MERCY, MERCY - Ronn Elmore
Warner/Walk Worthy Press
October 2003
SYNOPSIS: This Walk Worthy Press novel is about a Christian, African American psychologist who struggles to reconcile the memory of his dead wife and their life together with the reality of the two new women currently in his life.
INSPIRATIONAL FICTION: (4) Natasha Brooks-Harris
REVIEW:
“Mercy and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed, truth shall spring out of the earth and righteousness shall look down from heaven…” {Psalm85:10-11}
These two verses represent the theme that runs through the novel MERCY, MERCY ME. Ronn Elmore takes the reader behind the scenes and into the dressing room of tele-evangelism, removes the mask, thereby making the reader aware of the ambitious and power hungry who vie for position within Christendom - not for the honour and glory of God but for selfish ambition. Elmore does not stop there, however, but also draws a parallel to those whose desire it is to help others rise from the ‘miry clay’ of their circumstances. Elmore proposes in the interplay of characters that God must be the focus; when one become focused on the material aspect of life, you become as the rich man, unable to let go of your riches in order to obtain eternal life.
His main character is Dwayne Grandison. A man who, in the eyes of the world, has accomplished great achievements – academically and socially, but spiritually struggles to find his true purpose in life. His life is dominated by his dead wife Yvette. She was the puppeteer and he the puppet for the majority of their married life and despite her death, her words still controls his movements. Worse yet, he is drawn into the web of subtle control and although he notices the similarities, is unable to run away from the web. He has an innate ability to help others but seems unable to help himself. However, mercy and truth met and are able to draw him into God’s plan and purpose for his life.
Loneliness does not necessarily mean that you are alone; you can be lonely and alone in a crowd. This was the case with Beverlyn Boudreaux. On introduction, one would not easily discern this in her character. The reader sees the dazzle; the emotionalism displayed and oftentimes feels the power of the Holy Spirit moving as she ministers. Unfortunately, the desire for true love and the need to feel wanted loom beneath the surface. Beverlyn wants to be love for herself and not her money. As a result, she operates with subtle control, especially when she observes a socially acceptable catch in one of her colleagues. Readers will be sympathetic towards Beverlyn, especially as they realize that she is being controlled by her guardian and because she feels heavily indebted to this character is unable to see the deceit that has been the foundation of her empire. This deceit destroys her empire and causes her to lose that which could have removed her loneliness.
In Christendom, we are often warned of being aware of the wolf in the sheep’s clothing but unfortunately in many cases it is indeed difficult to discern these characters. Linson fits this character type to a ‘tee’. This snake in the grass raises the ante of the reader especially on realizing that his intentions were never honorable. His desire is to be the most powerful and rich man that Christendom has ever seen. In doing so, he uses his niece to build an empire whose foundation is sand. When the winds and the waves come because of its unstable foundation of deceit, pride and unrighteousness, the house cannot stand - truth indeed springs out of the earth and destroyed the foundation.
Nina is a single mother who even though she has been broken by the world of the media, uses her experiences to help others not fall into the same pit that she has climbed out of. As a result she becomes Dwayne’s conscience. She has been where he is going and because of her designed purpose is unwilling to see him walk this path. Nina also has a great capacity to love. The question hangs in her mind; can I risk loving or should I just focus on that which is important in my life-God, my son and my sisters?
The issues covered in this novel provide a reality check for the reader. What really is important in this life? What are our priorities? Where does God fit in? How important is confidentiality in friendship? These are some of the issues explored and in each the reader can see how much God cares.
MR. Elmore has begun his journey with confidence and assurance. As long as his focus remains heavenward, great rewards will come his way as he continues to write powerful novels which reveal the truth in Christendom.
tricia@romanceincolor.com (1st October 2003)