About the book...
When Beth's world falls apart, can she ever be whole again?
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 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 mercy.
My thoughts...
Let me start out by saying, I love Erin Healy! My book club did a Skype session with her last fall, and gleaned a ton of information from her about her book, The Baker's Wife, and she was even able to tell us a little bit about House of Mercy! She is such a great author, one who gets the wheels turning in your brain, even if it has been a while since it's last excursion!
Needless to say, I have been anticipating the release of HOM for some time. I pre-ordered it on Amazon, but wasn't sure if I would be able to wait for it's August release date. So...I requested it from Booksneeze, whom I frequently do book reviews for, and received it much earlier! Woohoo!! Are you catching my excitement? I had even started another book I was to do a review on, but put that one on hold so I could read Healy's latest release instead!
In case you're not familiar with any of her books, in my opinion, they tend to have a bit of mystery and a supernatural flair to them. But not supernatural in the freaky/scarey sort of way! Although there were definitely some suspenseful, edge of your seat chapters throughout this book!
The main character, Beth, has a long and hard road she must travel throughout the story. Talk about your life taking a detour you were not expecting! I was quickly drawn in by her, and felt very empathetic to what she was going through. There were parts of her story that I would have liked to have seen expanded, but as I have learned, Erin likes to leave some of that for the reader to imagine or to think on for themselves. Which does not always fit with my kind of thinking...I'm the person who refuses to leave a blank on my sermon notes sheet - I will figure out what is to go there, even if it means missing the rest of the service!
Although Beth's mom has had a hard road to travel herself, I found it difficult to relate to her, she definitely did not win any points with me! And don't even get me started on Levi!
As already mentioned, I thoroughly enjoyed reading House of Mercy, and enthusiastically, hands down, give this book 5 Stars. If I could, I would give Erin Healy 5 Stars as well! She is such a joy to speak with, and correspond with via e-mails. One of the nicest authors I have had contact with.
My biggest dilemma? Waiting to hear if there will be a book 2 (for sure), and finding out when it will be released! I have several questions I need answered from HOM, and I want to see how the author answers them!
**I was given this book by Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review**
Can't wait to read it:) Sounds like a great one!
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