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GIFTED
JT Stone is a national standout, the number one recruited high-school basketball Phenom from the inner city of St. Louis, Missouri. His plans for college ball, followed by the NBA, are in direct conflict with his Mother, Loretta Stone’s schemes. She’s a widowed, single mother of two boys with immediate aspirations of her small family rising out of her perceived poverty on the wings of JT’s great athletic ability. Their conflict will be ultimately resolved by a power that neither of them can anticipate or comprehend – fate.
Kevin Mills, a man pressed to choose between his marriage or the healthcare career he loves, is no more than a familiar acquaintance to Loretta. But, he becomes a trusted friend when their lives meaningfully intersect. He must be the bridge between the gap of Loretta’s dreams of NBA greatness and the reality with which she is forced to accept. GIFTED begs you to answer the question: If given the opportunity to save the lives of eight total strangers, would you? Could you?
GIFTED is the debut novel from Robert Horsey. It is a story that has been brewing in his head for many years; inspired by Robert's time spent working at Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a fictional story based, loosely, on his experiences there as an Organ Procurement Coordinator. During this time in Robert's career, he was afforded the extreme honor of working with donor families as they navigated the waters of grief and the unexpected loss of their loved one. He was allowed into their lives during what would seem to be their most devastating and vulnerable moments. The compassion that they were able to muster is the reason for this story. It was written as a tribute to each of them and the thousands of donor families around the country that provide the gift of life through the selfless act of organ and tissue donation.
Kevin Mills, a man pressed to choose between his marriage or the healthcare career he loves, is no more than a familiar acquaintance to Loretta. But, he becomes a trusted friend when their lives meaningfully intersect. He must be the bridge between the gap of Loretta’s dreams of NBA greatness and the reality with which she is forced to accept. GIFTED begs you to answer the question: If given the opportunity to save the lives of eight total strangers, would you? Could you?
GIFTED is the debut novel from Robert Horsey. It is a story that has been brewing in his head for many years; inspired by Robert's time spent working at Mid-America Transplant Services in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a fictional story based, loosely, on his experiences there as an Organ Procurement Coordinator. During this time in Robert's career, he was afforded the extreme honor of working with donor families as they navigated the waters of grief and the unexpected loss of their loved one. He was allowed into their lives during what would seem to be their most devastating and vulnerable moments. The compassion that they were able to muster is the reason for this story. It was written as a tribute to each of them and the thousands of donor families around the country that provide the gift of life through the selfless act of organ and tissue donation.
254 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2017
8 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Robert Horsey
1 book2 followersRobert Horsey is a critical care registered nurse who has dedicated most of his twenty-four-year career to the field of Organ Donation and Transplantation. He has held the positions of Interventional Organ Procurement Coordinator with Mid-America Transplant Services, located in St. Louis, Missouri; Clinical Transplant Coordinator with St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital's Heart Transplant Program and Clinical Transplant Coordinator with Indiana University Health - University Hospital's Liver Transplant Program, both located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Currently, Robert is on staff at the Indiana Donor Network.
In addition to writing, Robert is currently producing a Docuseries on the subject of organ donation and transplantation. Each episode tells the inspiring story of hope from tragedy as a donor hero is honored and their family shares their journey through this life-saving process.
He holds national certification as a Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) and a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC), as awarded by The American Board for Transplant Certification. Robert received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (cum laude honors) from the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Barnes Hospital College of Nursing.
Robert is the last in the lineup of nine children. He currently resides in Carmel, Indiana with his wife, Courtney and her two boys, Michael and Ozzy. And, yes, he and most of his siblings are die-hard and loyal St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Fans!!
Gifted is Robert's first novel.
In addition to writing, Robert is currently producing a Docuseries on the subject of organ donation and transplantation. Each episode tells the inspiring story of hope from tragedy as a donor hero is honored and their family shares their journey through this life-saving process.
He holds national certification as a Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC) and a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC), as awarded by The American Board for Transplant Certification. Robert received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (cum laude honors) from the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Barnes Hospital College of Nursing.
Robert is the last in the lineup of nine children. He currently resides in Carmel, Indiana with his wife, Courtney and her two boys, Michael and Ozzy. And, yes, he and most of his siblings are die-hard and loyal St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Fans!!
Gifted is Robert's first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 9, 2019
Gifted is an entertaining story about sticking with your loved ones and trying to be better because of them. Gifted bounces between the perspectives and lives of two people, Kevin Mills and JT. Kevin is a nurse living in Louisiana with a very successful career, and JT is a young high school student raised in the Ghetto with his only way of getting him and his family out being he’s basketball skills. Although it may seem like Kevin’s life is great he has struggled to balance business and family causing his wife to leave. The contrast between Kevin and JT is one of the highlights of the story and seeing their progression to become more caring to others throughout the story show that no matter what someone’s background may be, it is the choices that they make that will determine who they are. Gifted has always is adding new things to the table to keep the story fresh and interesting and keeps it from having anything drag the book down. However, the book does at sometimes struggle to balance out certain major events, having some take less than a page, and others, a few pages too long. If you are looking for a good, emotional story about families and careers, this is the book for you.
November 4, 2017
Gifted is a great read! The story grabs your attention and keeps it throughout. It draws you in and makes you feel like apart of all the character's lives. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It shows how sometimes through tragedy comes light and peace. Really gave me a new prospective on organ donation from many different angles.
It is well written and as an avid reader I really recommend reading this book!
It is well written and as an avid reader I really recommend reading this book!
May 15, 2018
Looking for a book to help understand organ donation? This is the book for you ! I met Robert in Chicago and just finished his first book. I left with smiles and tears and a thankful heart for all people involved in organ transplants.
December 9, 2017
Amazing
A great read about organ donation. After my son being an organ donor, this book shows the love, respect, and humbling process. Great job
A great read about organ donation. After my son being an organ donor, this book shows the love, respect, and humbling process. Great job
August 21, 2024
Gifted
Love the book! I am a recipient of an organ transplant! Liver, Pancreas, Intestines and Stomach.
God bless our donors!
Love the book! I am a recipient of an organ transplant! Liver, Pancreas, Intestines and Stomach.
God bless our donors!
February 2, 2025
Organ donation is such an amazing, and selfless gift! It is really just fascinating to me. ❤️
January 5, 2023
Such a sad but heartwarming story.
September 13, 2019
Very captivating. I would highly recommend this book.
Loved this book. I highly recommend this book. Very easy read. Extremely difficult to put down. Very captivating and interesting
Loved this book. I highly recommend this book. Very easy read. Extremely difficult to put down. Very captivating and interesting
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews