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?
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
From: Rebecca Maney
Book Title: A Haven for Her Heart
Book Author: Susan Anne Mason
What do you like about this book:
"God wouldn't want you to remain a prisoner of your shame, Olivia. Be brave enough to claim the happiness He has in store for you."
Olivia Rosetti has remained a prisoner to her own guilt and remorse long after her release from a women's reformatory; her horrendous experience coming as a result of her father's cruel decision to have her arrested under a seldom used Females Refuge Act indicting unwed mothers. Being deserted by her family and having lost her newborn son to the authorities, Olivia finds herself providentially under the watchful eye of another woman, much older, whose love for life has grown dim and without purpose. Together Olivia and Ruth Bennington form an unlikely alliance, transforming Ruth's lovely residence into a maternity home for troubled women.
Working for a high profile real estate developer, Darius Reed is tasked with unearthing reasons for the city of Toronto to close down Bennington Place, the property is strategically located and there are already neighbors who are disgruntled with its presence in their upscale neighborhood. However, when Darius meets the enigmatic Olivia Rosetti, he has a hard time keeping his mind focused on business. What is a beautiful woman like Olivia doing managing a home for women of questionable repute? And why is he even thinking about it? He is nearly engaged to another.
On the surface, "A Haven for Her Heart" is a really good story; on a much deeper level it offers readers a refreshing wellspring of inspirational truth. It's raw, it's authentic, it's tragic, it's hopeful. For what does forgiveness really accomplish, unless our hearts and minds can be redeemed?
"Two of the most important mandates Jesus gives us are 'Judge not, that ye be not judged', and 'Do unto others as you would have them do to you'. These are not mere platitudes. They are the cornerstone of our faith, the very foundation of what we are called to do . . . ".
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.