Running from Mercy

by Terra Little

Book Overview

Pam always said that it would take an act of congress to get her to go back home to Mercy, Georgia, but all that's really called for is the death of her twin sister, Paris. Suddenly she's eating her words and sneaking back into town like a thief in the night, trying to lay low and not draw too much attention to herself. When she left Mercy, she was an orphan with a wild and loose reputation that had as much truth to it as it did falsehood. Fast-forward...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601625332
• ISBN13: 9781601625335
• Release Date: December 2012
• Publisher: Urban Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.1" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Running "for" or "from" Mercy?

You can run...but you can't hide! Pamela Mayers thought when she boarded the bus bound for any place other than Mercy, Georgia that the beginning of the end to her problems would finally start. But life has a cruel way of making us come back and face the demons of our past. Met Pamela and Paris Mayers, twin sisters who are orphans. Pam and Paris resided at the Orphanage know as the "Home" in this small town, where everyone knew everyone and of course their business, as well. But there were some secrets that were yet to be uncovered. Will Mercy, Ga. every be the same? This book begins with Pam having to return to Mercy, Ga. for the funeral of her twin sister who was killed in a car accident. After 18 years Pam still had many reservations of returning to the place where she once called home. She still had visions of the good times that she shared there, but there were also the nightmares that came even when the lights were on. The question becomes, how can she return to a place that held so many of her secrets, and other secrets that she isn't aware of; and still depart with those secrets remaining unearthed. Well, the truth of the matter is Pam must faced those demons, for they really weren't masked that deep nor well. Meet Pam the now R & B successful singer, Paris, the quiet, subdued, loving and caring social worker, mother and wife, then meet Nikki, the daughter and niece who resides in a trouble free world...and finally meet "The Diary", full of meticulous, multihued, and can't wait to be exposed secrets. Nikki, very sad after the death of her mother, is given her mom's diary by her aunt Pam. It is between the pages of this diary that secrets, lies, truth, jealousy, and deceitfulness come alive. Once all of these things are uncovered will everyone be able to go about their lives as is normal? Paris, although dead, may be the only one who may have escaped the turmoil that will erupt as each page of "The Diary" is revealed. The town of Mercy, Georgia will be singing Mercy, Mercy Me once the twists and turns are unearthed. Yes, lives will forever be changed and one will be left thinking... can all of this splintering be fixed? This, Ms. Little's debut novel is full of emotion, heart felt passion, gut wrenching pain, and then maybe just maybe healing will come about. This author definitely hones her skill. Her writing style is one that is enjoyable, mesmerizing, gripping and to say the very least a pleasure to read. I look forward to more books by her. It is a pleasure to have her in the literary field. There is definitely room for another intriguing writer. Welcome, into my world, Ms. Little.

Little's "Running" Gives Us Pause In Our Personal Lives

No matter how good we think we are at keeping a secret, it seems as though it always has a way of getting out and affecting more people than we could have ever realized. At a time when families all over the country are dealing with social issues that threaten to destroy them, "Running From Mercy" by Terra Little comes just in time to show why we should deal with problems as they come and not allow them to fester, grow and ultimately ruin us. A mixture of diary entries and third person narrative, the book introduces us to Pamela Mayes: the one left behind after her twin sister Paris is killed in a tragic accident. Their lives have taken many twists and turns over the years, however, in the end it is Pam who has found success and fame while following her dreams while her sister seemed to be content with just having a family and being a good wife. But is it really that simple? Pam goes home to Mercy, Georgia for the funeral, but in doing so she returns to the past that seemed to be waiting for her. In the almost twenty years that have passed since she was "home", it is clear that time has not taken away all of the hurt and pain that exists in that one town. It also reveals a more sinister motive that some have for exposing the truth for their own gain, no matter who might be hurt or destroyed in the process. Terra Little's novel explores a great deal of issues that most of us don't truly feel comfortable addressing. I have to be honest in saying that I like others sometime feel it is easier to try and ignore parts of the past rather than addressing them. Pamela had told herself that as long as she didn't have to see those who had caused her hurt and pain from day to day that she could move on entirely. It's not that easy, as her return shows. If anything, the book shows that the longer you take to deal with an issue the more resentment and lasting damage can be done. Fortunately the book does give us some type of closure to the open closets that release some of their skeletons. Pam is given the opportunity to not only explain some of her actions, but find out why others did some of the things that shaped her life as well. As in many of our families, there are some unexpected twists when it comes to the search for truth; but in the end it seems that the truth starts the process of healing that the town of Mercy so desperately needs. "Running From Mercy" is one of those books that you will be reluctant to read for fear it will force you to deal with your own hurt and pain, however, I guarantee you will be a better man or woman for doing so.

Secrets Revealed

R & B Star Pamela Mayes has not been back to her hometown of Mercy, GA since she left abruptly over eighteen years ago. The people in this small town always wondered why she left so suddenly. They could only speculate as to why. Pamela intended on never returning to Mercy, but the passing of her twin sister Paris Greene forced her to come back. Pamela knew that she would now have to face the demons of her past. Pamela never realized that the secrets she kept would affect so many people. Little did Pamela know that there were secrets she didn't even know about. When Pamela returns home, she brings along an unwanted guest by the name of Miles Dixon. Miles is an author trying to write the story about the mysterious Pamela Mayes. She never did interviews or appearances on talk shows so her story was the ultimate task for Miles. Unbeknownst to Miles, he hits the jackpot of all time. He uncovers a 35-year -old secret that will shake the people of Mercy to the core. Will Pamela be able to face her past, or will she run away again from Mercy? Paris and Pamela were inseparable. They were identical twins and the only way to tell them apart was by their attitudes. Paris was the quiet and shy one whereas Pamela was the loud and outgoing one. When Pamela was around, you knew Paris was not far behind. They lived in an orphanage from the time they were born until their eighteenth birthday. At age eighteen, Pamela was in love with Chad Green. After graduation, they were going to get married and leave the town. Just days before graduation, plans changed and Pamela got on a bus and left town without any explanation. Paris never left Mercy and she stayed and married Chad Greene. Together they raised their daughter Nikki. One thing Paris and Pamela had in common was that they kept journals. After her sister's funeral, she thought it would be a great idea to give Nikki her mom's journal. What Nikki reads in that journal changes her family's lives forever. Terra Little found a unique way of telling this story. She tells the story through journals written by Pamela, Paris, & Nikki. The story flashes back through the teenage years and how things changed between the twin sisters. I enjoyed the way that the women were telling private moments through reading the journals. The story kept you on the edge of your seat with the change from the past to the present. She gave great details as to how each character developed through the years. Even though Running From Mercy was Terra's first novel, she did an outstanding job. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. Reviewed by Jackie for Urban Reviews

Behind Closed Doors

Pamela Mays, a star R & B singer, hasn't been back to her hometown of Mercy, Georgia since she left on a bus eighteen years ago. It seemed to the townsfolk that she was running from something, but they could only speculate on what that something was. When Pamela's twin sister, Paris, is killed in an accident, she has to do something she never planned on doing: she has to go home and face the demons of her past. Pam never bargained for the things that would be unearthed when she returned, however, and it seems like this time around she can run, but she can't hide. Filled with suspense, romance, family ties, and memorable characters, RUNNING FROM MERCY was one of those books I couldn't wait to finish, but, at the same time, I didn't want it to end. The book kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen to these characters I had so much invested in. Terra Little's debut onto the literary landscape is a spectacular smash, and I'm eager to read her future works. Reviewed by CandaceK of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

"You Can Run But You Can't Hide"

Terra Little needs to change her name to Terra Big because she is about to BLOW-UP. Running From Mercy delivers a well-written plot, unique storyline, and a whole lot of attitude. After the death of her twin sister, Pam returns to Mercy, GA for her funeral. Lawd..Have Mercy! A series of unfortunate events begin to take place...Her sister's diary surfaces...An old flame reappears...And the town folk start to circulate rumors. All Pam wants to do is pay her respects and return to her glorious R & B singing career but something is keeping her in Mercy, GA. There is an old saying "Lies Don't Care Who Tell Them." And in a town as small as Mercy, Pam realizes that some lies are best left untold. Destined to become a bestseller, Running For Mercy has all the elements of a blockbuster movie. Anita Shari Peterson The Literary Cafe