His Love And Loyalty

Missing Mercy by Stephenia McGee is a marvellous Christian historical novel set in 1887. It is the dawn of a new era for some but for others they are still seen as second class citizens. Women and people of colour have to fight to be heard.

Within the story there are two feisty females – one white and one black. They are both strong women with dreams to break into a man’s world. They are also friends.

The novel deals with the issue of race and segregation. There is a myth that the North is more accepting. “It’s different up north… They [Negroes] don’t have to hide up there.” In reality there is still a long way to go and nearly a hundred years before African Americans will be accepted. It is hoped that “Our children… see their God-given souls and not… their skin tone.”

God’s plans are so much greater than ours. If we stubbornly choose our path instead of His, it will take longer to get to our destination. “Despite all the terrible choices she’d made, God had kept her in His hand.” God will never abandon us. He will respect our choices but that does not mean He will let go His hold of us.

At times we feel abandoned by God. “She’d once felt His hand on her heart, His gentle spirit speaking into her. But as she’d grown older, that voice had faded.” If God feels far away, it is not Him who has moved. God is as close to us as we want Him to be. If we want more of Him, we need to draw closer. “You’ll… notice His voice more as you read His word.”

There is the theme of rescue – both physical and spiritual. The literary device of pathetic fallacy is used as a terrible storm mirrors the turmoil within souls.

God sends people across our paths at just the right time. They will be people who can help point our lives in the correct direction.

Missing Mercy was an exciting read with marvellous characters. It was also a book that honoured God. Stephenia McGee always writes powerful tales with comprehensive descriptions enabling the reader to ‘walk’ through the action. I love all her books, they are simply fabulous.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

Missing Mercy – Releasing October 1, 2019

Tagline: Mercy is missing, Faith is floundering Only truth can lead them to freedom.

Blurb:

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 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.

Link to purchase Missing Mercy: http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/books/missing-mercy/

Book 1, The Whistle Walk – Now on sale through the blog tour for just $0.99! http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/books/the-whistle-walk/

Book 2, Heir of Hope – Now on sale through the blog tour for just $0.99! http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/books/heir-of-hope/

About Stephenia H. McGee

Winner of the 2012 RONE Best Inspirational Book of the year (2012) and author of six Historical novels, Stephenia H. McGee has a fascination with hoop skirts and ball gowns, Greek revival homes and horse-drawn carriages, quirky Southern sayings, and home-grown recipes. She currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and two boys, (accompanied by their two spoiled dogs and mischievous cat) where she writes stories of faith, redemption, and stories steeped in the South. 

Visit her website at www.StepheniaMcGee.com and be sure to sign up for the newsletter to get sneak peeks, behind the scenes fun, the occasional recipe, and special offers.

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Enter to win http:// http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0727a5083/

One winner will receive the Blog tour giveaway(US mailing address only): Signed paperback copies of The Whistle Walk and Heir of Hope (Ironwood Plantation Family Saga books one and two), Mississippi made cheese straws, handmade leather Jer. 28:11 bookmark, handcrafted specialty soaps, Southern Sisters mandarin orange pepper spread, and Thomas Jefferson quote “I cannot live without books” spiral earrings