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debf56's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
misspippireads's review against another edition
4.0
Caroline Lang needs to go undercover at Dinesmore's World-Famous Chocolates Factory. She wants to find out how the manufacturer threats the employees from adults to children. Unbeknownst to Caroline, the heir of Dinesmore's, Oliver, is also undercover to learn more about the family business.
Sawyer's recent novel caught my attention right away because of the setting. I have a sweet tooth, so I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into a novel taking place in a candy factory. I focused so much on candy theme, that the larger Labor Commission theme took me by surprise. I would say that there is a definite advantage to knowing next to nothing about a storyline. The reader's reactions are genuine because there is no prior knowledge.
I have read few historical fiction books that include a Labor Commission topic, so that was very refreshing. The double undercover slant was fun! There was a great tension between Caroline and Oliver because they were working for far bigger outcomes and agendas. It threw me a little to the story broken up between different points of view, but as I read further into the story, it read very well. It was good to see the different points of view to understand the character backgrounds and their future goals.
I would recommend Echoes of Mercy to anyone who has a sweet tooth! For more serious readers, Sawyer wrote up a fun and mysterious turn-of-the-century tale. Mystery readers and historical fiction readers will enjoy this novel. I am so thankful Blogging for Books sent me a free copy to review. Thank you!
Time Period: Turn of the Century, 1904
Location: Sinclair, Kansas, USA
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
Sawyer's recent novel caught my attention right away because of the setting. I have a sweet tooth, so I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into a novel taking place in a candy factory. I focused so much on candy theme, that the larger Labor Commission theme took me by surprise. I would say that there is a definite advantage to knowing next to nothing about a storyline. The reader's reactions are genuine because there is no prior knowledge.
I have read few historical fiction books that include a Labor Commission topic, so that was very refreshing. The double undercover slant was fun! There was a great tension between Caroline and Oliver because they were working for far bigger outcomes and agendas. It threw me a little to the story broken up between different points of view, but as I read further into the story, it read very well. It was good to see the different points of view to understand the character backgrounds and their future goals.
I would recommend Echoes of Mercy to anyone who has a sweet tooth! For more serious readers, Sawyer wrote up a fun and mysterious turn-of-the-century tale. Mystery readers and historical fiction readers will enjoy this novel. I am so thankful Blogging for Books sent me a free copy to review. Thank you!
Time Period: Turn of the Century, 1904
Location: Sinclair, Kansas, USA
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
Kim Vogel Sawyer once again writes a Christian historical romance that readers will be clamoring to read. It's a fast read full of history, love, doubt, and human rights. Her characters may be very obviously good or very obviously bad, but she still places religious doubt in them so they have a little dimension and struggle.
The turn of the twentieth century has brought many changes, but young Carrie is still working hard to bring about more. She works undercover in factories trying to shed light and bring changes to children workers and unsafe conditions. When she is sent to Dinsmoore's World Famous Chocolate factory she got more than she bargained for. She finds herself caring for three young orphaned children and trying to avoid the dashing janitor, Ollie Moore. She finds herself falling for him, even though she's holding in a big secret on her true purpose at the factory. But to her surprise she finds that he is there on a secret errand as well. Can they put aside their differences and work together to achieve the greater good? Can Carrie help Ollie find God? Can they find someone to care for the three orphaned children that have wormed their way into their hearts?
For fans of Christian historical romance and worker's rights.
I received this book free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
The turn of the twentieth century has brought many changes, but young Carrie is still working hard to bring about more. She works undercover in factories trying to shed light and bring changes to children workers and unsafe conditions. When she is sent to Dinsmoore's World Famous Chocolate factory she got more than she bargained for. She finds herself caring for three young orphaned children and trying to avoid the dashing janitor, Ollie Moore. She finds herself falling for him, even though she's holding in a big secret on her true purpose at the factory. But to her surprise she finds that he is there on a secret errand as well. Can they put aside their differences and work together to achieve the greater good? Can Carrie help Ollie find God? Can they find someone to care for the three orphaned children that have wormed their way into their hearts?
For fans of Christian historical romance and worker's rights.
I received this book free from Waterbrook Press in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
a_kira's review against another edition
3.0
An alright read.
Likes: emphasis of prayer and reminders of God
Dislikes: POV passages of the villain character. Read the first and skipped all the remaining, reading around them. It is enough for me to read about their actions and cannot stomach insight into their evil mindset.
Likes: emphasis of prayer and reminders of God
Dislikes: POV passages of the villain character. Read the first and skipped all the remaining, reading around them. It is enough for me to read about their actions and cannot stomach insight into their evil mindset.
kgormley's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book by Kim Vogel Sawyer ... this one includes a bit of mystery and intrigue!
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I rounded up, but I can’t give this the full 4 stars because I thought the conflict was resolved too simply, and much of it happened outside of the novel. I also wanted it to end a little differently, with Caroline and Oliver adopting the kids instead of Kesia. It was a bit odd that Oliver never discussed his relationship with Caroline with his father, other than when his father tells him to forget about her. I wanted them to have another heart to heart chat, about the candy factory and about Oliver’s feelings for Caroline. His parents not accepting her was never really addressed.
However, don’t let my complaints lead you to think I didn’t enjoy the book. It was really well done. The author’s attention to detail reminds me of Elizabeth Camden. The historical setting was vivid and seemed well researched.
The characters in this book were great. I liked the character of Caroline, especially her passion to help the orphans and to fight for the rights of children. She was a strong character who overcame a tragic childhood. Oliver was good too. Their romance was a little instalovey, but definitely not as bad as other books I’ve read. Kesia was a sweetheart, and I loved the three orphans and how they changed after experiencing love and care.
Overall I liked the book a lot. I’ll probably check out some other books by this author.
I rounded up, but I can’t give this the full 4 stars because I thought the conflict was resolved too simply, and much of it happened outside of the novel. I also wanted it to end a little differently, with Caroline and Oliver adopting the kids instead of Kesia. It was a bit odd that Oliver never discussed his relationship with Caroline with his father, other than when his father tells him to forget about her. I wanted them to have another heart to heart chat, about the candy factory and about Oliver’s feelings for Caroline. His parents not accepting her was never really addressed.
However, don’t let my complaints lead you to think I didn’t enjoy the book. It was really well done. The author’s attention to detail reminds me of Elizabeth Camden. The historical setting was vivid and seemed well researched.
The characters in this book were great. I liked the character of Caroline, especially her passion to help the orphans and to fight for the rights of children. She was a strong character who overcame a tragic childhood. Oliver was good too. Their romance was a little instalovey, but definitely not as bad as other books I’ve read. Kesia was a sweetheart, and I loved the three orphans and how they changed after experiencing love and care.
Overall I liked the book a lot. I’ll probably check out some other books by this author.
mistree's review against another edition
Wonderful book about a subject that is not widely covered-child labor in their late 19th century. The characters were all well written. The romance in their story was very restrained and did not overwhelm the plot. This was my first book by then author but it will not be my last.
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
4.0
About this book:
“Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.
When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.
Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?”
Series: Has a follow up book, “Just As I Am”.
Spiritual Content- Romans 11:28 in the front; Many Prayers & Scriptures are said; Caroline has a strong Faith & witnesses to many and Oliver is interested in having a Faith; Many talks about God, His Will & trusting Him.
Negative Content- Some blood (not-detailed) parts.
Sexual Content- Different ladies who work at the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory say the Mr. Hightower pinches their bottoms and tries to kiss them!; Gordon (Mr. Hightower) hints at “private meetings” with different female workers; One or two (not detailed) kisses.
-Caroline ”Carrie” Long
-Oliver “Ollie” Moore/Dinsmore
P.O.V. switches between them, Gordon Hightower & Letta
Set in 1904
333 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I enjoyed this book so very much! Not only was it set in one of my favorite eras—it centered around something very close to my heart- caring for orphans. Caroline has such a compassionate heart and a fire for having every child go to school- because of her own childhood.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.
“Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.
When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.
Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?”
Series: Has a follow up book, “Just As I Am”.
Spiritual Content- Romans 11:28 in the front; Many Prayers & Scriptures are said; Caroline has a strong Faith & witnesses to many and Oliver is interested in having a Faith; Many talks about God, His Will & trusting Him.
Negative Content- Some blood (not-detailed) parts.
Sexual Content- Different ladies who work at the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory say the Mr. Hightower pinches their bottoms and tries to kiss them!; Gordon (Mr. Hightower) hints at “private meetings” with different female workers; One or two (not detailed) kisses.
-Caroline ”Carrie” Long
-Oliver “Ollie” Moore/Dinsmore
P.O.V. switches between them, Gordon Hightower & Letta
Set in 1904
333 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I enjoyed this book so very much! Not only was it set in one of my favorite eras—it centered around something very close to my heart- caring for orphans. Caroline has such a compassionate heart and a fire for having every child go to school- because of her own childhood.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.
rebekahmorris's review
4.0
The idea of a mystery in a chocolate factory caught my interest right away. Add the year 1904, child labor, and an undercover investigation, plus good reviews, and I knew I wanted to read it.
Right from the start I was pulled into the story of Caroline, Oliver, Letta, and the others. I wanted to take Letta and her brothers home with me, so the ending was perfect. Each character felt real and natural, not fake or typical.
The setting was sweet (pun intended), and I found it interesting to learn a little about a chocolate factory.
There was enough mystery and tension to keep me turning pages, but not so much that it caused me to lose sleep. I really appreciated how the author wove the Christian aspects of the story into the plot instead of just dumping them in so she could call it "Christian". There was some charming romance but nothing that made me cringe or roll my eyes over.
Just a note of warning, there is talk of a man taking advantage of women in the factory, and hints of him wanting to do it again, but nothing is done in the actual story and nothing is actually described.
Right from the start I was pulled into the story of Caroline, Oliver, Letta, and the others. I wanted to take Letta and her brothers home with me, so the ending was perfect. Each character felt real and natural, not fake or typical.
The setting was sweet (pun intended), and I found it interesting to learn a little about a chocolate factory.
There was enough mystery and tension to keep me turning pages, but not so much that it caused me to lose sleep. I really appreciated how the author wove the Christian aspects of the story into the plot instead of just dumping them in so she could call it "Christian". There was some charming romance but nothing that made me cringe or roll my eyes over.
Just a note of warning, there is talk of a man taking advantage of women in the factory, and hints of him wanting to do it again, but nothing is done in the actual story and nothing is actually described.
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