No Ocean Too Wide A Novel by Carrie Turansky

It's hard not to read ahead. 1909 England. Excruciating story of a poor family from London. The father had died and the mother got sick. The oldest girl was in service some distance away. When the rent wasn't paid on time and they didn't have enough to eat, the boy tried to steal some bread to feed them and was caught, starting an avalanche of problems. The three were put into a children's home, then sent to Canada, thinking their mother had died and their older sister didn't care. The story is written with great detail and each character comes fully to life. 

Great injustice and bright light shown on the holes in the system of removing children from England. Between the 1860s and the 1930s, more than one hundred eighteen thousand poor and orphaned children were sent to Canada as British Home Children. Much good was done when good people were involved, but so much cruelty took place for many unfortunate children, and no good system was in place to put it in check. This story also tells of two good men who were sent to investigate the system, and how they became involved. And the relationship of Laura, the oldest daughter and Andrew a wealthy lawyer who helped them all. Excellent read that will keep you on edge throughout. If not for the underlying story of God's grace and love, it would be so much harder yet to read. You feel a relationship with each of the characters as their story is brought to light.

"If she found Jesus in the pages of that Bible, she would have a friend who would never leave her side . . . and that was what she needed most for the journey ahead."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”
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A Return Of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter

A gem!

Recency Christian romance, second in a series. Filled with humor, this is yet serious as well. Haven Manor had been unused when Daphne and Kit moved in and set up a place for women of society who had been ruined and with child that no one wanted. Something Daphne knew about first hand. They gave them refuge, training to be in service, and a safe place where they raised the children. They had done so for about 14 years when the owners' son became the Marquise and decided to come there and live.

William had no idea what had gone on there over the years. He was just glad to escape the Ton and be somewhere peaceful. Or so he thought. Gradually he gets to know Daphne, who tried her best to act as housekeeper and hide it all from him, including her son who looked exactly like William. (His cousin was the father.)

The story is deep, intricate and wound with emotion and humor. I can identify with Daphne's insecurities. Her feelings will twist your heart. So will everyone else's.  You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this, but I highly recommend that you do.

This is an author to love and read everything she writes.  She has built a place with such interesting people, and it's fascinating to get to know them and wonder what will become of the rest of the characters. People of wealth learn they can care and help others that they usually wouldn't interact with. And the girls who were used to that high society life learn about their strengths and talents while deeply caring for others and making a new life.

Thank goodness for chapters in a book so that there is a place to put it down once in awhile. But you may be like me and not want to put it down, reading for more hours at a time than you planned!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”
#AReturnOfDevotion #KristiAnnHunter #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

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