Wednesday, August 29, 2012

House of Mercy by Erin Healy

~ Book Review

House of Mercy
by Erin Healy
ISBN: 978-1-4016-8551-5
Thomas Nelson, August 2012
$11.54 (paperback)
$8.79 (kindle)

 




What Happens When a Natural Healer Can’t Heal Herself?

About the book:
Beth has a gift of healing—which is why she wants to become a vet and help her family run their fifth-generation cattle ranch. Her father’s dream of helping men in trouble and giving them a second chance is her dream too. But it only takes one foolish decision for Beth to destroy it all.

Beth scrambles to redeem her mistake, pleading with God for help, even as a mystery complicates her life. The repercussions grow more unbearable—a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and the looming loss of everything she cares about. Beth’s only hope is to find the grandfather she never knew and beg for his help. Confused, grieving, and determined to make amends, she embarks on a horseback journey across the mountains, guided by a wild, unpredictable wolf who may or may not be real.

Set in the stunningly rugged terrain of Southern Colorado, House of Mercy follows Beth through the valley of the shadow of death into the unfathomable miracles of God’s goodness and mercy.

My Thoughts:
I reviewed Erin Healy's book The Baker's Wife last October and when I had the chance to read and review House of Mercy I was very excited. I loved The Baker's Wife enough to hand it off to my Grandma with instructions that I wanted it back so I could read it again. =D

House of Mercy wasn't quite what I expected. Erin's writing is a little hard to get involved with and you have to think some with her books especially with her first book. I have a hard time connecting but once I do I love her books. I had also forgotten that she is actually a "Christian" supernatural type of writer and I usually wrestle a little with that. In House of Mercy it's a wolf who appears to attack Beth as she's riding and causes the accident - it's a wolf no one seems to see and it seems to speak to her. Could it be the "spirit" of God speaking to her?

Don't let that hold you back from trying one of her books.

House of Mercy isn't just Beth's story - there are multiple stories layered. There is the story of Beth's parents and the rift between her mother and maternal grandfather. There is the story behind the doctor in town who isn't what she seems and she wrestles with the dishonesty of what she's doing. There is Beth's story and the shame and sorrow of her "great mistake" and then there is the story of the young man who manage's her parents ranch and their work with the handicapped and those who have nowhere to go. It's a little hard to keep up with it all but once I connected it got much easier.

One thing I love about Erin's books is the layers - everytime you read the book you find a new layer.

Find out about Erin's books, see book trailers and more on her website @ http://www.erinhealy.com/ and her blog @ http://www.erinhealy.blogspot.com/

You can also find her on: Facebook and Twitter 

About the author:
Erin is known for creating distinctive settings that go hand in hand with the themes of her books, and House of Mercy is certainly no exception as her volatile emotional struggles match the challenging physical settings as she traipses across the rugged Rockies. At the same time, she wrestles spiritually with the notion of modern-day miracles.

Garnering accolades from numerous sources, including being named Book of the Year finalist, Healy consistently turns out highly readable, captivating and informative novels that are awaited eagerly by her huge following of readers. Her previous best-sellers include Never Let You Go, The Promises She Keeps and The Baker’s Wife. She also co-authored with Ted Dekker best-sellers Kiss and Burn, and with House of Mercy, her readers will be thrilled once again.

The story’s realism comes from Healy’s personal encounter with Colorado wolves, the Rocky Mountains and research done with Colorado ranchers. The reader will experience a “you-are-there” feeling as Beth’s adventure takes them through the craggy gorges, across tumbling rivers and finally to the mountaintop of mercy. It’s an adventure you don’t want to miss.

I was given a copy of House of Mercy to read & review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands.

CymLowell

7 comments:

  1. I love reading and discovering new books... this one sounds like it has the style that I would appreciate. I will add it to my "to-read" list. i enjoyed how you were honest and direct with your review. We know exactly what to expect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow i have heard of the baker's wife i think it was a movie but i never saw it. this does sound very interesting. this would be a book that i would savor while at the beauty salon while drying my hair. (i.e. the mommy time)-anita

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful review and I had never heard of this author. Thanks for sharing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am such a book nerd and would LOVE to read this! Thanks for sharing!

    Bella
    ArahBellas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have heard of the Baker's Wife but never read either. I love finding new books thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds like an amazing book...great review!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm a sucker for wolves, I have 2 hybrids myself and love them like family!

    ReplyDelete

Hi friends! Leave your family friendly comments below and if you are a new follower please leave your blog address (if you have one) so I can follow back! Thanks so much! Tina