BANTER BUDDIES: A Dual View of Eli Easton's 'Tender Mercies'
I think Annie and I both jumped at the chance to read Tender Mercies when it was presented to us.
I’ve always been a fan of Eli Easton’s work and I fell in love with her first book in the Men of Lancaster County series so there was no way I was passing this one up. If I remember correctly Annie even picked up A Second Harvest as well.
This series has only gotten better with this latest installment and I know we’re looking forward to more!
Happy reading!
Tracy
Title: Tender Mercies
Series: Men of Lancaster County #2
Author: Eli Easton
Published: October 27, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 216 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Animals: Farm; First Time; Forbidden Love; May/December; Religion/Faith; Standalone; HEA; CW: Physical Abuse
About Tender Mercies
Eddie Graber’s dream of a sanctuary for rescued farm animals was about to come true when his partner backed out at the last minute. Now Eddie risks losing the twenty-five acre property in Lancaster County—and all the hopes he held for it—before the project even gets off the ground. He needs help, he needs money, but most importantly, he needs to rediscover the belief in a higher purpose that brought him here in the first place.
Samuel Miller worked hard to fit into his Amish community despite his club foot. But when his father learns Samuel is gay, he is whipped and shunned. With just a few hundred dollars to his name, Samuel responds to an ad for a farmhand and finds himself employed by a city guy who has strange ideas about animals, no clue how to run his small farm, and a gentle heart.
Samuel isn’t the only lost soul to serendipitously find his way to Meadow Lake Farm. There’s Fred and Ginger, two cows who’d been living in a garage, a gang of sheep, and a little black pig named Benedict who might be the key to life, love, money—and even a happily ever after for two castoffs.
Favorite Main Character
Tracy: Samuel is definitely my favorite. I find the Amish way of life so interesting and we get a small glimpse via Samuel’s life. I also love his innocence and seeing him experience all of his “firsts”. Annie: Yep, I love Samuel. He’s straight-forward, and simply trusts in mankind, probably the best part of his upbringing. Therefore, he’s spared much of the self-conscious angst we find in those without community.
Favorite Secondary Character
Tracy: Hands down it’s got to be Benny!
Annie: Benny the pig. Now here’s a creature that knows its own mind.
Favorite Endearment
Annie: Here endearments aren’t words but deeds, and the intentions behind them. Samuel thinks to himself, “He wants to be someone Eddie would admire.” Now that’s true endearment!
Favorite Scene
Tracy: There are so many good scenes in this book. I have to say my favorite is when Samuel reads the hetero romance novels. He seriously blushes while reading them.
Annie: I agree with Tracy, so many good ones. For me it's when Eddie realizes he hasn’t trusted anyone because he’s never accepted help.
Favorite Quote
Tracy: It’s not necessarily a quote but when Samuel and Eddie are intimate for the first time Ms. Easton writes “It felt so sexy and so right, those twin testaments to arousal, the sheer comfort of having as much of him pressed against as much of Eddie as possible. Contact. Warmth. Sharing the solid proof of their desire felt like a pledge. It was almost enough by itself, just this.” *sigh*
Annie: “Can a dream be so powerful that even if you lose faith in it, the dream doesn’t lose faith in itself?” Don’t we all hope this is true?
Best Flashback or Revisit of a Scene from Another Perspective Annie: Samuel survives his Amish community with a made-up world, called ‘Green Valley,’ where men are free to love one another. It is sweet when he realizes he’s living it.
This Book Made Me
Tracy: Believe in love and staying true to your dreams!
Annie: Remember to have hope. In a world of powerlessness, we may not be able to do great things. But we can accomplish a great number of small mercies.
What type of reader would you recommend this book to?
Tracy: This is a must for readers who love a slow burn romance, animals and first times.
Annie: Anyone who doesn’t want an “edgy” novel.
For purchase links, excerpt, meet the author, and more...visit our review recommendation links above.
