Customer Reviews

Running From Mercy

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pamela Mays, a star R&B singer, hasn't been back to her hometown of Mercy, Georgia since she left on a bus eighteen years ago. It seemed to the townsfolk that she was running from something, but they could only speculate on what that something was. When Pamela's twin sister, Paris, is killed in an accident, she has to do something she never planned on doing: she has to go home and face the demons of her past. Pam never bargained for the things that would be unearthed when she returned, however, and it seems like this time around she can run, but she can't hide.

Filled with suspense, romance, family ties, and memorable characters, RUNNING FROM MERCY was one of those books I couldn't wait to finish, but, at the same time, I didn't want it to end. The book kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen to these characters I had so much invested in. Terra Little's debut onto the literary landscape is a spectacular smash, and I'm eager to read her future works.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rhythm and Blues singer, Pamela Mayes, swore never to return to Mercy, Georgia when she stepped on that bus eighteen years ago. The death of her twin sister, Paris, made her renege on that vow. It was Pam's intention to attend her sister's funeral and return to California, but something kept her in Mercy, a little too long. The longer she stayed, secrets began to unravel. Terra Little delivers a story of reuniting love with some surprising unexpected discoveries in her novel Running from Mercy.

Pamela and Paris were inseparable as children growing up in Mercy, GA. Pamela, the yen to Paris' yang. They were abandoned at birth and lived in an orphanage until they reached the age of eighteen. At age eighteen, Pamela was in love, looking forward to getting married to her high school sweetheart. Just days before graduation and her marriage, Pam got on a bus and disappeared without an explanation. Paris stayed in Mercy, went to college, married Chad Green and raised their daughter, Nikki. In the midst of clearing out Paris' things, Pam gives Nikki Paris' journal. What Nikki reads in the journal changes the lives of her family..

Pam's return to Mercy also brings to town Miles Dixon, a writer intent on doing an unauthorized autobiography on Pam. He befriends her and the townspeople to get information for his book. Miles discovers a 35-year-old secret.

Little tells this story through journal entries written by Pam, Paris and Nikki and flashbacks of the twins teenage years. Some of the transitions between the past and present were abrupt and took this reader by surprise. However, I appreciated the flashbacks as they helped in the character's development and explained the character's motives and behaviors. I thought for a first time novelist, Ms Little did a good job. I look forward to more work from her in the future.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

You can run...but you can't hide! Pamela Mayers thought when she boarded the bus bound for any place other than Mercy, Georgia that the beginning of the end to her problems would finally start. But life has a cruel way of making us come back and face the demons of our past. Met Pamela and Paris Mayers, twin sisters who are orphans. Pam and Paris resided at the Orphanage know as the "Home" in this small town, where everyone knew everyone and of course their business, as well. But there were some secrets that were yet to be uncovered. Will Mercy, Ga. every be the same?

This book begins with Pam having to return to Mercy, Ga. for the funeral of her twin sister who was killed in a car accident. After 18 years Pam still had many reservations of returning to the place where she once called home. She still had visions of the good times that she shared there, but there were also the nightmares that came even when the lights were on. The question becomes, how can she return to a place that held so many of her secrets, and other secrets that she isn't aware of; and still depart with those secrets remaining unearthed.

Well, the truth of the matter is Pam must faced those demons, for they really weren't masked that deep nor well.

Meet Pam the now R&B successful singer, Paris, the quiet, subdued, loving and caring social worker, mother and wife, then meet Nikki, the daughter and niece who resides in a trouble free world...and finally meet "The Diary", full of meticulous, multihued, and can't wait to be exposed secrets.

Nikki, very sad after the death of her mother, is given her mom's diary by her aunt Pam. It is between the pages of this diary that secrets, lies, truth, jealousy, and deceitfulness come alive. Once all of these things are uncovered will everyone be able to go about their lives as is normal?

Paris, although dead, may be the only one who may have escaped the turmoil that will erupt as each page of "The Diary" is revealed. The town of Mercy, Georgia will be singing Mercy, Mercy Me once the twists and turns are unearthed. Yes, lives will forever be changed and one will be left thinking... can all of this splintering be fixed?

This, Ms. Little's debut novel is full of emotion, heart felt passion, gut wrenching pain, and then maybe just maybe healing will come about. This author definitely hones her skill. Her writing style is one that is enjoyable, mesmerizing, gripping and to say the very least a pleasure to read. I look forward to more books by her. It is a pleasure to have her in the literary field. There is definitely room for another intriguing writer.

Welcome, into my world, Ms. Little.

I really loved this book. A very visual and very touching story. I think it would make a great movie.

Paris and Pam are twins that grew up a group home in Mercy , Georgia . Although identical, the sisters were as different as night and day. Paris, the quiet one, always believed in doing the right thing, while Pam, the loud one, had a reputation for being the fast one.

Eventually, Pam left Mercy, vowing to never return. Unfortunately, that vow is broken as she must go back to bury her twin. While she's there to be a support system, she's also hoping to get things done and get away before her past can catch up to her. Is Pam ready to face her past, or is she going to be able to outrun it?

RUNNING FROM MERCY written by Terra Little is uniquely creative. Abundant are the family ties, romance, as well as suspense, making for a good, quick read. I would definitely recommend this book.

Reviewed by: Carmen

R&B Star Pamela Mayes has not been back to her hometown of Mercy, GA since she left abruptly over eighteen years ago. The people in this small town always wondered why she left so suddenly. They could only speculate as to why. Pamela intended on never returning to Mercy, but the passing of her twin sister Paris Greene forced her to come back. Pamela knew that she would now have to face the demons of her past. Pamela never realized that the secrets she kept would affect so many people. Little did Pamela know that there were secrets she didn't even know about. When Pamela returns home, she brings along an unwanted guest by the name of Miles Dixon. Miles is an author trying to write the story about the mysterious Pamela Mayes. She never did interviews or appearances on talk shows so her story was the ultimate task for Miles. Unbeknownst to Miles, he hits the jackpot of all time. He uncovers a 35-year -old secret that will shake the people of Mercy to the core. Will Pamela be able to face her past, or will she run away again from Mercy?

Paris and Pamela were inseparable. They were identical twins and the only way to tell them apart was by their attitudes. Paris was the quiet and shy one whereas Pamela was the loud and outgoing one. When Pamela was around, you knew Paris was not far behind. They lived in an orphanage from the time they were born until their eighteenth birthday. At age eighteen, Pamela was in love with Chad Green. After graduation, they were going to get married and leave the town. Just days before graduation, plans changed and Pamela got on a bus and left town without any explanation. Paris never left Mercy and she stayed and married Chad Greene. Together they raised their daughter Nikki. One thing Paris and Pamela had in common was that they kept journals. After her sister's funeral, she thought it would be a great idea to give Nikki her mom's journal. What Nikki reads in that journal changes her family's lives forever.

Terra Little found a unique way of telling this story. She tells the story through journals written by Pamela, Paris, & Nikki. The story flashes back through the teenage years and how things changed between the twin sisters. I enjoyed the way that the women were telling private moments through reading the journals. The story kept you on the edge of your seat with the change from the past to the present. She gave great details as to how each character developed through the years. Even though Running From Mercy was Terra's first novel, she did an outstanding job. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Reviewed by Jackie
for Urban Reviews

Awsome book....My Favorite #1 book I have ever read! Thos book will leave you with a "WOW" when you are done with it.... :) I kind of wish there was a movie made from the book, that would be incredible!!!!!! (hint-hint Ms. Terra Little) ;)

Pam Mayes left the town of Mercy, Georgia 16 years ago. She ran away to California to escape the pain she endured while living in Mercy. She returns to Mercy to bury her sister, her twin, Paris. Pam arrives with the intention of burying her sister and returning to her home in California. Secrets of her past keeps her in town for longer than she planned and she struggles with emotions and secrets that are connected with the town.

It's a good story. Cheers for the plot's theme, truth and forgiveness. Lies will always bury happiness. Growth requires forgiveness.

Finally got my hands on a copy of Terra Little's "Running from Mercy" and I have to say that this author is truly gifted when it comes to writing. This is the story of Pam Mayes returning to Mercy Georgia after 18yrs to bury her twin Paris who is tragically killed in an accident and this is where the actions begins. Told mostly through Paris' daughter reading her mother's journal and through flashbacks but you will not be disappointed. There are so many secrets revealed as to why Pam stayed away so long and so much pain that needs healed. This book was so emotional and so page turning that I literally picked it up every chance I got until I was able to finish it. You will definitley love this story and find it's worth every penny to have in your library!

I could not put this book down. I read it in one day because I had to know what happened in Mercy. This book had many surprises and the plot was interesting and Ms. Little has a writing style all her own. I read Where there Smoke first which was awesome, so I had to pick this book up and I wasn't dissappointed.