Very good book ( )

Had this book for some time; just now got around to reading it & am very impressed. Historical fiction done really well. This is the story of 1890s chocolate factory workers before unions & so many of today's safeguards. Christian, though not as much as the Amish books, and a bit of a mystery to it. I will definitely be searching out more of Sawyer's books. ( )

Title: Echoes of Mercy
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Novel Pages: 333
Year: 2014
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Caroline Langston is an investigator for the Labor Commission and often goes undercover as an employee of the company or factory she is investigating in order to determine the working conditions. She reports her findings and based on these findings, changes or charges might be brought against an owner. She is sent to the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory to complete an investigation started by another agent who met an untimely death. She is also supposed to look into this agent’s death to see if it was really an accident as reported or if it was murder. She strikes up a friendship with another worker, Ollie Moore and begins to feel more for him than friendship, but when her investigation is done, she will be going home to Nebraska, leaving Kansas and going to the next job. Caroline also meets three poor children and takes them under her wing. She knows what it is like to be poor, beaten and afraid as she was such as a child. She promotes education for children instead of working in a factory, which puts her in opposition with Ollie. Can they overcome their differences to find love?
Ollie Moore or Oliver Dinsmore is working undercover at his father’s factory to see what improvements he can make and learn the business better for when he takes over from his father. No one knows he is undercover except his father. He offers to help Caroline or Carrie as she is known at the factory in her investigation. He sees her determination, spunk and bravery as well as her faith put to the test. Ollie believes in God, but doesn’t have a personal relationship with Him. As he spends more time with Carrie, he longs to find out who God is and how he can know Him better. Ollie also knows Carrie is the only one for him, but his parents want him to marry someone from his own social class. Can Ollie learn to trust the One who controls everything? Can he learn that prayers are answered and the value of prayer?
Caroline is such a model of Christian compassion, generosity and selflessness. She inspires me to be a better Christian toward the people around me. She had such wonderful mentors in Noble and Annamarie. Even though they are now old, they still mentor and guide Caroline and others; they didn’t retire. Even when Caroline realizes her true purpose in crossing paths with Ollie, she is disappointed, but rejoices with the opportunity God gives her as well. This was just an inspiring, hope-filled story along with some romance that is uplifting to read. I plan to read more of this author’s works and hope other readers will read this one and pass it along to a friend.
My rating is 4 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

ECHOES OF MERCY by Kim Vogel Sawyer is another exciting inspirational Historical Fiction set in Sinclair, Kansas. Ms. Sawyer delivers every time wth her thought-provoking tales of romance, love, faith, struggle, healing and forgiveness.

Meet Caroline, Lang, investigator for the Labor Commission, Oliver Dinsmore(Ollie Moore), heir to the Dinsmore Candy Dynasty.
Becoming fast friends, both are hiding secrets, and their identities. Caroline is at Dinsmore to investigate the youngest employees,the child workers at the plant, Oliver poses as a common worker, he wishes to learn all he can before he takes over for his father.

ECHOES OF MERCY will not only capture your heart, but will also have you turning pages long into the night as you learn the fate to list cast of characters. Filled with desperation, struggles, secrets, child workers, and the plight of child workers during the 1900's.

Ms. Sawyer is an amazing storyteller whose stories flows seamlessly, are thought provoking and compassionate. A sweet romance! A must read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.

RATING: 4

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )

Kim Vogel Sawyer once again writes a Christian historical romance that readers will be clamoring to read. It's a fast read full of history, love, doubt, and human rights. Her characters may be very obviously good or very obviously bad, but she still places religious doubt in them so they have a little dimension and struggle.

The turn of the twentieth century has brought many changes, but young Carrie is still working hard to bring about more. She works undercover in factories trying to shed light and bring changes to children workers and unsafe conditions. When she is sent to Dinsmoore's World Famous Chocolate factory she got more than she bargained for. She finds herself caring for three young orphaned children and trying to avoid the dashing janitor, Ollie Moore. She finds herself falling for him, even though she's holding in a big secret on her true purpose at the factory. But to her surprise she finds that he is there on a secret errand as well. Can they put aside their differences and work together to achieve the greater good? Can Carrie help Ollie find God? Can they find someone to care for the three orphaned children that have wormed their way into their hearts?

For fans of Christian historical romance and worker's rights.

I received this book free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion. ( )