I love Tracie Peterson and have read many of her novels; I
was looking forward to reading “Cherished Mercy”, which is the third and final
book in her Heart of the Frontier series. She tackles lots of tough issues including
the treatment of natives by the government, murder, rape, racism and adoption.
The book begins with Mercy Flanagan receiving a letter from a
family friend requesting that she come to her aid as she is having a difficult
pregnancy and could use her assistance as a healer, housekeeper, and baby
sitter. Mercy struggles with the decision. She wants to help her friend, but
does not want to leave her family. To travel to her friend, Eletta, would mean
traveling to an area in Oregon where the native people are clashing with the
white people who are invading their land. Some natives are peaceful, but many are
not. Not only is this frightening, but Mercy also has a history with Native
Americans. She survived the Whitman Massacre and was taken captive along with her
sisters as a child. They were treated horribly and abused, but all
survived. However, the vivid memories
haunt Mercy as does her sister’s child… a child that was adopted by Eletta at
birth.
Mercy chooses to assist her friend, Eletta. Along the way
she meets many natives and Adam, Eletta’s Brother-In-Law. The local tribe seems
friendly enough, but rumors or massacres are running rampant. Will there be peace
in the Rogue River Valley? If so, will Mercy survive it?
“Cherished Mercy” was a great read and an excellent reminder
of how important prayer is in our daily lives.
It also reminds us that “faith isn’t faith unless it’s tested” and God always has a plan! The book is a reminder
of how important peace is and that we must fight for it.
I have not read the first two books in the series, but that
in no way lessened my enjoyment. The author gave just enough tidbits about the
first two so that everything made sense. She also researched the well and gave excellent descriptions of life in that era and the Oregon area.
Release Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Christian
Fiction, Romance, Western, Frontier, Historical
Cover: Perfect
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher,
BethanyHouse, in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to
read this great book!
Rating: 4.5 stars
