Alex McKinnon is a Jacobite who survived Culloden only to be exiled and sold into indentured servitude in America. He’s been told that only the King’s mercy has kept him from execution yet it does not seem like kindness to him. When a man of God talks of his King’s mercy, Alex is skeptical about trusting a heavenly King. Yet God seems intent on giving Alex a new heart, a new love, and a new home.

So glad I spent time with this satisfying story! Lovely writing. Sympathetic hero & heroine. Strong, natural spiritual message. Immersive early American setting. Adventure & romance keep the plot moving. I really enjoyed it!

***Thanks to Lori Benton, WaterBrook & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel. Blessings!

My favorite quotes:

“Ye’ve always had that about ye, a need for a purpose beyond yourself. ’Tis the Almighty knit ye so.”

“‘It’s what the Almighty calls me to do,’ Pauling replied . . . ‘And by the king’s mercy, I will do it.’ . . . Alex bristled, annoyance eclipsing concern. ‘Dinna speak to me of the king’s mercy. What power has he to ease your path, an ocean away?’ The reverend started to shake his head . . . ‘I speak not of England’s king . . .’”

“Joanna leaned into the wall, one hand muffling her mouth. ‘The greater the material comfort you accrue, the greater the burden of it will weigh.’ The words pierced her with their truth.”

“Only in choosing to trust himself, and failing at every turn, was it made clear that in giving men a choice to believe and obey, God must allow an alternative, that the potential for evil must exist for those who wouldn’t choose Him.”

This is a very well written book that holds your attention until the very end. This is not a book that you will "speed read', but a book you will take your time with so you don't miss anything. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this book and look forward to reading more of Lori Benton"s books. Thank you WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this wonderful book. This is my honest opinion and I highly recommend this book.