The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner (And Giveaway)

***Leave a comment on this post until Monday October 20 to be entered to win a copy.***

Summary:

Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?

In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.

My Review: I loved this book. This is a story that will stay with you. Susan is one of my favorite authors. She is an awesome storyteller. The main portion of the book is present day with journal entries of Mercy Hayworth into the 1600s in Salem, MA. It is not overtly religious so fans of Christian fiction or not would like it. I highly recommend this book. It is going on my 2008 favorites list.

I have listed some links to others' reviews below.

http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/shape-of-mercy-by-susan-meissner.html

http://rjsbooklady.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/book-review-giveaway-the-shape-of-mercy-by-susan-meissner/

http://marloschalesky.blogspot.com/2008/09/shape-of-mercy-by-susan-meissner.html

http://robinlee.typepad.com/i_was_just_thinking_/2008/10/the-shape-of-mercy.html

To buy a copy go here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074568

Author Bio:
From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego , California . Find out more about her at http://www.susanmeissner.com/.