A Measure of Mercy

Title: A MEASURE OF MERCY
Author: Lauraine Snelling
Publisher: Bethany House Books
November 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0609-2
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Eighteen-year-old Astrid Bjorklund has been studying medicine under Dr. Elizabeth Bjorklun’s direction, and is considering going to Chicago to study further and actually become a doctor herself. Astrid’s long term plans include coming back to Blessing, North Dakota and joining Dr. Elizabeth’s practice once she earns her degree.

But when Joshua Landsverk returns to Blessing after a long absence, Joshua and Astrid begin to court and fall in love. Astrid isn’t willing to forgo her education, and so she continues to Chicago for her education. But then she learns that Joshua has left Blessing with an unknown destination instead of waiting for her to return.

When Astrid hears a medical missionary, she believes God is calling her to Africa, instead of back to Blessing. Believing Joshua no longer loves her, Astrid makes a heart-wrenching decision. Will Astrid end up regretting the choice that she makes?

A MEASURE OF MERCY is book one in Ms. Snelling’s newest series Home to Blessing. This series is a sequel to Ms. Snelling’s popular Red River series. I enjoyed getting to know Astrid and the other characters in this book, and watching Astrid in action as she presided in surgeries, some of which were out of her comfort zone.

I have read a few of the books in the previous series, and have enjoyed getting reconnected with some of the characters who reappear in this series. If you enjoy historical romance, you will not want to miss A MEASURE OF MERCY. This book is head and shoulders above some of the others I’ve read recently. I can’t wait to read book two in the series, No Distance Too Far, coming in April 2010. $13.99. 367 pages.