Before we get started, I need to let you know that I received a free copy of Waves of Mercy from Bethany House to read and review honestly. I’ll also be using affiliate links. Now, keep reading!
On a scale of cotton candy to Brussel sprouts, Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a crock pot Parmesan garlic chicken and potatoes. It’s hardy. And the flavors are deep and well-blended.
I’ve been sitting on this book for a while here because I just don’t even know where to begin, and I mean that in a good way.
Book Recommendation:
Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin
Waves of Mercy is set in Holland, Michigan, in the 1890s, but it does do a bit of time traveling (or reminiscing). Geesje (an old Dutch woman) writes her memoir of immigrating from the Netherlands to America while Anna (a young aristocrat) seeks refuge in Holland to sort out her life. Geesje and Anna are both faced with seemingly impossible decisions.
I haven’t read anything by Lynn Austin before although I have friends who love her. The reason I chose the book out of the Bethany House offerings was simply because I’ve been to Holland, Michigan, before.
I’m so glad that I picked this book.
Waves of Mercy struggles
Let’s start off with what I struggled with before we get to what I LOVED about this book (because please hear me: I think this book is rich stuff).
Waves of Mercy started slow for me. Perhaps it’s because I’d just finished reading a Young Adult page-turner and Waves of Mercy is an entirely different genre. But, I wanted to love the characters faster and earlier (but can we just admire the opening line in chapter 1).
So that’s my one struggle (but it quickly disappeared as the story grabbed me).
Waves of Mercy LOVE
Finally. Finallllly. Finally, a book that shows a bit about faith struggles.
Lynn Austin jumped right into the deep, murky, confusing end of heartache, confusion, and relationship difficulties with her character Geesje. This older woman has seen it all, and still, she’s chosen God.
I couldn’t get over a woman who was honest about her struggle to love God and to choose faithfulness. We all struggle. But, do we talk about it?
Waves of Mercy had a depth of richness that I’ve not seen in many. Lynn didn’t skate over the heartache, and she shared characters who had to make impossible decisions.
Sometimes it’s all up to you. And then, you have to live with the decisions you’ve made.
How refreshing!
Today, we’re all about finding our easy outs, quick excuses, or a scapegoat for a bad choice. But there are some tangles that you can’t untangle. And then, you have to learn to live with that permanent knot.
Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a book of depth and yet youthfulness. It sweeps through the history of the time, but more importantly, it shows the heart and faith journey of three characters. And the true treasure is that close-up look at faith.
So if you’re tired of books that are flippant with no real meat and bone to them, then grab yourself a copy of Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
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