An Appalachian Novel
Mercy Roller's life has been one filled pain and abuse. At 19 she's been married and a mother and she's lost everything. And her losses have come at the hands of her father - the Pastor. But when Mercy determines to stop the Pastor from hurting anyone else, she didn't realize what it would cost her.
Mercy's Rain is Mercy's journey to healing and wholeness. But her journey isn't an easy one as memories from the past come over her at any moment, shattering what peace she has obtained. To discover the truth of God's love and His mercy, Mercy must come to terms with her past and accept what God wants to give her.
Mercy's story starts when she makes a decision to stop the "righteousness" of her father. Her mother wanting nothing more to do with Mercy, refuses to allow her to stay in the family home. Mercy's wandering brings her into the company of Samuel Stone, a preacher and Isabella and Terrance Johnson.
Mercy's early life is one of brutal ugliness which is in sharp contrast to the life in which she finds herself now in. Mercy's Rain is a story of mercy which, like Mercy, we don't truly understand.
Mercy's Rain has something about it that reminds me of Francine Rivers The Last Sin Eater. I believe it has to do with the setting, the cruelty of the Pastor, and Mercy's brokenness. This is a story that may in places move you to tears.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher, Kregel, in exchange for my honest review.
About the book:
Mercy Roller knows her name is a lie: there has never been any mercy in her young life. Raised by a twisted and abusive father who called himself the Pastor, she was abandoned by the church community that should have stood together to protect her from his evil. Her mother, consumed by her own fear and hate, won't stand her ground to save Mercy either.
The Pastor has robbed Mercy of innocence and love, a husband and her child. Not a single person seems capable of standing up to the Pastor's unrestrained evil. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands.
Her heart was hardened to love long before she took on the role of judge, jury, and executioner of the Pastor. She just didn't realize the retribution she thought would save her, might turn her into the very thing she hated most.
Sent away by her angry and grieving mother, Mercy's path is unclear until she meets a young preacher headed to counsel a pregnant couple. Sure that her calling is to protect the family, Mercy is drawn into a different life on the other side of the mountain where she slowly discovers true righteousness has nothing evil about it--and that there might be room for her own stained and shattered soul to find shelter. . . and even love.
Mercy's Rain is a remarkable historical novel set in 19th century Appalachia that traces the thorny path from bitterness to forgiveness and reveals the victory and strength that comes from simple faith.
The Pastor has robbed Mercy of innocence and love, a husband and her child. Not a single person seems capable of standing up to the Pastor's unrestrained evil. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands.
Her heart was hardened to love long before she took on the role of judge, jury, and executioner of the Pastor. She just didn't realize the retribution she thought would save her, might turn her into the very thing she hated most.
Sent away by her angry and grieving mother, Mercy's path is unclear until she meets a young preacher headed to counsel a pregnant couple. Sure that her calling is to protect the family, Mercy is drawn into a different life on the other side of the mountain where she slowly discovers true righteousness has nothing evil about it--and that there might be room for her own stained and shattered soul to find shelter. . . and even love.
Mercy's Rain is a remarkable historical novel set in 19th century Appalachia that traces the thorny path from bitterness to forgiveness and reveals the victory and strength that comes from simple faith.
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