Review ~ A Haven for Her Heart (Redemption's Light #1) by Susan Anne Mason

Paperback, 368 pages - Bethany House Publishers - Oct 13, 2020

Homeless after being released from a women's reformatory in 1939 Toronto, Olivia Rosetti is taken in by an angel of mercy, Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful past and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Despite the success of the home, Olivia is haunted by her inhumane treatment at the reformatory and the way her newborn son was taken from her. She feels undeserving of love--until she meets businessman Darius Reed. Although his attention makes her heart soar, he can never learn of her past.

Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother. He'll ensure her future by marrying a woman from a respected Toronto family. But when Darius meets Olivia, he's immediately drawn to her beauty and compassion.

Can love prove stronger than prejudice and past mistakes? Or will Olivia's secrets destroy any chance at a future together?

 ___________________________________________

My Review ~ 4 STARS

Spasms wracked Olivia's chest as tears slowly slid down her face onto the pillow. "I can't do it. I can't take any more pain."

Susan Anne Mason has woven a tale of heartache, sorrow, and love that was difficult to read at times because of the subject matter. I knew she was going to bring beauty from ashes but I had no idea that my emotions would be so deeply invested in the lives of these characters. Born out of a horrible experience, Olivia Rosetti helps start a maternity home for unwed mothers with Ruth Bennington, an endearing older matron who stole my heart.

“…life goes on, whether you want it to or not. Right now, you probably think it’s preferable to shut yourself off and exist in a state of numbness. I did that successfully for a very long time. The problem, however, is that you’re not actually living.”

Darius Reed took a while to burrow into my affections but once there, he settled quite nicely. A widower with a young daughter, he is determined that she won’t grow up facing the same prejudices he did. In his quest for a different life, he almost loses the opportunity to make real change.

A Haven for Her Heart has multiple layers and when the characters stories are fully revealed, they envelope both sorrow and joy. Olivia is Italian and Darius is Greek, which I enjoyed a lot. It is always fun to be introduced to different cultures. This is an inspirational story well worth reading.

I received a copy from the author and publisher. No review was required. No compensation received.

Read an excerpt HERE.

Have a blessed day in the Lord,