Book Review (and a Giveaway): Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

SERIES: Waves of Mercy #2
GENRE: Inspirational Historical Fiction
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: October 2, 2018
PAGES: 400

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

Other Books In This Series

Somehow I missed the fact that Legacy of Mercy was the sequel to Waves of Mercy, so I got to discover the connection as I began reading. Imagine my delight to be reunited with Anneke, Derk, and Geesje! I have always wished for more to this story, and now I was  given a conclusion that made my heart happy. However, if you haven’t yet read Waves of Mercy, the author does a nice job of summing it up in the first few pages of this next book.

Anneke (Anna) is caught in an impossible situation in several areas of her life. While learning more about her birth mother opened her heart in new ways – including a relationship with Jesus – it also exposed her to more vulnerability as she struggles to join her two worlds. Her birth mother’s life is shunned by Anna’s society circles, and living out her fledgling faith isn’t easy among people who care more about appearances than loving the least of these. While my heart ached for Anna and the hard life lessons she’s forced to learn in Legacy of Mercy, I also loved the journey that Austin took her on in the process. Additionally, Anna’s continued search for information about her birth father – which takes her down a path of potential scandals and long buried secrets – had me riveted to the page as new leads surfaced only to take unexpected turns.

Back in Michigan, we get to spend lots of time with Geesje (though it’s never enough because I love her so much) and her steady wisdom and big heart. As God brings two wounded souls into her life, we get to see her ‘tough love’ side as never before and oh what we could all learn from her. When to correct and when just to love. As my friend Katie said, “oh, that we could all have a Geesje in our lives!”

Bottom Line: Austin’s writing is always impeccable, and Legacy of Mercy is no exception. There’s so much more I wanted to talk about in this review but didn’t, for sake of avoiding spoilers. However, if you have read this book too and want to chat with me about it, I still have a lot to gush over haha! More than the great characters, spot-on characterization, and vivid setting & time, though, is the gentle message of mercy that manifests as both a legacy and a fresh start. More than once, it had me in tears, so touched was I by the events unfolding on the page and the embrace of mercy on their lives. If you’re a fan of stories that linger with you, make sure you add this book to your TBR list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4.5 stars / fabulous!

KissingBook Level: 3 / may forget to breathe on occasion

Book Depository│Christianbook│Kobo│Bethany House

Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home in western Michigan. Learn more at www.lynnaustin.org.

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Check out the Bookstagram Tour schedule October 22 – 26 here

Tour 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 (only a few hours left! Make sure you enter!)

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This giveaway is hosted by PrismBookTours, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour HERE