Dangerous Mercy: A Novel
Read Dangerous Mercy: A Novel Online
Authors: Kathy Herman
Tags: #mystery, #Roux River Bayou Series, #Chrisitan, #Adele Woodmore, #Kathy Herman, #Zoe B, #Suspense, #Louisiana
What people are saying about …
DANGEROUS MERCY
“Kathy Herman’s latest,
Dangerous Mercy,
brings up a question many Christians face—how to help without taking unnecessary risks. More importantly to readers, it’s a riveting suspense ride, set in the Louisiana bayou country. A can’t-miss!”
Lyn Cote,
author of
Her Abundant Joy
“This book gripped my attention from the very first paragraph and never let go. Kathy Herman’s writing shines in
Dangerous Mercy
. This is a powerful and thought-provoking story about loving the unlovely and following God, no matter what the cost.”
Carol Cox,
author of
Dog Days, Who’s That Girl?,
and
Tea and Sympathy
“A well-drawn mystery with characters who leap off the page and into your heart. It’s a story of redemption and hope, forgiveness and unconditional love—and the reminder that we are
all
redeemable through Christ. If you’re looking for a good book to snuggle with in front of the fire, this is it.”
Lynette Eason,
best-selling, award-winning author of the Women of Justice series
Praise for …
FALSE PRETENSES
“Kathy Herman has cooked up a spicy Cajun mystery featuring a likable cast of small town characters. This intriguing yarn is sure to satisfy the appetites of murder-mystery lovers.”
Creston Mapes,
author of
Nobody
“With its perfectly-paced suspense, Cajun flair, and riveting look at the high price of deceit, Kathy Herman’s
False Pretenses
is a true page-turner. Highly recommended!”
Marlo Schalesky,
author of the Christy–Award-winning novel
Beyond the Night
“Kathy Herman has raised her own bar for an action-packed novel with rich conflict and realistic romance.
False Pretenses
is deep and soul-searching with nonstop excitement. It will lead to nonstop reading.”
Hannah Alexander,
author of
A Killing Frost
and the Hideaway series
“Mysteries abound in Kathy Herman’s latest foray into suspense. Though we know some of the characters well, new ones will intrigue readers. The story entwines the secrets of the past with the secrets of today. You’ll enjoy this trip to Cajun country. A solid read!”
Lyn Cote,
author of
Her Abundant Joy
“In
False Pretenses
, Kathy Herman has begun a wonderfully intriguing new series set in Louisiana’s bayou country—Secrets of Roux River Bayou.
False Pretenses
gets the series off to a fast-paced start filled with suspense, tension, and mystery that will grip readers from the first page.”
Marta Perry,
author of
Murder in Plain Sight
“Kathy Herman has written a powerful story of tension, mystery, and danger. Anonymous messages point to a secret from the past that can destroy the future. But there’s also a tender love story to challenge that secret.”
Lorena McCourtney,
author of the Ivy Malone Mysteries and the Andi McConnell Mysteries
DANGEROUS MERCY
Published by David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance View
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.
David C Cook Distribution Canada
55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5
David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England
The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,
no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form
without written permission from the publisher.
The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.
This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.
Psalms 57:5 and 62:5 in chapter 20, Luke 10:27 in chapter 28, and Isaiah 40:31 in chapter 36 are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc™. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Scripture marked
TNIV
is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by Biblica
®
. Used by permission of Biblica
®
. All rights reserved worldwide.
LCCN 2011934294
ISBN 978-0-7814-0341-2
eISBN 978-1-4347-0470-2
© 2011 Kathy Herman
Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
The Team: Don Pape, Diane Noble, Amy Konyndyk, Caitlyn York, Karen Athen
Cover Design: DogEared Design, Kirk DouPonce
First Edition 2011
To Him who is both the Giver and the Gift
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The amazing bayou country of south Louisiana provides the backdrop for this new series and many of the images I describe in the story. But Saint Catherine Parish, the town of Les Barbes, and the Roux River Bayou exist only in my imagination.
During the writing of this second book, I drew from several resource people, each of whom shared generously from his or her storehouse of knowledge and experience. I did my best to integrate the facts, as I understood them. If accuracy was compromised in any way, it was unintentional and strictly of my own doing. I also made good use of numerous Internet sites relating to idiosyncrasies and customs of the Cajun culture and language.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Retired Commander Carl H. Deeley of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for a wealth of information he’s shared over the past several books. Carl, it’s been fun creating Sheriff Jude Prejean, and I hope I’ve made him to your liking. I prefer showing the human side of my law enforcement characters—glimpses into the person beyond the professional demeanor. You added so much to my understanding.
I want to thank my friend Paul David Houston, former assistant district attorney, for explaining the pitfalls of withholding evidence and helping me understand the crime of moral turpitude. Paul, you’re such a great resource guy! Your thorough, concise, and speedy replies to my questions are so appreciated.
I’d like to express my gratitude to my cousin Mark Phillips and his wife, Kim, former owners of Sedalia House Bed and Breakfast in Sedalia, Missouri, for explaining to me the fundamentals of B and B operations. I hope you enjoy Langley Manor on the pages of this story. This one is for Aunt Carol! Something tells me our two moms are smiling down on us.
I am so thankful to my faithful prayer warriors: my sister Pat Phillips, friends Mark and Donna Skorheim and Susan Mouser; my online prayer team—Chuck Allenbrand, Pearl and Don Anderson, Judith Depontes, Jackie Jeffries, Susie Killough, Joanne Lambert, Adrienne McCabe, Deidre Pool, Kim Prothro, Kelly Smith, Leslie Strader, Carolyn Walker, Sondra Watson, and Judi Wieghat; my friends at LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas, and LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee; and my church family at Bethel Bible Church. I cannot possibly express to you how much I value your prayers.
To the retailers and suppliers who sell my books, the church and public libraries that make them available, and the many readers who have encouraged me with personal testimonies about how God has used my words to challenge and inspire you: He uses
you
to fuel the passion that keeps me creative.
To my agent, Joel Kneedler at Alive Communications. Thanks for all the times you’ve called just to encourage me. And for all the ways you look out for my b
est interests. Nothing you do goes unnoticed or unappreciated.
To Cris Doornbos, Dan Rich, Don Pape, and the amazing staff at David C Cook Publishers for believing in me and for getting my books into the marketplace. It’s a good partnership. I’m increasingly proud to be part of the Cook “family.”
To my editor, Diane Noble, for graciously granting me extension upon extension so I would have the time to do my best work. Thanks for your insightful and challenging editorial suggestions. I’m always amazed at the ways you see to strengthen the story that never even occur to me. You’re such a joy to work with.
And to my husband, Paul, the other half of my heart, who kept pace with me as I ran this eighteenth race to the finish line. Thanks for cheering me on and pushing me until I got a second wind. We made it—again!
And to my heavenly Father, for pouring out Your lavish mercy on me. May everyone who reads this book see a picture of Your goodness and mercy through the characters I brought to life. Let my words glorify Your name.