A Gift Most Rare by Tom Leihbacher

Release: August 31, 2020
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo

It’s Christmastime in the pocket-sized village of Briarcliff Manor. With yuletide spirits flying high, life seems close to perfect in this quaint suburb of Manhattan.

But not everyone feels the holiday cheer. While most go about their joyful holiday pursuits, young Charlie Riverton is restless. Compassionate by nature, he’s especially mindful of the lonely and forlorn.

At the same time, he’s the unofficial leader of a close-knit group of sixth-grade buddies. Together they grapple with pre-teen hijinks, newfound freedoms and an emerging, nerve-wracking interest in girls.

Meanwhile, there’s a curiously gifted newcomer in town. Charlie develops a special friendship with the handsome stranger and together, they set out to craft a God-honoring Christmas gift for the whole community. Along the way, lives are changed, and people begin to look at Christmas a little differently.

Come spend the holidays in Briarcliff with this feel-good, coming of age story set in small-town America in the early 1970s.

About the Author:

Tom Leihbacher has lived in Briarcliff Manor, New York for most of his life. After graduating from Briarcliff High School and then the University of Florida, he returned home and began a career in the media and advertising sales business. He and his family live in the Tree Streets and enjoy a rich life filled with church and community involvements and great friendships. He listens to Dr. Cook’s Walk with the King broadcast each morning before boarding a Manhattan-bound commuter train at Scarborough Station; passes through Law Park and the Pine Forest frequently; enjoys membership at Sleepy Hollow Country Club; stops for sunsets over the Hudson River and once in a while can be found skating at one of the frozen ponds in town.

After 35+ years in the corporate world, “A Gift Most Rare” is his first novel. A summer sequel will be ready soon. Please visit my author website to learn more.

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A Gift Most Rare Review:

Some books touch your heart as soon as you start reading them, and this is how I felt when I picked up “A Gift Most Rare.”

This book gave me Hallmark movie vibes (and I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a movie adaptation of the same). The author tells the story and depicts the characters with such innocence, warmth, and compassion that it just lifted my spirits. The author describes the story beautifully, touching you and making you feel good, with a sweet tale from the 1970s.

Another reason to enjoy the tale is how the author highlights the importance of community and how we all need to support each other. While Charlie is the central character, the author gives equal importance to the rest of the cast. I also enjoyed the side characters like Suzie and her scenes with Mr. Olson. Similarly, I also enjoyed Parker and found his storyline interesting. Reading this book made me want to be a part of Briarcliff Manor as well.

Charlie is excellent in the lead as he tries to uplift and help others. Similarly, Skylar (Sky) is intriguing as the mysterious character enters their lives and sparks Charlie’s friendship. The author also adds a level of mystery and magic, like when Charlie hears voices at night and references feathers and feather dusters.

Moreover, this book provides the perfect segue for you to get in the Christmas mood. From the tree decorations to the annual tree lighting ceremony, I loved how the author incorporated the magic of Christmas into the storyline.

Overall, I loved everything about “A Gift Most Rare,” and I thank the author for writing such a sweet, simple, yet super novel.