I love the vintage look of this cover and the sweet premise of the
story! Read my full review and enter the tour giveaway below...
story! Read my full review and enter the tour giveaway below...
Legacy of MercyBy Lynn Austin
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 400 Pages
October 2nd 2018 by Bethany House Publishers
Summary
She Knew Her New Life Would Not Be Easy,
But Nothing Could Prepare Her For What Waits Ahead
Having returned to Chicago, young socialite Anna Nicholson can't seem to focus on her upcoming marriage. The new information she's learned about her birth mother continues to pull at her, and she hires Pinkerton detectives to help her discover the whole truth.
But as she meets people who once knew her mother and hears stories about the past, Anna soon discovers that some secrets are better left hidden. With pressure mounting to keep the past quiet, she discovers daily that her choice to seek God's purpose for her life isn't as simple as she had hoped.
When things are at their darkest, Anna knows she can turn to her grandmother, Geesje de Jonge, back in Holland, Michigan. Geesje's been helping new Dutch immigrants--including a teen with a troubled history--adjust to America. She only hopes that her wisdom can help all these young people through the turmoil they face.
Praise for the Book
"Varying points of view, well-placed clues, and an interesting subplot about Anna's grandmother welcoming Dutch immigrants to Michigan keeps the story interesting. Austin skillfully embeds her strong spiritual message into the actions of her characters, creating a wonderful historical tale that is naturally inspirational."--Publishers Weekly starred review
My Review
LEGACY OF MERCY is a story that embodies its title. It's overall, a story of Anna and past generations who made mistakes, loved, lost, and found mercy and forgiveness. Those who read the first book in this series will love finding out what Anna's future holds and those who have not, will fall in love with her and the other characters in this story for the first time. It's an inspiring story of family, life choices, and trusting in God and love.
The characters are so charming in this story! How I loved Anna's grandmother! She is a an absolute sweetheart, with a fabulous backbone, and so caring towards others. I would definitely claim her if I could. I also loved Derk and Anna's parents. Of course I loved Anna the most who is young in her faith and trying to figure out how to keep that faith alive and growing, and how it fits into her life. I was a little frustrated in some ways in that I felt since she had lived in this wealthy society her whole life and that she would have had more friends and those who would be on her side. In that I felt something was missing. Maybe she had completely switched social circles and she didn't know anyone? Otherwise, I understood the societal expectations, the concern for status and appearances, and how the upper class could be so very nonreligious. I loved Anna's search for her father. I also loved Cornelia's story, even in all its heartbreak.
This is a romance, but it wasn't completely the main focus of the story. There is the situation with Cornelia and her grandfather, there's Anna's grandmother, Derk, Anna and William, Anna and her parents, Anna and her search for her mother's history and for her father (and oh my, I just have to say I loved how this turned out!), and the different personal faith struggles they each have. There's an overall theme of the struggle between the heart, mind, or faith (sometimes a combination of them) being your guide. The religious aspect in this story is very strong, so if you like your inspirational fiction on the lighter side, that might be something to consider. I felt it was handled fairly well.
I didn't read the first book in this series and while that would have made reading this one more enjoyable, it wasn't necessary. The author did a good job of giving the pieces of information I might have missed and filling me in as I read this one.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed this story immensely. It was heartfelt, sweet, and inspiring.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Prism Book Tours, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
Other Books in the Series
Waves of MercyBy Lynn Austin
Christian Historical Romance
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 4th 2016 by Bethany House Publishers
Summary
Haunted by the Unknowns of Their Pasts,
Two Women Search for Answers Along the Shores of Lake Michigan
Chicago socialite Anna Nicholson retreats to the Hotel Ottawa in Holland, Michigan, after breaking her engagement with her wealthy fiancé. Filled with questions about her newfound faith and troubled by a recurring nightmare, Anna finds solace in Derk Vander Veen, a seasonal hotel worker who plans to go into the ministry.
Prompted by a request from her son, Geesje de Jonge begins to sift through memories of emigrating from the Netherlands almost fifty years ago. As she writes them down for the Semi-Centennial anniversary of the town's settlement, her story takes on a life of its own as she honestly and painfully recalls her regrets, doubts, hardships, and joys. Her story captivates Derk, who sees similarities between Geesje and Anna, and wishes to bring the two together.
Past and present collide as Anna and Geesje seek clarity, but neither expects the revelations that await them.
Praise for the Book
"Interlacing the past with the present-day lives of Anna and Geesje, Austin compassionately delivers a moving tale of family bonds, tests of faith, and abiding love."--Booklist starred review
"Austin has crafted an interesting, historically accurate portrait of two profoundly different characters: one looking back at life, the other taking her first faltering steps toward independence."--Publishers Weekly
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About the Author
Tour Schedule
October 15th:
Launch
Cover Lover Book Review
An Indie Adventure
Author Kelly D. Scott
October 16th:
Romancing History
Uplifting Reads
October 17th:
The Power of Words
Hearts & Scribbles
October 18th:
Fiction Aficionado
Splashes of Joy
October 19th:
Wishful Endings
Stacking My Book Shelves!
Rockin' Book Reviews
October 22nd:
Among the Reads
Book by Book
October 23rd:
Jen Around the World
Heidi Reads...
October 24th:
Jorie Loves A Story
Radiant Light
October 25th:
Tell Tale Book Reviews
Locks, Hooks and Books
October 26th:
Reading Is My SuperPower
Remembrancy
Check out the Bookstagram Tour schedule October 22 - 26 here!
Tour-Wide Giveaway
One Grand Prize Winner will receive Waves of Mercy and Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin and tulip notecards.
Two additional winners will receive Waves and Mercy and Legacy of Mercy.
For US winners only—international readers may enter, but a $35 gift card will be substituted for their prize if they are chosen as winners.
Ends October 26, 2018
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Have you read either book in this series or any of this author's other books? Any thoughts on this book or my review?
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