect is Nicco Kombi.
Passionate yet guarded, Nicco is the first man who has ever made Sarah’s heart race the moment he walks into a room. As the two grow closer, Sarah finds herself caught between the mission she was sent to complete and a love she never saw coming, with a man whose family she has secretly been investigating all along.
When the truth finally comes out, Sarah must trust that the God who brought them together is able to hold them together.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Writing Sarah’s healing gave me so much hope, and I pray it does the same for you. No matter what you’ve carried, no matter how long you’ve felt like you had to face it alone, remember this today:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
And when we let go of our own timing, we open room for His.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
Sarah’s Gift is Book 2 in The Luck of the Irish Gift series. If you’d like to meet Sarah as a little girl first and see where her story truly begins, Johnny’s Gift is available now too.
Have you ever felt like something (or someone) showed up in your life at exactly the right moment, even when you weren’t looking for it? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
Both books are available now at Barnes & Noble.
📖 Read more heartfelt stories like this one every day right here on the blog at findinglifesmagic.net
🛍️ Visit my shop: etsy.com/shop/findinglifesmagic
📸 Follow along: @findinglifesmagic
With love and faith, Marilyn 💜