CFBA Review: Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelly

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingTraces of MercyDavid C. Cook (October 1, 2013)byMichael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael Landon Jr., son of television legend Michael Landon, is an award-winning storyteller, first in television and film, and now in books. His print works include One More Sunrise co-written with Tracie Peterson.


****

Cindy Kelley is the co-author of the novel The Silent Gift, and Traces of Mercy. Her career as a screenwriter with long-time writing partner, Michael Landon, Jr., began with the adaptation of Margery Williams’ classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, which had a theatrical release. Several television movies followed, most notably Love Comes Softly, (based on Janette Oke’s novel) which won a CAMIE Award and the Epiphany Prize for Movie Guide’s most inspirational television movie of 2003. Cindy and her husband, Jim, make their home in the Southwest; have three adorable grandchildren and four big dogs who rule the house.


ABOUT THE BOOK

From Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley, authors of The Silent Gift and creators of the hit television film Love Comes Softly, comes an exciting historical romance set in post-Civil War, and filled with suspense and faith-building values.

At the war’s end, a young woman suffers an accident that leaves her unconscious and alone. Waking with amnesia, she takes the name Mercy and wants more than anything to find out the truth of her past. But then a handsome stranger arrives, who may hold the key to everything she has forgotten. What he knows could devastate her future, and even end her life.

Written by two proven storytellers, Traces of Mercy is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction, prairie-based tales, or just a good romance.


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Traces of Mercy, go
HERE.

Review:

After a horrific accident, a young woman awakens in a doctor's office with amnesia. Eventually she is sent to live with the nuns at the Little Sisters of Hope convent. Mother Helena gives her the name, Mercy, after the mercy medallion that was found around her neck after the accident. It is the only possible key to her identity, and Mother Helena encourages her to write in a journal in the hopes her writing will one day spark an idea of who she might be.

Mercy meets and falls in love with Rand Prescott, the son of an important businessman and influential Union supporter. Though Mercy worries about her missing past, Rand and she make plans to marry. Mercy's life is quickly upended when a handsome stranger arrives in town--a man who is certain he's met her before.

Traces of Mercy is a fascinating historical romance. The amnesia storyline has been written about ad nauseam, but the writers give it a unique take with Mercy's past and how the story unfolds. While I'm not a fan of cliffhanger endings in novels that force you buy the next book in the series to see how things turn out, I felt Traces of Mercy ended at an excellent place with enough of the story revealed to provide a satisfactory reading experience that also encourages readers to want to know more of Mercy's story. Since much of what Landon produces for television is set around the same time period, you can see his knowledge shine through, and his collaboration with Kelly looks like it has created another winner.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. I have not been compensated for this review in any way.