Forty plus unpaid traffic tickets and a sentence of one hundred fifty hours of community service set Cecelia "CeCe" Williams life on an unexpected path. CeCe's community service would be served out at, Genesis House, a Christian-based organization serving the poor and underserved areas of Atlanta. Upon CeCe's initial meeting with the organization's director, Nate Richardson, she felt an instant connection but made sure to hide her feelings and guard her heart.

CeCe Williams is haunted by the heartache of a past relationship that produced her four year old son, David. Eric, David's father, had been CeCe's secret crush throughout grade school and high school. Eric never showed much interest in CeCe until he was heart broken by his current girlfriend. During their brief courtship CeCe found out she was pregnant. Eric abandoned her and married the woman who had previously broke his heart. Shame overwhelmed CeCe when she returned to college at Spelman. She was nurtured by her dorm director, Miss Gertrude "B.B." Brinson. Miss Brinson later purchased a home with CeCe helping her start her new life with David. The untold secrets and shame of CeCe's past put fetters on her heart and distance between her and her family.

As CeCe worked toward her community service hours at Genesis House, she formed new friendships and a closer relationship with Nate. Nate was also haunted by a past relationship. Nate's wife walked out on him after only 18months of marriage. Through prayer, communication, and much understanding Nate and CeCe progressed into the next phase of their relationship. When issues from CeCe's past suddenly arose, her heart was revealed to Nate. They both knew their relationship could not progress until CeCe confronted her past.

The personal and family issues addressed in Awakening Mercy were very complex but the author did not rush the solutions. One of the things I liked the most about Awakening Mercy was the fact that Benson did not give us the cliche "church mess" type Christian fiction. The spiritual component to this novel came across as very genuine and sincere. ( )