Leta Gail Doerr

I love the Bluegrass Country series. It is set in one of my favorite states. For the Love of Mercy picks up where For the Love of Big Orange left off yet it is its own book. That means if you didn't read big Orange you can still enjoy Mercy, (though I recommend you read Big Orange - good story and has good background for this book).
In Mercy we meet Jax. He was adopted. He has some issues from that and also from just being spoiled. He is what I would call the typical spoiled, rich BOOK kid. I know plenty of "rich" kids in real life who are not typically spoiled. Jax accidentally finds out that he has a birth sister he did not know about, (or actually does not remember). He is angry that he was not told about her and sets off to find her. This brings him to Kentucky and Mercy Lynn.
Mercy is a down to earth, kind and compassionate woman who takes Jax under her wing. She knows he is searching for something and needs help desperately. What she doesn't know is that he has a diagnosis for a mental issue stemming from his childhood or that she will fall in love with him. The diagnosis could destroy her chances at love.
Both Jax and Mercy Lynn are likable characters. The story revolves around them but also around Emma, Jax's sister. Emma is from the first book For the Love of Big Orange. It was wonderful to see her and Lacie Jo again. I think the author did a phenomenal job continuing Emma's story without letting it overtake Jax and Mercy Lynn's story.
I would recommend this book to readers of romance. It has drama, humor and love. I found it to be an enjoyable, down to earth, home style book. I was easily able to read it in a day. I can't wait for, "For The Love of Justice", to come out!… (mehr)

I have been pretty upfront with my bad relationship with novellas. Unless they are part of a series I love, novellas and I typically don't get a long. I made a point of letting Leta Gail Doerr know this when accepting a query to review For the Love of Big Orange.

I'm not always one to easily admit when I'm wrong. Actually, I am never one to easily admit that - but hey, it's not as if it happens often (ahem). However, I must say... I was wrong. If novellas are often like For the Love of Big Orange, then I won't need a relationship counselor to get along with them ever again.

Lacie Joe is an abandoned child turned hot mess teenager turned self starting - teen saving - fairly selfless - loveable chick with attitude oozing out her pores. She's haunted by her past, her mistakes and her heartaches. A family emergency ushers her back to her hometown and now she must face up her mistakes and the man she left to flee them.

Que Jay Hayworth. Oh my sweetness, this man was wonderful. Ooey-gooey wholesome hottie in a uniform, anyone? He's chased after Lacie Joe for as long as he can remember and he's determined to worm his way back into her life using tools like dependability and good home cooking. Yes, please!!

Lacie Joe's life as she knows it is falling apart and she has to fight to keep what she holds most dear together. For the Love of Big Orange is a sweet and heart warming tale of family, love, honesty, redemption and coming home. I was hooked at page one. My only complaint...it was too short. However, it is just the first of a series. The second book, To Have Mercy, will be out this summer.… (mehr)