I’m delighted to welcome Missing Mercy characters Mercy Carpenter and Faith Harper along with author friend Stephenia H. McGee today! These leading ladies have answered a few q&a’s for us and the author has provided a giveaway as part of her blog tour as well!
about the characters
Mercy is well educated and adventurous, she longs to become a journalist. She’s read everything she can get her hands on, and now she’s ready to see the world beyond the confines of home. But she isn’t prepared for a startling world that won’t accept her color or her gender, and her ambitions soon land her in grave danger.
An aspiring suffragette, Faith is determined not to marry. Especially not her father’s opportunistic new business partner. She doesn’t want any man telling her what to do, least of all the annoyingly chivalrous Nolan Watson. But when Mercy goes missing, Faith will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means trusting a man she doesn’t understand.
q&a for Missing Mercy characters
Ladies, let’s get to know you. How would you describe yourselves in five words?
Mercy: Just five? That’s quite the limitation, Beth. At the moment I’d say, “Ready to start an adventure.”
Faith: I don’t think that’s what she meant. My five words would be independent, witty, bibliophile, entrepreneur, and suffragette.
Mercy: [cocks an eyebrow] You do it your way, and I’ll do it mine.
Beth: I’m happy with either approach!
You two have been friends for a long time, isn’t that right?
Faith: Oh, yes. Mercy has been my sister of the heart since childhood. We tell each other everything.
Mercy: [shifts uncomfortably] Well, mostly. But yes, we’ve been friends since my mother, Ruth, first started taking me up to the Harpers’ house with her.
Faith: Is there something you’re not telling me?
Mercy: [smiling] Let’s talk about that later. We’re in the middle of an interview.
Beth: How wonderful!
How about a different topic? If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
Faith: Beth, that’s a rather odd question. I’ll have to think on it.
Mercy: I’d be a hummingbird. Even before I was born, my Papa called me his little hummingbird. He says it’s because I’m never still.
Faith: [laughs] And he would be correct.
Mercy: I know exactly what animal you should be.
Faith: Oh? What’s that?
Mercy: A praying mantis. They eat the males.
Faith: [looking horrified] That’s disgusting. I’d rather just avoid men altogether.
Mercy: What about Mr. Watson?
Faith: [makes a face] Let’s not talk about him.
Beth: Oh, what a shame… I’d really like to know more about this Mr. Watson!
Let’s talk about food, then. What is your favorite comfort food?
Faith: Comfort food? What do you mean by that?
Stephenia: It means food that makes you feel happy. Comfortable.
Faith: I see. Mother’s apple turnovers. Or her tarts. Both can make a gloomy day bright.
Mercy: [nodding along] I agree. Our mothers have been making those for as long as I can remember.
Beth: Warm sweet and cinnamony apple goodness is definitely comfort food!
One last thing, ladies. Can you tell me what book you are reading right now?
Faith: I’m reading Jane Eyre
Stephenia: What about you, Mercy?
Mercy: [fidgeting with the strings on her bonnet] Me? Oh, well… [glances at Faith] I’m reading True Politeness, A Hand-Book of Etiquette for Ladies
Faith: [gives Mercy a questioning look] Why are you reading books on etiquette?
Mercy: No reason. Just want to be informed.
Beth: Books are the best source for entertainment and knowledge!
That’s all the time we have for today. Thank you for joining us, ladies.
Faith: Glad to be here!
Mercy: I enjoyed it as well. Thank you for hosting us!
B: My pleasure! Be sure to check out all the other Missing Mercy characters, reader friends!
about the book
Missing Mercy by Stephenia H. McGee
Mercy is missing, Faith is floundering Only truth can lead them to freedom.
The venture ahead could leave their friendship behind.
Made a safe-haven after the Civil War, Ironwood Plantation is a refuge of equality for former slaves. But twenty years and a new generation later, they have become an isolated community with little contact with the rest of the world.
Mercy Carpenter is everything the world thinks she shouldn’t be. Educated and adventurous, she longs to make a life for herself beyond the beautiful prison of Ironwood. When she secretly submits an article to the Boston Globe under a man’s name and receives an enthusiastic response and an offer for employment, she’s determined to take advantage of the opportunity. But she isn’t prepared for a startling world that won’t accept her color or her gender, and her ambitions soon land her in grave danger.
The privileged daughter of a plantation owner and an aspiring suffragette, Faith Harper is determined not to marry. Especially not her father’s opportunistic new business partner. She doesn’t want any man telling her what to do, least of all the annoyingly chivalrous Nolan Watson. But when Mercy goes missing, Faith will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means trusting a man she doesn’t understand. In a time where prejudices try to define them, Mercy and Faith must push the boundaries of their beliefs and trust in the God who holds the keys to freedom.
goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | bookbub
Ironwood Plantation Family Saga
books 1 & 2 are $0.99 throughout the tour!
about the author
Winner of the 2012 RONE Best Inspirational Book of the year (2012) and author of six Historical novels, Stephenia H. McGee has a fascination with hoop skirts and ball gowns, Greek revival homes and horse-drawn carriages, quirky Southern sayings, and home-grown recipes.
She currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and two boys, (accompanied by their two spoiled dogs and mischievous cat) where she writes stories of faith, redemption, and stories steeped in the South.
Visit her website and be sure to sign up for the newsletter to get sneak peeks, behind the scenes fun, the occasional recipe, and special offers! Connect with Stephenia on facebook and you’re invited to join Stephenia H. McGee’s Faithful Reader Team to learn the latest about her writing and chat about book-related topics. Or follow her on twitter or pinterest!
tour giveaway
Thanks to the generosity of the author and publisher, one reader will receive signed paperback copies of The Whistle Walk and Heir of Hope (Ironwood Plantation Family Saga books one and two), Mississippi made cheese straws, handmade leather Jer. 28:11 bookmark, handcrafted specialty soaps, Southern Sisters mandarin orange pepper spread, and Thomas Jefferson quote “I cannot live without books” spiral earrings!
US only
enter giveaway here
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
It has been so nice visiting with Missing Mercy characters Mercy and Faith and author Stephenia today! Be sure to say hello in the comments!
Let me know if you’ll be adding Missing Mercy by Stephenia H. McGee to your tbr! I’ll be doing my best to squeeze in a series review, this one has been on my tbr too long!
Faithfully Bookish 
This was so much fun! Thank you for the wonderful interview with the Ironwood ladies, Beth! We all had a great time!
LikeLike