What a captivating read the author has given us, from beginning to end this was a page turner.

We are given a glimpse into the life of a young woman living in Maine during WWII, and how her parents kept her sheltered, and how she spreads her wings and joins the woman's part of the Coast Guard [SPARS]. We see Shirley Davenport, and are walking in her shoes as she goes about her day, taking classes and even a spark of romance, we also see her compassion for her fellow classmates, no mater where they come from or who they are. She is vigilant of her surroundings and we see those in charge notice her.

There are a lot of surprises here, and some I never saw coming, others I suspected, but this is a great read of what could have happened in this country!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

While living in Maine, Shirley Davenport wants to do her part in the war effort. Along with her best friend Joan, they join the Coast Guard SPARS. Eleanor Roosevelt has asked women across the country to join up and help out. If you like historical intrigue, danger and a bit of romance, then you will truly enjoy this book. The historical details were very engaging. I was very interested in the women who helped with the war effort and the SPARS was new to me. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Shirley Davenport was a breath away from dying.

With a first line like this, the story could not but grab my attention. And it did not let go. From the intriguing plot, filled with mystery, spies (local and German) to secret messages and a slow developing romance, this all added up to a great story which I could not put down.

I adored Shirley and Leo and loved any scenes they were part off. Alma, oh my, she tugged on my heartstrings and made me feel so many emotions. The mystery behind the spies kept me reading, early on I had a few ideas, some of which was right, but I was also caught by surprise.

Shirley swore she heard Alma smile, if such a thing were possible.

This is a new to me author and now on my watch list. Her writing was captivating, yet smooth and she was such a great storyteller, when she revealed what was fiction in her author's note, I was like, really!

There was a few difficult subject matters which I think the author dealt with in an honest but sensitive way. It was not easy to read, but unfortunately part of history and can't always be ignored. Just a small warning to younger or sensitive readers.

This is the third book in a WW2 series focused on heroines who played a big part in history but can be read as a standalone.

This was an appropriate book to finish on Veteran’s Day.
I wasn’t aware of the female part of the Coast Guard during WW2. It was good story with one twist I didn’t see coming.
Thanks to the publisher for the early copy

Shirley Davenport lives in a small coastal town in Maine, she has four older brothers and two are serving in the American military. Shirley wants to help the war effort, and she stuck working on a fishing boat with her father Winston. Her best friend Joan Fischer lives next door, she informs Shirley the Coast Guard are recruiting single women, over the age of twenty two and they both apply to join the SPARs.

Eleanor Roosevelt has asked American women to help their country in its time of need, they have lived through hard things, survived and are strong resilient women. Shirley’s not confident she has the right skills, to her surprise she’s accepted and starts six weeks of training. Her mother Helen supports her decision, her father’s very old fashioned, he thinks she should stay home and continue helping him.

At training she meets Captain Leonard Webber, he needs to post recruits at Maine and Shirley‘s the obvious choice. She’s going to be doing secret surveillance work, the German American Bund, is using Lubec as a drop off point for German spies, and their target is the First Lady. Her cover story is, she's been dishonorably discharged from the SPARs, her parents are horrified by her behavior and the people in Lubec no longer want to associate with her.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is a story about Shirley putting her country first, despite it ruining her reputation, she proud to be helping America and she follows the Coast Guards motto. Shirley notices some odd things happening on her fishing trips in her dads boat, she has no idea her own life will be in danger, the traitors are the last people she expects and are extremely dangerous.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for an honest review, the first book I have read by Candice Sue Patterson and it won’t be my last. Shirley’s character is wonderful, she’s completely devoted to doing what she thinks is right, her faith never wavers, she believes everyone is equal, her friendship with Alma Evan’s was one of the many highlights in the narrative. I highly recommend Saving Mrs. Roosevelt and five stars from me.

Candice Sue Patterson created a wonderful historical romance in Saving Mrs. Roosevelt. The narrative was comfortably simple and straightforward. The tone felt appropriate for the setting and characters. The suspense grew as the story progressed, driving me to read on. I enjoyed reading a WW II fiction set in the US. Patterson immersed me in the story with excellent descriptions of weather.

I love stories like this that give the reader a peek into the many nuances of WW 2. I'd not heard of the SPARS, a group of women who served under the Coast Guard. In Saving Mrs. Roosevelt, Shirley must decide whether she can put her reputation on the line and serve her country. Shirley's story is interesting and intriguing. Captain Webber is the perfect hero. Not in the "does everything right" way, but in a way that fits what Shirley needs. My favorite character is Alma. She's a great friend and Allie. If you enjoy WW 2 stories and historical novels, you'll enjoy Saving Mrs. Roosevelt. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is a novel based on historical events. During WW II the SPARS were introduced to the coast guard to free men up for more hazardous duties, particularly overseas. The duties of these women ranged from repairing ships to telegraph operators to spys as is the case in this story. The women spying and risking their lives were not given much protection as it was felt that Mrs. Roosevelt had an ample security force surrounding her. Will two women be able to break through the plots and get the messages needed to the authorities in time to save her and themselves?
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in this series. The writing is excellent and the story moves along at a rapid pace as the two women attempt to find the truth about what is going on in their small town without jeopardizing their own or other’s safety. I found the book to be exciting and never a dull moment in Lubek Maine. The characters are so real and and their actions reflect the time period though seem offensive to our society today. I believe this book will appeal to wide audience.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5

What a wonderful glimpse into the many roles women played in WWII. We don’t often hear of the risks many women were willing take here on American soil during the war and Saving Mrs Roosevelt introduces us to a trailblazing group of women ready and willing to risk everything for their country.

Shirley Davenport wanted to contribute to the war efforts so when the Coast Guard asked for women to join their forces to free up men, she didn’t hesitate to enlist. She never dreamed that this role would require her to risk everything, her life, her reputation, her dignity and respect in order to become a spy in her hometown….all to thwart an assassination attempt on Eleanor Roosevelt. Along the way, she realized that with the support and love of one man, she could have a career and a family…something she didn’t think was possible and with someone she never expected.

This book is captivating, inspirational and at times will keep you on the edge of your seat! A must read for fans of WWII heroines.

Thank you to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing and Candice Sue Patterson for early access to this story and introducing me to the first group of equally brave and inspiring women of the Coast Guard (SPARS).

Shirley Davenport longs to contribute to the war effort in a meaningful way, but in her small northeast Maine fishing town, there are few options. When she learns of an opportunity to serve through the Coast Guard, she and her friend quickly apply. When handsome naval Captain Leo Webber chooses her for an undercover assignment that will place her in danger, will she be up to the task? Find out in this work of historical fiction about a little-known World War 2 women’s service branch, the Coast Guard SPARS.

New to me author, Candice Sue Patterson, releases her contribution to the Heroines of WWII, Saving Mrs. Roosevelt. I thought this was a great introduction to her work. It was interesting to learn about the Coast Guard SPARs. Shirley is an admirable character and fun to find she is a spy during the second world war. I loved her scenes with Leo and they made a great team with great chemistry. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I am giving Saving Mrs. Roosevelt a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading history fictional based on real events. I look forward to the next installment from the Heroines of WWII, Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis.

I received a copy of Saving Mrs. Roosevelt from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Gripping World War II Novel!

While the story premise for this novel was fictional, the inclusion, description and training of the SPARs, a female Coast Guard organization, was quite real. Many women wished to contribute to the war effort and admittance to this group allowed them to do just that, freeing able-bodied men to active duty. I found myself drawn into the story and very curious as to what training would look like for this distinguished group. Once the assignments were handed out, I found this page-turning story so engrossing and difficult to put down. Suspense plus a clean romance with a hard-working and honorable military man battling his own personal scars made for a captivating read! While a work of Christian fiction, inspirational messages were not overarching, but more subtle. This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more from her. I highly recommend this novel which is part of a series by Barbour Publishing called Heroines of World War II and am eager to read more books in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley and Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are my own.

What if, as a tomboyish young woman from a tight-knit Maine community, you see your future as a choice between lobstering or becoming someone's wife? What if, as WWII rages, young women from small-towns are invited to train as SPARS, a women's reserve arm of the U.S. Coast Guard? If you are Shirley Davenport, you apply--with or without your father's full support. You train hard. You get noticed. You get selected for a special mission: Save Mrs. Roosevelt. How? Go back to your hometown. Spy on your friends and neighbors. Root out the Nazi--the one plotting to kill the president's wife. Mission accepted. The cost? High.
I've read quite a few historical fiction books set in the WWII era, but this one got added to my list of favorites. This fast-paced page-turner kept me guessing how or if the heroine would pull through. The rich historical detail and likable characters drew me into the story world, where themes of friendship, family, self-sacrifice, and equality were explored in a faith-based context.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt
WWII Heroines
by Candice Sue Patterson
Pub Date 01 Dec 2021
Barbour Publishing, Inc., Barbour Fiction
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance



I am reviewing a copy of Saving Mrs Rosevelt through Barbour Publishing Inc, Barbour Fiction and NetGalley:



Shirley Davenport is as patriotic as her four brothers She wants to aid her country in the war efforts, just as her brothers are serving the country, the problem is the 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.



The training is rigorous.and Shirley is disappointed when she and Joan are sent 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 quickly discovers that nothing is as it appears to be. 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.



I give Saving Mrs Rosevelt five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson gives us the unique perspective of World War 2 and its effects on American soil.
In this story, we meet Shirley Davenport; the youngest sibling and only sister to 4 brothers, she is ready to help with the war effort in any way she can, especially since all of her brothers are already doing their part; because as she says "why should men get to have all the fun?" Her best friend Joan, drags her into to town one day to visit a recruitment meeting about SPARS, the all female reserve of the Coast Guard. She is whisked off to training; and while she is there, they learn of a plot to assassinate our First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, whose home lies just off the coast of Shirley's town. Because of this, Shirley is chosen to be a spy in her beloved hometown to sniff out any bad eggs that are working toward enacting such a heinous crime.
This is a wonderful blend of history and fiction, with a good dose of learning thrown in (I had no idea about SPARs before this book); and it gives us a fictional retelling of an amazing bunch of heroes that were right here at home. The relationships in this story are written beautifully, you get to see love blossom between Shirley and the handsome Captain Webber; and you also get to witness a friendship bloom between Shirley and her roommate Alma.
What I loved most about this story is that the author stated that although it is a work of fiction, it is based on the many brave women who trained and fought along side our men to bring an end to the horrors of World War 2.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Barbour Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson captures the imagination with spies of World War II in American's heartland. Not many World War II stories take place on American soil, so this was a nice change of perspective. The element of the women spies was different and will take readers for a wild ride. There is plenty of twists and espionage along the river front. While the title does suggest Mrs. Roosevelt, it really is not a story that has to do with her. While reading the story, it does say the women are trying to find the group of spies who are going to hurt her, but it really does not affect her during the pages of the story. The plot was well-crafted, capturing my attention for the duration of the plot. There is romance. Nothing too over done. The plot featured a colored character. Patterson does a wonderful job at showing how the 1940's treated these people. Alma, as a heroine, was a nice change, and I really enjoyed how brave Patterson crafted her. Overall, Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson is an enticing tale of heroism in a face of all different kinds of odds. I believe this is my favorite one of the series.

I received a complimentary copy of Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson from Barbour Publishing through Celebrate Lit. Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson is part of the multi-author Heroines of WWll series. Shirley Davenport wants to contribute to the war effort. She jumps at the chance to join the new Coast Guard Women’s Reserve. After training she is sent back to her hometown to foil a plot to assassinate the First Lady. This story was full of espionage, suspense, and internal battles of right and wrong. There were a few sensitive topics skimmed over but not fully explored. But, all in all it was a great story and we learned a little bit about the short lived Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, or SPARS as they were called.


I received this book from Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.

As a military veteran, I'm drawn to stories about the early days of women in the military. Although I was familiar with the WASPs and the WAVES, I had never heard of the SPARs. Patterson found in me a willing reader and an eager student. The author went into brief detail about the recruitment and training program spearheaded by Captain Dorthy C. Stratton. It's heartening to know so many women answered the call to serve their country at home. My curiosity has been piqued to learn more about the SPARs and how they were received by a previously all-male service (something not addressed in the book). I'd also like to know if they ever engaged in counter-espionage efforts.

If military history isn't your thing, let me encourage you to read Saving Mrs. Roosevelt for two wonderful—yet different—relationships. The first is a romance which should come as no surprise given the genre. Sylvia and Captain Webber have great chemistry and I liked the pace at which it developed. The second relationship, which almost stole the show, was the friendship Shirley forms with Alma Evans. The message their friendship conveys is simple: love your neighbor as yourself. Together, these three characters make this story memorable.


The Heroines of WWII series gets better with each new release. Bring on the next one!

I received this book through the NetGalley review program. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I have really enjoyed all of Barbour’s Heroines of WWII series and Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is no exception. The book recounts the history of the female Coast Guard SPARs, who like so many ordinary men and women selflessly served in ways beyond what I can imagine being called upon to do. Candice Sue Patterson has written a story with the perfect blend of historical data, drama, suspense, intrigue, romance and faith. I really liked the main characters Shirley and Leo, but there are many very interesting secondary characters whose depth enhance the book and kept my interest from page one until the very end. If you like WWII history this book is a must read.

It's not often you see the Coast Guard featured in fiction, and even less so that you see the SPARs featured....anywhere. In this World War 2 era novel, we meet the early women of this branch of USCG, a group of women who answered the call to serve their country and found themselves doing so in an unexpected way! There are so many historic facets interwoven into the pages, addressing cultural norms, race relations, German spies here in the US, sleeper cells, and so much more, all skillfully crafted into a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat through the epilogue. A must-read for any fan of WW2 fiction!