Arms of Mercy 

(An Amish Mercies Novel #2) 

Paperback, ebook, audio, audio CD

June 5, 2018

by Ruth Reid

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• ISBN-13: 978-0718082468

He lost her once to a rash decision.

He will not lose her again.

On the eve of a new year, Catherine Glick is expecting her bu of five years to propose. Instead, the unexpected arrival of an old boyfriend, Elijah, sends her life spiraling out of control. When a rash decision damages her current relationship, Catherine leaves for Florida to work in her cousin’s bakery—anything to flee the source of her shame.

Elijah Graber knows he hurt Catherine when he left their Amish district six years ago. He’s determined to explain his actions, even if it means following her to Florida. Perhaps their two-day bus trip together will provide enough time for him to make his case and win her back.

Just when Elijah is starting to tear down the walls Catherine has built, their bus skids on an icy road—and amid the mayhem and tragedy that follow, Catherine disappears. Elijah’s friends urge him to prepare for the worst, but Elijah holds on to his hope in God and refuses to give up his search for Catherine. With supernatural nudging from the most unexpected places, Elijah sets out to find the love he once lost—no matter the cost.

My thoughts: ARMS OF MERCY is the second book in Ms. Reid's An Amish Mercies series, but it easily stands alone. Fans will want to read Abiding Mercy to find out more about the robbery that was referred to in this book. 

ARMS OF MERCY is the story of a not-normal Amish woman, she's twenty-nine, unwed, desperate and proposes to her long-time boyfriend, then runs away when he agrees to marry her.  Her former boyfriend is a widower now, and kind of stalking her, though he won't admit to it.

Ms. Reid's trademark angels are included in this story with the angel appearing and making vague scriptural references "The one you seek is not here." (referring to Jesus in the tomb, but in this case, Katherine) and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart...."  All well and good, but it came across as odd and preachy in some incidences.  There is also a lot of supposition in Catherine's case, and some contradictions in timing that threw me off. 

All in all, ARMS OF MERCY was not the best Ms. Reid book I read, but her fans will devour this book. It is a good nontraditional Amish book for those who love Amish but are tired of the "If you read one Amish book you read them all" stereotype. Ms. Reid is one of a very small group who is willing to writing outside the box and for that she gets kudoes. 

This might be a spoiler, but the epilogue was confusing. If you do the math Kimberly would be nine months old (assuming they married and conceived the same day as the previous chapter ended) and I know some children are amazing but Kimberly would be super-amazing. Talking plainly and walking and ice-skating at nine-months. I have five children and my firstborn was by the books - walking at around a year. 

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.