A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason

Book Summary

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason has Olivia Rosetti collapsing in St. Olaf’s Church after being released from Mercer Reformatory in April of 1941.  Olivia is fortunate to be found by Ruth Bennington who takes her into her home.  The two women soon learn that they have one thing in common that binds them together.  Olivia wants to find a way to help women, so they do not end up in a reformatory or on the street when they find themselves pregnant out of wedlock.  Olivia comes up with the idea for a maternity home to provide women with a place to stay that is free of judgement and condemnation.  Two months later, Olivia and Ruth open Bennington Place Maternity Home.  Darius Reed works for Walcott Industries where his boss wants to purchase the Bennington property.  Ruth has no interest in selling her deceased husband’s family home.  Mr. Walcott wants Darius to get the property by any means that he can.  Darius is determined to provide a better life for his daughter after his wife and in-laws were killed because of prejudice.  Obtaining his current position was one step in his plan and the next to marry socialite Meredith Cheeseman.  But then Darius meets the compassionate and fiery, Olivia.  Despite their attraction for each other, they are on opposite sides.  

My Thoughts

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason is the first novel in Redemption’s Light series.  I thought Susan Anne Mason tackled some difficult subjects in this historical novel and she did it beautifully.  A Haven for Her Heart is well-written and well-researched.  Olivia Rosetti finds herself imprisoned after becoming pregnant out of wedlock under the Female Refuges Act in Toronto, Canada.  She is sentenced to Mercer Reformatory where she endured unspeakable tragedies.  This story is based on true events.  Olivia’s story is heartrending and hard to read at times.  The author walked a fine line between explaining enough and not too much.   I was glad that she did not give the nitty gritty details.  A Haven for Her Heart is an emotional story that deals with domestic violence, prejudice, archaic laws, and bullying, I liked the characters especially Olivia Rosetti and Ruth Bennington.  They are Christian women who have not let the past make them bitter.  They are kind, compassionate women who wish to help others.  They rely on God to see them through the struggles they must endure.  A Haven for Her Heart is a gritty novel that is different from this author’s other works.  I found the story compelling and stayed up quite late to finish it.  I like that the story is not all sunshine and roses.  It provides a realistic view on the various subject as well as representative outcomes.  The one thing that stuck with me from A Haven for Her Heart is that we all make mistakes and that we are all worthy of redemption.  A Haven for Her Heart transports readers back to a different era for a touching story that will linger with you long after you finish it. 

A Haven for Her Heart is available from Amazon*.  You can find Susan Anne Mason's other novels here.  The pictures I used today are of the Mercer Reformatory and a Salvation Army Maternity Home.  Thank you for visiting today. I wanted to let you know that the 2nd  book in The Homeswappers  series is now out.  It is A Wedding and a Funeral in Mecklenburg.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Gingerdead Man by Maya Corrigan.  It is the 7th A Five-Ingredient Mystery.  I hope you have an enriching day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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