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| Traces of Mercy |
Traces of Mercy
by Michael Landon Jr. & Cindy Kelley
David C. Cook (October 1, 2013)
Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****
‘TRACES OF MERCY’ the first in The Medallion Trilogy, is
impossibly difficult to put down as you immerse yourself into this fascinating tale
of a woman with amnesia and an enigmatic past. It is a satisfying mixture of warmth
and hope, of turmoil and drama, and of unabated intrigue. With the infusion of a charismatic and heart-rending
romance, this is a book that will captivate you easily and swiftly!
It’s 1865 and the Civil War has finally come to an end to
the cheers of the Union soldiers. Not long afterwards, in St. Louis, an
unconscious man was brought to Doctor Abe Johnson to treat. To his great
surprise, he soon discovers that his patient was in fact a woman. This
mysterious woman is diagnosed as having amnesia, remembering absolutely nothing
of her past, including her name. The only clue she has is an Our Lady of Mercy
medallion found around her neck. It is because of the medallion that she is
given her new name ‘Mercy’ by Mother Helena when the confused young woman comes
to stay at the convent for a time.
Mercy feels lost and alone and desperately wants to find
out who she really is. Soon after, when the handsome Rand Prescott comes into
her life, Mercy begins to wonder if she should forget her prior life and only
concentrate on her future. However, a friend of the Prescott’s arrives in town and
seems to recognize Mercy. But what dangerous and volatile secrets might his suspicions
uncover? And will this help any of Mercy’s memory to be restored? Ultimately, is
it going to be possible for the beautiful but troubled Mercy to create new
memories with Rand despite her disturbing past?
*We will be reviewing the sequel to this book, new release - 'Finding Mercy' on Thursday!
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You can find Cindy on Facebook under Cindy Kelley (community) and on Twitter @cindyakelley.
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GIVEAWAY: Choose from either TRACES OF MERCY or its sequel FINDING MERCY, or The Silent Gift! Leave a comment below to enter!! And remember to leave your email or come back to check in the winners column.
QUESTION: Have you known anyone that has suffered from amnesia?
NOELA Great review of what sounds like a terrific story! I really need to read this one! Thanks for sharing with us! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome TERESA! I agree with you, you absolutely HAVE to read this one!! :-) A truly amazing story!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing KATE! Wow, it's one thing to read about amnesia but then it's another to think about someone actually having it, especially someone so young. PTL he's keeping a tender spirit in it all, I pray that continues as well as his memory returning.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to read this incredible story soon Kate! Blessings!
Hi Noela, Thank you for sharing. I would love to read Traces of Mercy. Historical fiction is one of my favorite and especially love the ones about the Civil War. Thank you for the chance to win. ~ Blessings ~ lisastifler(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis was such a huge favourite of mine LISA, I know you'll absolutely LOVE it!! All the best with your entry!
DeleteI do not know anybody who has dealt with amnesia, that would be a very difficult thing! I'm sure it makes for an interesting story.
ReplyDeletePATTY, 'Traces of Mercy' and it's sequel 'Finding Mercy' articulate a very realistic insight into what it would be like, you'll find it very moving as well as fascinating! Hope you get to enjoy it soon!
DeleteFantastic review, Noela! I thought I had bought this for my Kindle and couldn't find it. So I am downloading it again! TY!
ReplyDeleteThanks CARRIE! I'm glad you're downloading it again, these books are a must-read!! :-)
DeleteKste, I hope you will encourage the family to get neurotherapy for him, too. I sure hope he's in rehab. Time should help him recover more of his memories. I hope they are pulling out all the photo albums, etc., too to help him. I hate to say this, but just another reminder of why football is a dangerous sport for our youth and even for the professional players. Ben Utecht, a former pro football player, is the new face of Neurology Today and is representing the organization in DC and getting the word out on the damage concussions can do.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great story line...love that era too! Looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeletefamhriv@hotmail.com
Yes BECKY, this book was so refreshing to read as the story-line was so fascinating and different to so many that sound the same. Hope you get to read it soon Becky!
DeleteAwesome review as always, NOELA! I think I have this one on my Kindle; just haven't had time to read it yet. I need to make the time "for sure and for certain!" That's an expression I learned from reading Amish books. :P
ReplyDeleteHaha I like that expression DIANA! Might have to use that one sometime. :-) You really will love this one, AND the sequel, I can't recommend some books enough... And this is one of those!!
DeleteNo I've not meet any one who has that problem. This book sounds like a great book too read. I would love to read this book
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
It truly is a fantastic read DANIE so I really hope you get to read it in the near future! All the best Danie!!
DeleteThat you for a great review! I have heard nothing but good about this wonderful book. I would love it!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
What you've heard is all true MELANIE! :-) Definitely a very memorable and wonderful story! Hope you get to read it soon Melanie! Blessings!
DeleteNo.. I have not known anyone with amnesia . just in the movies... This would be an interesting book I'd enjoy reading :)
ReplyDeletedkstevensne AT outlook DOTcom
Same here DEANNA, well except for a couple of books including these ones of Cindy's! ;-) It truly is an incredibly interesting story, and a definite page-turner. All the best Deanna!
DeleteA wonderful review thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy father had alzheimers & the loss of memory that goes along with this. A form of amnesia I suppose.
Thanks MARY, my pleasure!! My dad also had Alzheimers before he passed away so I know what you mean. God bless and all the best, Mary!
DeleteNo! I can't even imagine what that would be like! Wow! Thanks for sharing with us Noela!
ReplyDeleteRW620(at)aol(dot)com
It's difficult to put ourselves in that position isn't it RW? I think Cindy and Michael do such an excellent job however of helping us to imagine how it would feel! Many blessings!!
DeleteOh, my - what an amazing, exciting story, Noela!! Thanks for your beautiful review!! I love psychology - amnesia and the workings of the mind intrigue me. I'm anxious to know what Mercy's secrets are!!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious - would you be giving a spoiler to say whether Mercy is another of the women who fought disguised as a man during the war?? As with Diana - I have this book on my Kindle but haven't had the chance to read it and after your review, I'm "itching" to do so - yet am in the process of reading another book for review. I'm sure you know how that feels, LOL!!
At any rate, I ALWAYS want a print copy of the books I truly enjoy - to keep, enjoy looking at the covers, and reread. I feel sure after reading your review and seeing the reviews for Cindy's books on Amazon - I will be wanting a print copy of each of her books!!
I've never known anyone who had any form of amnesia other than from Alzheimer's - which my mother (who will be 90 years old in Jan.) has, hers is a heart-breaking, emotional experience. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like for a young woman, with possibly young children, to experience a loss of identity and memory.
P.S. Shared post!!
DeleteMercy's vocation is revealed in the first few pages BONNIE so no spoilers there! And yes, I sure do know how "itchy" it makes you lol, wanting to read these amazing books we all review, but being busy with others! Blessings Bonnie, and a huge welcome to the blog again!
DeleteI don't know anyone who has suffered from amnesia. However, my son has had several concussions and he has some memory lapses. For example, he can remember everyone's birthday except his own. Our brains are strange and amazing things.
ReplyDeleteOops. I forgot to leave my email address. Susanmsj at msn dot com
DeleteSo true SUSAN, our brains are truly fascinating. But then, our Creator is pretty amazing isn't He?! That is odd your son can't remember his own birthday but everyone else's. I hope that isn't stressful for him. Thanks for coming by Susan and reading about Traces of Mercy. All the best with your entry!
DeleteNo I have not. I sure hope I win because this book looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHaha well you are now in with a chance TAMI so here's hoping! It's an incredible book as is its sequel which I'll be reviewing on Thursday. Come back for another chance to win! :-)
DeleteNoela, great review! It sure makes me want to read the book. I can't say that I've ever known anyone who has had amnesia. It would be a scary thing to be in that kind of predicament. Thanks for the opportunity to enter! :)
ReplyDeletebookwarp(at)gmail(dot)com
ANGI thank you, I know you would just love this book!! I imagine having amnesia would be terribly frightening and upsetting. It truly was fascinating to read about Mercy's experience, and of course she had quite the history which threw in some dangerous curve balls! Blessings!
DeleteMy husband claims to have Amnesia ALL THE TIME since he forgets to tell me anything...but really, I know it's old age. Would love to read this - love historical and westerns!
ReplyDeletemissionwife AT hotmail DOT com
MELODY, thanks for the laugh!! :-) Sounds like a great excuse for hubby not telling you things, lol! That, and the old age! ;) I bet he remembers all his old corny jokes like mine does though!
DeleteSHARON, thanks for coming on by to read about Michael and Cindy's book 'Traces of Mercy'!! I agree, true life stories of amnesia are very sad - for the person and the family. Hope you enjoy this fabulous book soon!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Noela! I spent the day writing and just clicked on here and am blown-away by your wonderful review and all the great comments and replies! Thanks so much - it's such a blessing to know when you've done your job as an author and connected with a reader in such a positive way. Feeling truly blessed by you and Carrie and the OWG followers.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much CINDY for your kind words!! I was blessed (and encouraged) to read your comment as I'm sure Carrie and our OWG readers are also! We just love to spread the word around about these incredible and uplifting stories we read, and we thank you for writing them!! :-)
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