The King's Mercy

by Lori Benton

For readers of Sara Donati and Diana Gabaldon, this epic historical romance tells of fateful love between an indentured Scotsman and a daughter of the 18th century colonial south.

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life.

• ISBN10: 1643582917
• ISBN13: 9781643582917
• Publish Date: 28 September 2019 (first published 4 June 2019)
• Publish Status: Withdrawn
• Out of Print: 3 February 2022
• Imprint: Christian Series Level I (24)
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 500
• Language: English

Reviews

[phyllish]

A powerful tale of redemption

Serving a seven year indenture in exile after participating in rebellion hardly felt like mercy to Alex. Especially serving in the sweltering heat of North Carolina in a forge, under an overseer who appeared to have only his own best interests at heart.

This gripping story followed Alex from a battle in England to the plantation where he was purchased to serve, to the mountains of North Carolina. As Alex's heart was torn by grief and guilt and, especially, anger at God, my heart was filled with compassion and admiration for him.

I loved the descriptions of the time spent with the Cherokee and the lessons learned there. The pictures painted of the area, the lifestyle, and the village all vividly showed me what this would have been like. Seeing the mountains through the eyes of the Scotsman longing for home made me want to go there myself.

As I read, I couldn't help but think of the contrast between the brand of mercy the king of England offered to Alex with the mercy offered to us by Christ. Alex was slated for death by hanging - a traitor's punishment. Yet the king instead offered him life - at a price. Indenture and exile.

We, too are condemned to death for our wrongs against the King. Our rebellion from birth deserves nothing less than this and eternal separation from Him. Yet He extends mercy to us, a full pardon without condition. No exile, no slavery. True freedom.

As a side note, there is an author's note indicating that this was loosely inspired by a story from the New Testament. It wasn't until I read the letter from Reverend Pauling to Joanna's step-father that I realized this connection. Once I read this, I saw the allegory.

Mature readers of Christian historical stories, be sure to consider The King's Mercy.
Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.