Blessed Assurance: Whispers of Love/Lost in His Love/Echoes of Mercy

Blessed Assurance #1-3

by Lyn Cote

In Whispers of Love, Civil War widow Jessie Wagstaff must fend for herself and her son. When a stranger, Lee Smith, befriends Jessie's son, even though she recognizes nine-year-old Linc's need for a father figure, she's reluctant to let a new man into their life. When the Great Chicago Fire blazes, every heart is pushed to its limits. In Lost In His Love , Jessie's son Linc, a social activist and reporter, charms his way through the upper class of San Francisco to build much-needed support for his fight against child labor. His main target is Cecilia Jackson, a beautiful heiress who doesn't recognize the crucial part she plays in this dangerous exploitation. As the secrets of her family's dark past are exposed, Cecilia must revive her own wounded spirit and find the strength to lean on the never-failing love of Christ. But when the 1906 earthquake hits, everyone's faith will be put to the test. In Echoes of Mercy , Meg Wagstaff challenges the racial barriers of 1920s New Orleans in order to prove that her childhood friend did not commit murder. The stubborn lawyer prosecuting the case, Gabriel St. Clair, is an authentic Southern gentleman who makes the mistake of underestimating Meg, both her tenacity and her charm. Despite their many differences, sparks begin to fly. But when Meg discovers the truth, will Gabe be able to protect her from those who can't afford to have justice prevail?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am caught at an impasse with this book. On the one hand, I always enjoy stories told from multiple perspectives and the fact that the book is divided into 3 parts, linked through the narration of three successive generations. My primary issue was the overarching similarity between the stories, same general love story and told the same way. The historical details centered around the tragedies of the Chicago Fire, San Francisco Earthquake, and Prohibition are great, but the thought process, down the to intoned thoughts themselves are virtually identical. The commonality of racial relations throughout the East, West, and South, spanning 100 years is saddening and provoking. I am not a fan of the characters reliance in God to decide the outcome, but in this case, it works as the characters also take initiative to make events happen versus happen to them.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of 3 historical novels. I absolutely loved the first novel and had great expectations for the 2nd... but was slightly disappointed that it followed almost exactly the same plot as the first. However, the series made up for that with the character of Meg Wagstaff in the final novel. She may be my favorite herioine ever! I give 5 stars to the 1st and 3rd novels, and 4 to the 2nd.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Historical books and this is one of those with a Christian values. It is a three story book of a mother , her son and his daughter. I can hardly wait to read the whole book! The book is set in the middle 1800's to the 1920's.

[Linda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three novels in this series...was great having all 3 in one book. Transported me back in time from the late 1800's through 1920. Acceptance acheived through faith, love and forgiveness.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the three stories that connected the family. It was a little simple and sometimes transparent, yet the side story of faith was refreshing.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blessed Assurance is actually three novels in one, covering three generations of a family who spent their lives standing up for the rights of others. "Whispers of Love" deals with how blacks were treated after the end of the Civil War and the horror of the Great Chicago Fire. "Lost in His Love" deals with child labor in San Francisco's canneries, and the horrific 1906 San Francisco earthquake. "Echoes of Mercy" deals with Prohibition, better known as the "Grand Experiment, and the corruption and crime related to it's passing. Filled with moments when only God could have been at work for people to survive, it was a wonderful read.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

Although I favored some of the stories more than others (although loved them all, I assure you), I immediately fell in love with the Wagstaffs and their stories as well as the wonderful way Lyn Cote brings historical society and events to life. I highly recommend reading this lovely collection and getting to know Leland, Jessie, Susan, Del, Megan, Linc, Cecy, & the St. Clair family for yourself.

[Christin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed these books! Sometimes the stories got a little fantastical but hey, it kept the pages turning. I will look for more Lyn Cote books in the future.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is three long novellas that follow three generations. Each takes place during a significant historical event - the Chicago fire of 1871, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, and the racial unrest in New Orleans in the 1920s.

They were fine. The romances felt lacking and, in all three cases, seemed to hinge more on physical desire with a veneer of "God" and prayer layered over it. The "big secret" in the first novel was way overhyped and the reveal fell very flat. The second was probably my favorite of the three, with the way the characters and their relationship developed. The third was my least favorite with Gabe spouting some truly horrific sexist and racist ideology that is honestly, never really addressed except that Meg's spunk supposedly changes him, I guess?

Very mixed feelings about the set as a whole. I did enjoy the historical aspects of all three novels and hadn't considered how closely following the Civil War the Chicago fire was.

[Denise]

Disappointed book

I cannot believe this is her book. The first story was excellent, but it went down hill. The last story had more mystery to it. At least in the second story it ended on the 23rd Ps. But why did she take Jessie out from the first story? Her 3 Amish books was so good. This is a reminder that do not go On the author name. One more thing,she really went into the Great Chicago Fire but really didn't go into the
earthquake,why? I think she got tired on the last story

[Cheryl Neer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning in the era of the Great Chicago Fire, continuing in the San Francisco Earthquake and concluding with the racial tensions of New Orleans in 1920, this family saga trilogy was definitely worth a reread.