I've spent a great deal of time this summer enjoying many good books, across several genres. Today's selection is of them - Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren.
This is the story of Krista a successful, respected, well-liked college professor who is hundreds of miles away from her hometown but still fighting the ghosts of her past. Krista's father was absent as she grew up and she could never please her mother. Krista's mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's, is currently in a first-class nursing home. Krista receives the call that anyone would dread - her mother is near death and she she needs to come. Her mother never regains consciousness. A close friend helps Krista see her mother in a different way, When Krista finds diaries and letters, she reads them, gaining a new understanding of her mother.
This is the story of Krista a successful, respected, well-liked college professor who is hundreds of miles away from her hometown but still fighting the ghosts of her past. Krista's father was absent as she grew up and she could never please her mother. Krista's mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's, is currently in a first-class nursing home. Krista receives the call that anyone would dread - her mother is near death and she she needs to come. Her mother never regains consciousness. A close friend helps Krista see her mother in a different way, When Krista finds diaries and letters, she reads them, gaining a new understanding of her mother.
The author created each of the characters in this novel with such dimension and depths well as vividly describing the setting. Lisa Bergren gave the added bonus of describing the Mexican culture and dance scenes, which brought more depth and warmth to the plot.
This was the first time I've read anything by this author and she held my attention throughout. It was very relatable on many levels, especially in the area of dealing with a loved one's terminal illness. All the emotions tied to such a time were there...add to that mix Dane, her childhood sweetheart, who still has feelings for Krista - the only drawback was that only one paragraph was dedicated to the hour long conversation between Krista and Dane that brings about restoration between the two. Over all, this is one enjoyable book.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.