Everything can be ruined in an instant… Mercy will never be the same. Abused by her late father, Mercy Baggington does not believe she will ever be free of the horrors of her past.She had no desire to meet new people, and she certainly wasn’t planning to go along with her brother’s matchmaking plans. But when she is introduced to General Edmund Bradley, a veteran, injured in the Napoleonic War, … veteran, injured in the Napoleonic War, Mercy is struck with compassion. General Bradley’s scars are visible; hers are not.
Can love heal two wounded hearts? Will General Bradley accept her once he learns the truth?
Or will Mercy be forced to marry the horrid Lord Vardemere, a man even more terrible than her own father?
An uplifting tale of overcoming adversity and learning to love.
*dark themes
Don’t Miss the Excitement and Passion of Regency Romance by Isabella Thorne
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I loved this. So much emotion is packed into this story and I felt that the author portrayed the storyline perfectly. Realistic and inspirational.
2 Wounded Hearts = a Happy Ending
She endured unspeakable abuse. Still, Miss Mercy Baggington survived. Now that her abuser is dead. She hopes for a quiet and contented future, away from society. She will never marry, but she will be safe.
He endured debilitating loss on the battlefield while serving his King and Country. Still, General Edmund Bradley survived. Now he lives a quiet life as he tries daily to overcome his limitations. He has accepted that no woman is going to want a damaged man, but still, he is alive. Many of his men did not survive the war.
The Healing Heart by Isabella Thorne is one of the sweetest and heart warming stories I’ve ever read. I loved Mercy’s strength of character and resolve. She survived! I also loved Edmund. He is all that any woman could ever want in a man. Of course, evil will always try and get in the way of happiness, but one should never bet against a general and a strong woman.
Content alert: This is a sweet and clean romance. There is no swearing or sex. However, there is some vaguely described abuse the could be a trigger for real life survivors.
FYI: I also posted my review with Amazon (as Rural Reader) and with Good Reads. This book also made my Pinterest 5 star favorites page (https://www.pinterest.com/marthajane65/rural-reader-my-favorite-5-star-reads/).
I love this series, mainly because of the fortified strength this family displays even after being so disrespected and mistreated. I knew that Mercy’s story would be a touchy one because I read the previous story. I was anxious for her to have her story told because she really needed some acceptance and happiness in her life. Absolutely love the General and his determination. I really wished the unfinished business had remained a mystery, I completely understand why it had to be dealt with though and I think the author uses this to air all the dark & dirty laundry so hopefully the rest of the series will be less dark and more light. Very emotional story, Mercy is a strong survivor and the General helps her remember that just like the love she pours into others, she is deserving of receiving love in return. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
Setting: Mercy Baggington has borne the brunt of her father’s horrendous plundering of his daughters, as she became pregnant by him, nearly died giving birth, and now fears she faces a dismal future alone. Her brother sees the similarity between Mercy’s situation and that of a General returning crippled from the Napoleonic wars. Each has had their dreamed-of future ripped away, and must rebuild themselves from the inside out. Bringing them together, allowing Mercy to aide the General learning to ride again, allows the healing of both to begin.
Unfortunately, their father’s evil seems to reach out from the grave to tear at the family again, when one of his old, depraved chrony’s threatens the family and takes Mercy as a hostage bride. Will Mercy’s brothers be able to rescue her this time? Will the disclosure of the family’s shame ruin whatever chance at happiness Mercy may have with the General to whom she has grown close?
CRITIQUE: Ms. Thorne has again dealt with the sequela of incest in a most sensitive way. As we continue the story of the Baggington family. The storylines are well thought out, and work out happiness for this unfortunate young woman who had her happiness ripped from her at such a tender age. With the aid of the kind General, she finally allows herself to be convinced that she is no more responsible for her past treatment by her father, that the General was of the loss of his leg. Mercy, her brothers and sisters, and the General are all characters easy to care for. When the twists and turns come from the appearance of a ghost from the past, we can scarcely put down the book! There is a HEA ending for these good people, but only after more drama. Be warned! You will need your hankerchiefs to dry your tears. I have greatly enjoyed this series.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary. Many readers will appreciate the tender handling of this most difficult of family situations.
Mercy is the next oldest Baggington sister not yet wed or betrothed. Considering the abuse she suffered under the hands of her late father she never expected anyone to want a ruined wife anyway. My heart went out to Mercy and the things she must have suffered. However, I became hopeful for her and her growing feelings for General Bradley. The General had growing feelings for Mercy as well. He was inspired by Mercy’s fortitude and determination in finding a way for him to sit a horse in spite of his amputated leg. It was very clever of Mercy to design a harness with the help of the local smith. It brought tears to my eyes to witness the happiness the General felt the first time he put the harness to use and the joy and self satisfaction Mercy felt at this success. Couple this with the total let down she felt with the realization that an evil Lord was so determined to marry her that he resorted to blackmailing her family. However, the blackmailer gravely underestimated the family’s ability to rally against him and rescue Mercy from her eminent torture under his hand. I rejoiced in the end at Mercy and the General’s happy ending. Greatly satisfying. Instead of tears of sorrow I now have tears of joy.
Lady mercy feels unable to overcome her dead father’s abuse and reenter society. Edmund is a general who has lost his leg in war. Together they find love and overcome danger from an unscrupulous suitor.
ONE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
Exceptional! Isabella serves up this skillfully spun debacle, weaving in the heartache, abusive childhood, heart pounding encounters and pulse racing situations, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration, fusing this baby together seamlessly. The horrendous struggles and heart soaring triumphs, noting the dramatic twists and intricate turns, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. Contention and dynamics in layer upon layer that you peel back with each page your drawn into this web so profoundly until everything else ceases to exist. Boundaries are shattered and exploited, baring the trembling truth, diabolical deeds and electrifying escapades, booting this baby into the eye of the storm, slamming it into a frenzy with an astonishing culmination. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits add depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that’s so rich and lively it feels you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Isabella, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
The good storyline and plot development hooked me from the very beginning and Mercy and Edmund’s journey kept me totally engaged throughout the entire book! This is Book 3 in “The Baggington Sisters” series and was well worth the read!
A beautiful love story.
This piece does an excellent job of showing just what abuse can do to the mind. Mercy’s experience with her father was horrible and it was all his fault yet she accepts the blame and allows it to stop her from being the person she is inside. The General was outstanding a strong determined man he is just the right man for Mercy. This was a beautiful love story with a touch of danger and more secrets that are revealed I loved it. If you want a book that will touch your heart then may I suggest this charmer? This one is worth all the time I spent reading it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
So beautiful ! What a great read, full of passion, angst, heartache, and fear!
Just one in the series, need to read them all !
Mercy is the most tragic of the abused Baggington sisters but she has strength which grows as the story builds. I was never so happy for a happy ending for both Mercy and her General!
Mercy will get your attention right away in this one. Follow her back in time to see if and how a heart can be mended by love. Then there is Edmund whom he too will catch your attention. It gets you to see how they will build a relationship but it will have its walls. There is also a horrid obstical too that will have you gnashing your teeth, especially in those days when women were lucky to have a say. This one is one that draws the reader out also sometimes out of a comfort zone but tugs on the emotions and heart. See how something can blossom regardless of what is going on. Delighted to have gotten this and read such a story as this.
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my honest opinion. I enjoyed reading the story. The characters were great and the story line was interesting with unexpected twists and turns.
The characters in this book are wonderful . It was a book that shows a person you can’t like or dislike a person on looks, but must take them on what ‘s inside.
An all right story. Not a whole lot of substance compared to other books I have read. But not a bad story. Still entertains.
A must read book. Book three in The Baggington Sisters series a well written story that once I started I was not putting it down so a very late night early morning for me. Mercy Baggington and General Edmund Bradley, a veteran’s story has two damaged people coming together. Mercy because of her Father and Edmund because of his injure in the Napoleonic War. I enjoyed reading how these two get their happy ending. This is a book I will probably reread at a later time. I recommend.
Good Regency melodrama
Temperance Baggington has suffered terribly for her father’s sins. The late Viscount ruled his family with temper, terror, and sexual abuse, and Mercy was perhaps his biggest victim. Yet, after his death, with her brother Edmund as Viscount and her older sisters restored to safety, she finally ventures out into the surrounding community. Her meeting with General Bradley, war hero and recent amputee, is the catalyst for her return to society and liveliness. They inch their way into love, and agree to a betrothal – upon which an evil from Mercy’s family’s past smashes their happiness. Plans for rescue, prayers, derring-do, desperation, undying loyalty and true love must win in the end, but the heart-in-mouth climax is well done and leaves all satisfied with their HEA. Unrealistic, given the horrific nature of Mercy’s suffering, but this is fiction, not a case study in PTSD.
Author THORNE pens a wonderful novel out of the most difficult subject matter! A romantic and original read. Classy and recommended!
dont remember much about this book sorry