The Kings Mercy, by Lori Benton

Alex MacKinnon is a Scot who joins in the fight for his country against the British empire. He is captured during battle and taken prisoner. Taken to England and detain in deplorable conditions he and his fellow prisoners are in failing health and dreading the death that the British will put them to, hanging until they are dead.

But then the King decides to provide mercy for 9 out of every 10 prisoners. Those 9 will be spared from hanging, but they will be deported to the American Colonies and sold as indentured servants to British Colonial's trying to establish farms in the colonies.

Alex is taken by Edmund Carey and put to work as a blacksmith at his plantation. He is working alongside African Slaves on the plantation. The only difference is that after seven years of service he will be set free.

Alex meets Joanna Carey and an attraction is formed between the two. But Mr. Carey's property manager Phineas Reeves has other ideas. He wants Joanna for his own and will stop at nothing to make that happen.

This long saga of life in the early years of the colonies is quite compelling and very detailed in regards to the hardships of the colonist as well as slaves and indentured servants. Add to that the terror of accidents happening which seem bent to drive Mr. Carey to bankruptcy and you have quite the drama to hold your attention.

Further add the thread of Christianity to the mix and you will find many lessons that you can use with a book club to further discussions and learning from the moral imperatives that you will find.

I highly recommend the book and highly applaud Lori Benton for an excellent writing style.