The Secret Gift

"The Secret Gift" is the story of a gifted heart surgeon, Landon Rief. Landon retires after thirty-five years of treating people with heart conditions. In memory of his late wife, Landon creates a bucket list to revisit countries he and his late wife explored during their 45 years of marriage. While abroad, he is visited by a mysterious stranger and learns that he has a secret gift he has yet to develop. The mysterious visitor has come to teach him how to use his new endowment and how it will benefit the future of humanity.

Everyone is born with a special gift. The question is, how will they use it? Dr. Landon Rief, a gifted heart surgeon, retires from his medical practice. As he begins his journey abroad, he encounters a mysterious visitor in Germany who reveals that he was born with a secret gift. The mysterious visitor informs Landon that she is here to help him develop and employ his gift during his stay in Germany. After his stay in Germany, Landon travels to England, where he encounters his next challenge sooner than he planned. He uses his gift in the familiar territory of medicine, but at a level he never dreamed was possible. Landon's next journey takes him to the beautiful country of Ireland, where he strives to use his gift to save a dying seven-year-old girl. His next trip to Scotland will leave him with memories he will never forget. Landon finally returns home to Pittsburgh, PA where he relaxes and spends time with his friends. Joining his friends at West View Amusement Park, Landon is unexpectedly called upon to save the life of a park visitor. This is the first time he has needed to use his gift for something other than a disease. He doesn't think twice about saving this young man, but at what price? Who is the mysterious visitor? What is Landon's secret gift? Does Landon truly enhance the future of humanity?

Joseph & his wife of 52 years were born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. They raised three boys who attended and graduated from Western PA colleges with honors. Their youngest son continued his education and received his master's degree from Auburn University in an international language. Joseph is now retired, after spending 45+ years in sales of consumer products and executive management for various corporations. His sales career enabled him to travel throughout the United States and reside in cities like Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, and Oviedo. He enjoys reading; being outdoors enjoying Mother Nature; writing stories about life, love, family, and friends with a twist of humor; and hanging out at his camp in the Allegheny Mountains of Western PA. Joseph and his wife reside in Locust Grove, Georgia, where they are only 16 miles away from their grandchildren, who fill their hearts with love and joy every day.