Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
Christmas is only two days away, and that seems so crazy. Do you feel you're prepared for the big day?
I approached it a little differently this year. I wanted to make sure and have time for Jesus, and time to spend with family and friends, and I loved every moment of it. I did the devotional this year where you read one chapter of Luke each day leading up to Christmas, and I loved getting to spend the advent season immersed in Jesus' story. I highly recommend spending December this way next year for anyone who already hasn't done so.
I also loved the many festive things that I took part in with my friends and family in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Some of my favorites were my mom's Hallmark movie viewing party, Friendmas with my bestie, a Christmas shopping road trip with my hubby, and driving around looking at lights with my sister and my toddler nephew.
This has been an amazing season, and I can't wait to celebrate our Savior's birth in the next couple of days.
Before the craziness of the next few days starts however, I want to share a book review with you all for an upcoming release that really moved me. This is going to be a highly recommended title from me, and I couldn't wait any longer to tell you all about it.
The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason:
Source: Publisher Via NetGalley
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: February 4th, 2020
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction
Series: Canadian Crossings
Synopsis:
Quinten Aspinall is determined to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased father to keep his family together. To do so, he must travel to Canada to find his younger siblings, who were sent there as indentured workers while Quinn was away at war. He is also solicited by his employer to look for the man's niece who ran off with a Canadian soldier. If Quinn can bring Julia back, he will receive his own tenant farm, enabling him to provide a home for his ailing mother and siblings.
Julia Holloway's decision to come to Toronto has been met with disaster. When her uncle's employee rescues her from a bad situation, she fears she can never repay Quinn's kindness. So when he asks her to help find his sister, she agrees. Soon after, however, Julia receives some devastating news that changes everything.
Torn between reuniting his family and protecting Julia, will Quinn have to sacrifice his chance at happiness to finally keep his promise?
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
This was my first experience with a novel by Susan Anne Mason, and I can guarantee it will not be my last. The Brightest of Dreams is a beautifully moving story that showcases the importance of faith no matter what the circumstances are, and how there's always light shining a way in the darkness.
One of my personal favorite things about reading historical fiction is learning about important parts of history that I wasn't really aware of prior. Being Canadian myself, I was intrigued by the synopsis of this one, and how it touches on a lesser known part of our country's history, the thousands and thousands of children that were brought over from the United Kingdom to be used as indentured laborers throughout the Canadian workforce. Reading Susan's story about the horrific conditions these children faced more often than not was eye opening and heart breaking, and I'm thankful that efforts are being made to bring out more of the truth about these darker times in Canadian history.
While the theme of her story is concerned with darker times, I loved the way it's showcased that even in those times God is still in control, and that there's always hope even when it seems hopeless. Quinn, Julia, Geoffrey and Harriet all have their own personal troubles, but each showcase an extreme amount of selflessness in the way they go about helping those suffering around them
Quinn is one of my favorite book hero's to date, as I loved his selfless nature, his compassionate heart, and the way he's determined to do whatever it takes to keep his ailing family together. Julia's bravery and determination made her stand out over the average book heroine, and I really enjoyed how her and Quinn's romance first starts out as a beautiful friendship. I also appreciated the fact that even though she'd been raised in upper society, she refused to think of herself as better than anyone else, and continued to believe that we are all equal in His eyes.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, then I highly suggest picking this one up. The story is well paced, the writing keeps the reader engaged, and the faith element is always at the forefront.
I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Final Rating: 4/5
Thanks so much to Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to advance read this.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.
Christmas is only two days away, and that seems so crazy. Do you feel you're prepared for the big day?
I approached it a little differently this year. I wanted to make sure and have time for Jesus, and time to spend with family and friends, and I loved every moment of it. I did the devotional this year where you read one chapter of Luke each day leading up to Christmas, and I loved getting to spend the advent season immersed in Jesus' story. I highly recommend spending December this way next year for anyone who already hasn't done so.
I also loved the many festive things that I took part in with my friends and family in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Some of my favorites were my mom's Hallmark movie viewing party, Friendmas with my bestie, a Christmas shopping road trip with my hubby, and driving around looking at lights with my sister and my toddler nephew.
This has been an amazing season, and I can't wait to celebrate our Savior's birth in the next couple of days.
Before the craziness of the next few days starts however, I want to share a book review with you all for an upcoming release that really moved me. This is going to be a highly recommended title from me, and I couldn't wait any longer to tell you all about it.
The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason:
Source: Publisher Via NetGalley
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: February 4th, 2020
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction
Series: Canadian Crossings
Synopsis:
Quinten Aspinall is determined to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased father to keep his family together. To do so, he must travel to Canada to find his younger siblings, who were sent there as indentured workers while Quinn was away at war. He is also solicited by his employer to look for the man's niece who ran off with a Canadian soldier. If Quinn can bring Julia back, he will receive his own tenant farm, enabling him to provide a home for his ailing mother and siblings.
Julia Holloway's decision to come to Toronto has been met with disaster. When her uncle's employee rescues her from a bad situation, she fears she can never repay Quinn's kindness. So when he asks her to help find his sister, she agrees. Soon after, however, Julia receives some devastating news that changes everything.
Torn between reuniting his family and protecting Julia, will Quinn have to sacrifice his chance at happiness to finally keep his promise?
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
This was my first experience with a novel by Susan Anne Mason, and I can guarantee it will not be my last. The Brightest of Dreams is a beautifully moving story that showcases the importance of faith no matter what the circumstances are, and how there's always light shining a way in the darkness.
One of my personal favorite things about reading historical fiction is learning about important parts of history that I wasn't really aware of prior. Being Canadian myself, I was intrigued by the synopsis of this one, and how it touches on a lesser known part of our country's history, the thousands and thousands of children that were brought over from the United Kingdom to be used as indentured laborers throughout the Canadian workforce. Reading Susan's story about the horrific conditions these children faced more often than not was eye opening and heart breaking, and I'm thankful that efforts are being made to bring out more of the truth about these darker times in Canadian history.
While the theme of her story is concerned with darker times, I loved the way it's showcased that even in those times God is still in control, and that there's always hope even when it seems hopeless. Quinn, Julia, Geoffrey and Harriet all have their own personal troubles, but each showcase an extreme amount of selflessness in the way they go about helping those suffering around them
Quinn is one of my favorite book hero's to date, as I loved his selfless nature, his compassionate heart, and the way he's determined to do whatever it takes to keep his ailing family together. Julia's bravery and determination made her stand out over the average book heroine, and I really enjoyed how her and Quinn's romance first starts out as a beautiful friendship. I also appreciated the fact that even though she'd been raised in upper society, she refused to think of herself as better than anyone else, and continued to believe that we are all equal in His eyes.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, then I highly suggest picking this one up. The story is well paced, the writing keeps the reader engaged, and the faith element is always at the forefront.
I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Final Rating: 4/5
Thanks so much to Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to advance read this.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher (Bethany House) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.
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