As a girl Laura Hile pored over old books in her grandmother’s collection, delighting in stories from a bygone era. Laura now spends her days teaching 7th grade at a Christian school and, in her spare time, writes madly. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three college/post-college age three sons, and a collection of antique clocks.
These days she is hard at work on the fourth Mercy’s book, along with editing the six-volume Love Suffers Long and is Kind (co-written with Susan Kaye). Regrettably, Laura shares too many personality traits with top-lofty Elizabeth … and also with Mary Musgrove, the queen of procrastination and complaints!
Mercy’s Embrace now has a page to “Like” on Facebook!
Websites: MercysEmbrace.com and LauraHile.com
Laura’s writing blog Can’t Hug Every Cat
New! Meet Jane Austen’s “Other Elizabeth” at Austenprose.
New! Counfound it, Darcy! Court like a Man! (with Admiral McGillvary) at My Jane Austen Book Club.
Jane Greensmith’s Interview: Laura Hile, Author of Mercy’s Embrace … Unmasked
Jane’s Exclusive Interview with Patrick McGillvary and Elizabeth Elliot from Mercy’s Embrace
Chautona’s Review at Paradoxology: The Mercy’s Embrace Series
Alexa Adams’ Review: So Rough a Course
Austenesque Reviews: The Evolution of Elizabeth Elliot
To Read or Not To Read Reviews: So Rough a Course
New! Christina Boyd of Austenprose:Might Elizabeth Elliot be Austen’s female Darcy in the midst of redemption?
Alexa Adams’ Review: So Lively a Chase
Austenesque Reviews: Elizabeth Elliot is in Love!
To Read or Not To Read Reviews: So Lively a Chase
New!Christina Boyd of Austenprose:Be forewarned! Ending will leave you breathless with anticipation for Book 3!
Alexa Adams’ Review:The Lady Must Decide
Austenesque Reviews: Where Difficult Decisions Abound!
To Read or Not To Read Reviews: The Lady Must Decide
Jane Greensmith’s Review: The Lady Must Decide
New!Christina Boyd of Austenprose:Mercy’s Embrace: The Lady Must Decide
Cant’ wait for The Lady Must Decide – Loved the first two Mercy’s Embrace books!
Megan, I’m so pleased to know that you enjoyed the first two Mercy’s books! I’m ashamed to say that I only noticed your post today. One must be logged in and visit the Dashboard of all things. I am still finding my way around here.
As I said on the main page, on Saturday last I sent Mercy’s Embrace 3 off to the publisher. I hope you enjoy it. Expectations among the readers are high, which is a fearful (and yet wonderful) thing for a writer. Thanks for the encouraging words.
As I was following up on Susan Kaye’s story, “Pleasant Days…”, I discovered that when I clicked on Chap. 4 a
website, Search.com, comes up. Please, what happens in
Chap. 4 ?
Carol–Here is the good link to Chapter 4 and the rest of the story that is available: http://ihadtolaugh.wordpress.com/pleasant-days/chapter-four/. I just put up a new post so enjoy.
Take care–Susan Kaye
I loved your first two books! Do you have a tentative release date for the third? I am waiting as patiently as I can!
Samantha, I don’t know what to say. “The end of May,” is what my publisher says, so I have to hang with that. This morning I realized May is one-third over (I teach middle school, and students still have a whopping lot to do before summer break). Just now I sent off a nagging email to Wytherngate Press on behalf of loyal readers. I’ll let you know here if I hear anything exciting.
And thanks so much for your encouraging support. You (and I!) will see the book go up for sale first at Amazon. I don’t know why Amazon gets first crack at books (even before my publisher!) but that’s how it is.
I’m practically stalking Amazon for “The Lady Must Decide”. Even bought an Amazon.com gift certificate through Scrip in anticipation of the purchase! Now all I need is the ABILITY to buy the book!!! The anticipation is driving me loopy!
Dear Katie, I’m practically stalking my publisher for the same! The delay is driving ME loopy, but what can I do? I’m forwarding your comment … bless you for the vote of confidence.
Laura -
Did the publisher say the end of May 2010????
I check every day (at least once) and am anxious to see the book on the list. I know there is nothing you can do, but wanted to make sure you had the year right.
Jackie
Jackie, the publisher did … and like you, I am checking every day. You will see the book come up at Amazon first, and I will post here with the news.
Here’s the situation as of Tuesday: The proof copy came in from the printer and the color of the cover is wrong !!! It is gray instead of blue!
It’s always something …
On the other hand, this means we’re close. Very, very close. In fact, if you’d like to read the first chapter, it’s up on the Wytherngate Press website. Here’s the link.
This won’t solve anything for you story-wise, but it’s always fun to watch Patrick and Elizabeth face off. Poor Elizabeth, she thinks she’s so smart, and she just … isn’t.
Thanks, Jackie, for your loyalty. I hope The Lady Must Decide won’t disappoint!
OMG – the first chapter was awesome. I had been wondering for months how she would figure it out but I never considered Cleora.
I am satisfied for now that she knows who he is . . . . . thanks for the link.
A Lady Must Decide is on Amazon now! Thank you!
Samantha, thanks so much for the heads-up. Girl, you are on this! You were my first alert!
I’m sorry that it took so long for this book to make it through production. It’s been kind of a bumpy ride.
The remainder of the summer is devoted to polishing up a series I wrote with Susan Kaye — Love Suffers Long and is Kind — for production as (inexpensive) ebooks. As well, I have some howlingly funny material that can be expanded for a follow up Mercy’s book. Are readers interested in more with these characters?
The 3rd book was as taut, attention holding and as well written as the first two. Loved it. Worth the wait. You certainly made Elizabeth Eliot and Patrick McGilvray characters worthy of our attention. I was so pleased to see that you followed up on all the story threads from the previous books with satisfying results. That said, I hope there is a Book 4 that will answer the questions: What will Fredrick Wentworth do when he comes home to find his father-in-law ensconced in his home; what eventually becomes of Sir Walter; is there any more to the Lady Russell and Longwell relationship; what are to make of Anne’s fatigue and loss of appetite (the obvious?); how did the wedding go off; does Mrs. Huntington pursue her attempt to take Cleora away from Adm. McGilvray; and, please, tell me that Mary Musgrove “gets a clue”, for Charles sake if no other reason. Thank you again for using your own special talent to give us a thoroughly entertaining break from our daily ennui.
Carol, thanks so much for the lovely review! Amazon remains quiet, so I’ve been wondering what readers are thinking.
Hey, if you haven’t yet entered the contest on Alexa’s blog for the three-book set, please do so. When last I checked there were only a few entrants so you have an excellent chance of winning. Today (Friday) is the final day.
The follow up book to Mercy’s Embrace has the working title Mercy’s Hard Bargain and will address many (but not all!) of the questions you mention. Thanks for listing them — I sometimes wonder what readers pick up on.
After that, I’ll be working on a Mercy’s related book, Cleora, my attempt to break in to the Regency romance market. We’ll see Elizabeth and Patrick’s marriage through the eyes of his daughter, as she makes her entrance into the London scene under the aegis of Mrs Admiral Patrick McGillvary. Never a dull moment with Elizabeth on the quarterdeck!
Thanks again, Carol, for your kind words.
I’ve spent all day reading “The Lady Must Decide”. I’m still not sure if it’s really decided…smiles. I am loving it. Tho’ I got so anxious at one point I had to skip to the end just to survive. Then I went back and picked up where I left off. I have about 10 pages to go, but since it’s past midnight and my husband’s becoming disgruntled I guess I’ll finish tomorrow. It’s great!
Sue, I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed the books. (And I’m sorry to have taken so long to reply to you here. I was on vacation and away from the web for — gasp — 10 days.)
I, too, have been known to rush through a book because I couldn’t stand the suspense. There will be more with these characters … eventually! And you know we’ll do a giveaway here.
when will “Love suffers long and is kind” be available? I can hardly wait!
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Laura,
I would like to say thank you once again for writing these amazing books! Last night I picked up my copy of Mercy’s Embrace: So Rough a Course (first time in about a year) and read it along with So Lively a Chase and The Lady Must Decide one sitting. Once I put the last book down and looked at the clock it was 4 a.m. I truly get lost in these books and the characters are delightful and funny. I noticed something about you working on a fourth book! I am anxious to see what is in store for Patrick and Elizabeth along with everyone else.
Thank you,
Samantha R
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When will Book 4 come out? I’m crazy about the series.I think you are the best writer of Austen sequels since Pamela Aidan, whom I loved. More please, and more after that! One never grows tired of Regency romance. I will be introducing my daughter to your books. She is a finance professor at NYU and needs all the escape she can get.
Hi Laura, I too, am wondering about Book 4. I have read all of your books and the ones you have written with Susan Kaye. Miss Elliot and Admiral McGillvary are so believable in their escapades as well as all the Persuasion characters.