A Peek At My Bookshelf: The Road to Mercy by Kathy Harris

From the Back of the Book:

Josh Harrison, a contemporary Christian singer, and his wife Bethany face a difficult decision that also tests their faith. A rupture in Beth's carotid artery leaves her on the brink of death even as she's pregnant with their first child. While Dr. Ben Abrams urges her to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life, she and Josh step out on faith and decide to carry the baby to full term.

During the next few months, Josh struggles with his faith, Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his life forever.
My Thoughts:

From the day I discovered Kathy Harris' debut novel I was intrigued by her story. It spoke of passion, faith and determination in the face of trials. And the mystery sounded fascinating...a decades-old connection that is life changing.

At first, I was into the story. From the opening prologue (kind of--more flashback and present day...but it read like a prologue) to meeting Josh and Bethany, I was interested in knowing more.

Somewhere in the middle third of the novel, I lost interest. Bethany's behavior was all over the map, and medication side affects just wasn't believable...not enough detail or explanation, I think.

Josh went from a sympathetic character to a weird, harsh man I wanted nothing to do with. His music ministry seemed genuine, then out of no where he was a facade? Didn't add up.

And the life-changing, decades-old connection wasn't revealed until the very last pages...which left no time for impact...and had no 'aha!' for me by that point. I was really hoping for something BIG...and didn't get it.

Overall, the story is enjoyable, but I've read it all before. I'm hoping other readers fall in love with "The Road to Mercy" so Kathy is around for a good long while, and I get the chance to see more of her work. I see great potential...just needs more polish.

I received a copy of "The Road To Mercy" from Abingdon Press for a "Pump Up Your Book" blog tour in exchange for my honest review. I'm sad to say, from this reviewer, "The Road to Mercy" is mildly recommended.

About the Author:

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a “divine detour” into the Nashville entertainment business. After graduating with a Communications degree from Southern Illinois University, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work with a well-known gospel music quartet. A few months later, The Oak Ridge Boys began their transition into country music, and Kathy had the opportunity to help build an entertainment empire from the ground up.

She worked her way to becoming a member of the Operations Management Team, eventually heading up the company’s public relations and marketing department. A lifelong fascination for books and editing led to her working as a book agent for Oak Ridge Boys’ vocalist Joe Bonsall. Joe, subsequently, published three books, including his bestselling inspirational biography, G.I. Joe & Lillie.

For several years, Kathy freelanced entertainer biographies and wrote (as well as ghost wrote) news stories and columns for various music publications. In 2007, she sold her first Christian non-fiction story, “Walk on Water,” which was included in Thomas Nelson’s All My Bad Habits I Learned from Grandpa. That fall, one of her devotions was included in The One Year Life Verse Devotional, published by Tyndale House. Kathy’s writing is also included in Chicken Soup for the Soul Thanks, Mom.

An active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the publicity officer for Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kathy lives near Nashville with her husband and their two Shiloh Shepherd dogs. She regularly interviews literary and music guests on her blog at www.DivineDetour.com.

You can visit her author website at Kathy Harris.com, tweet with her at Twitter, or like Kathy at Facebook.

Pick up your copy of The Road to Mercy at Amazon, at the publisher’s website or at Barnes & Noble.

Happy Reading!

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