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 … 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.
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With dynamic characters that come to life, this story grabbed a hold of my heart and didn’t let go. I had not previously read the first book, Waves of Mercy, but not once did I feel lost in this story. I do, however, want to go back and read Waves of Mercy as soon as possible!
Anna is on a personal mission to learn about her biological parents, however, the information that is being uncovered by the Pinkerton agents is getting leaked to her new society friends, and causing problems. Anna is trying to do the right thing by her adoptive parents, but will she lose herself in the process?
William has his eyes on his future goals of taking over the family banking business, he has high aspirations in society, and wants to make a life with Anna. His vision of the future is filled with high society glitz and glamor, but is that what Anna wants also?
I especially appreciated how seamlessly Lynn Austen wove Bible verses into this story. With gentle reminders of how when you think that you can supply your own needs, you fail to see your need for a savior. We are also reminded that we are God’s hands and feet, here to serve others. We are blessed so that we can bless others. If we hold on to what we are given, we are not fulfilling God’s plan in our lives and allowing Him to work through us.
This story is multifaceted, with lots to enjoy. The settings, the history and the characters all blend together, with Lynn Austen’s signature writing style to make the perfect reading enjoyment. I give this story 5-stars and would encourage you to pick up a copy today to enjoy for yourself!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin is the second book in her Waves of Mercy series. Wow, I don’t even know where to start. This book was awesome! I usually don’t care for books written in the first person but I decided to give this one a chance. I’m really glad I did, it was amazing. Anna Nicholson returns to Chicago from Michigan. She is engaged to be married to a very wealthy young man. But she can’t seem to get excited about her socialite lifestyle. Anna hires the Pinkerton’s to try to find her birth father. What she learns may be the thing that brings about ruin for those she loves. The messages through-out the story are so powerful. Forgiveness, loving your enemies, helping those less fortunate, sharing your faith, all this is woven together so well with a sweet love story. Reading about Anna and her courage to share her faith with the society crowd was a very powerful check to me. I started examining my life. Do I have that kind of courage? Would I be able to stand up for My Lord in the face of ridicule and the possibility of losing friends? A great story without being “preachy”. I would highly recommend it!
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I was very excited to read this author and the story did not disappoint. Since this is book two in the series, I thought it stood alone very well and the author gave you all the necessary information to not feel like you were missing important details. That being said, I’ve already picked up book one, Waves of Mercy, and do plan to read that one as well.
I think Austin’s gift is writing wonderful, multi-faceted characters with great depth that draw you right into their story. The heroine, Anna Nicholson, comes from a world of wealth and privilege, but undeniably feels God’s call on her life to serve him. As the story unfolds, Anna’s faith blossoms. She is torn between William, a man she cares about and is expected to marry, and Derk, the man she loves. I especially enjoyed the way Austin drew fine distinctions between the two men and Anna’s choices without demonizing either of them.
Tante Geejse, Anna’s biological grandmother is not only the rock of the book, but of her family and community as well. Kind, compassionate and filled with faith, Geejse reminded me of my own precious grandmother Criste. She welcomes Cornelia, a young immigrant girl with a tragic past, into her home. Cornelia has faced unthinkable heartache yet was forced to bury it deep inside instead of dealing with the pain. But slowly Geesje helps her to confront her past, grieve her losses, and find hope in God for her future. Although Geesje occasionally borders on the preachy side, you’re willing to overlook it especially when she’s confronting Cornnelia’s overbearing grandfather.
Austin doesn’t shy away from some difficult topics either– attempted suicide, sexual and physical abuse, and teen pregnancy. Though handled in a tasteful manner without any graphic details, this degree of realism may be distressing for some younger readers.
As both a reader and writer of historical romance, I have high expectations when it comes to historical accuracy. Austin effortlessly weaves historical details that bring the Gilded Age to life before your eyes—butlers and maid servants, societal expectations and the importance of keeping up appearances. The author paints a beautiful comparison between the heroine’s life of privilege and her grandmother’s modest lifestyle among the Dutch immigrants in the small town of Holland, Michigan. Austin’s vivid descriptions of the stately mansions in Chicago’s Lakeshore district as well as the run down inner city tenements immerse you in the time period, and will leave you lifting your pinky as you sip your tea or feeling the need to wipe the grime and soot from your skin.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I am not required to write positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This book does not disappoint! The writing is superb and the plot is engaging and keeps you entertained the entire time. I loved picking up where book 1 left off(Waves of Mercy) and catching up with everyone. This book continues the struggles of Anna finding out who she is and how to live life with her new found faith. I could relate to her struggle to do the right thing, but not exactly sure how to get there! I have been struggling with prayer in my own life and I loved this statement from the book:
“Prayer doesn’t come with guarantees. We can’t change God’s mind by pleading with him. But praying will bring us closer to Him, so He can comfort us and let us know He loves us no matter what happens.”
I really enjoyed this book. If you get a chance, read it. I do recommend reading the first book first. The background of the characters will help a lot.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Such a heartwarming story of restoration and steadfast love! Told from three points of view, Legacy of Mercy shows how God can work all things together for good, despite our mistakes. This fairytale-like ending will bring joy to the reader’s soul! Now it’s time to go back and read the prequel, Waves of Mercy!
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.
Can their faith sustain them?
So, I must make a confession….Despite having heard many great things about her for quite a few years I had not read a Lynn Austin book until I picked up Legacy Of Mercy. Yes, it is a sequel so it probably is an odd choice to start with but I enjoyed myself anyway.
I have to admit that much of the time I just wanted to shake some sense into Anna, and yet, her heart for the hurting and her love for her adoptive parents was wonderful. It was actually Oma Geesje, I have no idea how to pronounce it but that’s OK, who won my heart. She is the grandmother that everyone would love to have, a grace-filled woman of faith who has been knocked around by life but has managed to hang onto that faith even when things seemed bleakest.
Legacy Of Mercy was a sweet historical romance, a story of loss and love, finding one’s place and purpose, and most importantly a story of forgiveness and faith. The theme of hanging onto God’s love through the dark times, when things just don’t make sense, is a good reminder for us all.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Legacy of Mercy, by Lynn Austin, is the second book in the Waves of Mercy series. Told from the first-person perspectives of a grandmother and her granddaughter, this historical fiction novel swiftly and easily captured my attention from the very first paragraph straight through to the final word. Set in America in the late 20th century, this novel truly touched my heart with its captivating characters and compelling plot.
Legacy of Mercy is an utterly engaging novel. The well-developed characters are simply captivating and abound with authenticity and credibility. Their questions, their insecurities, their fears, their needs, and their desires are wholly believable, heart-wrenching, and inspiring. The opportunities, the choices, and the trials that the characters endure are intricately developed, and from them there unfolds a story that is thoroughly enriching and ultimately uplifting. The well-researched details and descriptions ensure that every moment spent reading this book is a thoughtful experience to be savored.
With elements of mystery, history, and romance, Lynn Austin has crafted a story that entertains as well as inspires. With a thematic emphasis on grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love, this novel is one of hope and second chances. Ms. Austin is an incredibly talented author with a real gift for meaningful story-telling. Legacy of Mercy is a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who enjoys terrific historical fiction.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
Legacy of Mercy (2018) by Lynn Austin is the second novel in her Waves of Mercy series. This book comes in all forms including eBook, and is 400 pages in length. With a full-time job and a very busy six-year old at home, this novel took me three days to read. I received a copy of this book in paperback form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Legacy of Mercy 5+++++ STARS. This story is a Christian Historical novel.
There is so much I love about Legacy of Mercy that I cannot possibly fit it all into one review. This book is just SO deep and exquisite! The plot of this story is excellent — once I started I could barely put the book down. I was so thoroughly engrossed in the story that pages flew by and hours passed and I didn’t even realize it. The characters are well crafted, and they all endeared themselves to my heart in one unique way or another, but my two favorite characters are Judge Blackwell and Dominie Den Herder. Judge Blackwell is sweet and heroic, and his story ripped my heart into pieces. And Dominie Den Herder is tough, stubborn, and all-around awful, but his transformation from lost to found (Biblically speaking) is so excellently done that I cried tears of joy! Oh! And the settings are remarkably written. Each place is so vividly described I felt like I was with Anna and Derk in a Chicago slum, like I was with Anna and her parents at a party in one of Chicago’s elite family’s mansions, and like I was with Oma Geesje in her warm, friendly home in Holland, Michigan enjoying a cup of tea and much-needed advice. This book definitely took me on an adventure!
Legacy of Mercy is full of excellent Truth moments. I feel exceptionally encouraged after having read this book! Of the many excellent messages delivered, my most favorite is a lesson from Oma Geesje. There is a moment where Geesje contemplates a new move, but the idea isn’t initially pleasant. She is 67 and quite comfortable where she is at. But then she realizes that “perhaps God doesn’t want [her] to get too comfortable. Maybe change is His favorite tool to make sure [His people] keep growing closer to Him” (389). What a wonderful perspective! I’ve always looked at change as a negative inconvenience. I am ashamed to admit that I’ve never really seen change in a positive light. Oma Geesje’s epiphany has convicted me to change my outlook — instead of seeing it as a burden, I need to see change, both good and bad, as yet another opportunity to be closer to my Heavenly Father. I need to stop being a complainer and whiner when changes in my life occur. I need to be more like Oma Geesje!
Anna, the heroine of Legacy of Mercy, is lovely. She is everything a well-written heroine should be, but what I appreciated the most about her character is her faith in God. Anna, as a new follower in Christ, has the kind of faith that moves mountains. She isn’t too sure about all the things she’s reading in her Bible, but she is a fighter for God. I love that she is desperate to be the woman God wants her to be in the place God has put her. My favorite moments in the book come right after Anna has read her Bible. In these moments, she questions what God means in order to understand, and then always tries to put God’s Words into action no matter what. Her upper-class social sphere does not include too many women of faith like her, so when she begins to make changes to her life and sticks to her guns about living for God’s purpose some of her “friends” become catty and rude. Regardless, Anna suffers the stings of her friends’ disdain because she has given her life to God and not to her society. Anna’s strength in her faith and her drive to understand God’s purpose for her forced me to self reflect and question the depth of my faith. Do I stand up to my friends and politely ask them to stop gossiping about others, or do I join in? Do I appreciate all of my blessings, or do I constantly find things to complain about? Do I represent Jesus well even if that means going against the tide? I have to admit that I came up short and had to make an apology to God for my laxity in faith. I adore when a novel forces me to look within, and then make appropriate change in order to better my walk with God.
Legacy of Mercy is brilliant! This is a story that will stick with me long after the final page has been read, and will go onto my re-read pile immediately. Legacy of Mercy is highly engaging, the characters are multifaceted, endearing, and unique, and the lessons in this book are invaluable — several have breathed new life into Biblical principals I thought I knew well already. I highly, highly recommend this book! Purchase a copy today. You will NOT be disappointed.
This entire story oozes grace. Lynn Austin artfully weaves character history from Waves of Mercy into this story. The introduction of new characters was so helpful to more deeply define those we met in the first story. I was able to feel hopeful as I read even though some characters were no longer able to tell their own history. Legacy of Mercy was such a wonderful conclusion to what was started in Waves of Mercy and yet it could be read alone.
Legacy of Mercy follows Waves of Mercy and it continues the story of Gessje and Anna. If you loved the first book then you will love this one also. This is a great conclusion to the first book.
Austin continues with everyone’s story, plus introduces us to some new characters. Then we go back and visit Geesje in Holland Michigan as Anna turns to her grandmother for advice and balm to her hurting heart. I loved how much the characters grew in faith and how they leaned on their faith when they faced trials and difficulties…….Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this great book.
As always, Lynn Austin writes a novel full of faith, tragedy, and a loving God who is sovereign over all. The story is interesting and resolution comes at a price but it is great to see God working in everything. Although not truly necessary, “Waves of Mercy”, book #1, should be read first.
I Loved this book and didn’t want it to end. Lynn Austin never disappoints and she increases your faith all the way through!!!
A story of hope
My rating is 4.5 stars
Anna experienced the painful reality of how inflammatory and painful gossip could be. Ironically, it was shortly after she politely suggested that the women in her social circle were wrong for gossiping about another woman.
Anna, newly introduced to the Bible and living for God, struggled with how to reconcile her life among the wealthy with the teachings of Jesus. Her kindness, compassion, and respect for her adoptive parents were so admirable.
Slowly, the answer to the mystery of her parentage unfolded. As she learned the secrets of her birth, they somehow were being spread among her peers, but in a less than flattering manner. Anna was surprised to learn the source and the reason behind the campaign of slander that was being waged and was hard-pressed to come up with a way of stopping it that wouldn’t hurt the people she loved the most.
Geesje, Anna’s grandmother, was embroiled in mysteries of her own after opening her home to a troubled young girl with no desire to live. Crossing words with the girl’s stoic grandfather, she loved her through the darkness that was choking her and led her into a life of freedom in Christ.
From the drawing rooms of the Chicago elite, to the slums and tenements, and to Holland, Michigan, author Lynn Austin tackled difficult subjects in Legacy of Mercy with grace and aplomb. Grief, guilt, poverty, domestic violence, gossip, and unforgiveness to name just a few. Despite the heavy subject matter, she crafted a story that was full of hope and pointed to Jesus all along the way. The ending was so touching and beautiful.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a free copy of this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
I follow Lyn Austin and have read all of her tremendous books. Looking forward to the next one
Legacy of Mercy is the second installment from Lynn Austin’s series, Waves of Mercy. I thought it was a good read. I liked catching up with characters from the first book of the series. I enjoyed the vivid and descriptive historical details in the story.
I give Legacy of Mercy four stars. I look forward to seeing where the story goes in the next installment in the Waves of Mercy series.
I recommend Legacy of Mercy.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Oh my! When I finished the first book “Waves of Mercy” I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this second book. This book also touched me deeply. And I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Ms Austin had me that anxious.
Anna is so confused about what she should do with her life. Since she is adopted she feels the need to find her birth parents history. Everyone is not trustworthy as she soon finds out. Before long she is the talk of her so called society friends.
Geesje de Jonge has learned a lot in her lifetime and hopes to help Anna and the other young people in her life. I loved the faith of this wonderful lady. She learned the hard way how to trust God.
This was another wonderful read from Lynn Austin. This book has it all, love, heartache and faith and some joy along the way. An intriguing story with many twists and turns you will not want to miss.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher Bethany House but was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
What a great story. This story had a small group of characters really but they all connected to make such a great tale. The main characters are Geesje and Anna. Geesje lives in Holland MI. Anna is her Granddaughter who lives with her adopted parents in Chicago IL. Anna is trying to find out more about her parents with her wedding getting close. After gossip starts about her background, she is more interested to finding the truth. With the help of her good friend Derk, from Holland, MI, they are able to track down the last place her Mother lived in Chicago, where they find her Mother’s diary & once she is able to read it, she knows who her Father is. Meanwhile, in Holland, MI, her Grandmother Geesje has taken in a newly arrived young girl who has a sad history. Her Grandfather is living next door with Derk & his family. Geesje is trying to understand Cornelia so she can help her. With a series of events, she is able to help both Cornelia & her Grandfather. Anna ends up getting very ill & they send for her Grandmother to be with her, Derk goes with her. After learning the seriousness of her condition, everyone’s life is about to change. She is unable to do normal socialite duties & can never bear children due to a weakened heart. Once her Groom’s family find out about her condition, they invite her to a meeting to end the engagement. She is not sad as she didn’t truly love her Groom to be. Once the engagement is broken, both Derk & her can follow through with the confessions of their love for each other. They will have lots of adjustments to make as she will have to have staff to do household chores which her parents will see is provided for. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next. This story held my attention throughout. The characters were great & lots of background on each of them so you feel you know them.
This story by Lynn Austin has a different feel compared to the many other books I’ve read thus far. The socialite, Anna Nicholson, has learned information about her birth mother and she is determined to find out more. Primarily, who is her birth father. Her fiancé on the other hand, really has no interest in her searching. He would rather she just set it all aside, lest she find out her true history, and that is something that he doesn’t want to deal within his society group.
The story has several stories within the pages here. We have first story, the letter writing between Anna and her birth grandmother, which sets up the rest of the book. At this point they have already met, although to be honest, I’m not particularly certain how they discovered each other. Letter communication like that at the beginning of a book I tend to scan over and skip right to the story itself.
The second story line is Anna’s grandmother brings in a young teenage girl with some issues, Claudia. Her grandfather stays next door with Anna’s grandson.
Then, when Anna finds various people from her mother’s history who knew here, another story line appears. In this, they are relieving the moments when they knew Anna and the time period during that time.
My initial thoughts when reading the book was that I wasn’t certain about it. Anna didn’t really capture my interest. She just seemed so dainty and “good. The story read a lot like a Grace Livingston book. The second half of the book I began to enjoy more, especially when Anna was discovering other pieces to the story of her life.
All in all, I did enjoy the book, however I wasn’t really certain the roll that Claudia and her family had within the pages. Because to be honest, I skimmed those sections and remained focused on Anna, while at the same time wondering when the two stories would tie in together.
*** I now realize that there was a book one to this series. This perhaps would have helped me understand Anna’s history up unto this point.
I was able to download this story via NetGalley and was happy that the publisher, Bethany House, gave me the opportunity to read it.
Legacy of Mercy is the sequel to Waves of Mercy, but each is stand alone. I encourage you to read both! Returning to Chicago, socialite Anna Nicholson is unwavering in her quest to uncover the facts about her birth mother and father not fully realizing how many people could get hurt in the process. She is a determined young woman whose heart is in the right place when she accepts a marriage proposal from wealthy William Wilkinson. It soon becomes apparent to Anna, they do not share the same dreams for their future. Will Anna have the courage to do the right thing? I found this to be an endearing and engaging story. You will cry and rejoice with Anna as she searches for the truth. Anna’s grandmother, Geesje de Jonge, is very wise. I love this quote from the book when she says, “maybe change is His (God’s) favorite tool to make sure we keep growing closer to Him.” Hope, forgiveness, and integrity combine to make this an inspirational story that is a definite must-read.
I received a free copy of the book from the publisher.