Legacy of Mercy (Lynn Austin) – Review

Posted 18 October 2018 by Katie in Christian Fiction, Historical, New Releases, Review, Romance / 0 Comments

~ About the Book ~

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

Genre:  Historical Fiction
Series:  #2 Waves of Mercy
Release date: 2 October 2018
Pages:  400
Publisher:  Bethany House

Goodreads // Amazon // B&N // Book Depository // Christianbook // Kobo // Bethany House

~ Excerpt ~

The very thought of deciding how to fill room after room of an enormous mansion with furnishings makes me feel as though I can’t breathe. I lay down my soup spoon and push away the bowl. “I think . . . I think I would prefer to let you make all the decisions about the house. I trust your judgment completely.” I hope my answer pleases him, but I can tell by his furrowed brow that it doesn’t.
“I thought choosing a house was something we could do together.”
I search for the right words and get a reprieve when the waiter appears to remove our soup bowls and serve the fish course. The fillet has a strong, fishy smell that catches in my throat. “It’s all too much for me to think about right now,” I say when the waiter leaves again. “I have so many wedding plans to make, and I’m right in the middle of learning about my real parents’ past and finding out who I am.” I gesture to the detectives’ report.
“Is your past as important as who you are right now? And who you’re going to be very soon—my wife? Why should the past matter at all when we’ll have our entire future together? Besides, it isn’t even your past. You grew up here in Chicago, with the Nicholsons—the parents who raised you.”
I can see he is growing irritated, as Mother had earlier today. I need to be careful not to allow this obsession, as Mother called it, to come between me and the people I love. “You’re right,” I tell him. “If you already have some houses or building lots in mind, maybe we could drive past them on Sunday afternoon and at least see them from the outside.”
“I would like that,” he says, smiling. I’m struck all over again by how handsome William is, and I recall Clarice Beacham’s remarks from this afternoon. She might still be scheming to win him back, but William is mine and I am his. The thought brings a smile to my face.
William wraps his arms around me on the carriage ride home and holds me close. Did my mama feel happy and content when she was with Jack Newell? She loved him enough to run away from home with him and marry him. Once again, my thoughts turn to the landlady who thinks she remembers my parents. How will I ever wait until next week to meet her and learn more?

~ Review ~

Picking up one of Lynn Austin’s novels is like being completely transported into someone else’s life. And having read Waves of Mercy when it first came out two years ago, I was very excited to know that, in this case, that meant being transported into Anna Nicholson’s life again.

I’m happy to say this story was everything I could have hoped for, and in some ways more. I found Anna’s story compelling, particularly as I have often felt a bit like a fish out of water, as Anna does among those who form her high-society social circle. It was also one of those wonderful instances of knowing where I wanted the character to end up, but having absolutely no idea how she could believably get there—or even whether she would get there. I became thoroughly invested in her search for information about her birth parents and the twists and turns that story took before finally being laid bare.

Anna finds herself between a rock and a hard place in so many different ways: sincerely wanting to live out her newly deepening faith, but having her light snuffed out at every turn; deeply conscious of the honour, respect, and gratitude owed to her adoptive parents, yet yearning to know the story of her birth parents; and increasingly uncomfortable with the demands that would come with her marriage to William, but unwilling to expose her parents to the disgrace (and financial ruin) of a broken engagement. And time and distance have not dimmed her feelings for Derk Vander Veen, the young man she met in Holland, Michigan. I felt the struggle in every decision and the sense of bewilderment as circumstances either forced her hand or tied both of them behind her back.

In addition to Anna’s story, we meet Cornelia Den Herder, a deeply wounded young girl recently arrived from the Netherlands who comes to stay with Geesje de Jonge. It takes all of Geesje’s wisdom to reach out to her and know how to handle her irascible grandfather. Once again, I cherished the time I spent with this wonderful character. I think I may have said it my review for Waves of Mercy, but oh, that we could all have a Geesje in our lives!

If you’ve read any of Lynn Austin’s books, you probably don’t need any convincing to pick this one up, but in the event that she’s a new author to you, do yourself a favour. You will be completely caught up in whatever story she’s telling, and you’ll collect little nuggets of wisdom along the way that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

~ Other Books in the Series ~

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

Genre:  Historical Fiction
Series:  #1 Waves of Mercy
Release date:  4 October 2016
Pages:  384
Publisher:  Bethany House

Goodreads // Amazon // B&N // Book Depository // Christianbook // Kobo // Bethany House

~ About the Author ~

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.

Website // Goodreads // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest