Inspy Romance

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Book Recommendation – Regaining Mercy by Carolyn Miller + #Giveaway

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Narelle here. I’m delighted to share with you my book recommendation for Carolyn Miller’s upcoming CCR release – Regaining Mercy. Last year Carolyn visited with us when her first Independence Islands book released, and you can read our interview on Restoring Fairhaven here.

Inspy Romance author Tabitha Bouldin has also written books for the Independence Islands multi-author series. Tabitha’s latest release, Stealing the First Mate, is set on Elnora Island, and you can read Tabitha’s blog post on her story here.

Book Description:

A mom ready to do anything for her son. A man determined to win the woman he loves.

Going on Love at First Glance had seemed like such a good idea. She didn’t care about finding Mr. Right. No, Mindy Murray chose the reality TV show for more mercenary reasons.  A mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do when it comes to feeding her son.

When Mindy returns to Elnora, the girl from the “wrong side of the island” just wants a chance to rebuild her reputation. Too bad the folks at church don’t practice what the preacher preaches.

Enter Dermott Reilly. The interim boss at Greener Gardens has always had a soft spot for Mindy and her son, but with his new responsibilities, an important garden competition, and a few other concerns, he finds it difficult to prove himself to her.

A tropical storm and a missing child prove that sometimes grace appears in the most unusual ways.

Regaining Mercy concludes the Elnora Island romances of the Independence Islands Series, featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Narelle’s Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading Regaining Mercy and visiting the pretty and relaxing Independence Islands beach setting. Mindy is a single mom with low self esteem who can’t catch a break. Her most recent big mistake was her decision to participate in a reality tv dating show. Mindy believes she’ll never be respected or accepted in her home town.

The story opens at the grocery store where Mindy is working as a cashier. A snobbish church lady verbally harasses Mindy in the store and, when Mindy finally takes the bait and speaks up, the customer twists the situation to try and get Mindy fired.

Dermott is friends with Mindy and has worked at Greener Gardens with her brother. Dermott witnesses the grocery store incident, backs up Mindy’s version of events, and inadvertently makes Mindy’s work situation worse. He feels bad about what happened and he talks with Callie, his boss, about creating a new job for Mindy at Greener Gardens doing their social media.

Life isn’t fair, and the customer abuse and harassment Mindy was subjected to in her workplace was unacceptable on so many levels. I also empathised with Mindy because she’s struggling to raise her son on her own without family support. Jon is an adorable little boy who’s having difficulties navigating social situations. Mindy is in denial that there might be a medical reason to explain Jon’s behaviour eg. autism spectrum disorder, and she doesn’t have the financial resources to seek medical help for Jon.

A lovely friends-to-more romance develops between Mindy and Dermott with many bumps along their path to happily-ever-after. They work together photographing garden projects, but Mindy doesn’t trust people easily, and Dermott questions if Mindy shares his faith. I recommend Regaining Mercy to contemporary romance readers who like single mom romance stories that sensitively deal with family issues.

Many thanks to Celebrate Lit Publishing for the advanced reader ebook copy. Check out the Kindle ebook here. Learn more about Carolyn Miller and her books at her website.

Giveaway:

Carolyn Miller has kindly provided a giveaway of a Kindle copy of Regaining Mercy. To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will close on Thursday and the winner announced in the Sunday Edition.

Questions for you:

Have you read any of the books in the Independence Island series? Have you visited the islands off the Carolinas? Do you like reading CCR books set at the beach? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Narelle Atkins (199 Posts)

A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.


Comments

  1. I have always thought fondly of the beach and island life. I love the thought of flying sturdy kites on the beach in a steady ocean breeze. Unfortunately, I am fair-skinned and burn very easily. So, reading is the best way to visit for me. I haven’t read any of the Independence Island series yet but have been intrigued by several of the blurbs. Perhaps, once I have thinned the TBR pile a little, I’ll be able to get a visit in. :)

  2. It makes me so happy to discover new books and authors!📚🥰 Having the opportunity to enter a contest is the icing on the cake!🍰

  3. Hi Lincoln, yes, kite flying at the beach is fun, especially during winter when it’s too cold to swim. I hope you’ll have a chance to explore the books in the Independence Islands series. My tbr pile is forever out-of-control, lol. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  5. I haven’t visited any of the islands off the Carolina’s, though I have been to some off the coast of FL, since I live here. I don’t do beaches very often, as I can burn in 15 minutes, even with sunscreen. I’ve had melanoma, so while I like the beach, it doesn’t like me. I’d like to go visit, though, and hit some unique shops along the boardwalks.

  7. Thank you for recommendation! I love beach – my favorite place to be <3

  8. Thank you for the chance to win! I haven’t read any of the books in this series yet, but I do have a couple of them just waiting to be read in my TBR pile.

  9. Hi, your book sounds like a great read and I love the book cover! Thank you so much for sharing about it. Have a Great week and stay safe.

  11. I read Carolyn’s book “Restoring Fairhaven” and enjoyed it very much. I’m looking forward to getting a chance to read this new one!

    I’ve never been to the Carolinas but would love to someday.

    Since I live on the Oregon coast, I like books set other places. But certainly won’t turn down a beach one :-) Especially one set somewhere I’ve never been before!

    Thanks for the book recommendation and sharing your thoughts on “Regaining Mercy” Narelle!

  12. I have just read this book and loved it. I loved it even more than Carolyn’s first book in the series. It’s a fun series and shows island life. I haven’t been to that part of the world. (well got to Georgia but not the coast).

  13. Hi Trudy, I love the beach, but I’m also more cautious about spending time outdoors after recently having a mole removed that was early stage melanoma. The Florida Islands sound lovely, and it’s fun exploring boardwalks. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  19. Hi Trixi, You’re very welcome. Beach settings are fun to read and visit in real life. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Carolyn’s book soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  20. Hi Jenny, I haven’t had a chance to visit the US East Coast, and I’d love to see some of the islands I’ve read about in various books. I loved reading both of Carolyn’s island books, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  21. Hi Lincoln! As a redheaded Australian, I’ve always felt my Celtic genes have had some challenges with our summers – which is why beach reads can be such a nice way to enjoy the sun and sea without all that inconvenient sand and sunburn! I hope you’ll get the chance to read the Independence Island series soon – they are lots of fun!

  22. Hi Jeanna! Yes, it IS exciting isn’t it, when you discover a new-to-you author, and then you discover they have loads of books to devour! I hope you’ll check this series out! Happy reading!

  23. HI Trudy,
    Oh, yes, while I love visiting the beach, I know as a redhead with fair skin it’s SO important to be careful in the sun. I guess that makes beach reads a far safer option (especially if you have one of those really nice candles that smell like the sea, and a cool refreshing drink…)
    Hope you enjoy checking out the Independence Islands series soon!

  24. Yay JCP! I hope you’ll check out Regaining Mercy – the whole Independence Islands series is a lot of fun, with loads of entertaining, heartwarming reads. Happy reading!

  25. Ooohh, yes, Natalya, I’m a fan of the beach too (even though it’s about an hour away from where I live). I love the smell, the sound of the waves, the endless changeability, even though I need to watch my sunburn-ability! I hope you’ll check out the Independence Island series – lots of happy reading in store!

  26. HI Megan! I hope you’ll check the Independence Islands books out soon – lots of happy reading awaits!

  28. HI Alicia! Oh, I’m so glad you like the sound and look of the book – I hope you’ll get the chance to read it soon. God bless you!

  29. HI Denise! There are so many fascinating places to visit in the US – and seeing the south east coast is on my bucket-list (I’ve visited parts of the west coast and Maine, which was lovely). I hope you’ll enjoy checking out Regaining Mercy one day!

  30. HI Trixi! The US west coast is gorgeous isn’t it? (and reminds me of beaches here in Australia). I’m so glad you enjoyed Restoring Fairhaven – I hope you enjoy Regaining Mercy too!

  31. Hey Jenny! Oh, that makes my author heart so happy to hear! It is a fun series, isn’t it? Maybe one day we’ll have to organise a trip to that part of the world…

  32. Hi Angeline! Oh, it’s a good read, filled with hope, heart & humour. I hope you’ll get the chance to check out Regaining Mercy soon!

  36. HI Amy! These types of books are fun, aren’t they? Beach, fun, romance, some banter – what’s not to love? I hope you’ll enjoy reading Regaining Mercy soon!

  37. Hi Narelle – I read ‘Restoring Fairhaven’ and enjoyed it. I love the beach, so always good when it features in a novel. It would be good to see some of the characters like Callie again in this one.

  38. Wow this book sounds true to life. I love reading Christian fiction that offers reality and hope at the same time. “Jesus is our hope” May our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your family and always give you hope.

  39. I am so happy to see all the clean wholesome books these authors write. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of them.
    I haven’t gotten much traveling done in my life so I travel in the books I read.
    God Bless you all and your families.
    Stay safe, strong and healthy.
    Thanks again for the wonderful stories you write.

  42. The book sounds awesome! I loved the quote about our identity should be found on God and not other people’s expectations. How often we -at least I- forget that!
    Thanks for the chance! Blessings!

  43. Love Carolyn Miller’s historical fiction books! Would love to read a contemporary romance from her! 😊

  44. I just ordered Restoring Fairhaven, and I’m looking forward to reading it. I haven’t visited a beach for several decades, but I take a book with me wherever I go.

  46. This looks like a great book. I didn’t know about this series I’m excited to find out more about it. Thank you Carolyn!

  47. Thank you for the opportunity. I’d love to read this book and tell my friends about you and your book.

  50. Yay Nola! I’m so glad you enjoyed Restoring Fairhaven. And Callie? Yep, she makes an appearance in Regaining Mercy, then gets her own story this December in Restoring Hope.

  51. Hi Elsie!
    I try to have elements of real life issues and complexities in all of my books, because, like you, I love books that offer God-sourced hope. I hope you’ll enjoy reading Regaining Mercy!

  52. Hi Glenda! It’s so important, isn’t it, to have books that encourage and inspire. I hope you enjoy reading Regaining Mercy one day soon!

  55. God bless you, Paty! Yes, it’s so important to be secure in God, not put trust in other things. Happy reading!

  56. Yay Melissa! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my historicals! It’s funny, but I actually started by writing contemporaries, so to see these being published is so good. I hope you’ll get the chance to read Regaining Mercy soon!

  57. Ooh, Lynette – thank you! I really hope you enjoy Restoring Fairhaven (and Regaining Mercy one day too!). Books can be wonderful escapes, can’t they?

  58. Hi! I hope you’ll check out the Independence Islands series. Loads of fun stories to read.

  59. Yay Tammy! Yes, lots of fun reading in the Independence Islands series. I hope you’ll get the chance to check it out!

  60. Thanks so much, Jennifer! I hope you’ll get the chance to read Regaining Mercy soon xx

  61. It’s a fun series, isn’t it, Amelia? I hope you’ll enjoy reading Regaining Mercy soon xx

  63. Agree! Same here about 1.5 hours from the closest beach, but my favorite is about 3 hours away.

  64. Hi Nola, I’m so happy that Callie’s story will be releasing this year. The minor characters are interesting, and I love reading the spin-off stories. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  66. Hi Glenda, You’re very welcome. I also appreciate the opportunity to armchair travel around the world via reading CCR books. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  77. No, I have not had the opportunity to read the books or been to the islands off the coast. I love to read the books about the Isles of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

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