It's Not All Petticoats and Parasols

 

I was recently given the opportunity to receive a complimentary copy of a new novel from David C. Cook publishing company in exchange for writing a review.  The novel is Finding Mercy by Michael Landon, Jr. and Cindy Kelley.  It is the sequel to Traces of Mercy.  Enjoy!

As the sequel to Traces of Mercy, Finding Mercy picks up where the first book left off—with Mercy on the run.  The former Confederate sharp-shooter has been released from her captors in the North, but there are still those who want to see her pay for her crimes.  Still without any memory of her time as a Confederate soldier, Mercy has run away from the only two people who want to help her: Captain Elijah Hale and a young boy named Isaac.  When she finds herself in a very tight spot, it’s Elijah and Isaac who come to her rescue.

As Mercy searches for more details of her past, she sees a familiar face in a painting.  She discovers the name of the man in the painting, and from there discovers her home, and who she was, before the war.  The more she learns about her former self, the more she doesn’t like.  Her experiences after the war shaped her into who she has become, and she learns it is a far cry from her former identity.

While she tries to come to terms with her dual identity, she is also the target of some vicious bounty hunters, one of whom has a personal vendetta against Mercy.  As Elijah attempts to protect her, his relationship with Mercy grows.  But does he have a reason to stay, now that she has returned to her former life and his job of escorting her home appears to be finished?

Through all the twists and turns of her new life, Mercy learns to rely on who she is, not who she was.  With danger, suspense, romance, and gallantry, Traces of Mercy is not all petticoats and parasols.  It addresses issues of prejudice, family loyalty, and above all, remaining true to oneself.

A wonderful read, brought to us by Michael Landon, Jr., son of late actor Michael Landon, and co-author Cindy Kelley.