Customer Reviews

A Patchwork Family (Angels of Mercy)

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In 1866 Kansas, Meredith "Mercy" Monroe and her spouse Jake own one of the Holloday Stagecoach line rest stops. The couple works hard to insure the travelers receive the best possible attention whether it is her renowned cooking or his handling of horses and the coaches. Though the work is hard, both Monroes feel they live a good fulfilled life much more than the affluence they left behind in Philadelphia. Perhaps their only regret is a lack of offspring.

That changes when driver Michael Malloy brings two abandoned children to the ranch stop. He asks the Monroes to take the kids in as he knows they have with their help Nathanial and Asa. Though they have doubts, the pair follows the Lord's way and they make a home for Billy and Christine Bristol. Though facing many hardships and tragedy, Mercy through her inner strength and her faith remains the center of her extended family.

A PATCHWORK FAMILY is an inspirational Reconstruction Era novel. The story line enables the audience to obtain a deep look at life on the Great Plains in the late 1860s through a strong fully developed ensemble with Mercy as the hub. Mindful of Little House on the Prairie, Charlotte Hubbard writes a delightfully deep and rich mid nineteenth century inspirational Americana tale.

Harriet Klausner

First of all, her name was Mercedes and her husband's name was Judd. ;)

I bought this book to get me through a weekend of camping and I could not put it down until I finished it. The characters were so well written and the interactions between them were so true to life, in my opinion. I am looking forward to more from this author and can't wait to get into another of her books soon!

After two children, Christine and Billy, are orphaned and left in their care, the Malloys do their best to make them part of the family,despite Christine's continued snobbery and rebellion. No one who meets Mercy Malloy comes away unaffected by her gentle faith and kindness. Through hard winters, trials and sorrows, the young woman endures. Even after her dear husband is killed, leaving her pregnant with their first birth child, she is undaunted. Is there room in her heart, then, for a new love?

*** In Camelot, Arthur claimed that the phrase "blood is thicker than water was coined by undeserving relations". Books like this prove that is true. It's not blood that ties a family together, it's love. The Christian message is clear, but not beaten over the readers' heads. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

I really enjoyed A Patchwork Family for the first half, but then I got bogged down with too much scattering of information. I was disappointed to see at the end too many loose ends not tied up. That usually drives me crazy in any novel. Ms Hubbard has talent and a good imagination; lots of creativity. She just needs to tighten up her story line. I know; I too am a writer; I have to critique my own work as well, and I read for research. I will read her again.

I loved this book. It was a wonderful reminder of all the things we tend to take for granted in our busy lives. When all it boils down to is how should we live our life? To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our Lord.

The second in the series "Journey to Love" is even better and a true example of unconditional love!

I found this difficult to read because of the constant Christian references. I was looking to read a light romance, but the pronounced Christian views kept pulling me out of the story. For a person not of Christian faith I would not recommend this book.