"A Haven for Her Heart," by Susan Anne Mason

"A Haven for Her Heart," by Susan Anne Mason

Upon her release from a woman's reformatory in 1941 Toronto, Olivia Rosetti wants nothing more than to forget the horrors of her time there and return to normal. But with her family unwilling to forgive and employers wary of hiring her, she quickly ends up desperate and homeless--until a chance encounter with well-to-do widow Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful history and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother and hopes to marry into a prominent Toronto family. But when his employer orders him to persuade Ruth Bennington to sell them her property, Darius soon becomes conflicted over his feelings about the home and his attraction to Olivia.

Despite finding fulfilment in her work, Olivia must fight not only bitter memories and the community's negative reaction to their mission, but also feelings for the man who is trying to close her home. Can love prove stronger than prejudice and societal pressures, or will past mistakes destroy her chance at true happiness?

The inspiration for this book is as interesting as the book itself.  The lead character in the book is released from a woman's reformatory called the Mercer Reformatory for Women.  I added a link as you will not believe what happened there.  Although I live in Ontario, I had never heard of it.  This book although a work of fiction, highlight's the injustices that happened with women who were incarcerated there.  It shocked me to think there was a law that could be used to incarcerate women for being pregnant out of wedlock, while there was no same law for men from 1896 - 1964.

The story itself of Olivia and Darius was a rollercoaster of emotions.  You feel the sadness and pain that Olivia is going through. The part with Olivia and Abigail, will pull at your heart for sure. Although this story has a happy ending, getting to that point means going through many trials and tribulations.  It's a well thought out book.

Stars out of 5 : 4 I enjoyed this book and it is well worth the read.  The Note from the Author at the beginning of the book sets the tone for this book and I am glad this was added to the front of the book and not at the back like a lot of books.  This book is the first in a series.  I look forward to reading the other's in the series.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".