Loved, loved, loved this book! I normally don’t read a lot of fiction books based in the 1800s since they all start to sound the same. But this book was different. There was learning about the history of Holland, Michigan, religious persecution in the Netherlands, some mystery and intrigue, and some romance. The characters were fully developed, with Austin going into much depth about what made these characters tick. The theme of mercy and water was a big part of this story. The flow of the storyline went really well. I’m looking forward to reading her sequel, Legacy of Mercy.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for this book to review.

This was a charming story about love and faith in God. I felt like it dragged just a bit in the middle but overall, I enjoyed the story and characters.

"Often, it's not one great, dramatic thing that God asks us to do but hundreds of little everyday things."

Christian Historical Fiction. 1897 and 52 years before. Geesje is an immigrant from the Netherlands. Her story is rich with love and heartbreak both there and here in America. Her family settled in Michigan, naming the new town Holland.

Anna has broken up with her fiancé and leaves home for a resort in Holland Michigan to recover. On her way she is nearly shipwrecked, bringing up old nightmares. She was adopted by the man who did actually rescue her from a shipwreck, but they never told her what happened. This is a fabulous journey of discovery for Anna. For most of us our lives don't follow a neat pattern, a straight line. The lives of these people are tattered, shredded and torn, mended and edges smoothed by faith. I highly recommend it! First book in a series. The second book continues this story and is also fabulous.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Another great book by Lynn Austin. I love her books. This is definitely one to read! The story line, the characters and the setting were perfect.

Very enjoyable story about a family from Holland coming with other immigrants to the United States during the 1800's. This novel was quite interesting, with meaningful characters that were easy to love, I loved the way the author wove the two storylines together. Faith in God was greatly emphasized. Highly recommended!

I really enjoy Ms. Austin's biblical novels, and while this wasn't biblical it was historical and I knew from the beginning it would be one I wouldn't soon forget. The storytelling is rich with detail and you can tell that Ms. Austin has done her research.

Geesje, Anna, and Derk find themselves facing some of the biggest challenges to their faith and of the heart in the past and present, finding their lives intertwined in this captivating, heartfelt story of God's mercies.

Geesje recounts her younger days first coming to America and leaving everything behind in the Netherlands, including the man that she loved. She tells of her struggles to accept the tragedies that befell her family, and the choices that she made, along with the heartaches she faced.

Anna has comes to Michigan after breaking it off with her fiance to find answers to the questions that she has about her new faith and about her past. She meets a ministry student, Derk, and he helps her sort through her questions and decision about the future.

Meanwhile he is in a similar situation, having also just broken it off with a fiance who wants him to give up his calling to the ministry because she doesn't want to be a preacher's wife.

As Geesje's story unfolds, Geesje, Anna, and Derk, are face with the choice to follow their own desires or God's will.

Anna is the adopted daughter of a wealthy family in Chicago, she loves her parents, but after attending a church service in a less than prominent side of town, she finds herself in need of answers. She finds a friend in Derk, a young man studying for the ministry, yet in a similar situation having just broken it off with his fiance. I loved Anna and Derk's easy and honest friendship. They challenge each other, encouraging each other to perhaps make the choice that they themselves hesitate to make.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the humanity and vulnerability of the characters, they aren't perfect Christians, and would probably be the first to tell you that fact if you ever tried to put them on a pedestal. I found the honesty and rawness in this book so refreshing. They struggle with doubt, jealousy, human desires for love, selfishness, and it was their realness that made me really embrace them and connect with them. Geesje especially, is brutally honest about her life and the choices that she made along the way.

Overall, this is a beautiful story of God's mercies, bringing three strangers together as the threads of their stories intertwine in unexpected ways. A thoroughly memorable read, I would definitely recommend this book, I couldn't put it down!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Thank you for the opportunity read and review this title! I didn't enjoy it as much as I"d hoped, and rather than post a negative review, I chose to not feature it on my blog. I look forward to seeing what new releases you have in store!

Lynn Austin never disappoints with her novels. I've read almost all of her books and loved all of them. I hated history in school, but I love how her books often have a historic line in them and it's so fascinating!

Ok, I’m not going to lie. I was supposed to review this book a LOOOONG time ago, but I decided “better late than never.” And as I usually say, I did receive a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. The book is called Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin.

waves

Here is the description:

Geesje de Jonge crossed the ocean at age seventeen with her parents and a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands to settle in the Michigan wilderness. Fifty years later, in 1897, she’s asked to write a memoir of her early experiences as the town celebrates its anniversary. Reluctant at first, she soon uncovers memories and emotions hidden all these years, including the story of her one true love.

At the nearby Hotel Ottawa Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, twenty-three-year-old Anna Nicholson is trying to ease the pain of a broken engagement to a wealthy Chicago banker. But her time of introspection is disturbed after a violent storm aboard a steamship stirs up memories of a childhood nightmare. As more memories and dreams surface, Anna begins to question who she is and whether she wants to return to her wealthy life in Chicago. When she befriends a young seminary student who is working at the hotel for the summer, she finds herself asking him all the questions that have been troubling her.

Neither Geesje nor Anna, who are different in every possible way, can foresee the life-altering surprises awaiting them before the summer ends.

And from the Back Cover, which I think describes a little more:

Haunted by the unknowns of their pasts, two women search for answers along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Chicago socialite Anna Nicholson retreats to the Hotel Ottawa in Holland, Michigan, after breaking her engagement with her wealthy fiance. Filled with questions about her newfound faith and troubled by a recurring nightmare, Anna finds solace in Derk Vander Veen, a seasonal hotel worker who plans to go into the ministry.

Prompted by a request from her son, Geesje de Jonge begins to sift through memories of emigrating from the Netherlands almost fifty years ago. As she writes them down for the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the town’s settlement, her story takes on a life of its own as she honestly and painfully recalls her regrets, doubts, hardships, and joys. Her story captivates Derk, who sees similarities between Geesje and Anna, and wishes to bring the two together.

Past and present collide as Anna and Geesje seek clarity, but neither expects the revelations that await them.



MY THOUGHTS

I very much enjoyed the storyline in this book. The characters were great and engaging as well. It seemed as if the author made a concerted effort to be as historically accurate as possible. What was interesting to me was that the book was set during two separate time periods, and yet both of those eras are in the past, making it a “double” period piece.

The narration changes from character to character and between past and present, but it was never difficult to follow along. The story was great, BUT…… oh my goodness, I didn’t think the ending was an actual ending. There needs to be a sequel. As soon as I finished it, I was scouring the internet to find out if there was on in the works, and sadly I didn’t find one. So…… good up until the end…..and I would be very pleased if I found a sequel. Please, Lynn Austin?

“Waves of Mercy” by Lynn Austin is a novel about the Dutch immigration to land in Wisconsin and Michigan in the early 1800’s. We follow Geejse and her family, as her parents decide to emigrate because of religious persecution in the Netherlands against the Separatists, who leave the state-mandated church to worship in one of their own. Geejse’a father is a printer who is forced out of business because of his family’s beliefs. Maarten is his apprentice and has been with him for ten years. Maarten decides to go with them, not only to help with the printing, but because he is in love with Geejse.

When they come to Michigan after a harrowing journey over the sea and Great Lakes, they find a wilderness. Starting from scratch, they have to build housing, find food, try to make a living and survive disease and pestilence. Geejse has left behind her sweetheart Hendrik who will meet her at a later time.

Fifty years later, the town of Holland, Michigan is celebrating its Semi-Centennial and asks the oldsters to write stories of their coming to Michigan and of their life fifty years ago. Geejse decides to write about her life, her loves, her disappointments, and her survival.

At this same time, Anna and her mother come from Chicago for a few weeks to help console Anna after her fiancé breaks their engagement. They are staying at the hotel there and the quiet and solitude provide an atmosphere where Anna can heal and decide what to do. Both Anna and Geejse question their faith in God and why He allows so much death and hardship. Switching back and forth between their two stories provides the reader with a good sense of the pioneering aspect of immigrants to the fledgling America.

I enjoyed this book very much. If there is any criticism of the story, it would be the constant biblical references as friends and family of both Anna and Geejse try to help them as they try to sort out their lives. There is a connection between the two which the reader is not privy to until the end of the book.

I was sent a complimentary Kindle copy by NetGalley.com

Lynn Austin’s novel Waves of Mercy tells the story of two very different women growing and struggling in the middle of changing decades. Geesje de Jonge grew up in the Netherlands, but eventually migrated to America with her parents. Yet Geesje was reluctant to make this transition, because she had fallen in love with a solider. A soldier who was not Dutch like herself. She knew her parents might not approve, and when she did tell them her news—her parents told her she must listen to the will of God for her life. And she must marry a man who would share her faith in the Lord. Anna Nicholson finds herself in exactly the opposite place. There are so many probing questions she has about religion and God, and soon she realizes there is no one to ask or to share her burdens. She is engaged to marry a man from her circle in society—a wealthy world that many times she believes she is a stranger to. Soon Anna must make a difficult decision regarding love and her purpose and place in life. Both Geesje and Anna face various troubles, and they know the decisions they make, in light of their problems, will ultimately forever alter their futures. Are they ready for the consequences that might come because of their desires to take a different path in life?

This book shows the trials that many families faced as they took the brave step to leave all they knew behind and travel to a new land—America. Their pursuit was one of longing to have religious freedom—especially for Geesje’s family. Her family had faced much persecution in the Netherlands, because they chose to worship outside of what most considered religious. Even though they met peacefully in their homes, the government still opposed what they were doing. So one day, many Dutch families made the choice to come to America.

Throughout Geesje’s journey, she faces many hardships and trials, and she finds her faith tested over and over. She must either trust in the God she knows or abandon His teachings and promises. It is interesting to hear her tell the story of her life as she looks back over each event, yet there is much sadness in her memories. Her story includes levels of intensity that are sometimes difficult to read.

Anna’s story is very different, yet even the reader sees how much she wants to learn the truth about life and her story. Anna feels there is a void in her everyday existence, and so she attempts to discover the mystery regarding her background. The reader will be surprised by the words in the last few chapters and the connections Anna discovers about people she knew nothing about.

This novel is not an easy read, because it records the struggles of several characters. In fact, there are moments when you wonder if particular characters will ever find a good place in life. So much happens in each woman’s life, and because you want Geesje and Anna to find love and peace—it might be a hard book to read. Just remember that this novel is a story of love, strong faith, troubles, perseverance, and the realities of life. It is not a book you read to escape the trials of life.

Lynn Austin is a great storyteller, and I am sure many will enjoy this book and find comfort in its pages. Because it does teach one very important lesson—no matter what anyone may endure in this life…God is always by your side. He is an every present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for my copy.

Have always enjoyed books by the author and this one did not let me down. Will definitely recommend it to people.

Waves Of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a Christian historical romance. It was my first novel by Lynn Austin and wow, what a read! I loved Waves Of Mercy and greedily devoured it.
Waves Of Mercy is packed full of God's goodness. It explores the themes of faith and doubt. Doubt that asks questions can lead to a stronger faith. "My faith was battered by a storm of doubt as I questioned god's goodness." Faith and doubt are not opposites but work together.
The novel shows how faith is not just going to church. "He's with us everywhere we go, not just in a church building." Faith is a relationship with God. It is being 'real' with Him. "Should I tell... how I raged at god for letting them die?" It is giving God your anger, your tears and your sorrows as well as your praise, hopes and dreams. Faith is loving God, relying on Him and letting His peace surround you.
Church is important but you need a church that builds up your faith. "We wanted to live as servants of Christ, not servants of a state controlled church system that kept God at a cold, remote distance and watered down all His commandments." You need a church that will support you in the good and bad times and help deepen your relationship with God. A church that functions as Jesus intended it too. Churches are not supposed to be clubs that pay lip service to God. They are meant to be beacons of light, helping in a dark world.
Family is important. A family that pulls together and supports each other. A family is a microcosm of the church, it is to love, support and help grow ones faith.
The novel is about new beginnings - both in faith and physically as the town of Holland grows and develops.
Lynn Austin cleverly sets the novel from two different viewpoints and at two different time periods. Her leading ladies - Anna and Geesje are both lovable, likable, strong women who just spoke to my heart. Though separated by miles, class and age, they are drawn to each other and to the reader. Anna is searching for her roots. Geesje is writing her memoirs. Both make fascinating reading.
The time periods are 1897 and fifty years earlier. The reader is educated about the persecution of the Separatists in Holland and their subsequent setting up of a new life in America.
Lynn Austin has written the most wonderful novel in Waves Of Mercy. I really 'felt' like I was 'seeing' the action. I was engaged throughout the whole story. The imagery and language connected to the sea and storms was very cleverly done. As was the main message... whatever storm we face in life, Jesus is right there alongside us.
An absolutely marvellous read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

. I apologize that I wasn't able to read this book. I wasn't able to download.