About the Book

Book: Scandals and Mercies

Author: Kathleen Rouser

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 23, 2024

He’s a reporter determined to uncover the truth, but the secrets he finds could crush her family—and their second chance at love.

Taken from her family’s farm to be raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle, Nora Armstrong has accepted that not only will she never realize her dream of becoming a teacher, she’d also rather be a spinster than submit to her cruel aunt’s society selection of a suitable husband. The one man who caught her eye betrayed her best friend. And she’s got enough on her hands, hiding her sister’s shameful secret from her aunt.

When the local home for unwed mothers burns down, the arson investigation brings big-city reporter James Cooper back to Stone Creek—and back into Nora’s life. James also has a meddling aunt who raises more questions than she answers about his past. Not to mention, he can’t figure out why Nora constantly rebuffs him. When his reporting casts aspersions on the local church and lays the blame for the fire and a series of robberies at the wrong feet, he risks losing his new position at the paper.

As they seek to unravel the town’s mystery, rescue endangered mothers and children, and navigate their own family secrets forced to light, James and Nora increasingly turn to each other for help. But can they overcome James’s lack of faith and the disapproval of Nora’s guardians to find a second chance at love?

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About the Author

Kathleen Rouser is a multi-published, award-winning author of historical and contemporary Christian romance. She is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers. She resides in southeast Michigan, a location which she often uses in her novels, with her hero and husband of forty-some years and two sweet cats who found a home in their empty nest.

More from Kathleen

Writing Scandals and Mercies: A Personal Spiritual Journey

By Kathleen Rouser

Scandals and Mercies has been my hardest story to write thus far. It seems that as I work through issues in my life it may come out in my characters. And I can relate to Nora Armstrong, my heroine. I can understand some of her struggles, her tender heart toward the Coping children, and figuring out who she is in Jesus. The challenges I had in writing this book are reflected in the theme which came through as I wrote it—identity in Christ. Then I became more purposeful in exploring the theme. Nora felt alone and had doubts at the beginning, but then she learned what it meant for her to trust in God despite her difficulties.

Though I’d been a believer for nearly forty years when I began writing Scandals and Mercies, I was—and still am—going through some difficult trials that forced me to really think about what my identity in Christ is. Who am I in Him? Will I depend on Jesus through one of the worst trials of my life? Or will I become bitter? I think of when Jesus said some hard things and many of His disciples deserted Him. He said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” And Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Jesus is truly the only One who has the answers, the words of eternal life. Where else would I turn? And when He doesn’t directly answer, especially the way I want, it’s for me to trust in Him.

And it’s also about sharing in the fellowship of His sufferings, not that we can add anything to our salvation, but that trials and suffering are a part of the Christian life, meant to mold us and grow us in our faith. And if we allow it, to be changed more closely into the someone who projects the image of Christ to others. My husband likes to say we are “Jesus with skin on” for each other.

Working through all of that while writing how Nora grew in her faith took a lot of emotional energy, but God strengthened me and I finished her story, while He is still writing mine!

MY REVIEW

This story is a reminder of how people judge others. It was sad to see people in town treating unwed mothers so harshly. I kept thinking of the scripture that says, “He without sin cast the first stone.” Nora is such a sweet caring young woman. She has become more like a maid at her uncle and aunt’s place. Her aunt is cruel and says such hurtful words to Nora. Nora is also keeping a secret about her sister that will soon be found out if they are not careful.

When a fire destroys the home where unwed mothers we’re staying the town seems to be divided on whether to help them or not. James is here in town working at the newspaper. He thinks the fire will be a big story and help his career. Arson is suspected but who would want to harm the women and their babies? I was disappointed in the article he published and saw a bitter heart within him.

Nora and James are attracted to each other but they do have a few obstacles to overcome. Faith is very important to Nora, yet James is not sure he believes in God. When something tragic happens to Nora’s aunt everything changes. I loved how the author illustrates how we are to care for others and forgive them. This part reminded me of my mother. We never had a good relationship but when she became very sick I knew I had to be there to care for her. Nora shows her compassion and love for her aunt even though she has been treated so badly by her.

When a dark secret is revealed to James his world seems to fall apart. Here is where I thought the author did a great job of showing how vulnerable a character was and his journey to forgive. Janes knows that he has misjudged so many but can he learn to trust God?

As I read the story I felt that old familiar feeling of rejection. Several characters experience it and it made me remember growing up knowing that my parents never loved me. Their rejection followed me into adulthood. The only way I was able to forgive them was to ask God for help. We see in the story where a few characters experienced how painful rejection is. They didn’t handle it well but God always has a way to deal with things that pull us away from our faith.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.