Welcome Huggers #1 Mercy

This novel is directed to so many women who have been sexually abused, their hearts and spirits crushed. The healing process passes through many valleys, including learning to trust again, which is what this story is about. I like Mercy's verse. For you have saved me from death and my feet from slipping, so that I can walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 56:13 (The Living Bible). There is hope, and love, and joy ahead!

This is a well written story of a girl who is kidnapped and abused. She has made great progress, but there is a great distance yet, to go. Living in a small town community, surrounded by family and a few close friends she has found a way to survive, but her life is limited by the "fence" she has built around herself. She has secrets she has not disclosed. The love interest comes in the form of a wounded warrior with secrets of his own. Mercy's journey to lower the "fence" that stunts her growth is thought provoking, suspenseful, clean, and tastefully written. Her faith, strength, and courage is inspiring.

I just finished "Mercy". An excellent read. Well written. Just wish I knew how to get it moving off the shelves. Good story, thought provoking, suspense, clean and tastefully written. When is #2 coming out? I, personally, think it would make a great movie.

This book has so many wonderful Christian principles woven through it to help anyone who has suffered traumas (sexual abuse, PTSD) or who has a loved one who has gone through such difficult experiences. It expresses very honest human emotions and shows how God works to bring about healing, forgiveness, hope, and joy.

A well developed cast of characters and a book you won't want to put down, one that leaves you waiting for the next edition. Good job sis!!!

An excellent novel filled with romance, adventure, wounded warriors (both soldiers and dogs), and dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic experience and its effects on family and friends.

As with all of Marilyn’s books, this one is hard to put down once you start reading. Never mind that it’s the author’s initial foray into fiction writing. The story of human spirit rising above indescribable trauma is always compelling, but even more so with characters that so readily draw you into their world, holding you captive with their individual mystery and intrigue. The protagonist, Mercy, is beyond a fierce survivor. She is a powerful role model for anyone who has undergone scarring abuse, physical or otherwise. To me, the author’s insights into both the emotional and physical aftermath of military combat were searing and eye-opening, as relayed through the eyes of Uni (Mercy’s sweetheart). But essential elements of survival -- hope, inspiration, courage, and love -- are also skillfully provided with astute spiritual underpinnings throughout the book. This reader is looking forward to the next story in this trilogy, “#2 Verity,” and of course the final when it’s released! Thank you, Marilyn!