4.7 Stars Out Of 5
4.7 out of 5
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4.8 out Of 5
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Meets Expectations:
4.8 out Of 5
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Displaying items 6-10 of 36
  1. Iola
    New Zealand
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Excellent and thought-provoking plot
    February 23, 2014
    Iola
    New Zealand
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Echoes of Mercy.
    Ollie Moore, the day janitor at Dinsmore's World-Famous Chocolate Factor finds himself attracted to the new toter, Carrie Lang. But he knows Carrie isn't someone his parents will approve of. After all, he's not really janitor Ollie Moore. He's Oliver Fulton Dinsmore, son of the owner of the chocolate factor, working in disguise to investigate working practices at the factory, and the factory manager, Gordon Hightower.

    Carrie isn't who she seems, either. She's an undercover investigator for the Labor Commission, working to ascertain whether the recent death at the factory was an accident or something more sinister, and with a personal mission to end child labour (sorry. New Zealand spelling coming through here). Carrie is attracted by Ollie, but suspects there is more to him than meets the eye–he might look like a common factory worker, but he doesn't always sound like one.

    I have enjoyed the previous books I've read by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Echoes of Mercy was no different. She combines interesting and likeable characters with a historical romance plot that manages to exceed my expectations in the way she weaves in issues of the day, in this case, child labour. Yet this theme is a natural outflowing of the story and never seems forced, and she gives weight to the arguments both for and against child labour: economic necessity vs. human compassion.

    The story also includes a subtle but solid Christian element, best evidenced for me with this quote:

    "Jesus tells us in the eleventh chapter of Matthew, verse twenty-eight, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'. He'll honor the promise, but you must do your part in laying down the burden."

    We live in a world where so many of us are so very busy, yet we are not always prepared to lay that burden at the cross. Hmm ...

    Overall, I highly recommend Echoes of Mercy as a good story with a thought-provoking yet unobtrusive theme.

    Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing a free ebook for review.
  2. TanyaK
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A faith-filled adventure
    February 22, 2014
    TanyaK
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Echoes of Mercy.
    Echoes of Mercy is set in 1904 Sinclair, Kansas. Investigator Caroline Lang ua sent to go undercover at the Dinsmore's World-Famous Chocolate Factory to investigate an accident.

    Oliver Dinsmore who is the factory owner's son, is also undercover in his father's factory to see how things are run before he takes it over.

    He goes under the name of Ollie Moore and soon meets up with Carrie Lang and they become friends when trying to find a way to help three needy children. But he has no idea what she is hiding and her true identity. They are both faced with lying to each other about their backgrounds. What will happen to these two when their secrets are revealed?

    It's a story about truth, lies and secrets. Overall, it was an excellent book and I would recommend it to those who enjoy Christian mystery or romance novels.

    Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for my free copy which I received in exchange for an honest review.
  3. CharityUAusten
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Best Setting EVER!
    February 21, 2014
    CharityUAusten
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Echoes of Mercy.
    What a delightful book! My favorite part of it? The setting. A chocolate factory is a primary factor in the story, and let me tell you — chocolate factories are awesome, and this one is no exception. Just reading about it made my mouth water more than once! This was such a sweet story (and not just because of all the chocolate) and it's sure to touch your heart like it touched mine. Caroline was a heroine to love, and I certainly could identify with her. Ollie too was a dear, quite a lovable hero. My only problem with him was his name: Ollie is Oliver Hardy in Laurel and Hardy to me and I could never quite take this Ollie seriously. ;) The mystery was absolutely awesome and can I just say again — I really loved the setting. This one is staying on my keeper shelf!

    **Blogging for Books sent me this book in return for my honest review. I wasn't paid in any other way, nor was I required to post positively. All opinions are my own.**
  4. Jen Pen
    Midwest
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A faith-filled adventure...
    February 17, 2014
    Jen Pen
    Midwest
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Echoes of Mercy.
    SUMMARY:

    Working as an undercover investigator, Caroline Lang secures a position at the Dinsmore's World Famous Chocolates Factory in Kansas. Much to her surprise, Oliver Dinsmore has the same idea-working as an undercover janitor to monitor the factory which he soon will inherit. Through many unexpected circumstances, orphan children, questioned morals, prayers, and a sheltered heart, Caroline must stay true to her priorities and values while overcoming her own past. "Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed"...

    A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:

    Excited to read Kim Vogel Sawyer's newest novel, I was not disappointed. With grace and mercy, she weaves an intriguing story line with equally developed characters. Some hard issues were touched upon during the course of the novel but the main character, Caroline, stayed faithful to her values, heart and beliefs. I enjoyed all the twists and turns as well as the subtle humor and genuine hope interspersed. A very well written, well thought-out, and well developed story which I enjoyed to the very end.

    RATING:

    5 (out of 5) pennies

    *I received a complimentary copy of Echoes of Mercy from WaterBrook Press Publishing for my honest review*
  5. debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    February 12, 2014
    debwilson
    Summerfield, FL
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees–the child workers. Caroline's fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.

    Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as "Ollie Moore," he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?

    My Review:

    As always, Sawyer delivers a story that is all things to everyone; exciting, romantic, suspenseful, heart-stopping, intriguing, and passionate in the cause Caroline and Oliver are trying to fight for. The chocolate factory was amazing to read about; (who doesn't love chocolate?!) and seeing what factories used to be like back in the infancy of mass production was quite educational.

    The story moved along at a good pace, and with the backbone of the story being truth, lies, and secrets hidden - and it is a recipe for success. (Slight pun intended here.) Something interesting that caught my eye was the fact that Oliver and Caroline were on opposite sides of what they felt was a moral issue, and how even the strongest objections can be overcome by love. A wonderful novel about doing what's right no matter what the cost.

    This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying items 6-10 of 36