SAVING MRS ROOSEVELT by CANDICE SUE PATTERSON is an interesting and exciting WW11 novel with a strong Christian message and some sweet romance.
Shirley Jean Davenport frustrates her best friend and neighbour, Joan Fischer, by being such a tomboy. Joan is sexy and prone to theatrics whilst Shirley is resourceful and sensible. Both girls join the SPARs whose motto is Semper Paratus = ‘Always Ready’, but upon finishing the course they are sent to different areas.
When Shirley is sent back home as a spy, under the guise of a dishonorable discharge, the man she is supposed to have had an affair with, Captain Leonard Webber, and her African American friend Alma Evans, are her main support. It is her job to uncover the group who are threatening the first lady, largely because of her ptoposed refugee program. The hatred of those who are different, especially Jews and those of a different colour, is particuarly rife at this time. As Leo says, “How did God feel, watching His prized creation destroy one another?” and, “was this rhe beginning of the end?”
Shirley is very courageous as she risks, not ony her reputation, but also her life, using her boating and fishing skills to uncover the perpetrators of the plot against her country. The author describes what she and Leo are going through and also what her parents are going through, thinking their daughter has ruined her life and let them down. We see how it takes great courage to try and fix a broken world!
Saving Mrs Roosevelt is a worthwhile and inspirational read and one I highly recomend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Pubishing. The opinions in this review are competely my own.

Shirley Davenport spent her whole life fishing with her family. The war breaks out and she's the only one left to help, but she feels useless to help her country. When they begin recruiting women for a special group of the Coast Guard, she eagerly signs up - not knowing what her assignment would entail. The challenges she faces as a spy, the secrets and ruined reputation are more than she bargained for, but a certain captain helps her through until the enemy strikes close.

I related easily with Shirley's ambition to contribute to a cause worth fighting for and the person she wanted to be, and I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the threat to Mrs Roosevelt and the establishment of SPARs. If you enjoy historical fiction of the WWII era, along with suspense, this is definitely for you!!

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson is an excellent WWII-era historical fiction that has it all: history, suspense, mystery, action, and romance. It literally has a little bit of everything that will appeal to every reader!

This book is quite unique in that it does several things exceptionally well. Not only do we get a perfect blend of historical facts and events mixed with a compelling fictional narrative, but the author also has added a lesser known branch of the military into the story line to help inform and shed light on another collection of real-life heroes that helped play a part in the fight for freedom. I absolutely love it when I am able to learn about something all the while enjoying a delightful novel.

The author places the spotlight on the United States Coast Guard- Women’s Reserve (SPARS), which was a real entity that was signed into place in 1943 by President Roosevelt. The author does a great job in taking the excellent main female character, Shirley Davenport, and weave her into this assigned position. Shirley grows, matures, and navigates her way through intrigue, political landscapes, relationships, friendships, and through life to find her purpose, her passion, and her place in helping secure the safety of her country (and possibly a famous leading lady as well) and in the process, her own future as well.

I loved everything about this book and cannot recommend it enough. This is what historical fiction should be.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Barbour Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to NG only at this time and will post it to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/1/21 per publisher request.