Susan Anne Mason

Susan Anne Mason has come to be one of my favorite writers for character-driven historical Christian fiction. A Feeling of Home transported me to 1940’s Toronto, Canada and packed an emotional punch with heart-wrenching family dilemmas and a sweet romance. Isabelle Wardrop and Dr. Mark Henshaw both experience profound loss and have the responsibility of caring for a younger sibling. As an attraction grows between them, the choices their siblings make directly impact their relationship. show more With so many forces seemingly aligned against them, will they find the happiness and feeling of home they both long for again?

I enjoyed the emotional pull of this story. Isabelle is a strong-willed yet compassionate character who at first seemed like a spoiled, obnoxious socialite, but when her parents both die and she’s left penniless, she has to grow up quickly. I admired her persistence and willingness to sacrifice for her sister. She undergoes a massive transformation throughout the story and it was enjoyable watching her find hidden talents and strength.

Dr. Mark Henshaw is a caring, thoughtful, forgiving person. Despite the way Isabelle treats him at first, he understands where she’s coming from and forgives her behavior. I loved watching their relationship grow from friendship to more. Their siblings cause an awful lot of issues and while I predicted some things, there were some definite twists that added quite a bit of drama. The constant push and pull between Isabelle and Mark was almost too much at some points. Isabelle’s sister frustrated me, but her age and immaturity made her actions understandable.

The historical aspects of the story were interesting. I didn’t know much about how Canadians viewed WWII and it was fascinating to realize attitude differences compared with the United States. It was also interesting to learn about the polio outbreaks and sanitation issues in lower class neighborhoods, as well as how Dr. Henshaw’s work with unwed mothers impacted his career.

This book can definitely be read as a standalone. Although I hadn’t read the previous two books, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything and look forward to reading them. If you enjoy well written character-driven stories with plenty of drama and a sweet, tender romance, I recommend adding this book to your list. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through LibraryThing. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. show less

4.5 stars for this newest release from Susan Anne Mason! This book is book 2 in Canadian Crossings series but can be read as a stand-alone. I did not read the first book and was able to follow the storyline without any problems. It seems that this book actually parallels the timeline set in the first book (Best of Intentions) so going back to read the first book shouldn't cause any confusion. With her trademark fluidity and skill, Susan Anne Mason weaves a story of hurt, longing, mistakes show more and blunders that are triumphed by grace, repentance, forgiveness, healing, and unconditional love set in 1919 Toronto. The thread of faith and real trust runs throughout the story; multiple characters in the story grow tremendously in their faith and trust. If you enjoy well-written historical romance, you will really enjoy this one.

There are several characters in the story that lend their voices to bring the plot together. The main characters are Emma, who leaves her home in England to find her father in Toronto whom she had believed had died, and Jonathan, Emma's childhood friend who is secretly in love with her. Emma is quite obstinate, blunt, impulsive, careless, and a bit selfish as she enters her father and his family's life with the force and surprise of a hurricane. Jonathan is industrious, level-headed, loyal, tender, and loving though he suffers from PTSD after the war. Then there is Emma's father Randall, who basically abandoned his infant daughter in England to be raised by her grandparents, and his younger daughter Corinne, who is spiteful, conniving, and cruel in her selfishness. Though the only person whom I really liked was Jonathan at the beginning, Emma and Randall and Corinne all realize redemption and forgiveness and love are possible even in the midst of human bungling and became quite likable.

I am hoping there is a third book in the series and can't wait to be able to read it! I was given a copy of the book by Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. show less

It is June 1919 when Emmaline Moore boards a ship in England and sets off for Canada in the hopes of finding the father that she had presumed dead until six weeks earlier. Her best friend Jonathan Rowe travels with her and it is very apparent that he considers Emmaline (Emma) to be more than just his friend. Jonathan knows that Emma often acts without thinking things through but he loves her and he wants to protect her as she begins this life-altering journey.

Susan Anne Mason has a way of show more creating very realistic characters and Jonathan may just be my favorite character. I admired him for his strength and his loyalty and even though he had his own problems, he considered Emma's needs above his own. Emma was a little more self-centered and I found myself being impatient with her tendency to take him for granted. The other characters are also multi-faceted and they often exhibit the many sides of human nature. This story spans about one year and we are shown bitterness, selfishness and downright meanness but we are also allowed to see genuine goodness and witness what love and forgiveness can do. Redemption is a positive outcome for many of these people and isn't that what all of us hope for?

There are many twists and turns after Emmaline Moore finds her father and we are reminded that it is easy to overlook our blessings while seeking other goals. Emmaline's longing for a father and a family overshadows just how fortunate she was to have been raised by loving and supportive grandparents. It wasn't until later that she realized how blessed she had always been and "How ironic that she'd traveled thousands of miles, searching for home, for love and acceptance, when it had been with her all along."

Emmaline had the highest of hopes that she would find a traditional family and Jonathan's hopes were centered around his love for her. Hopes for an "everlasting love, forged from a common childhood, solidified by friendship, and strengthened by the challenges that had come their way."

The Highest of Hopes is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and Christian romance and I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House but I voluntarily chose to share this review. show less

Set in Toronto, Canada around 1940, A Haven for Her Heart is a poignant, heart-wrenching story of redemption, forgiveness, and healing. Based on actual happenings, this story is a little grittier than Susan Anne Mason’s other books, but she writes sensitively about the horrors that happened to some young women who were incarcerated at a reformatory for women.

Upon her release from the reformatory, Olivia Rosetti is trying to restart her life, but no one will hire her. Destitute and ill, show more she is befriended by Ruth Bennington who gives her a place to stay. Together they plan to open a maternity home for women who have nowhere to go. I admired Olivia’s pluck and compassion for those down on their luck.

Darius Reed is a wonderful, caring hero. A Greek widower, he wants to raise his young daughter as a Canadian and combat prejudice. With his integrity conflicting with his employer, he has some big decisions to make.

With these two engaging, emotionally-layered main characters, and a wonderful cast of colorful secondary characters, Mason has created a captivating and gripping story that kept me turning pages. Faith elements are seamlessly incorporated into the storyline and add depth and dimension to the tale. This is the first book in Mason’s Redemption’s Light series, and I’m anxiously waiting for the rest of the series. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own. show less