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Mercy's Rain by Cindy Sproles
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Mercy's Rain (edition 2015)

by Cindy Sproles

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When your life is built around a father's wrath, how can you trust in the love of Father God? Mercy Roller knows her name is a lie: there has never been any mercy in her young life. Raised by a twisted and abusive father who called himself the Pastor, she was abandoned by the church community that should have stood together to protect her from his evil. Her mother, consumed by her own fear and hate, won't stand her ground to save Mercy either. The Pastor has robbed Mercy of innocence and love, a husband and her child. Not a single person seems capable of standing up to the Pastor's unrestrained evil. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands. Her heart was hardened to love long before she took on the role of judge, jury, and executioner of the Pastor. She just didn't realize the retribution she thought would save her, might turn her into the very thing she hated most. Sent away by her angry and grieving mother, Mercy's path is unclear until she meets a young preacher headed to counsel a pregnant couple. Sure that her calling is to protect the family, Mercy is drawn into a different life on the other side of the mountain where she slowly discovers true righteousness has nothing evil about it - and that there might be room for her own stained and shattered soul to find shelter...and even love. Mercy's Rain is a remarkable historical novel set in 19th century Appalachia that traces the thorny path from bitterness to forgiveness and reveals the victory and strength that comes from simple faith.… (more)
Member:justablondemoment
Title:Mercy's Rain
Authors:Cindy Sproles
Info:Kregel Publications (2015), Paperback, 264 pages
Collections:Your library, Early Review & ARC
Rating:
Tags:(SUB) ?, ? Century, Year (?), USA ?, Average Rating 4.0, Author (S), pages, *GR (?)

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Mercy's Rain: An Appalachian Novel by Cindy Sproles

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Mercy lives on the side of a mountain in rural Tennessee with her father, the local Pastor, and mother. She and her mother have spent their lives being physically, mentally and emotionally abused by her father. Demons reside in his soul, which encourage him to kill, torture, and beat anyone who crosses his will without a morsel of regret.

Mercy is 19 years old when she witnesses her father kill an innocent man, and participates in his death through the mountain’s code of justice. After her mother sends her away, Mercy wanders the mountain in search of redemption and finding a purpose for her life. As she struggles to understand her role in God’s plan, Mercy continually hardens her heart as she seeks forgiveness for her role in her father’s death.

As I read, I was aghast at the many awful ways the Pastor abused his wife and daughter in the name of God and religion. It is with deep shame that I note this type of behavior is probably happening all over the world. I found it quite unfortunate that Pastor’s flock allowed his spiritual leadership over them to close their eyes to his behavior, leaving Mercy and her mother completely under his thumb of control.

What really annoyed me about “Mercy’s Rain” was Mercy. It seemed as if every single chapter she begged the Lord to show her what to do or how to act, filling the pages with a litany of complaints and questions. When God answered, Mercy spent time thanking him for helping her to “get it” then spent the next chapter complaining about the exact same thing she’d been thanking Him for doing for her in the last chapter. She was a ridiculous merry-go-round of grievances, and quickly grew tiresome. I think Sproles could have gotten her point across about Mercy needing mercy and forgiveness in half of the 263 pages it took to drag us through her whining.

Despite Mercy’s inability to make a decision with her life, I will recommend “Mercy’s Rain” only because it shows the importance of knowing you are not alone when facing trials and tribulations, and that abused women need to seek help immediately.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a complimentary copy of “Mercy’s Rain” from LibraryThing.com in exchange for an honest review.

Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2016/03/26/mercys-rain-an-appalachian-n... ( )
  sunshinealma | Mar 26, 2016 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
With a mix of nineteenth century tradition, customs, and superstition, a young woman's fears and flashbacks of the ugliness of her past, the sordidness of her present, and the uncertainties of her future, this tale mesmerizes the reader from beginning to end. If you are looking for a book with a touch of edginess, a poignant back story, and a painful journey toward the light, this book is for you.

Her name is Mercy, but she hates the word. She has heard it used and abused all too often, but experienced it seldom. The book's first two chapters sets the tone for the reader. The storyline begins in the middle at the cusp of Mercy Roller's 19 years, the turning point that thrust her forward into the uncertainties of a future while relentlessly reviewing her painful past until the baffled reader sees the pattern and begins rooting for her to heal and move on in life.

Not all of Mercy's flashbacks are painful. Some of them reveal to us the depth of her relationship with her best friend, Maddie. Maddie understood Mercy's troubling family life, nor was she blind to the Pastor's double standards and shifting image. She stood as a pillar of sanity for Mercy, silently supportive, always there to pick up the broken pieces of her friend's shattered self-worth, tirelessly easing Mercy back to normal. These flashbacks also revealed simultaneously the strength of Mercy's mother's protection as well as the weakness of a woman who stands by her man even during the torridness of his sick mind. The flashbacks showcased a cohesive community that maintained an unspoken code of honor, protecting each other from abuse, helping each other in the aftermath of violence. In essence, the author's authentic voice rips the bandage off the scabs to open our eyes to both the sordidness and the blossom of life as it truly existed. That makes this book a unique piece of historical fiction.

What I liked best about Cindy Sprole's novel is the honesty with which she portrays Appalachian life. She doesn't paint a fanciful picture of this segment of history. There 's no room for idealistic fantasies or perfection. Sometimes we readers tend to gloss over the past and call our version of it "simpler times." The truth is that there are no simple times. When people are involved, life becomes complex and usually delivers up starkness along side the beauty. When an author can tell a story with all its honest parts and yet instill hope and triumph into the message, we have a good story. Mercy's Rain is a good story.

The second element I like about Mercy's Rain is the balance the author incorporates. Once Mercy leaves the familiarity of her home, it becomes obvious she has trust issues. Eventually her travels lead her to a river where she rests a bit. She has gone beyond the place where she knows the landmarks. She meets young Samuel Stone there and he offers to accompany her to his friends' homestead, where they need some help. The young father lost his arm recently in an accident; Samuel was on his way to help the couple with their harvest. On the way, Mercy learns that Samuel is a pastor. Her first reaction is distrust because the only pastor she had ever known was her father. The remainder of the tale is like a study in contrasts as Mercy embarks on a healing journey. While settling into life on Terrance and Isabella Johnson's homestead, Samuel stays on to help her adjust to her new life. The author excels in writing gut-wrenching tension, anguish, triumphs and hope. Mercy's process of recovery balances her painful history very well.

While the book is beautifully written, I have to admit that I was a little uncomfortable with the content of some of the back story and flashbacks. Some were graphic and reminded me that if these scenes were made into a movie, they would be rated PG-13 to R for the violence. For that reason, I advise caution for those readers with young children around. This book contains many gritty, unpleasant details. It's fine for young adults, but I don't recommend it for young teens. Overall, however, I give this book an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from LibraryThing.com on behalf of Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )
  Beverlylynnt | Aug 9, 2015 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Started to read this book, but it wasn't the right time. I just couldn't really get in to it. The little bit that I read I hated the father and thought the mother was... well I didn't care for her.
Have put the book back on the shelf and will read when the time is right...
This book was shared with a Bookcrosser. I just couldn't get into it enough to finish reading ( )
  JosieRivers | Aug 8, 2015 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
It's a tear-jerker. It's a i-couldn't-put-it-down. It's a this-could-be-on-ophra-or-dr. phil. In short it's a 5-star-so-glad-i-won-this-book. Thanks librarything there are so many authors I have been introduced to through the review program and now I can add Cindy Sproles as one to look for.

Received through LibraryThing Early Review Program.
  justablondemoment | Jun 28, 2015 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
A tough read about child abuse. Mercy is abused by her father who is a Pastor. The Pastor also abused his wife as well. Mental and physical abuse abound. This a great novel but very dark in places. ( )
  Devlindusty | Jun 10, 2015 |
Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
This is author Cindy Sproles debut novel, and I must say...I am amazed by it!
Not many Christian novels makes me search my own heart. Not often does Christian fiction leave me in tears. Mercy's Rain is a different kind of Christian fiction. It is a life-changing, healing book.
 
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When your life is built around a father's wrath, how can you trust in the love of Father God? Mercy Roller knows her name is a lie: there has never been any mercy in her young life. Raised by a twisted and abusive father who called himself the Pastor, she was abandoned by the church community that should have stood together to protect her from his evil. Her mother, consumed by her own fear and hate, won't stand her ground to save Mercy either. The Pastor has robbed Mercy of innocence and love, a husband and her child. Not a single person seems capable of standing up to the Pastor's unrestrained evil. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands. Her heart was hardened to love long before she took on the role of judge, jury, and executioner of the Pastor. She just didn't realize the retribution she thought would save her, might turn her into the very thing she hated most. Sent away by her angry and grieving mother, Mercy's path is unclear until she meets a young preacher headed to counsel a pregnant couple. Sure that her calling is to protect the family, Mercy is drawn into a different life on the other side of the mountain where she slowly discovers true righteousness has nothing evil about it - and that there might be room for her own stained and shattered soul to find shelter...and even love. Mercy's Rain is a remarkable historical novel set in 19th century Appalachia that traces the thorny path from bitterness to forgiveness and reveals the victory and strength that comes from simple faith.

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