Monday, July 31, 2017

Abiding Mercy

Abiding Mercy 

An Amish Mercies Novel #1 

Paperback, ebook,  

July 4, 2017

by Ruth Reid

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
  • ISBN-13: 978-0718082444

Faith faces an impossible situation: Should she do the right thing and bring heartache to nearly everyone she knows or deny her true self and always wonder . . . what if?
Sixteen-year-old Faith has worked full-time in her parents’ restaurant since she finished eighth grade. She loves her Amish community—and the romantic attentions of her longtime friend, Gideon.
When her sister seems to be getting too friendly with Englischers, and her parents are in a buggy accident, Faith wants to escape into her dream of joining the church and getting married.
But then a local newspaper runs a story about a child named Adriana who was kidnapped fifteen years earlier, and everything Faith has held true comes into question.
Suddenly the community Faith has known her whole life seems unreal. Can she even trust her own family? And how will she ever find home again if she no longer belongs in the world she knows best?

My thoughts:  ABIDING MERCY is the first book in Ms. Reid's newest series with Thomas Nelson. I love the way she incorporates angels into some of her books and the red-headed mysterious man who randomly appears, disappears is a nice touch. 

I did not like Faith's sister, Olivia, at all. She was spoiled, selfish, and hateful and I don't see what Gideon ever saw in her. 

Gideon was a very sweet young Amish man. He was quick to step in and help Faith when her parents were in an accident and even willingly did "women's work" something many Amish men won't do. Faith was very sweet too, and when her world is disrupted struggles to find her footing while still obeying everything her parents said -- I don't think she would've been so quick to accept Englisch clothes, especially jeans the first time she tried them on in real life. 

There is absolutely no sexual tension in the story (for readers who like a super clean, sweet romance) and there is good faith message that is not at all preachy. The story is also a bit slow, making it ideal to read on a busy day as you can put it down and pick it up easily without say, burning dinner. 

Fans of Amish fiction will likely love ABIDING MERCY.  I'm glad this story finally made it into print as it was a long time coming. Congratulations, Ruth Reid! 

I received a copy of this book free and all opinions are my own. 

1 comment:

Marilyn R. said...

Nice review of Ruth Reid's latest release. Sounds like a pure delight to read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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