“I was deeply moved by the story of Pastor Jake and Mary Margaret Delaney. So well written. So challenging to me. So Christlike. And so Chicago!”
—Neta Jackson, best-selling author of The Yada Yada Prayer Group
“Irresistible, unconditional love shines through on each and every page!”
—Sharon Ewell Foster, Christy Award-winning author of Passing by Samaria
Review: Mercy Like Sunlight was not my usual reading material. However, I really enjoyed it. The characters were just so…real. Mary Margaret Delaney was a character broken by her past and rendered immobile by her despair to move forward with her life. This short novella can show you how one person can make such a difference by stepping out to help someone. Pastor Jake Stauros was a selfless, loving man all throughout the story. I could definitely see Jesus reflected in him in his thoughts and in his actions. Because Jake helped Mary her life was drastically changed for the better.
I really, really liked how the author kept on dropping biblical references and parallels throughout the book. I didn’t realize exactly how much it was biblically based until the end of the story. The ending is my favorite part. It gives a poignant, beautiful reminder of what Easter is and even though death may come it has already been defeated by Jesus Christ. I like how Liz Curtis Higgs put it, using scripture, then her own words. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?...When the body is set free from mortal death, the spirit soars with eternal life."
I recommend Mercy Like Sunlight to those who are struggling with grief or want a good Easter story. I also enjoyed the spiritual depth this novella revealed. Most books don’t have that. Mercy Like Sunlight is an encouraging, uplifting story closely aligned with the account of Mary Magdalene in the Bible.
I give this book 41/2 out of 5 stars.
*I received a digital copy of this book from the publishers through Blogging for Books. The opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. I have given an honest opinion of this book.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in corruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body...O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 and 55