Mercy's Song

Mercy #2

by Sarah Hanks

Natassa has settled into a "new normal" three years after the assault that changed her life. Marriage, family, and a new career have brought changes that she never thought were possible, and love like she'd never known before. But any semblance of peace shatters when a new development occurs in her case. Flooded with emotion she thought she'd long put to rest, Natassa must navigate strained relationships. Will she find the truth that can set her free?

DeAndre returns to Crawford County after dropping out of art school and finds an opportunity for romance. His past continues to haunt him, even as he and his new love seek to piece the broken shards of their lives together. Soon, a shocking discovery sends DeAndre reeling and forces him to choose between the woman he loves and his integrity. Will he end up losing everything or can he cling to hope despite it all?

In the 1840s, Mercy labors next to her mother in the rice fields and discovers a spark of affection growing between herself and Jonah, another slave. But Mama's health begins to fail, and the missus makes an announcement that will alter their lives forever. Will Mercy's plan to save them succeed? Or will they lose everything, including each other?

Mercy's Song is the second book in the Mercy Series after Mercy Will Follow Me.

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2021

About the author

Sarah Hanks is a multi-award-winning author of split-time Christian fiction. Her background in teaching and children’s ministry prepared her for exercising her creativity as a writer, now her full -time job. She and her husband have ten children, a couple of whom seem to have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family lives jammed together in beautiful chaos near St. Louis, Missouri. She buys earplugs in bulk.
You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram @authorsarahhanks. Check out the freebie page of her website at www.sarah-hanks.com.

Reviews

[Deena Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I applaud this author for tackling the hard subjects of rape, racism, slavery, and the importance of forgiveness even when it seems impossible. Hanks doesn't hold back when it comes to using authentic dialogue, which may be offensive to some in today's culture.

I especially like the chapters that take us back to the historical timeline through Mercy's journals and letters.

This is the second in a series and I recommend reading book one first to understand this one. If you enjoy stories that deal with real issues with a strong faith thread, you'll want to give this one a try.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book of the series was amazing! I felt connected to the characters, I was pulled into their lives and rode the emotional waves with them until the very end. I was sorry to finish the last page and greatly look forward to book three! Sarah Hanks is a gifted story teller and her future as a celebrated author shines bright!

[Pamela Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of forgiveness and redemption, Mercy’s Song interweaves a modern narrative with letters from a nineteenth century slave. DeAndre, Natassa, and Mercy’s trials and triumphs fit together to form a captivating, inspiring read. Update: I added a star because the story is so memorable.

[Cassidy Cooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a punch to the gut, but to me, it was a good thing. Having a well-written Christian book that not only shows the protagonists' flaws, but the consequences AND the journey to redemption, is so important. Life isn't sunshine-&-roses, & we saw that in the first book. This story takes us through the consequences and the redemption, and the journey thru it all.
There's nothing "Christianese" about these books. It's hard-hitting reality with well-thought journeys and growth in faith. Nothing is "instant:" nothing seems fake or overtly naiive. You find yourself rooting for the "bad guy" & even checking your own biases in the story.
Once again, Sarah switches back-&-forth between past-&-present, drawing you in and making you wonder what's next? How will these becoming-beloved characters grow past trauma and grow with each other and in faith? And without being cliche, Sarah shows us all the joy, pain, and progress in their journeys. I'm excited to see what's next for everyone, & you will be, too, in the subsequent books.

[Brandie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah didn’t disappoint with this seamless transition into the lives of characters I now call family! You can’t help but love them unconditionally in all their raw imperfect humanness. This is real and authentic and it’s hard sometimes to remember this is fiction. Throughout the journey one can’t help but take a good look at themselves and the ways we can be driven by emotions, biases, and wounds. Sarah exposes all the ugly sides of our humanity while continuing to draw us into forgiveness and surrender for our own personal stories through this excellently crafted, continued storyline. I felt right back at home feeling every heartache and struggle with every turn of the page. I cried and laughed and cried again knowing I have to wait patiently for the next one when I just wanted to keep going with them all into the next season of this beautiful series. When some sequels fizzle out, this series is just getting started!!

[JANET KONTZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not quite finished with this book (the second one in the series) but I am really enjoying it! It continues where the first book left off (except it's 3 years later) and has the same interesting characters, as well as a couple new one's. Each character in this story is very interesting and I like them all! This book also continues with "Old Mercy," the diary and letters of a relative of Bethany's who was a slave. Some of her story is hard to read and think about. It brings to life what a slave went through and it just hits so hard to realize that this really happened in this country's history (and not so long ago!) I find it comforting to think, though, that God can come into such a horrible life and make it not only bearable, but meaningful and even beautiful.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, hard, challenging, thought provoking book. Sarah creates characters that are so real, often frustratingly so, who deal with immense struggles in life as they attempt to navigate faith and hope in the face of tragedy. I won’t say this was a fun book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and was immersed in the story and in my desires for the outcome from the very beginning. While there were countless times I wanted to shout against the injustice abs the inhumanity of the situations these people, like real people, had to suffer, hope still found ways to emerge, even in the darkest nights of the soul.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rebecca Trump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy’s Song, book 2 in Sarah Hank’s series, was just as impressive as Book 1, Mercy Will Follow Me. As you continue in the story with the main characters, you are able to go deeper in Natassa and DeAndre’s spiritual struggles and emotional pain, as well as their victories as God brings them through those trials. And you continue in Mercy’s journal as to her struggles of long ago. The way Sarah marries the historical tale to the contemporary story is amazing, as you find yourself lost in the telling. Looking forward to Book 3!!

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[Melissa Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever done something you regretted doing? Even after receiving forgiveness from the person you hurt, did you struggle to forgive yourself? This book is a story of love, redemption, and forgiveness. You will be drawn into the story from the very first chapter I know I was! This is not only a good story, but it's also a book that will make you think. The way the lives of the main and supporting characters are woven together paints a beautiful picture of love and loss, of hurt and forgiveness. This is a great book to add to your reading list! I highly reccomend it!

[Melissa Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah has done it again with book #2 in this series! Forgiveness, mercy, love, loss, and redemption are so beautifully woven throughout the story. I couldn't put it down. Sarah is an expert at character development I really felt like I knew these characters. I felt sadness at their losses, joy when they overcame adversity, and pride in seeing them grow and mature. This book is not only an engaging story, but it makes the reader think, I like that in a book. I feel like I've learned something about myself through this story.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the stories of these characters continue to unfold, it’s easy to become part of their story as our own. Struggles with race, regret, and how they are used by the LORD for His refinement of us. I was pleasantly surprised by the first book, totally anticipating it would be a cheesy Christian book, and it wasn’t. Neither is Mercy’s Song. It reads like real life, real people and real issues. The beautiful thing is that we also see God’s real heart. Love the series and can’t wait to read more by this author.

[Sue Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I was a little concerned that we got dragged into the Black Lives Matter scam. I was relieved that the author didn't stay with that too long. My favorite part of the book has been the Mercy diary and letters. Are they really finished? They are incentive to listen to the next book.
I listened to the book on Audible and the narration for DeAndre and Janelle sounded like 4th graders reading. So that didn't help. Definitely not as good as the first book.

[Tammy Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE to be surprised, and Mercy's Song did just that!!

I really enjoyed the first book (Mercy Will Follow Me) so I was looking forward to the sequel. Let me say, I was NOT disappointed. I love the characters and the powerful story lines. The author does such a good job at challenging your way of thinking. I especially loved the twists and turns in this 2nd book.

I can't wait for book #3!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three years have passed for the characters since the first book, and they face the consequences of their own actions, what was done to them and what the Lord is doing in their lives. All my favorite characters from book one are there, and more come into the picture. There are more surprises, more plot twists, more beauty, more pain, more growth and resilience. It's another beautiful, poignant, thoughtful page-turner from this author. I loved it.

[SatisfiedReader2007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, Mercy's Song is still a captivating and amazing read. This book is very emotional, and has a beautiful message of redemption and forgiveness. It has a story that pulls you in from the first chapter and keeps you captivated until the very end. The modern day and historical stories are intertwined in a great way, and switching between the two is always effortless. Sarah Hanks is an amazing author and I can't wait for the installment in her series.

[Brittany Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah has done it again! This book is an easy read of uneasy topics. I love the continuation of redemption in both modern and historical timelines. The characters are real yet surprising, raw yet fascinating. I have almost read through this book twice now, and I'm sure I'll come back to it again. If you love Christian Fiction, you will love the Mercy Series!

[Jamie Ogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Hanks takes readers on a powerful journey of redemption, forgiveness, and love in action through the thought-provoking and heart-wrenching stories of contemporary and historical characters. The timelines are woven together beautifully and I could not read it fast enough. This is a story that will stay with you long after you close the book.

[Rene Burress · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was so hard to put down. It picks up a few years after book one ends. We get to check in on all our favorite characters. For a fiction book, I learned a lot of real life things! Hanks has blown me away again with her amazing stories!

[Janell Harris]

Sarah has done it again with the continuing saga of Natassa and DeAndre! Now that DeAndre has faced up to what he did, what happens next will surprise you. Exciting and unpredictable, Sarah takes you on the twists and turns of a road impossible to navigate without God.

[Tara Geller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story of redemption, forgiveness and Hope! One of my favorite series where I can Feel God nudging and speaking through the characters. Loved it 💕

[Tarah Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story and the ties to characters are impactful and lovely!

[KL H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercy's Song is a great story on the power of love. This is a must read. The whole series is fantastic.

[Kelly Strenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal book about forgiveness. Full of wisdom and of course...mercy.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing story in two time lines. Both filled with heart ache, forgiveness and strength through faith.

[Angie Stumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

MERCY’S SONG continues the beautifully crafted story of the tragic intersection of Natassa and DeAndre’s life. Sarah Hanks has crafted the second book in a series that compassionately weaves together a story of the roots of racial inequity with the hard work of reaching toward each other—in spite of our differences, excuses, and justifications.
MERCY’S SONG highlights the struggle we all face, the balance of forgiveness with justice. Can the unforgivable be forgiven? Can justice prevail where mercy is needed? Or does mercy render justice impotent?
A beautiful addition to the continuing story of Mercy Will Follow Me, MERCY’S SONG gives us a glimpse of what can happen when flawed people choose to move toward each other even when needless tragedy takes us places we never wanted to go.
Sarah is a gifted storyteller and in MERCY’S SONG, she shares her gift with us.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Almost no words this book is AMAZING!! With every thing going on in our country with racial tensions and divide this book is a “this is so timely message”. Healing hearts bringing friends and family together and bringing hope and encouragement to people. This book is a great story of love and coming together during difficult circumstances.