Great book! Good plot details with a mystery and surprise ending. The setting and characters caught my attention.
An enjoyable read.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is a historical fiction novel written by Candice Sue Patterson. It is part of the Heroines of WWII series, but it is not necessary to have read the other books in order to read this one.

Summary: With the young men off to war, Shirley Davenport wants to prove that she can help too. All she knows is a life working on a fishing boat, but surely there is a way she can serve her country?

When the military comes looking for volunteers for their all-new Coast Guard branch specifically for women, Shirley jumps at the chance.

But she may be in for more than she bargained for. A top-secret mission sends her back home in search of a spy. Is she willing to betray those she loves-even if it saves Mrs. Roosevelt?

My Thoughts: This book is so good. I read it in one evening. The story is engaging and full of mystery and intrigue. The characters are well-developed and likable. I really enjoyed the strong friendships between the characters too.

I liked the unique angle this book took to World War II-covering topics like women serving in the Coast Guard, racism in the military, and just how far one is willing to go for their country-even if it means betraying their own family.

It was well-written, and a very fascinating read. There was also a very nice romance.

I enjoyed this book very much, and highly recommend it!

I would like to thank Barbour Publishing, Inc. for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I really enjoyed the book. The story was believable and engrossing. I highly recommend and would love to read more from this author.

This book caught my attention and it was hard to put down once I started reading it.
Shirley, our main character has four brothers and lives in coastal Maine.Her days are spent helping her father on his fishing boat but she is at the age where she is really looking for a purpose in her life. Her brothers are patriots and she is ready to do her part to aid her country. Her long time friend Joan tells her about a new branch the Coast Guard has opened up for single women called the SPARs. Though training is vigorous and she is not sure what to expect she is willing to step up for her country and do her part.
Though she finds herself falling for Captain Webber she tries to ignore these feeling because after all he is her instructor and it simply wouldn't be proper.
When a plot is discovered against the first lady,Mrs Roosevelt she is trusted with setting up a ruse and going back home under the pretense of an dishonorable discharge. You can really see people's character when they believe the worst about you. Some shun you and some treat you the same. Who can she really trust when her hometown's people now seem different and are they really on to her being a spy? I enjoyed seeing the slow burning romance developing between her and Leo. I also enjoyed Alma's character she really pulled on my heartstrings. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Published December 1st 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own

I really enjoyed this book! It was a little more Christian genre than I expected, but not overly so. I thought it was very interesting and I loved the character development and the romance. Overall it was a quick enjoyable read and anyone who likes historical fiction will enjoy it. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I loved learning about the SPARS, a branch of the US Coast Guard Reserve for single women during WWII (“Semper Paratus—Always Ready”). The plot was complex and suspenseful, and the female characters were interesting, but there were some real issues with the writing. I found it corny, amateurish, and full of clichés. Other reviewers clearly disagree with my rating—I guess I’m not a fan of romance novels. 3 stars.

A lively story of how one woman joined the forces to save her country and Mrs. Roosevelt.
Very well written.
Many thanks Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’ve got mixed feelings regarding this book. Initially it read like YA romance and that never really changed for me. But regardless, I thought the premise of writing about the SPARS was interesting and was somewhat intrigued with the racial element introduced with the inclusion of the character of Alma. I wasn’t too impressed with the depth of character development but hoped it would improve. Sadly, I was absolutely turned off by the Christian overtones and cascading references to the Bible and Christianity in general that became more frequent and intrusive as the text moved on. Those elements were NOT mentioned in the book blurb NetGalley provided and I find that somewhat disingenuous. I’d never have requested this book had I known it was Christian chick bait. Just not my jam at all.

I absolutely LOVE this book!

This historical romance takes us back to simpler-yet-harder times. Simpler times when men and women respected romance and didn’t jump into relationships but gave them careful thought and consideration. Harder times because the story is set in WWII where segregation is a problem despite minority patriotism and participation in war efforts.

As a reader, you’ll be swept into a time of struggle and triumph while being wrapped up in a conspiracy to kill the president’s wife and other dastardly deeds that happen during war.

Candice Sue Patterson writes us directly into that era so perfectly that you’ll be transported in time to follow the newly appointed company of single women called the SPARS (a division of the Coast Guard), and feel like you are walking in their shoes and boots through all kinds of weather.

You’ll also feel the spark of forbidden romance and you can bet the officer is a gentleman.

All in all, this is an awesome read that I couldn’t put down and after reading it on my Kindle, I bought the hard copy as a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law, who enjoys a good read and lived through that era.

Candice Sue Patterson is a gifted writer, drawing me into the read from page one to the end.

I’m looking forward to reading more from the Heroines of World War II.

It is 1942 in Maine. Shirley is bored as she feels the men have all the fun. A new female-only reserve of the Coast Guard is being established. Shirley's best friend, Joan, says, "Let's go to the recruiting office and sign up." Both of them are selected. Shirley heads to Iowa for training while Joan goes to Florida.
Meanwhile there is intelligience of a plot to harm Mrs. Roosevelt at their summer island off the coast of Maine. Navy Captain Webber is involved in both the training and the solving of the who. Shirley is selected to be the 'spy' but in order to do this, she is dishonorably discharged and returns home under a dark clod. Slowly she uncovers bits here and there of local people who are helping get information to the German Uboats offshore. A tangled web is woven. Read to discover who the traitors are.

I love reading (and watching) true event historical fiction books. In other words, the best way (for me) to learn about our history is to read about fictional people from a perspective that was well researched and what could have happened. I loved this book and the lessons I learned about the Coast Guard, the women’s roles in WWII and maybe most of all, how our nation (men and women alike) came together for the greater good. Maybe more people need to read this book today in order to remember what it’s like to band together, regardless of color, culture or beliefs and fight for freedom, liberty and independence for everyone. This is a book I’ll be talking about for quite a while.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but was not under any obligation to write a review. All opinions are strictly mine.

This is the second book I’ve read in the Heroines of WWII series. I have to say that I am hooked! I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books. As with the other book I read, the story itself is fiction. This one focused on the women who served as part of the SPARS (Semper Paratus Always Ready) during WWII. Once again, these ladies served stateside so that more men were free to go overseas to fight during the war. The work these women did in the Coast Guard was amazing and their training was intense. I loved the way Eleanor Roosevelt was included in the story even though it was fictional. But it allowed the author to demonstrate the skill, strength, fortitude, and commitment these ladies showed. The love story between Shirley and Leo was a nice touch and added a positive aspect to this difficult time period. I love how Shirley and Leo were able to work together to find the culprits. And what a shock that was!

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Fiction for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A new series that I'm very much enjoying.
I've learned much from this book.
Shirley Davenport is a girl that I really liked.
I love her and I appreciated in what she wanted to do even against her parents' disapproval.
She knew what she wanted and went after it. Henceforth; my admiration.
This story was so good y'all that I finished it one afternoon.
The author describes certain places and things that I actually felt like I was a part of the story!
If there's one I love it's a good mystery! This book had that and more!
This story left me feeling full and satisfied.
I'll be sure to look for more of this author's books. Favorite shelf keeper for sure!
Highly recommend!
5 stars forna well written book.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Intriguing read on a side of WWII which I had not read previously.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Babour Publishing for providing me a copy of “Saving Mrs. Roosevelt” in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read this story and leave my review voluntarily.

If you're into Historical fiction and world war 1 fiction. Then this book will be up your alley
This was a very easy read. Just a solid, easy to follow plot. Decent characters and i learnt a lot reading it

This is book 3 of the Heroines of WWII series, a Christian Historical read. When Shirley and her friend, Joan make the decision to help during the War. They join the organization named SPARS ( Semper Parus Always Ready) and are enlisted into the service. After training they are sent to separate jobs, apart from each other. Shirley is taken to Lubec, Maine and become a spy to guard the First Lady. She can not tell anyone what her job is. Can she keep the secret? Will she be able to survive without her friend by her side? What is this big secret all about?

This is book 3 of the series but can be read as a stand alone as all of the books in the series are about different women of the war. It is a page turner and gets you wondering what will Shirley do? Can she survive? Makes you think if this was you, what would you do?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions 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 Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

Shirley and Joan are best friends who crave adventure. So when they are given the chance to join the SPARS (a female extension of the Coast Guard) and leave their quaint little town in Maine, they jump at the chance. While Joan is really out to find a handsome military man, Shirley just wants to somehow make her family proud while trying to help with the war effort. For both, their part in the adventure goes far beyond what they expected. For Shirley, it means risking her reputation with her family and entire town while attempting to be the vital asset the government expects her to be.

This is the first book I have read in the Heroines of WWII series and also the first I have read by Candice Sue Patterson. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging story from start to finish. I reserve 5* for books for which I wouldn’t change anything...plot, storyline, pacing, characters, writing style... all were realistic and relatable as a historical account of a threat against our homeland and our First Lady during a time of unrest. This story explores an interesting historical time frame with true and fictional characters that give a sense of what it might have been like to live in this time period. With threats of prolonged war, deaths of many husbands, fathers, brothers, and wavering allegiances, Patterson does a beautiful job of transporting the reader through the emotions of this era while entreating us with a bit of forbidden romance, a dose of intrigue and a satisfying ending.

This book is appropriate for teens and older. There are no overly descriptive intimate scenes and no bad language.

I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge with no expectation of a positive review.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is a WWII story that features intrigue, espionage, German infiltration in the U.S., and romance. In a good way, I learned a lot about the SPARs, the women’s coast guard service, that began during the war. One of the characters in the novel is named and based on the woman who trained the recruits.

The book’s protagonist lives in Maine and has been working on her father’s fishing boat. When she learns about the SPAR’s recruitment activities, Shirley wants to do something for her country. Her home base turns out to be strategic because it is close to the Canadian border and the Roosevelt home at Campobello. Unfortunately, Shirley’s assignment comes at some personal cost, at least for a time.

Readers know that everything will mostly work out even as they become involved in the story. As they read, readers will root for Shirley. They will also enjoy the depictions of the era’s clothing,homes and more.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is published by a Christian book publisher. There are general references to God and prayer in this title. Perhaps for this reason, the romance is mostly g rated. The novel in no way proselytizes

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful story! Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is an amazing WWII historical fiction story, part of the Heroines of WWII series about women who "went above the call of duty and expectations to aid the Allies' war efforts and to save the oppressed."

I love learning through story, and to hear more about the WAVES (Women's division in the Navy), and the SPARs (Women's division in the Coast Guard), and their courageous leaders. And more about Eleanor Roosevelt and her syndicated column called "My Day". She was an inspiration to many, including women, minorities, and immigrants.

Meet Shirley Davenport, who joins the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve to get out of her small town, only to be sent back, after training, to her hometown in Maine to foil a plot to harm First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

And the wonderful Captain Leo Webber who Shirley became smitten with the first time she met him when she signed up for SPARs. He gets transferred a few times, and his path keeps crossing hers.

This multi-layered story pulled me in right away. I was drawn to the storyline, the authentic characters, and the era that came alive under the pen of talented author Candice Sue Patterson. Issues of strong women taking on new roles, race relations at that time, and Nazi infiltration in the United States during WWII, were covered candidly.

I really enjoyed Saving Mrs Roosevelt, a tale full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, celebrating unsung heroines during WWII.

I highly recommend Saving Mrs. Roosevelt! Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story and how it told a little different side of WWII history, with being about the part that some women played in the States.