Love Mercy

Love Mercy Johnson #1

by Earlene Fowler

National bestselling author of the Benni Harper mysteries

Widow Love Mercy Johnson still listens for her husband's comforting laugh, but with her friend's help, she's trying to move on. Then her 18-year-old estranged granddaughter shows up, forcing them both to confront old resentments. And when disaster strikes, they must discover if they can change their lives-and the lives of those they love-for the better.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Audiobook, Novels, Inspirational, Cozy Mystery

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Earlene Fowler was raised in La Puente, California, by a Southern mother and a Western father. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Allen, a purple pickup truck, and many pairs of cowboy boots. She is currently working on the next Benni Harper mystery.

Series:
* Benni Harper Mysteries
* Love Mercy Johnson Mystery

Reviews

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not want to like this book! I was very annoyed that my favortie characters from the Benni Harper mysteries would only be mentioned in passing and an entirely new set of characters would be introduced!..As it turns out, I loved the story! Looks like this will be a fun new series for Earlene Fowler!

"After being widowed, Love Mercy Johnson has come to terms with her life in Morro Bay, California. She spends her time writing columns for a regional magazine, helping her in-laws work their ranch, and trying to move on. But her dreams of reconciliation with her long-estranged grandchildren come true when her eighteen-year- old brokenhearted granddaughter, Rett, unexpectedly shows up. Together they struggle to co-exist while confronting old resentments and painful memories. When a family crisis forges an unexpected connection between the two grieving women, they must discover if by working together, they can change their lives, and the lives of those they love, for the better."

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is written by the author of one of my favorite cozy series, (Benni Harper series) it is a stand alone novel. Benni and family play a bit part in this story. The main character is Love Mercy Johnson, a widow living near Benni’s grandmother Dove. Without notice, her 18 year old granddaughter shows up, having hitchhiked from her home in the South. She came not for her grandmother, but because she was broke and had nowhere else to go. Certainly there was a clash of cultures, but Love tried to make it work without loosing her values or her granddaughter. On another front, a wonderful elderly couple was trying to stay on their beloved ranch…. But the husband was sinking deeper into dementia. Was there any way to help them stay on the ranch? …. It was a good story about doing right and helping others…. And understanding our neighbors.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Fowler's stories that take place in an area familiar to me. The inclusion of familiar characters from the Benni Harper series feels like "old home week" to me. These new characters are endearing, too.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. I am an easy reviewer. If I like the book and it is a nice story with a nice mix of some happy and some drama, I am okay with that. This was exactly that. When I finished this on audio, I felt good. That is my reasoning. I like simple nice mild stress, angst, maybe sadness, but nothing that has me sobbing at the end. During this quarantine time, I need simple, basic, nice stories. And TaDa...this fit me very well. And I love listening to Johanna Parker’s voice.

[annapi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Mercy Johnson has been through a lot of heartache. Widowed for a year since her husband succumbed to cancer, still mourning the untimely loss of her son, and estranged from her granddaughters by a selfish daughter-in-law, she has managed to be content in the town of Morro Bay in central California. One day her middle granddaughter Rett comes into town, obviously running away from something, and though Love is thrilled to have a chance to know her she is uncertain how to deal with a moody 18-year-old. And her best friend Melina is troubled by a hidden past that suddenly threatens to destroy the peace she has found in this town.

It was a sweet little story with interesting characters, but although I was interested in finding out what happened I really couldn't connect with them. Fowler's writing style was a little disjointed, with an irritating gimmick of switching to a character's memories of the past to add a little suspense when a revelation is about to come. Character development was ok, and overall it was a pleasant read but not very substantial.

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart-warming story that spans generations who do not know each other due to things said and unsaid at an emotional time for everyone. Love Mercy is recently widowed and her 18 year old grand daughter she has not seen in 14 years drops in without announcement and with a stolen item that is immediately followed by the owner. This isn't a mystery, more of a journey of young understanding old and old understanding young, showing patience, kindness and love that heals all wounds.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a family drama instead of the mystery that we have come to expect from Earlene Fowler. Fans of the Benni Harper mysteries will enjoy the cameos made by some of the main characters of that series. Fans of Ford Hudson will be pleasantly surprised by his role in this new novel.

[Susie Novoselec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book as a Christmas gift and let it sit for a good 6 months.
Once I began reading it, i found i just couldn't get into it. However, after a couple of chapters I became addicted! By the end of the book i was in tears. A really good, casual read.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't so sure about this book but I picked it up because I loved the Bennie Harper mystery series by the author. The book also takes place in California ranch country and some of the characters from the B.H. series appear. Love Mercy is a recent widow running the diner she shares with her friend, Magnolia, when her estranged 18 year old granddaughter shows up. Will this be a family reunion or a disaster? I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Good characters and a good story and I hope Ms. Harper writes more Love Mercy books.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

How disappointed to finish this book and look forward to the next book in the series (according the author’s note at the beginning of the book) and find there are no additional books. I enjoyed the book and even shed tears when listening to the words of the final chapter. I don’t know what befell Ms. Fowler, or what caused her to cease this series and stop writing altogether after her next two books, but her writing will be missed.

[Marilyn Pettigrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read most of Earlene Fowler's books. I've loved her Benni Harper series. This is a stand alone and is a lovely little story of a grandmother and an estranged granddaughter who needs her grandma's help. It probably wouldn't be classified as an inspirational but has that feel to it. It is definitely a worthwhile read.

[Beverly Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally like Christian stories. They tend to be very preachy with the emphasis on evangelizing rather than the story. I I must say however that this is an exception. It’s a very cute story and very well written . A very happily ever after tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Susy Skidmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it included characters from other Earlene Fowler novels. This isn't a mystery that gets solved, but just a good read about a close knit community of good people.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice story of family relationships and moving forward. I have been wanting to read something by Earlene Fowler for a long time. I hope she will write more about these characters.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an ending!! Loved this book that I got just to fill the day

[mjmajik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I just wish she had finished the intended trilogy instead of ending with just the one book.

[KC · Rating 2 out of 5]

fair...uses satellite characters from her Benni Harper series

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a big fan of her writing style, but it was a great story. I want to read more of the series.

[Carolyn Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this as much as the Bennie Harper books, but it was okay. I don't think I would have read another one if the author had continued to write.

[Bonnie Muzny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books from Earlene Fowler

[JoDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Religious, but kindly so. Very evocative of the Morro Bay area.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was checking out this author because of some recommendations. I was satisfied with the book and will try to read a series by her now.

[Cynthia Kauffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlene Fowler does it again. Strong women characters, loving (imperfect) families, animal friends, good food, all things I like.

I think everyone should read this book. (possibly more appealing to women?)

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book of a new Earlene Fowler series was disappointing. I really wanted to like it more. Love Mercy Johnson is still getting over the death of her husband. She is part owner of a local diner in fictitious Morro Bay, and she has a wide circle of friends, including Benni Harper. One of her granddaughters arrives on her doorstep with a stolen banjo and a tale of woe. There is no mystery involved, just a gentle and very cliched story of family and friends helping each other get by. I found the character development forced and I got tired of reading all the background. I also thought the book was way too preachy. I don't mind Christian-themed literature, but I felt that I was being beaten over the head with it. I'd much rather a more subtle approach. Will I read the next books in the series? Maybe, if my library buys them. I won't pay for them -- I didn't think it was worth the download price on my Kindle.

Edit:
I just finished reading this for a second time. I honestly didn’t remuerden reading it. And this second time around, I really enjoyed it. I guess our tastes change, or maybe it’s we’ve changed. Certainly my circumstances have. I’m nine years older, retired, and more relaxed. I wasn’t at all bothered by the theological discussions or “preachiness “ this time, and I wonder why I thought so little of the characters. I suspect I wasn’t very happy in 2011.

[Ann aka Iftcan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is set in the Benni Harper world, but is not featuring Benni, Gabe and the rest of the gang. It is also set about 10 years in the future of the Benni books, with Gabe retired and them all living back at the ranch. Since I have as of yet to say a word about what this book IS about, guess its that time. Love Mercy is the name of 1 of the 3 main female characters. Love, her granddaughter Rette and friend Mel, are those 3 characters. Love and Mel are picking up the pieces after the loss of Cy (Love's husband and Mel's father-figure) to cancer. Into their grieving comes Rette who has run away from home to deal with her own heartaches. Mel's past catches up with her too, and all 3 women grow and find family love with each other while dealing with these problems and other problems that I won't spell out, since they would be major spoilers.

Now, for the rest of the Benni fans out there--Benni and the gang do show up, but only in very small cameo appearances as "friends of the family."

Still, I really enjoyed the book, even tho there was no mystery. Earlene does write a good story, no matter the genre.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being the first novel in a projected series, there was a lot of groundwork to lay for the characters. The setting is the same as the Benni Harper series and the tables have turned. Love Mercy Johnson is a minor character in those books and now Benni and her milieu are the minor characters. They drift in and out so we know that everyone's doing well in the present, as the Benni books take place in the 1990's. This novel has Fowler's trademark ranch life stories and religious faith, although the faith isn't as subtle here as Love is struggling with her husband's death a year before. The story begins with her estranged granddaughter showing up with a stolen banjo, seeking asylum. It's told in alternating chapters from the POV of Love, her granddaughter Rett, and a friend named Mel who is trying to leave behind a troubled past. Her past is coming to meet her and she feels alone, although our old friend, Deputy Sheriff Hudson is around to lend a hand. Love is also dealing with her aging in-laws who are having health problems. Her character is strong, loving, and wise. It was a nice book with some great messages and ends with some closure but definitely open for a sequel.

[Annamaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book randomly from my library list, expecting it to be one of my new favorites mysteries from Earlene Fowler. At first I was disappointed because I thought it was a romance and I hate romance... well i was surprised to fall in love with this book. It does talk about love, but the love between grandma Love and one of her estranged grand-daughters, Rett.
The deep, complicated feelings, memories, thoughts of the main and side characters are extremely real, like the author is entering their minds and hearts and feels for them. The situations are believable, the environments are sketched but enough for you to be able to see them and yet not bore you. The side characters are very interesting and important to support the main characters.
Fowler has definitely become one of my favorites authors.

[Gregory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. I've loved all of Earlene Fowler's books up to this point and have always been excited when they came out. This one takes a lot of character development at the beginning and I was about to abandon it. But I knew I had liked her books before so I gave it a bit more time. This new series is preachy and frankly I really do not like that. I also did not like the chapter breakups by character as I do not like that literary device and think it is a cop out. The characters got a little better at one point and then went directly back into being very much cliched with the occasional somewhat amusing throwaway lines. I'm glad when an author branches out but this is a rotting limb for me.

[Marleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the kind of story that I like, but sort of dislike at the same time. I enjoyed it because the author is capable of creating warm characters, but only gives us glimpses of who they are. And since this is my first Earlene Fowler book, I absolutely get the the feeling I’m missing out on so much background on many characters. It really feels like I can’t be satisfied reading this one because I haven’t read all her previous books featuring these characters.
Overall, I think it’s a sweet and touching book but it only touches the surface - and so many things are left unresolved. What really moved me were the older generations present in the book. I might give the follow-up books a try. I don't know yet. **2,5 stars**

[Kieraanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice laid back book where nothing really happens. Mostly I read it to find out what happened to Benni and Gabe from her Benni Harper books, but this story was nice too. I thought the 2-3 different storylines were a little distracting as they were all kind of ignored until they hit a crisis point and then wrapped up rather neatly in a chapter or so...but I guess that's just books in general, not necessarily this one in particular. I was wondering if this book would make me cry at some point as most of Ms. Fowler's books do and yep, sure enough the last couple of pages rolls around and I'm crying like a baby. But that's okay. I wonder if she'll ever actually pursue this story as a series like she said...maybe a book per sister or something?