Waves of Mercy

Author: Lynn Austin
Genre: Historical Romance

Geesje de Jonge crossed the ocean at age seventeen with her parents and a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands to settle in the Michigan wilderness. Fifty years later, in 1897, she's asked to write a memoir of her early experiences as the town celebrates its anniversary. Reluctant at first, she soon uncovers memories and emotions hidden all these years, including the story of her one true love.

At the nearby Hotel Ottawa Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, twenty-three-year-old Anna Nicholson is trying to ease the pain of a broken engagement to a wealthy Chicago banker. But her time of introspection is disturbed after a violent storm aboard a steamship stirs up memories of a childhood nightmare. As more memories and dreams surface, Anna begins to question who she is and whether she wants to return to her wealthy life in Chicago. When she befriends a young seminary student who is working at the hotel for the summer, she finds herself asking him all the questions that have been troubling her.

Neither Geesje nor Anna, who are different in every possible way, can foresee the life-altering surprises awaiting them before the summer ends.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

When I first started reading Waves of Mercy I was a little put off because it was written in first person. I am not a fan of first person books. Never have been. So I was immediately put off and didn't know if I would even bother reading it. I'm so glad I pressed on!

The story is written from the viewpoint of two different characters Geesje de Jonge and Anna Nicholson. Both characters have unique stories and yet they are tied together in an ending that is tender and heartbreaking at the same time. The story of Geesje is particularly moving as she talks about her life in a book she is writing. Here we discover what happens when we move ahead of God. Oh, my! But this book spoke volumes! So often we are too anxious or worried of losing out on something and so we make ourselves believe that God "wants" us to do this or that. Geesje's story brilliantly shows us what can happen when we "run ahead" of God - it can lead to heartache we never thought possible. When we don't wait on God, but try to push our own agendas, tragedy can happen. And yet, the author has shown what can happen when God takes those failings in our lives and works out His plan for us anyway.

This book has a wonderful, thought-provoking story, with a strong emphasis on faith, redemption, hope and finding a relationship with God. But it is not preachy. It is told in first person because we get to discover God and His ways at the same time as our main characters. We discover how God is ultimately in control even when we try to run the show. Beautifully written and stays with you after you finish it. First person, was the way to go. It couldn't have been written any other way. The impact was felt more. Like I said - I'm glad I pressed on!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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