It took me a few to get through the book a few times decided not to even finish but kept saying surely it will go faster! I enjoyed the characters in he story very colorful people and it made you think about your own relationship with God. Great outlook on the beginning of this new world they were living in! So glad I didn't give up in reading this!!😺

The writing is beautiful, but the story takes too long to start, to the point I lost interest. The main reason I found the beginning so slow was because of all the flashbacks to England and to Alex's time on the prison hulk. We know from the first scene that he's in North Carolina in indentured servitude, so why spend a good portion of the first quarter reminding us of how he got there? It slowed the story to a standstill.

It didn't help that the Amazon book description refers to Alex being blamed for various tragedies (none of which occurred in the first quarter of the book), then living with the Cherokees (which still hadn't happened at the halfway point).

I gave up. The book description should whet the appetite, not give away the plot. Sure, readers want to have a broad idea where the plot is going, but give us the main characters and the central conflict, not all the major plot points. #NoSpoilers

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I was very excited to read Lori Benton's new book The King's Mercy. Believe me, it did not disappoint. Her characters are so real, when you read the last page, you want to sit down and write them a letter or send them a text. Alex McKinnon is my new favorite book boyfriend. He is a captured Scottish warrior, six and a half feet tall, who survives Culloden More, only to be indentured as a blacksmith for seven years in the Colony of North Carolina. Alex is not without his flaws, which makes him more enduring and believable. It was wonderful seeing him grow as a person, leader and later in his faith. Joanna Carey is the step daughter of the plantations owner. She has been thrown into the position of running the household at an early age, because of the death of her mom. Joanna has a servants heart. You will find her doctoring the sick, sewing clothes for the slaves and being a friend to the house staff. There are so many interesting secondary characters that you will love or love to hate. Some of the situations in the story are dark and troublesome. But Lori's excellent writing and storytelling does a good job of recording that time in history. She can bring out a light in the darkness.
I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook and Multnomah Publishers through Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own

I have read Lori Benton before and enjoyed her books. But I had a hard time getting through her newest book, The King's Mercy. I found it very slow and it couldn't keep my attention. I felt no connection with the characters, and couldn't feel along with them.

I am sorry to Lori Benton for the sad review, but I just didn't think this book very good.

Lori Benton writes historical fiction that includes Native American tribes in the early years of the colonization of this country. The King's Mercy begins in Britain and sails across the Atlantic to the Carolinas. In the beginning Alex is taken prisoner for his part in the Scottish uprising. Instead of being put to death, he is sent on a ship to the colonies for an indenture.

Alex's indenture is bought by Edmund Carey whose plantation needs a blacksmith. Edmund's daughter, Joanna, oversees most of the slaves of the Severn plantation but the field hands are watched by an Overseer named Reeves. That is where Alex and Joanna met.

Because of Reeves, Edmund gets sick, the slaves are mistreated, and various buildings around the estate burned down. Reeves has a slave named Demas whose very size is intimidating, and will up to a point do what Reeves wants him to do. When Reeves blames Alex for all the misfortunes happening at the plantation, he is locked into a shed, but Reeves lets him go and he runs away.

After a few days, he finds one of the really young slaves following him and she wants him to take her to the Cherokee encampment. What she has hidden from everyone is that she is pregnant. When her labor starts, the Cherokees find her and take them both captive until she reveals that she is part Cherokee.

This book contains everything from mystery to jealousy to love to anger to lust to finding faith when it is needed most.

Lori is one talented author whose books will always make my TBR list and THIS book is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and an Eden for a new settlement.

I want to thank Waterbrook/Multnomah for their dedication to high quality publishing and to NetGalley for providing the galley I read for this review.

The King’s Mercy is Benton’s first novel to feature a setting outside of the American colonies as it opens on the fields of Scotland during the Battle of Culloden. Readers will be introduced to Alex MacKinnon as he fights against the British monarch and follow him through his imprisonment and his later being granted “The King’s Mercy” of indentured servitude outside of the British Isles instead of death. Alex soon finds himself on a ship bound for North Carolina, away from the remainders of his family and his home.

Joann Carey is the stepdaughter of a plantation owner and former captain on the Royal Navy. After her mother’s death, Joann finds herself as the plantation mistress, but with a servant’s heart that leads her to treat the slaves like family, and caretaker of her younger, developmentally disabled sister, Charlotte. Her life is turned upside down upon Alex’s arrival as the new blacksmith. She starts to lose her heart to Alex as life at the plantation begins to crumble around them as one disaster follows another. She is also forced to consider her father’s overseer, Phineas Reeves, as a potential suitor and she fears for her friend and former potential suitor, Elijah Moon, the previous blacksmith who was maimed in a tragedy, as he recovers from his wounds, both physically and mentally.

After one such disaster, Alex flees for his life and finds himself in Cherokee country. How will this encounter affect him? How will his absence change life at the plantation? How did his encounter there with the Carey’s preacher, the Reverend David Pauling change his perspective? Will his change of heart come too late to save Joanna and Charlotte?

I’ve enjoyed all of Benton’s other works in the past, but I felt this novel was a departure from her usual style. While still set amid the Colonial frontier, her other novels have always focused on the relationships between Native Americans and colonists. This novel only had a fleeting connection to Native Americans and that covered only a brief, but crucial, point in the novel. The content in The King’s Mercy was also darker than anything Benton has written before and that was not something I was expecting. I cannot say more in regards to that without spoiling the plot. Still, the novel’s main characters-Alex, Joanna, Elijah-were strong and well-written. The novel also features Benton’s vivid descriptions and display her depth of research.

I'll add a link to the review on my blog once it is posted closer to the publication date.

This book isn’t due to release until June, but I was able to read an early copy via Netgalley. I had just finished Many Sparrows, and found myself fallen in love with the way Benton tells a story, as well as the setting she paints so vividly. It was then I remembered that newest novel waiting on my Kindle.
The King’s Mercy is a little different from what Lori Benton normally writes, but it still contains her signature elements. Though it begins in the Old World, the story quickly moves to a plantation in North Carolina, and the troubles there. I loved the characters in this book. Alex is a hero who possesses strength and leadership, but he also is deeply flawed in several ways. The same with Joanna. While strong, she’s also distinctly human, and able to be hurt just as any other.
The plot of this story was engrossing. As it progressed, I was trying to figure out who was causing the troubles at Severn, and though I was right on a couple things, it unfolded into so much more. The villain’s intentions and background speak to real-world situations that grieve the characters, and my own heart.
The romance in this book is also spot-on. It felt like a natural progression of shared hopes and dreams and mutual respect for the other’s strengths.
Last, I loved the secondary characters in this book. They were colorful, meaningful, and added so much to the story. The King’s Mercy focuses on just that: mercy. The mercy God gives us primarily, but also mercy toward others, and giving up control and surrendering to Him.
In all, this is a satisfying tale that once again leaves me looking for more books from Lori Benton.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

An attention grabbing book that held me mesmerized until the end. Beautifully written, with great character's that overcome struggles. A great, hope-filled tale worth reading.

As I write this review, I’m going to assume that you’ve read the publisher’s description of this book. I’m not going to repeat those details In this review. I want to move ahead and review other aspects of this story.

“Epic saga”. That’s the two words that came to my mind as I finished this book. Everything about this book—the characters; the description of the several settings in the book; the dialogue—is amazing. The characters of Alex and Joanna are complex. The supporting characters are, in their turn, as heart-tugging, charming, or evil as needed to keep me turning pages quickly as I was reading. The storyline is intense. If this book was a general fiction historical novel, the statements I’ve just made would be true.

But it’s the spiritual aspect of this story that holds my heart. The author has used as the basis of this absorbing story the book of Philemon in the Bible and placed it in an 18th century setting. As Alex’s story mirrored the true story of Onesimus in the book of Philemon, I was reminded once again that God works in our lives for our good in ways that we can’t understand. This is what happens in Alex and Joanna’s story. The title of the book, “The King’s Mercy” refers not only to an earthly king, but also to the way that our Heavenly King showers His mercy in our lives every day. The message of this book will stay with me for a long time.

This book has some difficult themes in it, such as slavery, discrimination, and child abuse. For that reason, I’d suggest this book be read by no younger than the young adult category. It is a clean book with no foul language or embarrassing scenes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The King's Mercy is one of the most poignant and engaging reads I have ever experienced. A myriad of happenings take place among the pages of this book, with as many, or more, emotions. I learned from this book and drew closer to Jesus in the process. I am sincere in saying parts of this story will forever be a piece of myself. Awe inspiring was it's content.

I finished this book like a month ago, but I needed time to be able to talk about it without just gushing nonsensically! Lori Benton is an amazing storyteller. I really just can’t get over it. Every single book of hers is so rich in historical detail, so deep in heartfelt (often heart wrenching) emotion, and perfectly and meticulously plotted. Plus, the writing is just plain beautiful. I’ve been looking forward to The King’s Mercy for sooooo long and oh my, it didn’t not disappoint.

This story pulled me in from its opening pages. It’s gritty in places—reflecting harsh realities of the time period—and yet, it’s sprinkled with moments of hope that keep you turning page after page. The villain in this book is a true villain and the tension, especially near the end, was gripping. I’m honestly amazed that the book could feel as romantic as it did amidst all the other stuff happening in the story. But it is indeed romantic - and mysterious and atmospheric and at some points, tragic and oh my goodness, I just loved it sooooo much.

The hero, Alex, is a) Scottish (!!!!) and b) basically perfection, though with flaws that make him realistic and relatable. And I loved watching the heroine grow in strength, faith and courage. I loved the Jemma and so many of the other side characters, too.

This one’s destined for my reread pile (almost once a year, I have to reread all Lori Benton’s books in a row!) and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Alex MacKinnon is a Scot who joins in the fight for his country against the British empire. He is captured during battle and taken prisoner. Taken to England and detain in deplorable conditions he and his fellow prisoners are in failing health and dreading the death that the British will put them to, hanging until they are dead.

But then the King decides to provide mercy for 9 out of every 10 prisoners. Those 9 will be spared from hanging, but they will be deported to the American Colonies and sold as indentured servants to British Colonial's trying to establish farms in the colonies.

Alex is taken by Edmund Carey and put to work as a blacksmith at his plantation. He is working alongside African Slaves on the plantation. The only difference is that after seven years of service he will be set free.

Alex meets Joanna Carey and an attraction is formed between the two. But Mr. Carey's property manager Phineas Reeves has other ideas. He wants Joanna for his own and will stop at nothing to make that happen.

This long saga of life in the early years of the colonies is quite compelling and very detailed in regards to the hardships of the colonist as well as slaves and indentured servants. Add to that the terror of accidents happening which seem bent to drive Mr. Carey to bankruptcy and you have quite the drama to hold your attention.

Further add the thread of Christianity to the mix and you will find many lessons that you can use with a book club to further discussions and learning from the moral imperatives that you will find.

I highly recommend the book and highly applaud Lori Benton for an excellent writing style.

Lori Benton's "The King's Mercy" was a pleasant surprise. I didn't realize this was a Christian Historical fiction when I started reading. Typically, this would not be something I would read, but I was drawn in by the historical aspect of the story. Although, this does have a clear Christian message of mercy and welcoming Christ into your life, it was not overwhelming or off putting. It was subtly melded into the story and became a part of the overall plot line. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

I really tried to find something to criticize about this novel but all that I can come up with is that the beginning took me a while to get into and interested in. It did take til about chapter 4 for the storyline to really get rolling for me however, having said that, after finishing the novel, I really couldn’t think of a better way to do it and it fits the way it was written. So I would tell readers to stick with it, it gets much, much better. I found this to be a novel that I couldn’t put down and wanted to re-read again. I definitely will be adding it to my favorites. Ms. Benton has a very polished writing style that while sometimes is difficult to read, actually elevates the story into being one of those better romance novels. Loved the story arc and the characters are all lovable (well, except Reeves!) and very well defined. You feel as reader that you are actually there on the balmy banks of the river or trekking through the wilderness and the characters real life people that you meet. This is an adventure story in the wild new land of America with some mystery, intrigue, romance and even religion thrown in. I must say that the use of biblical preaching and talk of the Christian belief was very smartly done and very much needed in this story. There isn’t much romance in this and what there is I feel is very sweet, but I actually felt it satisfying not to have the graphic scenes thrown in. The research that Ms. Benton did is very much evident in this novel and I appreciate the time she took in doing so, again , it just elevates her story telling to a further level. Overall, one of the better novels I have read in a long while, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
(I received an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review, thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah Publishing)

A very well written inspirational book. I enjoyed the plot and the Colonial setting. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this book. I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I was surprised and extremely excited to have the opportunity to read this pre-release from Lori Benton. She has been one of my favorite authors since the beauty of her first novel 'Burning Sky'. The story had depth and complexity. I felt as though I was transported into the lives of the characters. Very highly recommended! A must read!!

The King's Mercy is an exciting story that begins in Scotland and carries over to North Carolina. Alex McKinnon is purchased as an indentured servant and brought to the Severn plantation where he meets the owner's daughter, Joanna. Due to circumstances beyond his control, Alex has to leave Severn, and eventually is taken to a Cherokee settlement. He eventually goes back to Severn. It is a very exciting tale with some romance, but the romance of it is rather subtle, it isn't the main focus of the story. I loved it!

Based on 15%: the story is slowly progressing. When Alex meets Joanna, I was hoping that the story would pick up at this point. But it continues with the same style of writing of slow progression. It is not an engaging read for me to continue with this book.

Lori Benton can detail out a scene so well, that you feel like you have been dropped into the scenery yourself. I will admit that I had a hard time following what was going on when Alex was on the boat at the beginning, but from there, everything was great.
I loved the slow burn of chemistry between Alex and Joanna. It was natural and not forced in any way.
It amazed me that the author can put a preacher in her book that wasn't "preachy". He did preach, but how he lived his life was the best example that everyone needed.
This book gave me all the feels. All of Lori Benton's books do that for me, and this one was no exception. Very well done and a book I would read again!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved everything about this book. It was an intriguing story with deep characters and very real struggles. I love how Lori wove faith, questions, truth and hope together to write a story that would capture my thoughts long after the book was done.