This is a heart-breaking yet hopeful story. The author said she was inspired to write about Velma Demerson, who was arrested in Toronto in the 1930’s for being pregnant and unmarried….”Velma’s story provided the inspiration for Olivia Rosetti to open a facility for unwed mothers.”

The author goes on to state,” it’s a little grittier than the usual books I’ve written. But the horrors that Olivia goes through really happened to Velma and to many other incarcerated women. Eventually, the Mercer Reformatory was closed down, but not until 1969 – thirty years after Velma’s stay there. It’s hard to imagine such atrocities occurring so recently in our history.”

The Female Refuges Act in Toronto, Canada allowed woman to be imprisoned who became pregnant out of wedlock. Olivia is sentenced to Mercer Reformatory where she endured unspeakable, concentration type stuff. This author has done her research for this well-written novel that gives a peek into Velma’s story through the eyes and life of Olivia. I liked how the author balanced the story by making readers aware of the unthinkable, horrific torture Olivia endured without showing too much of it to where you had to stop reading.

This author talks about hard topics such as domestic violence, prejudice, bullying, death, and racism in a sympathetic way. She has you feel for Olivia Rosetti and Ruth’s characters story and how they are over comers. I found myself cheering for these ladies as they bloom and grown into what they are called to do. This is a realistic look at the topics and how the community felt about this house being in their neighborhood. It is not pretty. The author does a great job of showing how we all make mistakes, and we all have access to redemption when we ask God to forgive us, which then frees us to forgive others and ourselves.

Olivia soon learns hard lessons about life outside prison walls. She thinks, “Freedom, it turned out, came with a whole new set of problems, proving she wasn’t really free at all. Instead, she was homeless, penniless, and friendless. Where could she go? Did she dare darken her parents’ doorstep? Without even enough money for a bus fare, it could take an hour to reach her family’s story on foot. If she did, and she was able to get her mother alone, would Mamma help her? Or would obedience to Papa keep her from aiding her only daughter?”

This book would work out great for your next book club pick there is so much to discuss. These characters and their story will stay with you long after you close the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

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, 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. ( )

"God wouldn't want you to remain a prisoner of your shame, Olivia. You are His beloved child, forgiven and redeemed. Be brave enough to claim the happiness He has in store for you."

What a powerful book! Set in 1941 Toronto, the book addresses deep issues like racism, discrimination and social injustice while providing a heart-wrenching romantic thread between a broken young woman who feels unworthy of a future and a young widower whose goal is to better his station in life for his daughter. As an immigrant myself, I empathized with Olivia and Darius' life circumstances, family dynamics, and struggles that shape who they are.
The setting is vivid; you'll feel transported to this city as Olivia and her mentor Ruth fight for their right to help those in need. The horrors that Olivia endured in The Reformatory are difficult to read about but they opened my eyes and helped me to appreciate the character of Olivia more. The writing is easy to read and the plot moves at a good pace and is well-developed. Darius and Olivia are both somewhat misguided in the beginning but their growing faith brings them back onto the good path.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will absolutely enjoy this inaugural book to Susan Anne Mason's Redemption's Light series.
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. ( )

Set during WWII and in Toronto Canada the reality of what some obscure laws that were used to hurt people. Different times, but this story is loosely based on truth.
I have trouble with a father doing what he did to his daughter, but this is a different time, but having her put in a reformatory?
When you hear the facts of what happened here, with some never leaving, there are people who should go to jail, but that would be another book, although I don't know if anyone ever was held accountable.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time, two hurting woman, and each filling a need for the other, I believe a God Thing, but in the end these two helped others with no where to turn.
The reality of their not being help offered out there, is the death of another young woman, and sadly we get to know her.
We see prejudice upfront here, and we hope that they do not win, but we also see the embracing of a family and the folding in of a hurting young woman, and then the unconditional love of a child!
I for one cannot wait for the second book!

I received this book through NetGalley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )