Legacy of Mercy
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4.9 • 60 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
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 find the 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.
At the same time, unflattering stories about Anna are leaked by someone who would love to see her disgraced and her engagement broken. And as Anna tries to share her faith with her society friends, she understands 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 haunted past, adjust to America. She only hopes that her wisdom can help all these young people through the turmoil they face.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Austin's phenomenal sequel to Waves of Mercy, set in late-19th-century Chicago, deals with timeless conflicts of love, grief, and forgiveness. When 23-year-old Anna Nicholson's mother drowns on the Ironsides in lake Michigan, Anna is adopted by the man who rescued her from the sinking ship and his wife. Raised in opulence and now engaged to a wealthy financier, Anna's life seems to be complete, but she yearns to discover the origins of her birth and to explore her faith (although her friends aren't receptive to her searching). After a visit with her maternal grandmother, she returns to Chicago and employs the Pinkerton Agency to look into her family legacy. Her parents are wary about what may be uncovered. Her father is depending on Anna's impending marriage to the heir of a wealthy Chicago family to shore up his own precarious financial situation, while her mother is anxious to ingratiate herself in the social circle that Anna's engagement has opened for her; a scandal could jeopardize their plans. 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.
Customer Reviews
Loved this book!
What amazing second book. I couldn’t put it down. I laughed and cried though this book.
Lovely story!
Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin is the second novel in Waves of Mercy series. Anna Nicholson has returned home to Chicago after spending time with her newly discovered grandmother, Geesjede Jonge in Holland, Michigan. Her mother wishes Anna to focus on her upcoming wedding to William Wilkinson, but Anna wants to know more about her birth parents. Her father hires Pinkerton detectives and Anna soon finds herself meeting people who once knew her mother. The more Anna learns, though, the more she understands why her adopted mother wished her to leave the past buried. Unfortunately, secrets have a way of coming out especially when there is a vengeful society lady involved. Anna wants to share her faith with others, but her society acquaintances are not receptive. Anna wants to make a difference and is curious what God’s purpose is for her life. Anna seeks counsel from her Oma, Geesjede in Holland and she also gets to spend time with Derk Vander Veen. Geesjede has the troubled Cornelia Den Herder staying with her. Cornelia and her grandfather, Marinus are new to America. Geesjede hopes in time that Cornelia will open up to her and she can help the unsettled young woman. She also hopes her insight will guide Anna to make the right choices. Where will Anna’s search lead her? Will she follow her heart, or will Anna do what is expected of her?
Legacy of Mercy is a multifaceted story with developed characters. I thought Legacy of Mercy was well-written with a gentle pace which suits the story. The author’s writing drew me into the book and it held my attention. Anna Nicholson is a thoughtful, Christian woman who has recently discovered her maternal grandmother. Despite negativity from her adopted mother, Anna is determined to learn about her birth parents. The information she learns, though, could jeopardize her standing within society. I liked that Anna wanted to share her Christian values with her circle of friends and her family. Anna needs to decide if she will marry William as expected or follow her heart. While the focus of Legacy of Mercy is Anna, we also spend time in Holland, Michigan with Geesjede. Geesjede is forced to share her cottage with newcomer, Cornelia. She soon learns that God put Cornelia with her for a reason. While Legacy of Mercy can be read on its own, I recommend starting with Waves of Mercy first. Lynn Austin captured the era with the clothing, buildings, furniture, conveyances, books, expectations for women, and the historical characters referenced (Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr for instance). I appreciated that Anna went to visit Hull House and the author talked about the conditions that exist for the poor in Chicago in 1897. The Christian element is integrated nicely into the book. Anna is trying to live a Godly life, but it is difficult as a society woman. We see the struggles Anna faces. There is a lot going on in Legacy of Mercy, but it is enjoyable to read. Personally, I could have done without the secondary storyline involving Cornelia and her grandfather (it did not tie in with Anna’s story). I did feel that Cornelia’s story was incomplete (I wanted a better ending for her). I am giving Legacy of Mercy 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Legacy of Mercy has a heartwarming ending that will please readers.
Legacy
By definition:
Legacy - leg·a·cy
noun
1. an amount of money or property left to someone in a will
Hopefully this book challenges you to think of what kind of legacy you will leave behind.
A wonderful book that brings about social class questions: judging a book by its cover or person by their wallet vs. a persons heart.