I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson Series: Heart of the Frontier #3
Published by Baker Publishing Group on September 5th 2017
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance
Pages: 320
Source: NetGalley
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The Inspiring Conclusion to Tracie Peterson's Heart of the Frontier SeriesMercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart's cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory. Unfortunately, most of the settlers would rather the tribes were removed from the land completely, one way or the other, and tensions are rising. Mercy has grown tired of Oregon City and feels that she has a larger purpose in life, so when she learns that family friend Eletta Browning is pregnant, she travels south to the Rogue River Valley to help.
At the Rogue River Mission, Mercy meets Eletta's brother-in-law, Adam, who has suffered a broken engagement. Mercy finds him attractive, but Adam seems determined to focus on ministering to the local tribes and keeps Mercy at arm's length.
When tragedy strikes and tensions in the territory reach the boiling point, Mercy is pushed to the limit of her strength. She and Adam must rely on their firm faith in God in order to make it out alive.
If you have read my other reviews of the books in the Heart of the Frontier series (‘Treasured Grace‘ and ‘Beloved Hope‘) you’ll notice that my review of each book was a bit more positive then the previous. Perhaps because I grew to know the characters better with each addition. Perhaps because the story line and the plot grew on me more. Perhaps . . . Who knows, probably both those things and a myriad more I can’t think of right now. I should try to remember to refrain from writing when I’m tired, but then I might never write! It’s been seven years since the attack on the Whitman Mission. Seven years of healing and growing and maturing. Those hard topics still rise to the surface from time to time for the girls. This time we get to see Mercy, now 20, find her way in the world.
Mercy, despite her tender age at the beginning of this trilogy, has become quite the firecracker. She’s full of passion about what she believes is right and isn’t afraid to set anyone who crosses her on their ear. She’s also full of compassion and yes even mercy. Despite having lived through the Whitman massacre herself she has compassion and love for the natives of the region. She has a servant’s heart that understands that not all things are black and white, despite the common outlook that differs from her’s. It’s hard to believe she was once a child of 12, small for her age, that was protected by her sisters. Especially as she finds herself again embroiled in an Indian uprising and again being held hostage (of sorts) in a half-constructed fort with a man she barely knows (yet loves! don’t get me started, OK I’ll start in a minute) and her sister’s child. She’s not being protected by her sister’s this time, she’s protecting. She’s protecting a child (Faith) and her friends and her love and her ideals.
Insta-love is like the plague of books for me. So many authors use it as a catalyst to get a story off the ground quickly and often it’s not done well and leaves me dissatisfied and frustrated. It’s rare for ‘love at first sight’ or even love in a matter of weeks to be legitimate and lasting. That being said, this book, while frustrating, didn’t totally turn me off. Perhaps it was all the danger and craziness that went along with the insta-love. Perhaps it was the fact that, at least for Mercy, she already knew about Adam and who he was. Perhaps it was the fact that she got tired of waiting for him to step up and admit he had feelings and she proposed to him! I told ya she was a firecracker. Regardless, Mercy was the perfect ending to this trilogy. However, I’m not convinced that she’s the best ending. Faith has a story to tell. Faith has been a silent, mostly unseen, part of this journey from near the beginning. There needs to be just one more book. The book of Faith.
About Tracie Peterson
Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.
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