The venture ahead could leave their friendship behind.Made a safe-haven after the Civil War, Ironwood Plantation is a refuge of equality for former slaves. But twenty years and a new generation later, they have become an isolated community with little contact with the rest of the world.Mercy Carpenter is everything the world thinks she shouldn’t be. Educated and adventurous, she longs to make a … adventurous, she longs to make a life for herself beyond the beautiful prison of Ironwood. When she secretly submits an article to the Boston Globe under a man’s name and receives an enthusiastic response and an offer for employment, she’s determined to take advantage of the opportunity. But she isn’t prepared for a startling world that won’t accept her color or her gender, and her ambitions soon land her in grave danger.
The privileged daughter of a plantation owner and an aspiring suffragette, Faith Harper is determined not to marry. Especially not her father’s opportunistic new business partner. She doesn’t want any man telling her what to do, least of all the annoyingly chivalrous Nolan Watson. But when Mercy goes missing, Faith will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means trusting a man she doesn’t understand. In a time where prejudices try to define them, Mercy and Faith must push the boundaries of their beliefs and trust in the God who holds the keys to freedom.
*Includes discussion questions
Don’t miss these other titles from Bestselling Christian Historical author Stephenia H. McGee
Ironwood Plantation Family Saga
The Whistle Walk
Heir of Hope
Missing Mercy
The Accidental Spy Series (Previously The Liberator Series)
An Accidental Spy (Previously Leveraging Lincoln)
A Dangerous Performance (Previously Losing Lincoln)
A Daring Pursuit (Previously Labeling Lincoln)
Stand Alone Historical Titles
In His Eyes
Eternity Between Us
Contemporary
The Cedar Key
Time Travel
The Back Inn Time Series
Her Place in Time
Novellas
The Heart of Home
The Hope of Christmas Past
more
I loved this wonderful historical novel set in a time period I love also. I haven’t read the two books before this (but I’m going to) and I wasn’t lost at all. It is a stand alone book. Two young ladies that are different skin colors but yet they are alike. Here is just one quote I loved, “I have this impossible idea that God wants all His children to realize that what makes them different isn’t nearly as important as what makes them the same.” They were such good friends but one didn’t actually understand what the other was feeling all the time. They both wanted to explore a world that wasn’t quite ready for them yet. The choices both Mercy and Faith made were wrong ones most of the time and always got them into trouble. Each character was strong and their thoughts and actions were so well written and made me feel I was there. A few times I tried to scan a few paragraphs ahead to see if the ladies were going to be safe. I was on the edge of my chair almost, just waiting on the outcome. A wonderful spiritual thread runs throughout this story. God’s plan is always best and with Him all things are possible. Loved this! If you like historical fiction don’t miss this one. It’s so good!
I received this copy for free but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
After recently reading the other books in this series, I’ve been excited to dig into this one to see the conclusion of Ironwood. It wasn’t what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised by the path it took.
Mercy was easily my favorite character in this book possibly because she experienced the most transformation. I also adored Hezzie because of her influence in leading Mercy to a real relationship with her Heavenly Father. She wasn’t afraid to challenge Mercy even when she was feeling down. She pushed her (in love) to face the difficult truths she didn’t want to hear and grow from them instead of getting bitter. Hezzie was truly a Titus 2 woman for Mercy, as Mercy experienced what it was like to be a Jonah.
The growth that Faith experienced was very different. Although she faced very real hurtles herself, it felt more like a natural maturing into adulthood. She learned to take responsibility for her actions and consider others before herself. She had to come to terms with the fact that she couldn’t have everything she wanted in life. She also learned that men weren’t all exactly as she’d come to perceive them.
Beautifully written and highly thought-provoking, this is a read I’m sure will stay with me. I feel as if I am nowhere near ready to let the characters go but alas, this was the conclusion of the Ironwood novels. I highly recommend this series to historical fiction fans!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
“I have this impossible idea that God wants all His children to realize that what makes them different isn’t nearly as important as what makes them the same. No matter what people look like, if they love Jesus and let Him lead their life, then they are a part of the body of Christ.”
What an amazing story of adventure, faith, and growth as two young women of 1887 Mississippi discover who they really are in a world steeped with hatred, evil, and bigotry. This is book 3 in the Ironwood Plantation Family Saga but can definitely be read as a stand alone. It isn’t a dual timeline or time slip novel; the story starts out in present day with Emily discovering an ancestor’s journal but Emily doesn’t come back into the story until the very end of the book to neatly tie up the story in the present day setting. The rest of the story takes place in 1887 Mississippi as Faith, the daughter of plantation owners Lydia and Charles, contemplates her future along with her best friend Mercy, the daughter of freed slaves who live and work on Ironwood Plantation. Faith and Mercy are both headstrong, stubborn, impulsive, delightfully intelligent but naive and get into trouble quite often together. With Faith’s strong opinions on women’s rights and Mercy’s strong belief that she will be treated as a journalist of equal standing in the North, they each set off on their own adventure only to realize that the world is bigger and scarier than they expected, sheltered as they were on Ironwood Plantation. Their faith and their views of themselves and others shift, change, and become molded into something more mature and tangible as they experience disappointment, heartache, disaster, comfort, and joy. Nolan and Jed are not your typical heroes but their faithful presence, patience, and steadfast devotion are truly admirable and noteworthy.
It’s well-written and the plot has plenty of surprises and twists along the way that build anticipation. The characters are lovely (though the girls really are spoiled and childish at the beginning of the book) and faith component is spot on with characters like Hezzie drilling in the difficult truths.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, you will love this book! I received a copy of the book from the publisher/author and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I really enjoyed Missing Mercy by Stephenia McGee. This is the last book in the Ironwood Plantation Series and even though I haven’t read the first two books it is a great story. It’s full of adventure,
danger and romance. Ironwood is a safe haven after the Civil War but Mercy is dissatisfied with her future and wants to have more freedom than she has been granted. She travels to Boston in search of a new career and discovers how different the world outside of Ironwood really is.
When her friend, Faith Harper, the privileged daughter of Ironwood discovers Mercy is missing she travels with her father and his business partner to help find her. Both face dangers and personal discoveries.
A wonderful book and I will definitely be reading the other books in this series. I received this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is Stephenias best work yet. I stayed up until 2 am to finish this book! Nice work Stephenia.
This book is a little slow at first but keep reading! It just gets better and better!
Kidnapping, storms at sea mystery and a whole lot of other things going on! So just wow!
I wanted to take my time and read it but the book had other ideas. It made me keep turning the page to see what happens next.
There’s also a lot of wonderful advice especially for Mercy throughout the book. She reminds me of me a lot of times. Sometimes life’s lessons are learned the hard way believe me I know. Mercy wants to do things the way she wants, when and how never asking God what He wants. Sound familiar?
Eventually I started to love Mercy. I want to call them adventures but I’m pretty sure she thought it was anything but. I’m so jealous lol.
Faith is about as stubborn as they come! But she has a kind heart! Yes, I’ve been called names too and yes they hurt but I’ve never let that stop me from living life or being afraid of it. Faith is also like me in certain ways. She’s well ahead of her time. She’d fit right in with today’s world. Smart cookie that gal.
Nolan is a sweetheart. His patience astounds me. Not many me would be that way with Faith.
I love this message. I can do all things through Christ. Here’s another For without God we are empty inside and God makes all things possible. He never forsakes us.
Isn’t that wonderful knowing that we have the greatest treasure a waiting us in Heaven?
I strongly recommend this book.
My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
I loved the first two books in the Ironwood Plantation Family Saga Series, but Missing Mercy is my favorite! Although it is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. There is never a dull moment in this read! There is action and intrigue and lessons to be learned. There are sweet and bitter-sweet moments which evoke emotions as relationships develop. The characters are well-developed and believable. Spiritual wisdom abounds especially from the engaging character, Hezzie! Descriptive language transports you to the scene helping you actual feel the struggles and emotions of the characters. Through the lives of the major characters, Grace and Mercy, Ms. McGee delivers an inspiring directive about the consequences of jumping ahead of God instead of seeking, trusting, and waiting for His plan. I highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, but all thoughts and comments are my own.
Missing Mercy is quite a read!! Faith and Mercy are both head strong young ladies that find themselves in a world they have not been prepared for but rather protected from by being raised in the safety of Ironwood.
Missing Mercy is an amazing book about having faith in the Lord and trusting His will for our lives. The story is beautiful and takes you on an emotional ride at the edge of your seat. I sighed at the sweetness of some moments and gasped in anticipation as I waited for characters to act.
The characters were unique and I think this group of characters is my favorite so far from McGee.
I will read this book again.