Waves of Mercy: (A Multi-Generational Friends to Lovers Historical Romance)

This series (2 books) is now added to my very short list of all time favorites. It had it all.... accurate historical accounts, interwoven into a heart wrenching, heart warming spiritual journey of two women from different eras. The haves and have nots endure love, loss, consequences and joy. Even a little mystery or two are thrown in for good measure. The best Christian novel I've ever read.

I could hardly put this novel down! There is so much in here from persecution of the Christian’s by so called Christian state church to struggles and dangers this Dutch family had getting to America and getting settled in their new home.Well worth your time to read.

What a remarkable book this is! I don't usually gush over a book, but this one was exceptional. Lynn Austin is becoming one of my favorite authors for her excellent research and writing style. She knows how to draw in the individual reading the book and involve them in the story. Not only does she develop her characters well, but the action is terse and sometimes breathtaking. I enjoyed every minute of this novel, although when things got tough, enjoy might not be the word to describe what I was reading. But I was definitely involved and feeling with the characters in their struggles.This is a historical fiction piece with a double plot taking place in two time lines. The main plot involves a group of families living in Leiden, the Netherlands in 1847. A group of people drew away from the established state church and became known as Separatists. Persecution was inevitable. People were accosted, homes harmed and businesses were threatened. The De Jong family were in the middle of this. So Geesje tells this story as an older woman, settled in Holland, Michigan 50 years later. Her family owned a printing business. Even though they moved to a different city where there were Separatists in the Netherlands, their business was still threatened. Eventually a group of people decided to emigrate to America where they would have freedom to worship God as they pleased. The group eventually settled the Holland, Michigan area of West Michigan.The story is long because there were so many adverse conditions and situations for the group to overcome. In the meantime, there is another two stories happening in the latest of the historical periods called the 'present.' One is about a young woman in her early twenty's who is struggling to find herself. This story becomes intertwined with the grandmotherly woman Geesje who is telling this story as a project for her town's celebration of their semi-centennial. Derk is a secondary character who lives next to Geesje and calls her Tante (aunt). She's been like a mother to him since his own died many years before. He is encouraging her to write her story while at the same time he has befriended Anna at the hotel where he works for the summer.West Michigan has always had as fascinating history as the rest of the state. As a teacher, I was already aware that the Dutch had settled that part of the state and knew some of the history. This book made it all come to life for me. The Great Lakes have their own fascinating history and lore, legends of great shipwrecks, and filled with the history of the native Americans as well. There is no simple way to tell this story, so this book is filled with intrigue and struggles.An integral part of the book was the personal faith of the travelers. Encapsulated in this life of faith is the personal struggle of Geesje herself since the beginning of the story. Hers was not a perfect journey. Her faith wavered, was tested, and she often questioned God and His wisdom. The more she experienced the more involved I felt with this woman. This was not a pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by type of story. She was hurt, and circumstances forced her into some horrible situations. I shed a lot of tears of empathy reading this book. My heart was troubled, hurt, frightened and saddened right along with her. To me, that's a sign of a great book. If you love historical fiction, then I highly recommend this book to you.

Can’t wait to read book 2. You really get into the characters in Lynn Austin’s books. I highly recommend, great read.

This story is a truthful insight unto every Christian’s struggle to follow God’s will or their own. We can all see the struggles that the characters encounter and how they relate to our own personal struggles. Another great book by Lynn Austin.

I was blessed with a free copy of this book. I do however prefer to read off my Kindle so I did also buy it. The copy I received though looks at first glance to be a decent size to read. It is 384 pages long. I feel like I judge books by their length sometimes because it lets me know the story is thought out and the characters are developed and have depth. This book did not let me down. The cover is a picture of a girl holding a book looking out to the ocean as well as a historic looking large hotel building by the beach. The story begins with the character Anna talking in first person the year 1897 in Lake Michigan. The story continues with first person narrative of the character Geesje. Geesjes story is told both in the past as well as the present. Between both these characters perspectives a big picture can be seen and understood. As the book unfolds many characters are introduced and developed. Romance is a theme of the book in the present and past stories of the characters. It is not until the end that all the peices seem to fall into place and explain how everyone is connected. This book is not however a cookie cutter historical romance. It's ongoing story of Geesje who throughtout the book flashes back to her younger years honestly shares her struggles in life. It felt so genuine as I read her story and I related to her frustration with her faith. I really felt encouraged as I read. Reading Geesje's struggles made me feel like I was reading the thoughts of Christian women I look up to. We all want to appear a certian way to others but God sees our hearts. Geesje's story was of her heart while Annas was as well. Anna was just at the begining of understanding herself while Geesje was looking back at her development. I made me realize God wants my absolute honesty. Although my struggle is not the same as Geesje in the story I felt connected to her struggle with God and her faith. Am I seeking him every day. I am looking to him as I make decisions... This book reminded me that God will never leave or forsake me. I really enjoyed this book. I hope you give it a chance and enjoy it as well. Thanks for reading!

It has been such a pleasure reading this book, and so looking forward to the next. I’ve become a fan of Lynn Austin‘s. It is so nice and peaceful to be able to read books about situations that have the characters reaching out to God for answers. The characters are so well developed. Very hard to put down.

I am a huge fan of Lynn Austin. This book continues to add to my adoration for her faith based literary work. I love a good historical fiction book. I love to be taken on a journey to another time and place. This book provided me with a wonderful journey through the often rough waters life will bring us Through while telling the story of Dutch immigrants in America. I loved every minute of this story and learned so much!

This is a beautiful story in which an older woman, Geesje, looks back on her life of love and loss and recalls the hardships but also God’s faithfulness. Whilst others who have known her only in her later years see her strong faith, she knows that her faith has been tested and waivered at times but that God’s faithfulness has kept her. At the same time it follows the story of a young woman, Anna, at the start of her adult life who is filled with questions about her newfound faith and seeking God’s will for her life.This is a dual time story, set in 1897 but also recalling the events starting fifty years earlier when Geesje, one of the original immigrants to Holland, Michigan, and her family left religious persecution in the Netherlands to seek a new life in America. The historic parts are very interesting, but it is Geesje’s personal life story which is very moving. Her struggles and hardships have been many but she has followed through on her decision to trust God and to do his will even when that has been contrary to her own desires.Geesje’s life long commitment to follow God’s will, despite the hard times, has much to teach those of us still on the journey. We probably all know women like Geesje, from whom we could learn so much, and we can all encourage women like Anna by sharing our own joys and sorrows along the way.Lynn Austin is my favourite author, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An absolute must read for fans of historical Christian fiction.

When reading this authors books, the text just flows and hugs you as you read. She paints gentle pictures with her words and draws you in. The biblical wisdom she imparted as part of this story gave me several aha moments. Just the right book for my need now. Thank you Lynn Austin!

Heart warming and faith strengthening. We may not always understand why our heavenly Father allows certain things to happen but we'll always be better off under His wings.

Another brilliant book by Lynn Austin! I would highly recommend this book! Didn't want it to end.Can't wait to read the next Lynn Austin book.

Another brilliant Novel from Christian Author Lynn Austin, and again couldn't put the book down! Always so much to learn about life from Lynn, and an encouragement for our own daily living. Helen.