Cindy Kelley

I tend to steer clear of any books focusing on religion or faith, but I was intrigued by The Silent Gift as soon as I learned about it. I enjoy most fiction dealing with psychic ability or prophecy and decided to take a chance. I'm very glad I did. The Silent Gift is a book that has religious themes, without being preachy, but more it is a book showing a mothers never-wavering love for her disabled son. Mary's life with Jack and everything she went through in the name of protecting her son show more was told in such an emotional way that during some scenes, I could feel my heart in my throat. I truly felt anger, love, and fear when Mary felt them. I was swept into this story and couldn't put it down until I knew the outcome. Very, very good for a book so far out of my comfort zone. show less

The main character of this book is introduced as a young soldier in the Civil War. Only a few pages later, one discovers that the soldier is really the young woman, Mercy. Suffering from amnesia, she has been posing as a soldier. Thus begins a story with many twists and turns as Mercy tries to discover who she is. Each time I thought I had figured out the next event, I was confronted with another twist that took the book in a different direction. Sent this book for review, I must admit I show more thoroughly enjoyed it and am hooked on the series. I eagerly await the next book in this trilogy. show less

One of the best stories I've read in 2014. The beginning knocked my socks off, the mystery mounted through the whole book, and then shazam! When all was revealed -- well, not quite all -- the story took a few more turns I never saw coming. This was my kind of book, and I can't wait for the sequel. Terrific historical fiction.

Mercy doesn't know her last name. In fact, she doesn't even really know her first name, having chosen "Mercy" from a medallion that was in her possession. She woke up in a doctor's office, learned that she was hurt and dressed as a boy, didn't recognize her own face in the mirror, and slowly began to deal with her amnesia. The reader knows a little about her past from the first chapter and sometimes it is hard to reconcile that Confederate sniper with the young woman we learn to like. Over show more the course of the book, Mercy falls in love but also rediscovers some skills such as horsemanship and shooting. When a stranger recognizes her and tells her what he knows of her past, she panics and puts a rosy future into further jeopardy. The end of the book leaves the reader eager to find the next book. show less