Where Mercy Flows by Karen Harter

Another church library book...

Where Mercy Flows is a well-crafted first novel by freelance writer Karen Harter.  The story begins with Samantha returning home after a 7 year estrangement; she is broke, sick and the single mother of a 5 year old boy.  Page by page, we discover the hurts in her past, her grief over the sins she's committed, and her increased unity with her family as they all learn to forgive and move on.  The characters are well-developed, their faith is very present, but not preachy, and the struggles they face as a family as ones that many readers will relate to.  Although the ending is a bit predictable, the story is well told, and could certainly serve to encourage anyone who has ever wondered "if I can't love me, and my family can't love me... how could God possible love me?" with the message that God's love comes first... and his mercy.

Not a "must read" but recommended.