Gifted

by Jacqueline Brown

Siena has spent most of her life unaware of the world beyond what we can all see and touch. That changes when she is forced to accept the world as it really is ...The world Luca knows to be true is no longer something Siena can deny, after her own so-called gifts reveal the unseen darkness that has been oppressing her family for generations. Her gifts confuse her, but she doesn’t fear them. Her new abilities terrify Luca—he understands them too well.Will Siena’s gifts destroy her, as Luca fears? Is he strong enough to stay by her side, or are the memories of the past too much, even for him? In Gifted, the sequel to Awakening, past darkness is discovered, present chains are released, future beauty glimpsed.

Genres: Fiction

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2021

About the author

Dr. Jacqueline Brown is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with women and girls who have experienced trauma and entanglement with the criminal and juvenile justice systems. She is consistently amazed at the beauty, hope, and resilience of the women and girls with whom she has had the privilege of working, and she is incredibly humbled and grateful to each of them for allowing her to be part of their lives. She strives to bring that same hope, resilience, and beauty into the characters she creates and the stories they tell. Jacqueline lives in Florida with her husband, their two sons, and two furry pound puppies, Roxy and Bella. Please visit her at Jacqueline-Brown.com to find out more about her writing and to be notified of new releases.

Reviews

[Jeff Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always want more

I have to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with books in a series. I wait what seems forever for the book and then when I am done reading it I don’t want it to end. Once again Jacqueline has the ability to make the Catholic Faith come alive. Even though it is fiction , it speaks of truths of the faith that never are brought up. She speaks of spiritual warfare as if she has some first hand knowledge.

[Marcel Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I feel like it tied up a lot of my questions from the first book. I enjoyed reading Siena’s character arc, I wasn’t a fan of hers at first but her growth was enjoyable to read.

I would like to know more about the children in the attic. And what Siena chooses to do with her gift. I appreciated the author’s acknowledgment of the white-washing that happens in some churches. That was refreshing to read.

Anyhow, looking forward to reading more!

[Mike Muldowney · Rating 5 out of 5]

More, please!

I enjoy reading about these characters. I sure would like to have the whole series already, I hate waiting for the rest of the story. I like reading about Catholic people, too. Seems like there aren’t enough books like this.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I very much enjoy this writer's style, I find the story line of this series a bit lacking. I would classify it mostly as a family drama, with some horror and a lot of faith elements, and the characters are developed and built on during this second book, and more secrets of the past are exposed. Though a lot transpires between the events of the first book and this one, I felt the main character matured and changed too drastically, too quickly. I also have mixed feelings about what Brown is trying to achieve and highlight in regards to spiritual warfare and those who are gifted in those areas, using them for good and evil. I'm a practicing Christian and struggled with some of the concepts (despite understanding where she is coming from), so can imagine they would be challenging for others.

Overall, I rated this book a 3 out of 5. The story is still engaging and keeps you turning the pages. The ideas and concepts area interesting and not one I've seen explored in a fictional book like this before.

[Malinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

mysticism, false doctrine mixed with occult

I don’t recommend this book at all for any Christian. This book is so filled with mysticism that it honestly would be dangerous for someone who isn’t biblically literate or lacking discernment. There’s so much nonsense Catholic doctrines and so much occult and all of it is intertwined. This book might actually lead someone into the occult because of romanticism of the occult and mixing it with Catholicism. Dangerous doctrine and should be avoided.

[Suzanne Brayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wraps up the "Awakening" books series. It got kind of preachy near the end. Our main character, who started out a bit naive, suddenly became a theological expert, explaining all the questions you might have about the church. This left me feeling a bit dissatisfied with the end.

[Ashleyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as fast paced as the first book, but a really good read. Not only do the characters learn to face their own pasts and demons but they start to recover from the horrific death on their property.

[Tammie Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put down!

Another outstanding read from Jacqueline Brown. Further development of the characters from book 1, Awakening. Can wait to dig into book 3, Haunted!

[Amelia May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first!