You are destined to grow up and do great things. Such a statement had never been said about Shirley Davenport of Lubec, Maine! Resourceful perhaps, never desirable but to make something of herself - not as long as she stayed in her hometown. Joining the SPARS, the women’s reserve of the Coast Guard was the best thing she had ever done and now her reputation was questioned?

This installment of the Heroines of WWII brings plenty of intrigue, mystery and drama to this small town. How was it even possible that anything interesting or even faintly mysterious could ever happen in this small fishing village? The rich historical detail, the romantic tension and more will keep you wondering right up until the end.

This ARC was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

This book was interesting and had a nice pace to it. The main characters were likable and it was easy to feel a connection to them.

The only part that felt out of place was at the end when Leo referred to his young son as "little man". My research is to this shows this was not a term people used to refer to small boys during the time period of this book but is a more recent slang term.

1942-1946 Lubec, Maine

Great first line! "Shirley Davenport was a breath away from dying. Of boredom."

Shirley has four brothers and is a tomboy. She most at home helping her dad catch fish in the sea. Shirley desires to help the war effort by more than sewing and writing letters. When an opportunity to become a part of the Coast Guard surfaces, she pursues that with fervor despite her father's resistance.

Lou lost two brothers in Pearl Harbor and has been stationed stateside as a result. To prevent his mother from any further losses. While he understands and appreciates the decision, he feels guilt about the death of his brothers and singularly focused on helping how he can in defeating Germany and Japan.

Lots of action and bravery in the pages. I especially loved character Alma.

Lovely addition to the Heroines of WWII Series. I look forward to reading more by this new to me author.

I enjoyed this look into a bit of WWII history! This story was well crafted and full of interesting history! I enjoyed learning about the SPARS and the information was balanced and held my interest, it never felt like a useless info dump of facts. The characters were likable and the plot kept me invested until Thursday conclusion to determine who was a traitor! There was a bit of romance, but honestly I would have loved to see a bit more interaction between Leo and Shirley. I felt like the main characters were apart for a good part of the story and I missed getting to see a relationship build and grow. However, this book was an enjoyable read and I would gladly recommend it to WWII fiction fans!

Historical Fiction has always been a draw for me, especially the novels that are set in either of the world wars. I equate that to the fact I grew up to stories from both my grandparents and great grandparents on the time they spent in the war. Looking back now I wonder if they were still around to tell them if I would still sit in awe or if I would notice the sadness and possibly even the terror they witnessed reflected in their eyes.

Candice Patterson does not disappoint in this book. Shirley wants to do her part to help with the war effort, but when she is forced to return home under the guise of a dishonorable discharge in order to keep watch over the first lady and an unknown threat that seems to be lurking she must deal with the small-town gossip mill, the disappointment of her parents and the reaction of the small town from which she lives and is sent back to. All of these things put obstacles in her path for Shirley to accomplish what it is she was sent to do, keep the first lady safe.

The book is loosely based on real events, with real historical events and people depicted helping build the plot. All of which keeps the book flowing and moving nicely. It keeps you guessing who the good guys are, and who might just be smiling to your face while working against you. I couldn't put it down, and I am already looking forward to reading the other two novels in this series. That being said this is the third book in Candice Petterson's Heroines of WWII but can be read as a stand-alone novel and not feel like you are missing something.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt

Series: WWII Heroines

by Candice Sue Patterson

Barbour Publishing

Rated: 3

Back of the Book: “The Safety of the First Lady Rests in Shirley’s Hands
Shirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.
Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.
Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against time to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.”

My Thoughts: I liked and disliked this book. It was not a heavy Christian romance and was fairly clean in a romantic nature. There was some heated kissing at the end of the book. I think the characters were what have me hung up on really liking this book. I envisioned the characters to be different than they turned out to be, which was disappointing. It ruined the romance for me as I did not care for the hero’s character. Has that ever happened while you were reading a book? I think the heroine was ok but as I said the romance was difficult to cheer on. There was suspense and mystery as well while the hero and heroine worked to discover a spy but it wasn’t enough for me to really love this book.

Inspiring Thoughts: “‘I don’t claim to be a smart man, but I know better than to turn down a piece of cake.’”- I concur with this wisdom.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review shared here.

Shirley Davenport lives with her parents in Maine during the war. She wants to help with the war efforts. When it’s advertised that the coast guard is recruiting women, Shirley rushes to enlist. She ends up getting a lot more than she bargained for! I loved this story and would recommend it to anyone who loves romantic suspense.

The novel opens with us getting to know Shirley Davenport. She grew up with four brothers who have just gone off to support the war effort. She’s been left her behind. Shirley wanted to do her part too, but her parents wanted her to stay home. But alas, when the Government puts out a call to all women to be part of the SPARs team headed up by the Coast Guard, Shirley heads to Washington. Her childhood friend Joan heads off with her for training. It’s then she meets Captain Webber, who later asks her to be part of a special mission. He knows she’s green, but Shirley knows the lay of the land better than anyone. She’d be able to gather information he could not.

Shirley is willing to do whatever it takes to catch the bad guys, even if it means ruining her family relationships. The author does a great job having us get to know Shirley, her family and friends as youngsters and then when they head off for training to do special missions work. The tension builds to a nail-biting situation where readers aren’t sure what will happen next. I enjoyed the mystery, drama, and reality of the situation back then. I had never heard of the SPARs and all that their job entailed.

This book first caught my attention by the title and then the cover. I was hoping to learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt, and I did. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author; it won’t be the last. If you like WWII stories that feature strong-willed, independent women doing extraordinary things, you’ll love this story. This novel would work well for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. 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

Many women were unsung heroes of WWII as this historical novel portrays. Having never heard of the SPARS, this was an interesting organization to learn about. Shirley was an unusual character, very strong and brave. Although the spies were easy to spot, the story was enjoyable. The author's note is a welcomed addition.

Imagine growing up in a small town in Maine with four older brothers. Is it any wonder Shirley is a tomboy more at home in her Dad's lobster boat than on the dance floor. Shirley dreams of getting out of her small town and doing her part during WWII. When the Coast Guard starts a female section, SPARS, Shirley knows this is her chance. She and her best friend June enlist. Little did she know the opportunities this would open up, the chance to spy in her hometown to help save Eleanor Roosevelt and maybe to fall in love.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt, by Candice Sue Patterson, take some facts and figures from history and weaves an intriguing tale of love, friendship, and patriotism. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

This was an interesting read. The story is set during WWII and it focuses on the SPARs—a group of women who were recruited to help with admin tasks and espionage among other things. Shirley wants to help her country and is delighted when her best friend Joan tells her about the recruiting happening in their town. Shirley’s family, especially her dad, aren’t crazy about her joining the SPARs given that their sons are also in the service and Shirley is all they have left. Despite this, Shirley signs up and off she goes to training. Little does she know what’s in store for her.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read but I do have to say the way Shirley lands in the position she does wasn’t quite believable. Also, although I liked Captain Webber, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them—it felt forced at times. I did enjoy the few Bible references the characters used—that was unexpectedly refreshing. The author did a great job in the way she worked them into the dialogue, it wasn’t preachy, it was just smart. The plot twist…I did not see it coming but it was excellent. Last, one of the things I enjoyed the most was the friendship Shirley built with Alma. It broke my heart, but it was amazing to see Alma come out of her shell little by little.

During WWII, Shirley Davenport is frustrated staying home helping her father with his lobster business while her brothers are overseas. When an opportunity to join the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARs), Shirley joins against her father's wishes. After completing training, Shirley heads home to try to help uncover a plot against the first lady. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is an interesting, well researched and suspenseful book. Even though I guessed pretty early on the identity of one of the conspirators, it is still an interesting and suspenseful read. When she returns home with a 'dishonorable' discharge, I felt bad for Shirley as she dealt with her family and community. I also enjoyed reading about an African American SPAR that trains with Shirley and the prejudice that she dealt with. This is the first that I hear of the SPARs and Dorothy C. Stratton, the commander of the SPARs. I also like the romance that slowly develops between Shirley and Captain Webber. This is the first book in this series, but I plan on reading the rest of the series.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is an incredible book about women and the role they served in World War II. Shirley and her best friend Joan decide to enlist with the SPARS, a women’s division of the Coast Guard. Shirley goes knowing her dad is not happy with her decision, but she wants to help with the war. She really enjoys training and learning and meeting some amazing women. When Shirley is given her assignment, she starts doubting that she has done the right thing. Through her assignment and the hardships she faces, Shirley learns how important her family is and what she really wants in life.

Such an amazing book and a great history lesson. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is part of the Heroines of WWII series. This series is by a variety of authors and all the books are standalone so you do not have to have read the previous novels to enjoy this one.

When it comes to historical fiction, novels taking place during or around WWII are some of my personal favorites, so I personally am really enjoying this series highlighting the roles of women during the war. This one is no exception. We don't often read about women's earlier history in the military (outside of nursing and such), so this was really interesting. While I may not be the biggest history or military buff, it certainly is a unique perspective that made for an interesting story. There was a good blend of mystery and action with some romance mixed in too. This was a new to me author, but I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

This book was soooo good! Oh my gosh, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it so much. Shirley Davenport is determined to help in the War effort and enlists in the Coast Guard which gives single women a chance to serve. And serve she does! Just not as she expected to.
As the story continues, Shirley finds she has no idea whom she can trust and depend on. This book will keep you on your toes and you too will wonder who are the good guys and what will happen next. This book, has romance, family relationship issues and lots of intrigue.

I highly recommend this book. Definitely a most worthwhile read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson was a gentle, historical fiction novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It tells the story of Shirley Davenport, who joins the SPARs, a women's Coast Guard unit that was active during World War II to relieve their male counterparts to serve in the war. The author is clear that although the SPARs were a real thing, most of her book is fiction. In the novel, Shirley is dispatched to her home town to root out potential spies who are seeking to assassinate First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She is also dealing with her own family's tragedy.

There was a definite Christian angle and a romance element, which made me hesitant, but they did not detract from the plot. In fact, those elements drew me further into the story.

I will recommend this to a wide range of readers, including those who like historical fiction and Christian romance.

I thank the publisher, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I read historical fiction to learn more about events that shaped the world that are not taught in school. I am drawn to stories of women who played instrumental roles in American and world history. Saving Mrs Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson more than satisfied my thirst for knowledge about strong, intelligent women in history.

I grew up hearing about the WAVES and the WACS but had never heard of the Coast Guard’s women’s reserves know as SPARS, an acronym for the Coast Guard motto “Semper Paratus - Always Ready”. Saving Mrs Roosevelt introduces the reader to the women who volunteered and trained as SPARS in order to serve their country during WWII.

This well-written, engaging and fast-paced story is set, for the most part, in a small town in Maine.  Saving Mrs Roosevelt centers around Shirley Davenport, a young woman with parents and four brothers she loves and whose self-worth is tied to her ability to help her father on his lobster boat. She is unsure of herself in social settings and envies the exuberance of her best friend Joan.  Like many young women her age, then and now, she dreams of doing more with her life, of serving her country during the war like her brothers did. She doesn’t see herself as a wife or mother and joins with Joan in dreaming about adventures to come.

Shirley and Joan apply to be SPARS when they see flyers for joining the Coast Guard’s auxiliary branch, hoping this will be their way out of their hometown. They pass the tests and training expecting an assignment as a typist, telephone operator, maybe even a code breaker. Little does Shirley know that she is about to face personal and professional challenges beyond her wildest expectations.

Most historical fiction I’ve read has a romantic component and Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is no exception. The attraction of Shirley and Captain Leonard Webber is tastefully written into the intrigue they share in finding German agents in Shirley’s home town.

I liked many of the characters in this novel especially Shirley, her friend Alma and Leo. The writing is crisp, the characters are well defined and the intricate plot keeps you reading until the last page.   The only reason I did not give this book five stars is the inclusion of faith and bible quotes which I know appeals to many, but not to all, readers.  

My thanks to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for an advanced copy of Saving Mrs Roosevelt in exchange for my honest review.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is an exciting addition to Barbour’s great Heroines of WWII series. The catchy beginning grabbed my attention and the smoothly flowing, intriguing plot kept me engaged to the satisfying end! The characters are well-crafted and memorable. I loved Shirley and Leo as individuals and as a couple with a slowly developing romantic relationship. I also loved the heartwarming friendship between Shirley and Alma. I enjoyed the way real life historical figures are seamlessly woven into the fictional tale. I appreciated the inspiring spiritual truths sprinkled throughout the narrative. Ms. Patterson is a new author to me, and I like her expressive style and superb storytelling skill. I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating, touching story and highly recommend it and the series especially for history buffs!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley with no obligation to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Against her father’s wishes, Shirley Davenport and her best friend, Joan, join the SPARS, the women’s branch of the Coast Guard during WWII. While in training, she develops a liking for the Captain in charge. Both girls are disappointed when they are separated after their training. Shirley is sent back to where she grew up to uncover a plot against the First Lady, Mrs. Roosevelt. She could not tell anyone why she was there, just that she had received a dishonorable discharge.

I enjoyed the book and enjoyed reading the historical comments at the end. I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and Net Galley and was under no obligation to post a review.

Excellent addition to the WWII heroines series! I knew something about the WAVES, but nothing about the SPARs. This book showcases the women who volunteered to work for the Coast Guard to free up more men to go overseas to fight. I liked Shirley and Leo as well as other secondary characters. There was some suspense as Shirley tries to find out who is in on the plot to kill Mrs. Roosevelt. I had figured out some of it, but it was still an interesting plot. Four stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.