Nicely done!
This was my first thought when finishing the newest novel by Lori Benton, The King's Mercy. I have read quite a number of Christian fiction novels and have always enjoyed the light uplifting stories that are centered on faith and trust in God's love and direction.
Benton's novel differed from the traditional form that I have read in several ways, and those differences are what made Benton's story so dynamic in comparison. Where so many of the Christian fiction novels that I have experienced were light and simply entertaining, Benton's had depth and multiple subplots within her overall story.
I received The King's Mercy from the WaterBrook and Multnomah Book Launch Team @waterbrookmultnomah#partner.
The story is set in North Carolina, one of my favorite places. The Story begins with a Scottish prisoner from the failed Jacobite uprising of 1745, when so many Scottish warriors were defeated on Culloden Moor in a failed attempt to reinstate the Scottish Stuarts to the throne. Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy and thus is transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies, ending up in the colony of North Carolina on the plantation of Severn as an indentured servant, learning the trade of a blacksmith. Here at Severn, Alex meets a strong willed daughter of the plantation master, Miss Joanna Carey. Joanna has been proposed to by her step-father's acquaintance, Mister Reeves, a former part of her step-father's crew when he was captain of his ship, The Severn. The same name that Captain Carey later named his plantation. Joanna delays her answer to Mr. Reeves as she is conflicted over her feelings for him. In the meantime, Alex and Joanna begin a relationship of caring support.
Reverend Paulings, a traveling missionary/emissary of God, arrives at Severn to evangelize, and meets McKinnon while ministering to the various family members, workers, and slaves on the plantation. The kindly reverend advises McKinnon to watch out for Joanna and take care of her as her step-father is away on business, and the reader is led to believe that the plantation's caretaker, Mr. Reeves, is not as honest as some may think. Many unfortunate events begin happening to the Carey family and Severin plantation which prompt a life on the run for McKinnon and a runaway young slave who is searching for her family ties involving the Cherokee Indian tribes. The reader is continually taken on a tumultuous plot line until the final end, where God's protection and deliverance sends the Carey family forth on new adventures while bringing others into Christianity through the work of the Holy Spirit and Reverend Paulings.
Benton has thoroughly researched various parts of this historical time period which effectually brings the story to life as it creates a rich setting and well formed characters.
I have always felt that one of the most sincere compliments a reader can make to an author's work, is to enjoy it so much that the reader then searches out additional novels written by the author to enjoy. As soon as I finished The King's Mercy, I went online and purchased another Benton novel to enjoy on an upcoming summer vacation. I would wholeheartedly recommend The King's Mercy! It is a wonderful piece of historical as well as Christian literature.
**I received an advanced reader copy from WaterBrook and Multnomah and was asked to read the book and to publish an honest review which I have.
#TheKing'sMercy
#LoriBenton
#Waterbrook&Multnomah
About Me
- Laura Miller
- I am a recently retired high school educator who is learning to spend time doing what I want to do. This is a new challenge in its own sense. It's like walking into a buffet and knowing you can eat all you want and not get full or gain any weight and for once you have absolutely no idea what you want. But I look forward to the journey of figuring it out.
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