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First Responders #1
From Ashes to Honor
SOON TO BE AN AUDIO BOOK @ AUDIBLE! (NOTE: INCORRECTLY LISTED AS CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE; IT'S MAINSTREAM FICTION. :-) )
If he had only answered that last phone call from the World Trade Center . . .
Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, New York police officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother, who d been bugging him for days. Trying to live with his one regret causes hatred and bitterness to consume Austin, and when counselor Mercy Samara recommends desk duty, Austin resigns.
Haunted by her own memories of 9/11, Mercy takes a job as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Austin, now an EMT, responds to an emergency at Mercy s school, both are stunned and wary.
Finally their common and painful memories turn suspicion into friendship, then romance. But hard questions linger: Can they truly move beyond their past harsh judgments and harsh words?
Will their past finally bring them closer or as the tenth anniversary of 9/11 draws near drive them farther apart?
"Loree Lough proves once again her superb storytelling skills in From Ashes to Honor, peopled by characters so lifelike they seem to jump from the pages." Cathy Bryant, author of the award-winning Texas Roads and A Path Less Traveled
"Loree Lough s characters allow us to re-explore what happened ten years agoand examine our feelings, perhaps like never before." Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield, Founder, Christ 4responders and Chaplain, Katy, Texas Fire & EMS"
If he had only answered that last phone call from the World Trade Center . . .
Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, New York police officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother, who d been bugging him for days. Trying to live with his one regret causes hatred and bitterness to consume Austin, and when counselor Mercy Samara recommends desk duty, Austin resigns.
Haunted by her own memories of 9/11, Mercy takes a job as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Austin, now an EMT, responds to an emergency at Mercy s school, both are stunned and wary.
Finally their common and painful memories turn suspicion into friendship, then romance. But hard questions linger: Can they truly move beyond their past harsh judgments and harsh words?
Will their past finally bring them closer or as the tenth anniversary of 9/11 draws near drive them farther apart?
"Loree Lough proves once again her superb storytelling skills in From Ashes to Honor, peopled by characters so lifelike they seem to jump from the pages." Cathy Bryant, author of the award-winning Texas Roads and A Path Less Traveled
"Loree Lough s characters allow us to re-explore what happened ten years agoand examine our feelings, perhaps like never before." Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield, Founder, Christ 4responders and Chaplain, Katy, Texas Fire & EMS"
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2011
68 people are currently reading
1084 people want to read
About the author
Loree Lough
133 books684 followersWith the upcoming release of the books in her new Kensington series, bestselling author Loree Lough will have 121 books on the shelves (8,000,000+ copies in circulation). Her writing style has been compared to Nicholas Sparks and Mary Jo Putney, and readers and reviewers often call her “a gifted writer whose stories touch hearts and change lives.”
With a long list of industry awards, it isn't likely this prolific author will ever retire...not even to her cozy li'l cabin in the Allegheny Mountains. She loves to hear from her readers and personally answers every letter sent to http://www.loreelough.com/.
Visit http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B000APRS7S to see some of Loree's available titles.
With a long list of industry awards, it isn't likely this prolific author will ever retire...not even to her cozy li'l cabin in the Allegheny Mountains. She loves to hear from her readers and personally answers every letter sent to http://www.loreelough.com/.
Visit http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B000APRS7S to see some of Loree's available titles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 15, 2019
I gave up, I cannot finish this book. I tried to continue reading but I could not force myself to. I was just completely done with it. I have nothing against this author, I loved her book, Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska. It actually is on my all time favorite list. I absolutely despise giving 1 and 2 star ratings to books but I honestly cannot give this book a better rating.
The characters fell flat for me and even though there was some "development" it wasn't well written (at least in my opinion). Also both characters have some trauma in their lives due to things that happened and even though I know that God can heal someone completely, I still felt like Austin's recovery was a bit cliche. I am huge on redemption stories and God healing people from trauma and stuff but I still felt like this book kinda feel flat and was not realistic in this aspect.
Another thing was that Austin was actively pursing Mercy even though she told him numerous times that she did not share his faith and that she was pretty much an atheist. This did not sit right with me. Should Austin be showing the light of Christ to Mercy and be her friend?, Yes, but he should not be pursing a romantic relationship with her until after she shares his faith, which she does at the end but I've heard that, that's also a bit cliche and kinda shallow.
Another thing was just Austin and Mercy's relationship is general. Even if they both were God fearing people, their relationship still would have been SUPER cliche and had no developmental at all which was super annoying.....
Again I have absolutely nothing against the author but I feel like she took on way too much with this series. I think she should stick to cheesy romances that aren't as deep and challenging to write.
The characters fell flat for me and even though there was some "development" it wasn't well written (at least in my opinion). Also both characters have some trauma in their lives due to things that happened and even though I know that God can heal someone completely, I still felt like Austin's recovery was a bit cliche. I am huge on redemption stories and God healing people from trauma and stuff but I still felt like this book kinda feel flat and was not realistic in this aspect.
Another thing was that Austin was actively pursing Mercy even though she told him numerous times that she did not share his faith and that she was pretty much an atheist. This did not sit right with me. Should Austin be showing the light of Christ to Mercy and be her friend?, Yes, but he should not be pursing a romantic relationship with her until after she shares his faith, which she does at the end but I've heard that, that's also a bit cliche and kinda shallow.
Another thing was just Austin and Mercy's relationship is general. Even if they both were God fearing people, their relationship still would have been SUPER cliche and had no developmental at all which was super annoying.....
Again I have absolutely nothing against the author but I feel like she took on way too much with this series. I think she should stick to cheesy romances that aren't as deep and challenging to write.
July 19, 2016
From Ashes to Honor is the story of Austin, a New York cop who lost his twin brother on 9/11, and Mercy, the police psychologist who declared him unfit for police work. They accidentally meet in Baltimore a few years later, having both changed careers, and find that despite their history, there is a mutual attraction. But Austin is a committed Christian, and Mercy is an unbeliever.
This is where the book lost me - I saw why Mercy was interested in Austin, but I never really understood why Austin was attracted to Mercy, nor why he was developing a romantic relationship with her knowing that she did not share his faith and knowing how important that should be. It irritates me when a novel gives us a 'conversion of convenience' a few short pages before the end, with no real progression from non-belief to faith. In real life, very few people become Christians as adults without a period of thought and reflection, so it annoys me when fictional characters have the literary equivalent of a death-bed conversion. However, this novel gave me something I like even less – no conversion at all.
Loree Lough is an excellent writer with engaging plots and (mostly) likeable characters, and From Ashes to Honor was looking to be a solid four star plus read, until the end. It just finished. No happy ever after, no resolution of the main conflict, nothing. The essence of a romance novel is that a couple meet, a relationship develops, and there is a happy ending as the couple fall in love while they work together to overcome obstacles. A romance novel, according to the Romance Writers of America, must have an “emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending” (more commonly referred to as the ‘happy ever after’ or HEA). From Ashes To Honor is therefore not a romance novel. It is Christian fiction and clearly follows the development of a relationship, but it is not a romance novel.
I've also read an advance copy of the sequel - Honor Redeemed - and that had the same non-ending, as well as a host of 'how exactly did that happen?' moments when comparing the two books. If you want spoilers, post a comment.
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing free ebooks for review.
This is where the book lost me - I saw why Mercy was interested in Austin, but I never really understood why Austin was attracted to Mercy, nor why he was developing a romantic relationship with her knowing that she did not share his faith and knowing how important that should be. It irritates me when a novel gives us a 'conversion of convenience' a few short pages before the end, with no real progression from non-belief to faith. In real life, very few people become Christians as adults without a period of thought and reflection, so it annoys me when fictional characters have the literary equivalent of a death-bed conversion. However, this novel gave me something I like even less – no conversion at all.
Loree Lough is an excellent writer with engaging plots and (mostly) likeable characters, and From Ashes to Honor was looking to be a solid four star plus read, until the end. It just finished. No happy ever after, no resolution of the main conflict, nothing. The essence of a romance novel is that a couple meet, a relationship develops, and there is a happy ending as the couple fall in love while they work together to overcome obstacles. A romance novel, according to the Romance Writers of America, must have an “emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending” (more commonly referred to as the ‘happy ever after’ or HEA). From Ashes To Honor is therefore not a romance novel. It is Christian fiction and clearly follows the development of a relationship, but it is not a romance novel.
I've also read an advance copy of the sequel - Honor Redeemed - and that had the same non-ending, as well as a host of 'how exactly did that happen?' moments when comparing the two books. If you want spoilers, post a comment.
Thanks to Abingdon Press and NetGalley for providing free ebooks for review.
September 2, 2011
Dr. Mercy Samara, a psychiatrist and NYPD officer Austin Finley, are two people broken and forever changed by the tragedy of September 11th.
The aftermath of that horrible day combined with their grief and loss eventually costs both of them their jobs, and comes pretty close to taking their lives as well.
From Ashes to Honor is an emotional story of guilt, regret, loss, and healing. It is the story of two mentally and emotionally broken people whose paths initially cross because of the horrible tragedy. When Austin and Mercy meet up again, they are pursuing different careers but discover a spark and attraction to each other that wasn’t there before. Finding a common bond in their grief and memories, they begin to explore the possibility of a deeper relationship this time around that quickly goes beyond the boundaries of friendship.
I have to say that Loree totally caught me off guard with the ending of this book!
First in the brand new “First Responders Series”, From Ashes to Honor coincides with the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
I have added Loree to my list of favorite authors for many reasons but the one that touched my heart the most is that Loree has committed to give 25% of her proceeds from these books to several very worthy organizations (Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Wounded Warriors, etc.).
When you purchase Loree’s books, you are also benefiting worthwhile organizations that help those who are going through personal tragedies of their own. You can read more about Loree’s giving here: http://www.loreelough.com/rescue.html In a recent interview Loree stated that in every one of her stories, a main character is a strong Christian while the other has fallen away or doesn’t believe in God at all. Using this as a springboard, Loree weaves faith, trust and spiritual growth into every plot she writes. While the message of faith is clear, her books aren’t overly “preachy”. Her characters are real, vulnerable and flawed and have many challenges to overcome.
I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to reading more in this series.
Many thanks to Abingdon Press for providing a review copy of this book.
The aftermath of that horrible day combined with their grief and loss eventually costs both of them their jobs, and comes pretty close to taking their lives as well.
From Ashes to Honor is an emotional story of guilt, regret, loss, and healing. It is the story of two mentally and emotionally broken people whose paths initially cross because of the horrible tragedy. When Austin and Mercy meet up again, they are pursuing different careers but discover a spark and attraction to each other that wasn’t there before. Finding a common bond in their grief and memories, they begin to explore the possibility of a deeper relationship this time around that quickly goes beyond the boundaries of friendship.
I have to say that Loree totally caught me off guard with the ending of this book!
First in the brand new “First Responders Series”, From Ashes to Honor coincides with the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
I have added Loree to my list of favorite authors for many reasons but the one that touched my heart the most is that Loree has committed to give 25% of her proceeds from these books to several very worthy organizations (Soldiers' Angels, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Wounded Warriors, etc.).
When you purchase Loree’s books, you are also benefiting worthwhile organizations that help those who are going through personal tragedies of their own. You can read more about Loree’s giving here: http://www.loreelough.com/rescue.html In a recent interview Loree stated that in every one of her stories, a main character is a strong Christian while the other has fallen away or doesn’t believe in God at all. Using this as a springboard, Loree weaves faith, trust and spiritual growth into every plot she writes. While the message of faith is clear, her books aren’t overly “preachy”. Her characters are real, vulnerable and flawed and have many challenges to overcome.
I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to reading more in this series.
Many thanks to Abingdon Press for providing a review copy of this book.
August 31, 2011
If he had only answered that last phone call from the World Trade Center...
Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, NYPD officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother. Mercy Samara, who cost Austin his job after 9/11, leaves the city to work as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Mercy and Austin cross paths again, will their common - and painful - memories finally bring them closer or drive them further apart? (excerpt back cover).
In the latest novel from Loree Lough, From Ashes to Honor, works through the lives of Dr. Mercy Samara and former NYPD officer, Austin Finley, who are brought together following the events of 9/11. Mercy is a clinical psychologist whose goal is determine if Austin is fit enough to return to work as a NYPD officer after multiple incidents involving his out of control temper. Despite all his sessions with Mercy, he won't come to terms with what happened that fateful day and how it affecting him in his work and therefore, remains in denial.
Mercy struggling with her own issues involving 9/11 and the fact that most people stereotyped her as another Muslim terrorist following the attacks, while trying to help first responders like Austin deal with the underlying trauma of that day. When she can't sign the release authorizing Austin to return to anything other than desk duty, there paths will take them to new places but will once again intersect.
This time, Austin has turned his talents to becoming an EMT and Mercy has moved to Baltimore to take up something less stressful than working with first responders in the aftermath of 9/11, she now works as a high school guidance counselor. When a football player is injured and the paramedics are called, Mercy and Austin come face to face once more.
I received this book compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review and couldn't wait to dive into this one once it arrived. This story takes the reader into an emotional ride into the lives of Mercy and Austin but also into the lives of the supporting characters as well, Griff, Flora and Bud, and even the strained relationship with Leo, Mercy's half brother. What we get an opportunity to see is how the rebuilding of what people went through following 9/11 is an ongoing, life changing process that will never be forgotten. It's not something that will ever be forgotten, especially in the lives of Mercy and Austin.
This book is a perfect tribute to those first responders of the 9/11 tragedy that forever changed all of us. It united us all in a common goal, a goal to take care of one another, and see past our differences. This would make a great gift for anyone involved in first response or who loves anything dealing with 9/11. I rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, NYPD officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother. Mercy Samara, who cost Austin his job after 9/11, leaves the city to work as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Mercy and Austin cross paths again, will their common - and painful - memories finally bring them closer or drive them further apart? (excerpt back cover).
In the latest novel from Loree Lough, From Ashes to Honor, works through the lives of Dr. Mercy Samara and former NYPD officer, Austin Finley, who are brought together following the events of 9/11. Mercy is a clinical psychologist whose goal is determine if Austin is fit enough to return to work as a NYPD officer after multiple incidents involving his out of control temper. Despite all his sessions with Mercy, he won't come to terms with what happened that fateful day and how it affecting him in his work and therefore, remains in denial.
Mercy struggling with her own issues involving 9/11 and the fact that most people stereotyped her as another Muslim terrorist following the attacks, while trying to help first responders like Austin deal with the underlying trauma of that day. When she can't sign the release authorizing Austin to return to anything other than desk duty, there paths will take them to new places but will once again intersect.
This time, Austin has turned his talents to becoming an EMT and Mercy has moved to Baltimore to take up something less stressful than working with first responders in the aftermath of 9/11, she now works as a high school guidance counselor. When a football player is injured and the paramedics are called, Mercy and Austin come face to face once more.
I received this book compliments of Abingdon Press for my honest review and couldn't wait to dive into this one once it arrived. This story takes the reader into an emotional ride into the lives of Mercy and Austin but also into the lives of the supporting characters as well, Griff, Flora and Bud, and even the strained relationship with Leo, Mercy's half brother. What we get an opportunity to see is how the rebuilding of what people went through following 9/11 is an ongoing, life changing process that will never be forgotten. It's not something that will ever be forgotten, especially in the lives of Mercy and Austin.
This book is a perfect tribute to those first responders of the 9/11 tragedy that forever changed all of us. It united us all in a common goal, a goal to take care of one another, and see past our differences. This would make a great gift for anyone involved in first response or who loves anything dealing with 9/11. I rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
May 25, 2012
I was attracted to this book for several reasons.
First, I love main characters who are soldiers and/or EMS-type personnel, and the idea of following “first responders” of the 9/11 crises intrigued me.
Second, since I often create and write the stories of soldiers with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), I’m logically attracted to characters in that situation, as was the case in this novel. (Austin was on scene during 9/11 and Mercy counseled 9/11 survivors; both carry emotional scars from it.)
The premise also attracted me - two people who already share something in their past reconnecting after a number of years. (Two of my novels have variations of this theme.)
The storyline was good, but not as compelling as I had expected. I found myself wishing for less back-and-forth banter dialogue, keeping the story tighter and moving a bit faster. I would have liked more detailed descriptions of the dramatic things (like a beating and subsequent recovery) and how that affected the characters. I guess you could say I wanted *drama*, but what I got was *introspection*.
The handling of the Christian theme was good, in my opinion. Not overdone, not preachy...it felt like real-world people. The secondary characters were also well done, giving the right amount of interaction to the main characters while not becoming too stereotypical.
I have mixed feelings about the ending. In one way, it was unexpected so it’s memorable. (I don’t care for the “typical” romance formulas; I like more “meat” in my books, but I also like a happy ending when I’m reading for escape.) I can’t help feeling that it was rushed after all the agonizing on the part of the characters throughout the book. It felt like the author needed to wrap up the book quickly, or wanted to get you to buy the next in the series.
Like other reviewers, I was surprised how many typos and grammatical errors I encountered. Simple things like placing an “Austin said” at the end of a quote would have minimized confusion about who was speaking (which happened with regularity), which inevitably interrupted the flow of the story.
Primarily because of the disappointing ending and poor grammar, I’d have to bump this book to a rating of 3.5.
First, I love main characters who are soldiers and/or EMS-type personnel, and the idea of following “first responders” of the 9/11 crises intrigued me.
Second, since I often create and write the stories of soldiers with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), I’m logically attracted to characters in that situation, as was the case in this novel. (Austin was on scene during 9/11 and Mercy counseled 9/11 survivors; both carry emotional scars from it.)
The premise also attracted me - two people who already share something in their past reconnecting after a number of years. (Two of my novels have variations of this theme.)
The storyline was good, but not as compelling as I had expected. I found myself wishing for less back-and-forth banter dialogue, keeping the story tighter and moving a bit faster. I would have liked more detailed descriptions of the dramatic things (like a beating and subsequent recovery) and how that affected the characters. I guess you could say I wanted *drama*, but what I got was *introspection*.
The handling of the Christian theme was good, in my opinion. Not overdone, not preachy...it felt like real-world people. The secondary characters were also well done, giving the right amount of interaction to the main characters while not becoming too stereotypical.
I have mixed feelings about the ending. In one way, it was unexpected so it’s memorable. (I don’t care for the “typical” romance formulas; I like more “meat” in my books, but I also like a happy ending when I’m reading for escape.) I can’t help feeling that it was rushed after all the agonizing on the part of the characters throughout the book. It felt like the author needed to wrap up the book quickly, or wanted to get you to buy the next in the series.
Like other reviewers, I was surprised how many typos and grammatical errors I encountered. Simple things like placing an “Austin said” at the end of a quote would have minimized confusion about who was speaking (which happened with regularity), which inevitably interrupted the flow of the story.
Primarily because of the disappointing ending and poor grammar, I’d have to bump this book to a rating of 3.5.
March 8, 2013
It's really hard for me to find something good to say about this book. It jumps forward in time, yet nothing happens. The beginning was good, but then it goes nowhere. Austin seems to grow and develop as a character, but most of that is done during the period of time the readers are not privy to. He is a great hero; flawed, but redeemed/redeemable and working hard to make something of his life. Mercy, on the other hand, doesn't grow or make any changes. And then for this book to be classified as a "romance"? DO NOT BUY if you like romances, because it is NOT. The last 20% of the novel is disappointing and confusing. If it had ended well, this review would be aLOT better, but I felt cheated- I invested my time in reading this book, and it ends terribly. And for a Christian Romance, it doesn't live up to expectations, either. In the book, Austin even admits that while he laments the fact that Mercy doesn't believe in God, he hasn't been a good example of a Christian, therefore not being a witness to Mercy. All she sees is him praying before a meal. And they are basically dating, though neither one refuses to admit it. And in the end, the readers don't even get the pivotal/climactic scene between Austin and Mercy, it is told to us after the fact, some months in the future. It was a very detached writing style. I just didn't think this was a good Christian novel (& I like Christian novels!!), let alone a romance novel. It's not that I think all books have to end with a "Happily Ever After", but this ending is typical of the romance genre, and expected by many. If I wanted to read a sad book, that left me depressed at the end, with no hope for the future, then I would read a different genre!! I will not read another book by this author (and based on other reviews from the second book in this series, it doesn't end much better than this one). I am just so glad I was able to download this for free, otherwise, I would be demanding a refund.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2012
Hmmmm! I really struggled with this rating. I settled on a 3-star because this book was really not what I expected and I didn’t “love it”. Even after reading the word “romance,” I still expected this to be more about the characters struggles with moving on after their 9/11 experiences and less about the romance.
However, the author did a great job illustrating how the choices we make following our experiences either strengthen or weaken our beliefs. One of the characters actually deserves a 5-star rating for sticking to his/her beliefs. So many times when reading, characters cave in for the sake of the story. The author did a great job of not letting the story hijack the moral fortitude of the individual.
However, the author did a great job illustrating how the choices we make following our experiences either strengthen or weaken our beliefs. One of the characters actually deserves a 5-star rating for sticking to his/her beliefs. So many times when reading, characters cave in for the sake of the story. The author did a great job of not letting the story hijack the moral fortitude of the individual.
January 16, 2012
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It's definitely one that stuck with me, I had a difficult time putting it down. However, there were a couple of things that I didn't like. The ending was very abrupt. I felt like it needed more. I also didn't like how it seemed to jump forward in time, skipping over things. That said, I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I felt that the author was adept at getting the reader to care about the people in the book. I know I did! I look forward to reading more from this author!
November 5, 2011
I really did love this story and the author kept you interested in the all of the characters lives throughout. With a personal attachment to what happened on 9/11 in NYC I was really rooting for the two main characters - Dr. Mercy Samara, a psychiatrist, and Austin Finley, a NYPD officer. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I didn't like the abrupt ending.
November 30, 2011
Such a very good book. The characters are so really you might think you know them. Austin was a NY police officer on 9-11 who lost his twin in the towers. Mercy was a physicitris hired by the city of NY to help first responders deal with PTSD. They meet again in Baltamore 9 years later and become more then friends, but their past trama's haunt them. The ending was a very big suppirse.
September 5, 2011
I finished today!! What a awesome book! The characters are so life like you feel like you are part of the story! Loree is a master storyteller! You will not want to put it down! I was hooked from the first sentence!
Happy Reading!!
Happy Reading!!
May 8, 2012
Loved the book but, did not like how it ended.
August 23, 2018
Austin is a NYC cop when the Twin Towers were hit on 9/11. He ignores phone calls from his brother, who worked there, as he and his partner respond to the call. Afterward, he is forced into counseling after repeated brutality and intoxication complaints. His therapist, Mercy, does what she can to help but has to recommend permanent desk duty. Years later, they meet again in Baltimore where he serves as a paramedic and she as a high school guidance counselor. As they get to know each other personally, they discover how much they have in common. And how much they are different.
Some people label this as Christian fiction. I would argue that label. Austin considers himself a Christian and a man of faith, a faith that he chose and has leaned on to get him through the years of overcoming alcoholism and PTSD. However, nothing in this novel describes what it means to be a Christian or can be construed as proselytizing. Austin's "Christian" friends encourage him to hold on tight to Mercy, even while knowing she rejects Austin's beliefs. At one point, Mercy spews all the reasons she doesn't believe in God (more on that later), including the 9/11 attacks. Austin's response is that God didn't "allow" that to happen. Without delving too far into theology, that is blatantly wrong. Christian beliefs say that God is omnipotent. While God didn't cause 9/11 to happen, to say He didn't allow it is to say that some things are outside of His control, a direct contradiction with the concept of omnipotence and omniscience.
Mercy describes herself as someone who doesn't believe in God. However, that is not how this story reads. I'm not sure whether this was how the author sees it or if this is based on research and conversations with people who make a similar claim. Mercy has not intellectually rejected the idea of God (can't see Him, can't touch Him, etc). She has a raging fury against Him, believing He has taken away everything and everyone she has cared about. There is a vast difference between believing there is no God and rejecting God because you hate Him. Mercy is willing to blame God when a friend is discovered to have stage 4 cancer but suggests coincidence or a wrong diagnosis when the friend inexplicably goes into remission, even after witnessing the rapid deterioration of health between the tests and the healing.
Mercy and Austin have both suffered great pain and loss. But where Austin chose to cling to God, Mercy has rejected Him. The central question of this novel is - can a person of faith develop an intimate relationship with a person who despises the object of his faith?
It's an excellent question and one worth exploring. The execution of that is uneven here. Most of the questioning is done "off-screen". Austin thinks about going home and getting his thoughts together or praying over it, but we never see him actually do it. After Mercy's rage at God bubbles over, she questions whether they can be together, but they don't have a conversation about it. There is a lot of action, love and care. The relationship is developed nicely. Mercy is a good person. She loves deeply, laughs often, helps everyone she is around, including the high school kids she is responsible for. There is no demonization of her here. She is simply deeply wounded and refuses to believe that a God who let bad things happen is worth her time.
We see life throughout the book from the POV of Austin or Mercy, except for one brief glimpse from Griff. That's like waving a huge sign saying, "SOMETHING BAD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN". Also, the Kindle version I read was poorly edited, sometimes to the point that I was unsure of what was being said.
As to the ending, it's the only way it could have ended. However, I would have liked it to be a little less abrupt. Again, more showing would have been nice, especially of the conversation (even a part of it) that led to the ending. A sense of where life was going to lead them would have been appreciated as well.
Overall, an interesting story and very readable, but just not executed as well as it could have been.
Some people label this as Christian fiction. I would argue that label. Austin considers himself a Christian and a man of faith, a faith that he chose and has leaned on to get him through the years of overcoming alcoholism and PTSD. However, nothing in this novel describes what it means to be a Christian or can be construed as proselytizing. Austin's "Christian" friends encourage him to hold on tight to Mercy, even while knowing she rejects Austin's beliefs. At one point, Mercy spews all the reasons she doesn't believe in God (more on that later), including the 9/11 attacks. Austin's response is that God didn't "allow" that to happen. Without delving too far into theology, that is blatantly wrong. Christian beliefs say that God is omnipotent. While God didn't cause 9/11 to happen, to say He didn't allow it is to say that some things are outside of His control, a direct contradiction with the concept of omnipotence and omniscience.
Mercy describes herself as someone who doesn't believe in God. However, that is not how this story reads. I'm not sure whether this was how the author sees it or if this is based on research and conversations with people who make a similar claim. Mercy has not intellectually rejected the idea of God (can't see Him, can't touch Him, etc). She has a raging fury against Him, believing He has taken away everything and everyone she has cared about. There is a vast difference between believing there is no God and rejecting God because you hate Him. Mercy is willing to blame God when a friend is discovered to have stage 4 cancer but suggests coincidence or a wrong diagnosis when the friend inexplicably goes into remission, even after witnessing the rapid deterioration of health between the tests and the healing.
Mercy and Austin have both suffered great pain and loss. But where Austin chose to cling to God, Mercy has rejected Him. The central question of this novel is - can a person of faith develop an intimate relationship with a person who despises the object of his faith?
It's an excellent question and one worth exploring. The execution of that is uneven here. Most of the questioning is done "off-screen". Austin thinks about going home and getting his thoughts together or praying over it, but we never see him actually do it. After Mercy's rage at God bubbles over, she questions whether they can be together, but they don't have a conversation about it. There is a lot of action, love and care. The relationship is developed nicely. Mercy is a good person. She loves deeply, laughs often, helps everyone she is around, including the high school kids she is responsible for. There is no demonization of her here. She is simply deeply wounded and refuses to believe that a God who let bad things happen is worth her time.
We see life throughout the book from the POV of Austin or Mercy, except for one brief glimpse from Griff. That's like waving a huge sign saying, "SOMETHING BAD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN". Also, the Kindle version I read was poorly edited, sometimes to the point that I was unsure of what was being said.
As to the ending, it's the only way it could have ended. However, I would have liked it to be a little less abrupt. Again, more showing would have been nice, especially of the conversation (even a part of it) that led to the ending. A sense of where life was going to lead them would have been appreciated as well.
Overall, an interesting story and very readable, but just not executed as well as it could have been.
May 4, 2019
Losing a twin brother in the Trade Center, and unable to cope, brought him to the counselor Mercy. His anger was an issue and she didn’t recommend him returning to his job. Turning to buying a dump of a boat and fixing it up, and becoming an EMT, was a lot less stress for him.
Three years later a boy injured on the football fields he meets her again. She too changed jobs and became a counselor at the high school. He is a Christian while she isn’t and yet he wants to pursue her, which didn’t quite fit in the story, Did enjoyed half of the book then I got lost with the relationship between them. Overall her books are good.
Three years later a boy injured on the football fields he meets her again. She too changed jobs and became a counselor at the high school. He is a Christian while she isn’t and yet he wants to pursue her, which didn’t quite fit in the story, Did enjoyed half of the book then I got lost with the relationship between them. Overall her books are good.
April 9, 2021
Had such great potential then the further you got into the book the more it turned into a cheesy romance movie complete with fight over the man, the elder couple subbing for grandparents. The "accident" where the realize they love each other. GASP* plot twist the cat dies and thats what make Austin realizes he loves Mercy and can almost imagine spending his life with her. I do appreciate his stance on being un equally yolked. Although the ending leaves you hanging as you don't know if they married or broke-up.
August 6, 2017
First book in First Responders series. First time reading this author, at times I thought same old cliche but not. Ending quite a shock. Will read her again
January 1, 2022
Riveting but incomplete
I really, really enjoyed this book until I got to the end. Sometimes I stayed up late reading it. But the ending was too abrupt. That’s why it gets 3 stars
I really, really enjoyed this book until I got to the end. Sometimes I stayed up late reading it. But the ending was too abrupt. That’s why it gets 3 stars
January 11, 2023
e ending was very disappointing. It ended very abruptly.
June 16, 2024
DNF at 60% it's just not keeping me engaged. I like the story, but it's dragging.
August 27, 2024
Excellent Read!!
March 14, 2025
Very good story of survivors and friends. Loved Mercy and Austin relationship.
August 13, 2025
Wonderful story about the after affects of 911.
March 18, 2017
I great description of how the events of 9/11 affected all our lives and especially those of the first responders. I loved most of this book. How the author chose to end the book has left me confused on how to rate the book. The unresolved feeling at the end conflicts with the rest of the story that is well written.
March 13, 2017
First responders rembered
This is a great reminder of what first responders went through after 9/11. Recommend to any one, but be prepared for harsh memories.
This is a great reminder of what first responders went through after 9/11. Recommend to any one, but be prepared for harsh memories.
December 30, 2021
Loved it so much ordered the whole set on Amazon.
April 5, 2013
One way I determine if I liked a book is if I want to research the author to see if s/he has written anything else. I felt this way about this book. I immediately searched my Kindle app to see if I'd downloaded other books in this series - and I had! Yaay, me! I have tenuous ties to NYC, but had long moved away before that fateful day in September, 2001. I was blessed and did not lose any close friends, family members, classmates or acquaintances on that day, but have had up-close experience with someone who was a first responder, as the hero in this story was. I never really thought about how that day impacted the grief counselors who were there to help, serve and comfort the first responders afterwards. This book delves into that complex relationship. The book's hero, Austin, was a fireman on that day and after losing his twin brother in the towers, he is ordered to mandatory counseling with our heroine, Mercy Samara. After their mandatory sessions, her recommendation is that he be assigned to desk duty. Rather than do that, Austin resigns and disappears from the life he knew in NYC. Unbeknownst to him, Mercy is also dealing with some issues that haunt her as well following the events of September 11th, and she escapes NYC also. Seven years later, a random event at the high school where Mercy is now a school counselor makes their paths cross again and now they have a chance to explore what their lives are like post-9/11. It is a nice love story, but the ending will surprise you - well, it surprised me.
February 16, 2013
It is a very touching and honest story that gets you really rooting for Austin. And I have to say, with one unexpected event, the book turned out like I'd secretly hoped it would. Given Mercy's amount of stubborn willfulness to hide from everything negative in her life and "deal" with it by automatically blaming God, things could not have altered realistically in such a short amount of time. Austin was too dedicated to God, and Mercy too full of anger at God for it to work between them.
It is probably my exposure to French films and contrasting the French extreme of ending films supremely depressing and the American need for everything to end "happily ever after." I found this book to be a refreshing change in that not everyone gets the wrapped-up totally happy-ever-after. The question of their relationship and future is resolved and it leaves a nice open ending where Austin's future relationally is left open for possibilities. But it focuses on wrapping up some of his struggles and left me with a feeling that whatever would happen in his future, he was grounded and would be okay. (I know it's only a story, I just get very into my characters and books.)
I most definitely plan on reading the next book in the series!
It is probably my exposure to French films and contrasting the French extreme of ending films supremely depressing and the American need for everything to end "happily ever after." I found this book to be a refreshing change in that not everyone gets the wrapped-up totally happy-ever-after. The question of their relationship and future is resolved and it leaves a nice open ending where Austin's future relationally is left open for possibilities. But it focuses on wrapping up some of his struggles and left me with a feeling that whatever would happen in his future, he was grounded and would be okay. (I know it's only a story, I just get very into my characters and books.)
I most definitely plan on reading the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2015
I waited a day to post my review of this, while I read a bit in one of the author's other works: Love Finds You in Folly Beach, South Carolina, because I felt that my dislike of this book was a fluke. Sadly, this is not the case.
I felt that it was totally implausible for the two main characters to fall in love, because of Austin's intense hatred for anyone he deemed associated with the 9/11 attacks. I, therefore, also didn't buy the ending where they wind up together, due to a hasty acceptance of Austin's religion. Mercy seemed too cold, too detached to form any sort of meaningful bond with Austin in 5 weeks, and yet they fall in love so quickly and easily? Too far fetched for me.
The story was slow moving, in part I think in deference to the subject matter, but it wound up moving too slowly for me to truly enjoy the book. I grabbed this for free on my Kindle a long time ago, and I think after I finish the author's Love Finds You book, I will avoid her work in the future.
I felt that it was totally implausible for the two main characters to fall in love, because of Austin's intense hatred for anyone he deemed associated with the 9/11 attacks. I, therefore, also didn't buy the ending where they wind up together, due to a hasty acceptance of Austin's religion. Mercy seemed too cold, too detached to form any sort of meaningful bond with Austin in 5 weeks, and yet they fall in love so quickly and easily? Too far fetched for me.
The story was slow moving, in part I think in deference to the subject matter, but it wound up moving too slowly for me to truly enjoy the book. I grabbed this for free on my Kindle a long time ago, and I think after I finish the author's Love Finds You book, I will avoid her work in the future.
February 18, 2013
If he had only answered that last phone call from the World Trade Center . . .
Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, New York police officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother, who’d been bugging him for days. Trying to live with his one regret causes hatred and bitterness to consume Austin, and when counselor Mercy Samara recommends desk duty, Austin resigns. Haunted by her own memories of 9/11, Mercy takes a job as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Austin, now an EMT, responds to an emergency at Mercy’s school, both are stunned and wary.
I really enjoyed this book, and had it all figured out in my head and then when the book was over, I was stunned and maybe even a little disappointed but that's just because it wasn't the typical romance novel ending and seemed rather abrupt.
But it is a good read. There is a conflict of faith, romance, as well as the fact that the main character is dealing with surviving the 9-11 attacks.
Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history, New York police officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother, who’d been bugging him for days. Trying to live with his one regret causes hatred and bitterness to consume Austin, and when counselor Mercy Samara recommends desk duty, Austin resigns. Haunted by her own memories of 9/11, Mercy takes a job as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Austin, now an EMT, responds to an emergency at Mercy’s school, both are stunned and wary.
I really enjoyed this book, and had it all figured out in my head and then when the book was over, I was stunned and maybe even a little disappointed but that's just because it wasn't the typical romance novel ending and seemed rather abrupt.
But it is a good read. There is a conflict of faith, romance, as well as the fact that the main character is dealing with surviving the 9-11 attacks.
February 7, 2014
From Ashes to Honor is a story of endurance and of rising from the ruins. Loree Lough delivers characters that are both flawed and loveable. The reader can easily relate with them. She tackles the gritty and age-old quandary of mixed-faith relationships. Lough’s thought-provoking novel forces the reader to examine his/her own priorities and commitments, both to God and others.
The shocking end met me with an astounding sucker punch, happily deflating my pre-conceived notions of the story. I can’t imagine any other ending that could have afforded more strength to the novel. I recommend the first book in the First Responders Series to anyone ready for a story about tackling a not-so-perfect world head on, and realizing that with faith we indeed have what it takes to rise From Ashes to Honor.
Review copy provided by publisher.
The shocking end met me with an astounding sucker punch, happily deflating my pre-conceived notions of the story. I can’t imagine any other ending that could have afforded more strength to the novel. I recommend the first book in the First Responders Series to anyone ready for a story about tackling a not-so-perfect world head on, and realizing that with faith we indeed have what it takes to rise From Ashes to Honor.
Review copy provided by publisher.
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