The question lingered: where was Nolan? and would he ever come home?

A sense of brotherhood has kept Nolan Hayes and Mike Wayne together since their meeting after the war. Their steps take them to Mike’s childhood friends on the beautiful Gaviota countryside.

There, Nolan meets a Spanish princess who open her heart to him, hoping to draw out the secret behind his sadness and make joy dance in his ice blue eyes. If only he would open his heart to her!

But, Nolan can’t.

The horrors of war follow him. What plagues Nolan the most, however, is the broken past with his family. Father’s death. Fighting with Cole. The accident.

Nolan longs to return home and see what has gone on. To seek forgiveness. But, fear and a little pride are keeping him away.

To go home would mean letting every secret come out. After that…could there be any mercy for a wretch like him?

This is Echoes of Mercy, book two of the Songs of the Children series, by LaKaysha Elizabeth.

A tumultuous and heartfelt sequel, Echoes of Mercy is a story of love, longing, sadness, truth, and forgiveness. A new cast of unique characters, and the old cast of beloved characters mingle throughout the story and fill it with two atmospheres.

LaKaysha’s style remains steadfast; in a few words, descriptive, heartfelt, and clear. It’s a good show of third person omniscient with a little narration thrown in.

She rarely quotes Scripture verses or passages. Instead, she speaks of God – who He is and what He does – through the characters’ personal relationships with Him. She conveys spiritual lessons from Scripture using everyday objects as word pictures. And, she speaks the truth and themes through hymns. Music is once again a huge part of this story!

I was intrigued. Pain and sadness were never far from Nolan, but neither was God! Confusion swirled about Maria, but she sought the Lord (most times). The focus on Christ, the camaraderie of Mike and Nolan, and the music filled scenes with hope and some lightheartedness. It pulled me back.

More than anything, I wanted to see the truth break like the dawning sun; to see Nolan understand the merciful heart of God; to see him go back home. After reading Strength in Measure, there was no way I couldn’t return and read Nolan’s story.

And, yes, Echoes of Mercy will have you in tears. I cried more than once. But, it ends beautifully! This one ends much more uplifting and encouraging, even if you are smiling through tears! That is…until you read the epilogue. Book three is needed, please!

Again, it isn’t a book you pick up simply to enjoy a good story. It is one you read to thoughtfully invest time and emotion while seeking the strong and merciful God Almighty. He may yet speak to you through its telling.

Hallelu Yah! Adonai is a merciful God, forgiving the sin of those who humble themselves before Him and cry out! “I love the Lord for he heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:1-2, 7-9).

And, praise be to God, He gives us His power to extend forgiveness; to be echoes of His mercy.

A sequel well worth reading!