Overall this book is MUCH better than book four in the Harte Series, Emma's Secret.  Book 4 was a lot of cut and paste from the previous three books with some updates on members of the younger generations.  Unexpected Blessings was less of a rehash and it followed the action from book 4 more smoothly.  I was happy to see that this story of Emma's great-granddaughters moved along without major inaccuracies from the first three books.  That being said, there are still gaps and minor errors.  For example, the relationship between Robin Ainsley and the rest of the Harte family continues from book four.  In book 4, this much improved relationship was not explained and remains unexplained in this book.  How Robin made it back into the graces of the family is a significant gap in the storyline between books 3 and 4.  This lack of explanation is more objectionable in book 4 because of the plot in that book, but it is still a mystery.  While it presumably relates to the secret revealed in book 4, the reader can only guess.  Those familiar with the first three books may find this is a very big disconnect.  One other mistake in this book is the recounting of the incident from the lives of Shane and Paula as children, wherein Shane paints Paula blue.  This incident actually occurred between Winston and Emily as is noted in book 2, "Hold the Dream."

I was taken aback by the vignette relating to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.  This incident should have been developed more fully or omitted completely.  Yes, the event showed in a limited way what some people went through.  However, given the considerable wealth of the Hartes, O'Neills and Kallinskis, and the financial companies located in the World Trade Center at that time, isn't it likely that they would have been more affected than they were??

Some of the good things in this book:  Tessa mellowing (after a harrowing experience) and acknowledging for the first time her true heritage; and the relationship between Edwina and several of Emma's great-granddaughers.

I am looking forward to the continuing saga of the clans.
Overall this book is MUCH better than book four in the Harte Series, Emma's Secret. Book 4 was a lot of cut and paste from the previous three books with some updates on members of the younger generations. Unexpected Blessings was less of a rehash and it followed the action from book 4 more smoothly. I was happy to see that this story of Emma's great-granddaughters moved along without major inaccuracies from the first three books. That being said, there are still gaps and minor errors. For example, the relationship between Robin Ainsley and the rest of the Harte family continues from book four. In book 4, this much improved relationship was not explained and remains unexplained in this book. How Robin made it back into the graces of the family is a significant gap in the storyline between books 3 and 4. This lack of explanation is more objectionable in book 4 because of the plot in that book, but it is still a mystery. While it presumably relates to the secret revealed in book 4, the reader can only guess. Those familiar with the first three books may find this is a very big disconnect. One other mistake in this book is the recounting of the incident from the lives of Shane and Paula as children, wherein Shane paints Paula blue. This incident actually occurred between Winston and Emily as is noted in book 2, "Hold the Dream. "

I was taken aback by the vignette relating to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. This incident should have been developed more fully or omitted completely. Yes, the event showed in a limited way what some people went through. However, given the considerable wealth of the Hartes, O'Neills and Kallinskis, and the financial companies located in the World Trade Center at that time, isn't it likely that they would have been more affected than they were?? Some of the good things in this book:  Tessa mellowing (after a harrowing experience) and acknowledging for the first time her true heritage; and the relationship between Edwina and several of Emma's great-granddaughers. I am looking forward to the continuing saga of the clans.