When Mercy Rains

Written by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan

She left, heavily weighted with secrets. But God reveals all things, in His timing. And He redeems them. Suzanne Zimmerman was only seventeen and pregnant when her shamed mother quietly sent her away from their Old Order Mennonite community in Kansas. With her old home, family, and first love firmly behind her, Suzanne moved to Indiana, became a nurse, and raised a daughter, Alexa, on her own. Now, nearly twenty years later, an unexpected letter arrives from Kansas. Her brother asks her to bring her nursing abilities home and care for their ailing mother. His request requires that Suzanne face a family that may not have forgiven her and a strict faith community. It also means seeing Paul Aldrich, her first love. Paul, widowed with an eight-year-old son, is relieved to see Suzanne again, giving him the chance to beg her forgiveness for his past indiscretion. But when he meets Alexa, his guilt flickers in the glare of Suzanne's prolonged secret-one that changes everything. Suzanne had let go of any expectation for forgiveness long ago. Does she dare hope in mercy-and how will her uncovered past affect the people she loves the most?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490635514

Kim Vogel Sawyer

Bestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats besides “writer.” As a wife, mother, grandmother, and active participant in her church, her life is happily full. But Kim’s passion lies in writing stories of hope that encourage her readers to place their lives in God’s capable hands. An active speaking ministry assists her with her desire. Kim and her husband make their home on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s novels.

Reviews for When Mercy Rains

[Kathy Bullock · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't not stop listening to this audiobook. I haven't read such a well written story with unexpected plot twists. An excellent read.

[lindz2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What finish to his book. It quite a story. It a little heartfelt story. It a story about a mother and daughter. Suzanne is force to do something for years. Suzanne has secrets of her own. She was asked to come back home to care for her mother. What happen between her and her daughter.Paul see Suzanne again. He meets Alexa and starts to feel his guilt. Will there be a forgiveness for them all? Suzanne has one thing to tell Paul about a secret that happens 20 years earlier. While things are a bit strange when she first arrives. She does not know if her mother wants her there or her siblings.There are some things going on between Abigail and her children. She also meets her granddaughter she never knew about. There are twist and turns. Will there be healing for them all? Is there really what could heal the hurts. Will Paul and Suzanne talk about what happen between and why she left the community.

[beverlylynnt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of family dynamics, secrets, hidden sin and its consequences. Ultimately there is redemption, forgiveness and peace, but the journey from heartbreak to healing is long and rocky, full of twists and unexpected turns, lies and deception. The question that continually ran through my mind while I was reading this book was, "How could such a seemingly invisible act lead to such enormous, far-reaching consequences?"While this is a character-driven book dealing mostly with mother/daughter issues, the author manages to ramp up the tension and suspense by revealing only a little bit of information at a time. The reader is forced to make numerous assumptions which turn out to be erroneous when major bumps in the road appear. This is the writing strategy that keeps us on the edge of our seats and turning the pages. Because of this, I managed to read the 344-page book in just a few days. Another thing I liked about this book is the complexity of the situation. Suzanne had a large family, and her disappearance made ripples that upset the lives of her former boyfriend, all her brothers and sisters, her mother and father, and Alexa. The book explores many of these problem areas while still keeping the focus mainly on Suzanne, her mother, and Alexa. At times, it didn't look as if any resolution could be reached with Mrs. Zimmerman and some of the family members. But in the end, the seemingly impossible becomes possible and the final events resolve satisfactorily. Even though the subject matter is serious and the darkness of discord runs constantly throughout the plot line, the author was still able to add moments of humor and light. Suzanne's former boyfriend, Paul Aldrich, had gotten married after she had left. He had a son Danny before his wife died of cancer. The boy has a great sense of mischief and lends comic relief to the story. Many times, the author also defuses tense moments through Alexa's light and cheerful personality. One of my favorite funny moments, however, occurred when Mother Zimmerman, Suzanne, Alexa, and Shelley took a day trip to Wichita. Just when you think Shelley's bad attitude would ruin the trip for the women, Mrs. Zimmerman's former wry humor finally broke through the awkwardness and anger. It was a moment of hope and a turning point in the story.Finally, in spite of the fact this is not a romance story, Suzanne's former love interest is another major element of the story because Paul is the carpenter refitting the house to accommodate the wheelchair. He is constantly present and both Paul and Suzanne realize they must come to terms with their former relationship and their current feelings for each other. Unfortunately, this is one of the threads that remains unresolved by the end of the book. But I have hopes it will be settled in the next book, which focuses on Alexa's new life among the Zimmermans. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Waterbrook Press and the website, Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down, it would be hard to be in a community where you are looked down on for making one mistake even if it is a bad one. It is well written and does well in leading towards redemption. I grew to like all the characters, even the crotchety mother. I received this from Blogging for books for a fair and honest opinion.