Mercy's Rain, by author Cindy K. Sproles, is a heartbreaking story set in the nineteenth century Appalachian mountains. Mercy Roller has had a horrific childhood under the authority of her abusive father, whom she and everyone else calls 'The Pastor'. The Pastor rules the community with sinful actions that he calls righteous, leaving everyone in fear.
Mercy was married and widowed at only 13 years old, and had also had and lost a child by 15 years old. Eventually kicked out of her home, she travels to the other side of the mountains, where she meets a preacher and family who teach her what true love and righteousness is. She has a long path ahead of her, though, on the journey from bitterness to forgiveness.
My Thoughts: First, let me just say that Mercy's Rain is a very emotional, heavy read. Author Cindy K. Sproles is incredibly talented-I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel every emotion possible! It is full of love, hate, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and more. The story of Mercy's Rain will stay with me forever.
I was impressed with the book from cover to cover, and one thing that really impressed me was the author's use of the character's uneducated mountain speech throughout the story. Also I was taken by the use of the main character's name, Mercy, which meant so much throughout the story, and also haunted Mercy herself. The characters in Mercy's Rain were so real, and some were very endearing while others were downright evil. When you read Mercy's Rain, be prepared to be taken from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other!
*I received a copy of this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.
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