In her latest novel Mercy and Grace Anoop Judge embarks on a compelling exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexities of familial ties that span continents. Judge, known for her evocative storytelling in No Ordinary Thursday, once again captivates her readers with a tale that weaves through the intricate patterns of human emotions and the quest for self-discovery.
Protagonist Gia Kumari is a character imbued with resilience and a yearning for connection. Raised in a Delhi orphanage, Gia's journey to America at the tender age of twenty-one, under the auspices of an internship with Sonia Shah's wedding and event company in San Francisco, is painted with the hues of hope and the thirst for a fresh start. Judge masterfully captures the essence of an immigrant's gaze upon the American dream, juxtaposing it with the universal search for roots and a place to call home.
Gia's experiences in America—a mosaic of firsts, from her initial foray into the professional world to the blossoming of an unexpected romance with the quirky yet endearing Adi—are depicted with a delicate touch, balancing the sweetness of new experiences with the underlying tension of hidden truths. Through Gia's eyes, readers are invited to navigate the complexities of familial bonds, the shadows of past secrets, and the light of newfound connections.
The strength of Judge's narrative lies in its ability to delve deep into the heart of its characters, revealing the layers of resilience, vulnerability, and the capacity for forgiveness. Mercy and Grace is not just a story about finding one's place in the world; it's a deeper meditation on the power of secrets, the wounds they inflict, and the healing that comes through understanding and forgiveness.
Gia's relationship with her uncle Mohammed Khan and her navigation of the intricate dynamics within her newfound family add a rich layer to the narrative, showcasing Judge's skill in portraying the nuances of human relationships. The revelation of a family secret that has long cast a shadow over Gia's happiness serves as a pivotal point in the story, challenging her to confront the past and embrace a future built on the foundations of forgiveness and acceptance.
Mercy and Grace is a beautifully rendered novel that resonates with the complexities of the human spirit, the search for belonging, and the redemptive power of love. Anoop Judge has crafted a story that is not only a testament to the resilience of the human heart but also a reminder of the grace that comes from understanding and forgiving the imperfections that make us who we are.
In conclusion, Mercy and Grace is a powerful and poignant read that will linger in the hearts and minds of readers long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended for those who cherish novels that explore the depth of human emotions and the unbreakable bonds that tie us to one another.
More About the Book
At twenty-one years old, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. With few prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from a stranger named Sonia Shah, in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddings and event company. Jia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigates an unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts.
It’s Gia’s first real job: her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan, and her first romance, with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might be too good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of a terrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gia now calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragic past she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learn to forgive.
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (September 19, 2023)
ISBN-10: 1662509219
ISBN-13: 978-1662509216
ASIN: B0BQNBFVBR
Print Length: 283 pages
Purchase a copy of Mercy and Grace on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
About Anoop Judge
Born and raised in New Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, THE RUMMY CLUB which won the 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, THE AWAKENING OF MEENA RAWAT, an excerpt of which was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize, NO ORDINARY THURSDAY, and MERCY and GRACE.
Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green Hills Literary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere Review, DoubleBack Review, and the Ornament anthology, among others.
Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator” —she worked in state and federal courts for many years before she replaced legal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College of California and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023 Alumni Scholarship.
She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, and is the mother of two admirable young adults.
Connect with Anoop online at:
Website: https://anoopjudge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/
Follow the Blog Tour
February 12th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Anoop Judge's book Mercy and Grace. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
February 13th @ Rockin Book Reviews
Visit Lu Ann's blog for her review of Mercy and Grace. You can also win a copy of the book.
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
February 15th @ The Shaggy Shepherd
Visit Isabelle's blog for a guest post by Anoop about creating compelling characters.
https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/
February 16th @ What is That Book About
Join Michelle for her spotlight of Mercy and Grace.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
February 17th @ Silver's Review
Visit Elizabeth's blog for her spotlight of Mercy and Grace.
http://silversolara.blogspot.com/
February 19th @ A Wonderful World of Books
Visit Joy's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about Indian wedding traditions.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
February 21st @ Jill Sheets' blog
Visit Jill's blog for an interview with author Anoop Judge.
https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/
February 22nd @ Knotty Needle
Check out Judy's blog for her review of Mercy and Grace.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
February 25th @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about her journey from litigator to writer.
February 27th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews
Join Lisa for her interview with Anoop Judge about her writing journey.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
February 29th @ The Faerie Review
Join Lily for her spotlight of Mercy and Grace.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com
March 1st @ World of My Imagination
Join Nicole for her book review of Mercy and Grace.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
March 3rd @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Join Linda for her in-depth interview with Anoop Judge about her book Mercy and Grace.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
March 4th @ One Writer's Journey
Visit Sue's blog for her review of Mercy and Grace by Anoop Judge.
March 5th @ Word Magic
Join Fiona's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about managing the call with a literary agent.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
March 7th @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra for her spotlight of Mercy and Grace.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
March 10th @ Michelle Cornish's blog
Visit Michelle's blog for her review of Mercy and Grace.
https://michellecornishauthor.com/blog/book-reviews
March 12th @ Plain Spoken Pen
Join Lisa for her review of Mercy and Grace.
https://theplainspokenpen.com/
March 13th @ Sara Trimble's blog
Join Sara for her review of Mercy and Grace. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book too!
https://saratrimble.wordpress.com/
March 15th @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post by Anoop Judge about writing your way through grief.
https://www.madelinesharples.com/
March 17th @ Boys' Moms Reads
Visit Karen's blog for her review of Mercy and Grace by Anoop Judge.
https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
March 17th @ Nikki's Book Reviews
Visit Nikki's blog for a review of Mercy and Grace.
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