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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This book took me to another time and place. Lynn Austin’s storytelling is always superb, and she’s able to make you see the details of what’s happening around the characters in the story. The themes in the story of God’s mercy, love, grace, and forgiveness are timeless, and fit in the historical setting of this story as well as today.
The thing I loved most about this book was that although the two main characters, Geesje and Anna, faced difficult situations, including physical weakness, their faith in God made them strong. Even when they could not see the next step ahead, they were trusting God in every way to help them. They were both women of prayer who desired to do God’s will in their lives. The author did a great job of having their stories complement each other.
Although this is the second book in this series, I had no problem catching up and enjoying this book. I am going to make sure that I read the first book, especially since I loved this one is much,
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I have waited two years for this book and it is truly wonderful. Once again Lynn Austin has taken these genuine characters and woven together an engrossing story, which historical fiction fans will love. Set in 1897, the story takes place in Holland, MI and Chicago, IL, following the life of Dutch immigrants and their descendants. I kept turning pages as these characters learned to trust and depend on God. Austin’s characters are flawed and struggle and that makes it easy for me to relate to them. Although this book is a sequel to Waves of Mercy, it certainly can be read by itself. But like me, you might enjoy these characters and their lives and want to read more. I actually hope that she writes another book and turns this into a series. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are mine.