The Brightest of Dreams

This story was hard to put down. Quinn began his journey in England, and was going to Canada in hopes of finding his three siblings, who had been shipped off by mistake. His employer asks him to locate his niece while he was there. He finds her and a friendship forms between them. As their friendship develops, their feeling grow toward one another as he finds each sibling. Secrets are held, and then discovered as they begin to fall in love. An excellent story I will enjoy reading over and over again.

My favorite in the series!

I loved Quinn and Julia so much!

Honestly, this book has some difficult topics that were not easy to read about. I really loved how all of these concerning situations were dealt with by prayer and a lot of grace. I also loved how people always banded together to help each other and how honesty was always best in the end.

I loved the romance in this book. It wasn't over the top - but it was true and overcame hardships. I also loved the importance of family.

I think my favorite part of this book was Quinn. He was always there for everyone. He always put everyone else first and always supported his friends and family. I also loved how he handled some things at the end of the book.

I've really enjoyed this series!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

BRIGHTEST OF DREAMS by SUSAN ANNE MASON is a Christian historical romance which takes place in 1919. Whilst the author deals with some heavy subjects, mainly the British Home Children in Canada, the overall message is one of hope.
When Quinten Aspinall, the Earl of Brentwood's valet, asks for leave in order to find his siblings who have been sent to Canada from the Barnado home in England, he is asked by his employer to try and find his neice, Julia Holloway, as well.
The story is very well told and gives us a great deal of food for thought. There are some really likeable characters who we come to admire for the way they deal with what they have been forced to endure. Unconditional love, righteous anger, compassion and protection of one's fellow man, especially where children are concerned, and the importance of speaking up against injustice, are all topics that form part of the strong Christian message running through the story.
It is altogether an enjoyable and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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.

A family reunited

I loved this book. It tells a story of the Home Children sent from England to Canada from an orphanage. When Quinn came back from serving in the Army he found that his mother was living in a workhouse and very ill and his sister and two brothers had been placed in an orphanage because his mother could no longer care for them. When he asks his boss for the time off and an advance in wages to search for his siblings he is granted that request with a stipulation that he search for and return with his boss's niece Julia that has run off with a wounded Canadian Soldier she was caring for.

Quinn takes on the challenge and this is the story of his quest. He arrives in Canada with no knowledge of where to look to find his siblings or the missing niece Julia. As the story unfolds within the pages of the books life will change for Quinn and Julia and he will realize what it is to be a real family. The book is well written in clean Christian writing. There is love, faith , understanding and forgiveness found within these pages.

I loved the story, the characters and how well the book is written covering a subject matter which has been mostly lost in history. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Susan Ann Mason, Bethany House Publishers, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of the book.

I really enjoy how Bethany House actually put the hero on the cover of Susan Anne Mason's latest novel, The Brightest of Dreams. So many books in the Christian fiction market always has the heroine on the novel. It was nice to see a different perspective for the cover. I have read the first two books in Mason's Canadian Crossing series, and I couldn't wait to read Quinn's story. It does have a ring of familiarity to it, but I felt engrossed in the plot, and I couldn't wait to see if Quinn actually kept his promise to his father, so I stayed glued to the story. The romance was sweet and organic. I enjoyed seeing hints of the main characters in another book in this series. loved how the story ended. It made me smile. Overall, The Brightest of Dreams is a delightful read filled with heartfelt characters who captured my imagination. I can't wait to see what Mason comes up with next.


I received a complimentary copy of The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I didn't realize this was book 3 in the series when I requested it. It's a standalone and I didn't have any problems following the story.

Quinn comes back from the war and finds his mother in the workhouse and his younger siblings taken to Canada. Before his father died, he made Quinn promise he'd keep the family together, which Quinn feels strongly about. He asks his employer for leave and in turn the employer asks for Quinn's help bringing home his estranged niece.

At first, Julia doesn't trust Quinn but when he saves her from a bad situation, they form a friendship that slowly develops an attraction between the two.

After finding his siblings in different towns and conditions, Quinn discovers that bringing them home is not as simple as he thought.

I liked the way the relationship between Quinn and Julia developed, and how protective of her he was. There's a strong sense of family and of righting the wrongs that were made.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason is the third book in the Canadian Crossings series, but it can be read independently, I didn’t read the previous books and had no problems (it did mention the main characters of the other novels, and I think it would be nice to see how they all faired if I’d read the previous books). I’m now very curious after the other books and I have made reservations at the library, as there is a waiting list for all Susan’s books!

In this novel we follow Quinn and Julia with the occasional POV of Mrs. C., a wonderful boarding house lady. It’s 1919, and Quinn has returned from the war only to find that his family was torn apart. His mother is in the working house, and his 3 siblings went to an orphanage and ended up in Canada, where they became contracted laborers. Quinn made a promiss to his dying father he would keep the family together and feels like he has totally failed his promise, and sets off to Canada to bring them all home. But first he visits his former employer to ask if he can get his job as valet back after he finds his siblings. The earl sees an opportunity as his niece is in Canada as well, and he’d like her to return. If she indeed returns, he will reward Quinn with what he truly wants: a farm of his own. With this incentive Quinn really can’t say no and sets off to Canada.

This book literally kept me up at night. There were so many twists and turns and the plot thickens so much! There were quite a few side stories which I really loved, but of course the main plot of whether the siblings would be found was very intruiging. And haunting, too. To imagine that so many children (100,000 as the author explains in the end) were shipped off to a new country, often with relatives still in England, and forced to work under often dire circumstances with no protection and no way to escape the contract, it broke my heart. I had never heard of this, and it was appalling. I applaud the author for tackling such a heavy subject that should not be overlooked. Because you can see what happens to the siblings, and how powerless even a brother is, it really hits home. Thank goodness there was a lot of kindness too! I love how fiercely protective Quinn is of his family, and is literally 24/7 busy creating a right future for everyone and making sure everyone is safe. He can be a bit overprotective at times, because often the reality is different than he imagined in his head, and to adjust to reality is a bit hard for him. But he always does the honorable thing and is a true gentleman.

Julia has left her privileged life to care for wounded soldiers, and then went back to Canada with a soldier who needed her help. However, bad things have happened and she is forced to take a job that barely pays and live in a hovel with a leering landlord, and is down to her last penny. I kept yelling in my head for Quinn to arrive and help her out of this terrible situation, and thankfully he did. Shouldn’t have been a day later. Quinn already made some new friends who can help, and Julia ends up in a boarding house with Mrs. C. who is a true gem. She has her own story to tell, and how she practices faith is really inspiring. I really loved the subtle themes of forgiveness, mercy and justice and I also really admired how Julia, with her privileged background, really trusted in God and that He would care for her day by day. That was very inspiring, especially as she teached Quinn this lesson by example. There is talk of faith in this book, but it’s not preachy and not in your face, which I personally really like.

I really loved all the characters (except one lol, but he made an excellent villain and his arc was really good), they were all fleshed out and had their own motives. The romance was top notch and exciting and the writing style impressed me, I just couldn’t stop reading. And those twists and turns were amazing! I absolutely loved this book and I could go on and on with this review, which already turned out a bit too long. This is a story everyone will love, with a lot of depth and richness and you simply can’t stop reading because you need to know what happens next.

I received a free e-copy from Bethany House through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

After mustering out of the Great War and returning to his post as personal valet to a member of Britain's aristocracy, Quinton Aspinall learns his mother is in the workhouse and his three siblings have been shipped to Canada to work there as indentured servants. He is determined to find them and bring them home so their family can be whole again. His employer agrees to Quinton going as long as he searches for and brings him his own wayward niece who has run off with a Canadian soldier, promising Quinton a free and clear tenant farm.

Julia Holloway's dreams have been shattered after going to Canada with a soldier. Now she is working as a maid and her life is about to turn upside down again. She meets, quite by chance, Quinton, and agrees to help him find his siblings. As they start on the journey to reunite his family, they discover shocking truths about how these so called orphans have been treated.

Susan Anne Mason has given her readers a good lesson in history with a fact-based story of the many children shipped to Canada for a better life. Combined with her ability to tell a good story, this is a book to settle in with and enjoy.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I’ve always been interested in the orphan trains and found this book about Britain’s Home Children in Canada fascinating as well. It is similar to Carrie Turansky’s “No Ocean Too Wide.” It’s crazy that over 100,000 kids were sent to become indentured laborers, many times without family permission or knowledge. I can imagine how horrifying that would be to Quentin and others in this situation.
I enjoyed that this book overlapped with the other two in the series. I like coming across familiar characters. Quentin is a good man. He feels the weightiness of being the head of the family and goes to great lengths to keep his promise to his father. Yet he finds that his siblings aren’t as appreciative or accepting of his plans as he thought they’d be.
This book is a little heavier in tone than some others by Mason but it was very enjoyable. I’d recommend it. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really loved this book! Its book 3 of the series but can be read as a stand-alone. The story is about people after war. They’re trying to put their lives back together, and unforeseen circumstances have separated them. Children were shipped off to Canada and can’t be found.
The Quinten was honorable and godly and the Julia was brave and determined. I loved their story.
The writing was very good. And the side characters added a pleasant layer to the story.
The romance was wonderful, which is always super important to me. And I enjoyed reading about the history of the orphanage. I had no idea!
I highly recommend this book and I hope you enjoy it has much as I did.

This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.

The Brightest of Dreams
by Susan Anne Mason
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Thanks to Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book before publication! I Loved this book. Our library has many books by this author and publisher. This is by far one of my favorite books Mason has written. I will make sure we order it and I recommend it to our readers.

I've long been a fan of Susan Anne Mason's work, right from the when I read Irish Meadows and all the books following in that series! I think after thinking about all of them I've read so far, this is my favorite. Quinten, bless him, has such good intentions and such a noble heart, while struggling with a promise he made to his father and his desire to keep it. Deeply rooted in Canadian history, this story brings these events to life and helps us understand what the children shipped over from Britain as indentured workers endured.

Seeing cameo appearances from characters from the first and second books in the Canadian Crossings series brings it all to a satisfying conclusion.




Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of this book. My opinion is my own.

The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason gets five stars from me. This new-to-me author has delivered a great story on so many levels. Her book centers on Quinten Aspinall, a former valet who has returned from serving in World War One. He discovers his mother dying in the workhouse and his younger siblings sent to Canada as orphans.

Asking his employer to allow him time to go and find the children, Quinten sets off with the second task of bringing the Lord’s niece back with him.

Julia Holloway left England to assist a wounded soldier as he returned to his homeland. When her patient dies, estranged from her uncle, she’s left destitute and cleaning floors to scrape by. As she learns to trust Quentin, it looks like her problems may be over, until a shocking discovery changes everything.

Quinten battles to locate his brothers and sister and eventually discovers some horrific abuse. Thankfully he is able to save one brother from a cruel farmer and makes contact with the other Aspinall refugees.

Set in the backdrop of World War One, and shining light on a little known and utterly heartbreaking post war situation, The Brightest of Dreams showcases the human capacity to love beyond reason and fight when hope seems lost.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the British Home Children and was kept guessing as to the outcome of all the story threads until the very end. If love stories, difficult odds, and a glimpse at another time and place appeal to you as a reader, this is a book I’d highly recommend.

Read an excerpt or buy the book here…

Check out Susan Anne Mason’s website here…

Find some other great page-turners here…

This is the third book in this series that I have read and enjoyed, saying that I do feel that you could read this one by its self, but the others as equally good!
This story is fiction, as the author’s notes states, but it is based on fact, and it happened to so many families. This time the author focusses on a family with three sons and one daughter, while the older son is fighting in the great war, the family falls on hard times and put into an orphanage in England, only to completely lose the children to Canada.
We are given a desperate young man searching for his sister and two younger brothers, but also looking for his employer’s niece! What a journey we embark on and all the while you wonder if he will find his family in time. What of the niece, well that is another story, one that could almost be another book.
A beautiful job the author does of wrapping up this series, and give closure to all the characters we are or have been caring about!

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

EXCEPTIONAL ENDING TO THE TRILOGY
Following WWI, three strangers boarded the SS Olympic and became friends with similar quests. This final story follows Quinten Aspinall as he searches for his three missing siblings who were shipped from Derbyshire, England to Canada, without his mother’s consent, on an orphan ship to become indentured servants.
“The war was over. He’d survived. A major accomplishment to say the least. Yet that blessing paled when he thought about the fate that had befallen his family. Becky, Cecil, and little Harry. Lord, keep them safe – wherever they are.”
After informing his employer of his plans, he is tasked with also bringing back the Earl’s niece, Julia Holloway, who left with a wounded soldier to be his caregiver and make her own way in the world.
Arriving in Toronto, Quinn makes his way to the charming Mrs. Chamberlain’s boarding house from the previous books. Julia and Quinn are drawn together in unexpected ways that go far beyond him retrieving her from Canada; some dangerous, some tense, some sweet. *“I found a charming eatery on the next street. I doubt they have true English tea, but I’m willing to brave it if you are.” She gave a light laugh that went straight to his chest. “I’ve yet to find a truly good cup of tea,” she said, “though Mrs. Chamberlain’s came very close.”
**“Everything about Julia – her beauty both inside and out – drew him to her like a bee to nectar.”
***“He, Grace, and Emma had come to Canada, each with their own hopes and dreams for the future. And after enduring hardship and loss, they had all found their path. Surely the hand of God had been on their lives every step of the way.”
The relationship between Mrs. C and the Reverend was very sweet. The difficulties of the young siblings, particularly Harry were sad to read, but not unlike the situations of the orphan train children here in America.
The COVER is fantastic featuring Quinten in period clothing, with gentle street lamps behind him.
I enjoyed reading the author’s endnotes about Dr. Barnardo’s homes and the thousands of children sent to Canada from England, particularly how little had been written about them.
I recommend this story if you enjoy drama and romance in a historical setting.

Thank you to the publisher / author who sent me a review copy. My honest opinion is my own without expectation or compensation.

Canadian Crossings Series
1 The Best of Intentions – Grace Abernathy’s story 07/2018
2 The Highest of Hopes – Emmaline Moore’s story 03/05/2019
3 The Brightest of Dreams - Quinten Aspinall’s story 02/04/2020

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The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason is the third book in the Canadian Crossings series and quite possibly my favourite book in this series. With returning characters from the first two books, and a closer look at the wonderful Mrs. "C" I am yearning for this series to continue as I don't want to let the characters go.

This story is very moving as Quinten Aspinall sets out to find his brothers and sister. All three were placed in the infamous Dr. Barnardo Homes that brought thousands of children from England to Canada to be adopted. Instead, many of them suffered horrible abuses at the hands of their new "families" who treated them no better than slaves. In The Brightest of Dreams, Quinten has to go through the complicated process of finding his siblings and bringing them home. Not an easy thing to do when those in charge keep telling him, he has no legal right to know about them.

Quinten was also charged with bringing back his employer's niece, Julia. Her story, and how Quinten rushes in to save her, provided a sweet romance.

I did have one problem while I was reading this book. Keeping my stories straight! I kept getting the characters mixed up with the ones in No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky. Her story of siblings being sent to the Barnardo Homes after a parent fell ill, was eerily similar to Quinten's siblings. Probably because in real life, it happened all too often. In both cases, the mother had not relinquished her children for adoption, but unknowingly signed papers that said they did. And I found myself wondering at the end of the book why it felt like I had read about these children before. Of course, I hadn't, and the names were different, but the experiences of the children were similar.

Despite my brain glitch, I loved this story! Susan Anne Mason did an excellent job on her research of the Barnardo Homes. While the topic was a sad one, the faith of Quinten and Julia as they work together to help each other, left me wanting to read more. I will miss these characters.

I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers, through NetGalley for my honest review.

Susan Anne Mason's The Brightest of Dreams is an incredible story. With incredible odds, one young determined man, Quentin Aspinall undertakes to reunite his two brothers and sister. His goal was to restore them to his mother, who, in poor health and dire straits, gave their care temporarily over to Dr. Bernardo's Homes. Little did she know that they would be put on a boat for Canada.

I can't imagine how difficult this situation would be. Although this is a work of fiction, the children in this story could have been a handful of over one hundred thousand children shipped off from Dr. Thomas Bernardo Homes. The British Home Children were sent to Canada and worked under contract on farms, as housemaids or other jobs as indentured servants. Many, as in the case of Quinn's brothers Cecil and Harry, who were sent to separate farms, were ill treated and especially, like little Harry, malnourished.

The plight of the young, who don't have the resources to stand up for themselves in poor conditions is an unfair fight. Not only children, but also young women, like Julia Holloway, who was preyed upon unethically, had little voice when people in authority could determine their future at will.

Julia's faith helped her endure the difficult circumstances she found herself in with grace and dignity. Quinn, who became a constant in her life also possessed a strong faith. He trusted God as he forged ahead with his plans that at times were so difficult. Yet, he was stalwart, patient and loved his family fiercely for one so young. I liked this book. The elements of faith woven throughout made this poignant story all the richer. The characters were well developed, coming alive as the story unfolded.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I recommend The Brightest of Dreams for your reading list. The children who became the British Home Children, along with the children in America who were sent on Orphan Trains became a part of the history of North American. For when they grew up and out of their situations, they emerged, after all, as the men and women who helped settled North America.

I was pleased to receive an advance copy of this book for review. Although I have enjoyed other books by this author, my opinions are mine.

The book is very similar to another book written about the British Home Children but with a twist. It's hard to imagine British children being shipped off to Canada without their parent's consent. Stories such as this are heartbreaking when realized they are based on facts. Recommended!

(4.5 stars) - Reunited and it feels so good!

[This is Book 3 in the author's Canadian Crossing series. The previous books will provide additional insights & depth to the characters, but it can readily standalone without difficulty as well]

Quinn comes back from the war only to discover that his mother is sick and his younger siblings have been shipped off to Canada to be indentured servants. Quinn promised his father that he'd keep the family together, so he asks his employer for leave to find them & bring them back. His employer agrees but asks that Quinn also help find his niece in return.

Thus he finds himself in Canada at the beginning of a long journey full of unexpected twists & turns. The topic of the abuse of these children, similar to the Orphan Train, is not an easy one to read, but the author keeps it positive and hopeful. There are uplifting themes of compassion, forgiveness & reconciliation, but also important ones such as defending the defenseless. And of course the overarching theme of the gift of family.

This was a very well done story that kept me riveted right up to the end

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic, though there is a situation involving a lascivious landlord with implied sexual menace

*Religion: an inspirational Christian story

The cover drew me in, then the title, and I smiled when I saw this was written by Susan Anne Mason. I had enjoyed books by this author, so I was thrilled to read her newest novel. I read the first page in the prologue, stopped and looked at the cover of the book again. Yes, I was reading the correct book. I stopped because I had read No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky last year and it had a similar beginning, I was a little confused (things were cleared up in the Author notes to readers at the end). When the prologue ended the similarities did too.

Quinten said his farewells to his family and was off to war. Now he was home to discover his family had been scattered about. Quinten told his employer he was off to Canada to gather his family together. His employer the Earl (who he worked for years prior to the war) had a proposition for him. The Earl would gladly hold his position, give him some spending money, if he would also search for Miss Julia Holloway, his niece. He does the only thing he can do, he says,”..You have my word, sir. I’ll do everything in my power to bring your niece back to you.”

This is in author notes to readers, “When the subject of the British Home Children in Canada was suggested to me as a possible topic for a book, I confess I’d never heard of them. Not in all the time growing up in Ontario – where a large majority of these children were sent – and never in any of the educational studies…. So, to find out about these children and the role they played in our country’s history was indeed surprising.”

This was a remarkable, fun, fascinating hard journey Quintin and his family took. The characters are endearing, this story had the reader think about loyalty, trust, love, honor, compassion, family and forgiveness. It’s a wholesome romance story sprinkled with faith. Even though this was book three in the series I didn’t feel lost in this gripping, heart-felt novel I couldn’t put down that was full of twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

I highly recommend this novel for a book club pick. There is much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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.psalm516.blogspot.com

In this last book of the Canadian Crossings Series, Susan Anne Mason has tied up the series with a bow. Quinten Aspinall is hired by his employer to go find his niece while he hunts for his siblings in Canada. The hunt is not as easy as it seems and he has to resort to a bit of underhandedness to find the information he wants.

The first person he finds is Julia, his employer's niece. He finds her in a less-than-safe situation and takes steps to get her into more suitable housing.

Quinten's siblings had been put into an orphanage while his mother went to the workhouse, hoping to earn enough money to get them out. The problem is that she will never earn enough money to get them out and they are shuffled to Canada before she knows what has happened to them.

Quint finds his younger brother and sees the conditions he's living in. His room is in the stable and his bed is straw. When Quint finds the youngest brother, the boy has been badly beaten and in poor health himself. Quint forcibly takes him away from the farmer and puts him up in the same boarding house as Julia.

The years of this book are post WWI, the problems are that the placing agencies never go back to check on the children they have placed to be sure they are safe, well-fed, and treated equitably. Susan has done her due diligence in researching the situations and conditions of the era. The orphanages mentioned actually existed, and the harsh treatment of the children was somewhat based in fact.

This is a five-star book with two thumbs up and a found relative.

My thanks go to NetGalley.com and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is the second book I have read from this author and I enjoyed it the most!
This book tackled some hard topics and sad realities in 1919, I had no idea that childhood indentures continued for so long! I was shocked!
I enjoyed the history and the unique setting of Canada!
The pacing of this book was perfect, always the right amount of tension or drama to keep me fully caught up in the story.
There were a couple things that seemed wrapped up a bit easy, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story.
I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a historical drama set in the turn of the century.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally, all opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinions.

The years of this book are post WWI, and the many hardships that widows faced trying to feed, house and hold their families together. Susan has done her due diligence in researching the situations and conditions of that era. The orphanages mentioned actually existed, and the harsh treatment of the children was somewhat based on fact. The problems were the placing agencies never had enough staff to go back to check on the children they placed to be sure they were being treated decently and fed and clothed properly. When a young man returned from the war he found his mother near death in the Workhouse infirmary and his siblings shipped off to Canada. He vows to find his family and reunite them with his mother before she dies. His journey to find them makes for a very interesting book as the conditions he finds them in is horrible. He has to steal them away. He faces much opposition but is faithful and upright in his character and quest. There is love, faith , understanding and forgiveness found within these pages. Mason has another winner in this one…… My thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Having read Carrie Turansky's, No Ocean Too Wide, which also dealt with the British Home Children, I knew I was going to love Mason's series on this same subject. Book 3 finally brings the series to completion as Quinten Aspinall heads to Canada to try and find his 2 brothers and his sister, Cecil, Harry, and Becky along with his employer's (Lord Bentwood) niece. Nothing goes easy finding the children or locating Julia. Beset by one problem after another, Quinten's faith is the only thing that sustains him.

Quinten is an absolute swoonworthy hero as the cover's picture definitely depicts. Strong, faith-filled, courageous, and loyal, he is determined to do what's best for his siblings as he promised his father he would keep the family together as well as assist Julia. I loved how he supported Julia throughout the problems she faced and in helping her make the best decisions for her and her future life. Julia definitely ran into some true hardships, and it was nice to see her lean on God as she tried to find her way through them. Both she and Quinten had to learn to forgive themselves for the mistakes they made, so they could move on with their lives. This series definitely brings to life the plight of the British Home Children, how they were often mistreated and abused, and how they were taken from their parents without permission after being placed in orphanages due to a single parent's illness or inability to care for them short term.

I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy well researched historical fiction.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

This is the final book in a trilogy series but it can also work as a stand-alone. It's a historical romance that explores the social injustice done to thousands of British children who were shipped off to Canada to work as indentured servants. For such a heavy topic, the author does a good job of making this an informative and but sweet and enjoyable read.

A shining voice in Christian fiction brings a heartwarming tale of faith, hope, family, and redemption.

I love sweet Christian romance. Much of my teen years were spent reading books by authors like Gilbert Morris and Melody Carlson, so reading books in this genre is always like coming home for me. That’s why I like Susan Anne Mason. I loved her debut Irish Meadows and have enjoyed other books by her. The Brightest of Dreams, while not my favorite offering, was a good read. I loved Julia and Quinn. They make a wonderful couple and I’m pretty sure Quinn is one of the kindest, most loyal hearted heroes I’ve read about in recent memory. There were parts of the story that were hard for me to read (too sad!) and so I skipped over those, but I loved reading about Julia and Quinn and was happy with the ending.

This, of course, is wrapped in Mason’s skilled prose that I just love. Her style in so charming and it just makes me feel so good when I read it. And I love how her messages of faith are gently threaded throughout her novels. Not overbearing, but still very much present.

Avid readers of Christian fiction will love this endearing couple and the thoughtful style their story is told in.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I always get excited to get my hands on a new release by Susan Anne Mason. Her third installment from her Canadian Crossings series, The Brightest of Dreams, is no different. I loved every single page of this book. Of the three books from the series, this one is probably my favorite. I loved the historical details that were so vivid, I felt like I was right there with Quinten and Julia.
I am giving The Brightest of Dreams a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

If you are looking for a great story about love, then Susan Anne Mason’s The Brightest of Dreams should be at the top of your list. Why? Because it has love all the way through the story. I don’t mean just romantic love, although there is that too, but love for others. First there is the love of Quinn for his family. He loves his family so much that he is willing to travel across an ocean to bring them all back together again. Second, there is the love of Julia for those she cares about. She is a very caring person who shows love even in not so great circumstances. Lastly, there is the love that Quinn and Julia find together. It was a very interesting book that dealt with seldom heard about historical events such as the children British orphanages shipped to Canada. It is the third book in the Canadian Crossings series but I don’t think you have to read the series in order to understand what is happening in this book. I would recommend this for those who enjoy historical romance.

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

Dealing with tough and sad issues involving children, I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I ended up doing. To be fair there were parts of the plot describing appalling conditions for the children working on Canadian farms, which I found thoroughly disturbing, but other parts were about how a close relationship between Julia and Quinn got room to develop in the middle of all the drama as well as descriptions of their life in Canada. We also got to follow Julia when she dealt with her very own problems. Secrecy, pride and stubbornness seemed to be at the core of the entire plot. I found descriptions of all the restraints society put on women of the time interesting.

War veteran, family man and Earl’s of Brentwood’s personal valet Quinten Aspinall – Quinn, has made a very big promise to his father before his death to keep the family together. He has made it through the war with minor injuries and seems a level headed and well put together man who believes in the guidance of God and generally trying to do the right thing.
He is asking for leave of absence to travel to Canada in order to bring siblings Becky, Cecil and Harry, 18, 16 and 12, home. The earl hires him to find his niece and bring her home with them.
I enjoy following his though process as he is dealing with the tough experiences of this story. He gets very concerned along the way when he is told appalling stories of children having been gravely mistreated as free labor on farms. Quinn has to get creative to get information about his siblings whereabouts. He trusts God to guide him and keep him safe on his quest. His faith helps him through his hardships and descriptions of this runs strong through the story. Throughout the story he is met with experiences that challenge his view of life as well as his values, and he needs all his strength and down-to-earth personality traits to carry him through the events he encounters. I found him a thoroughly nice guy. He impressed me. Well done for creating such a likable and well rounded up character.

Julia Holloway, earl’s niece, went off to Canada as personal caregiver to Private McIntyre. Following his suicide, she lives in dire straits in Toronto. When Quinn inquires after his “fellow soldier”, he finds Julia scrubbing floors at the military hospital for a pittance.
She harbors secrets she feels vital to keep from Quinn and the earl. She expects to feel even further disgraced, so she refuses to speak to him. The earl has dangled a very tempting «carrot» in front of Quinn, making it essential for him to keep Julia safe and bring her back to England. I was relieved to see the relationship between Julia and Quinn develop in spite of all the constraints within themselves and in society.

I enjoyed the writing a lot as it managed to draw me into the plot and make the reading quite captivating. It was probably not the best idea to jump right into installment #3 of Canadian Crossings. I anticipated encountering some short comings in my knowledge about a storyline running through all the books, but felt there were no issues at all reading this as a standalone. It was a quick and easy read I was sad to see end, but still there is the option of reading books #1 and 2, which I look forward to.

I recommend The Brightest of Dreams in the Canadian Crossings Series for fans of Susan Anne Mason and for readers of historical romance fiction. Thank you to publisher Bethany House and NetGalley for this eARC, which gives me the chance to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Ah, such a sweet conclusion to The Canadian Crossings series. Susan Anne Mason writes another fluidly moving story filled with hope, love, romance, and faith. This is book 3 in the series but can be read as a stand-alone; the three books are not sequential but simultaneous in timeline.

I really enjoyed getting to know Julia and Quinn. Julia is a strong but broken woman, trying her best to survive even when her circumstances are terrible. Quinn is a determined, loyal, and tender man who crosses the ocean to Canada to find his siblings who were sent over from England as indentured servants during WWI. The mistreatment and abuse of those children sent to Canada are real and heart-breaking, the love of Quinn for his younger siblings powerful and heart-warming. Some gentle twists and turns in the plot heighten the emotion in the second half of the book.

If you like historical romance, you will love this book and the entire series. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This is the conclusión to the Canadian Crossings Series and it couldn’t have been a better story than this one to end a heartwrenching yet beautiful series that touched me deeply. There are three characters, Grace, Emma and Quinn, that embark on this epic journey to cross the ocean from England to Canada, all in search of family members. Grace is looking for her sister, Emma her recently discovered father, and Quinn, the hero of this story, makes this journey to find his siblings and maybe a runaway noble lady along the way… So I can’t praise enough this series! It was a compelling, deep and touching journey with each character in which they get to experience and learn many things: family bonds, forgiveness, second chances, unconditional love. It was truly inspiring, each story, and I’m still not sure, but maybe Quinn’s story is my favorite of all.
Quinten Aspinall comes back from war to an ailing mother and learns that she sent her children (his three siblings) to an orphan home because she was ill and couldn’t take care of them. These children were sent, without the mother’s permission, on a voyage to Canada, to become indentured servants to a farming family. When Quinn learns the fate of his younger siblings (Agnes, Cecil and Harry), he’s aghast and determines to travel to Canada, find them and bring them back to their mother and reunite the family. And maybe, just mybe, this could help his mother heal and fight for life again...
But this task is more than an arduous a challenge, especially when the Earl who employs him as his valet asks him to search for his niece who has runaway with a canadian soldier to Toronto. In return, if he finds her, he’ll let him have one of his tenants homes in his land, which will make it possible for him to give a stable home to his family, if he recovers them.
Julia never expected her life to be like it is now, in a foreign country, alone, and working non-stop at the Hospital as part of the cleaning staff. She can’t even make ends meet, she owes her landlord the rent, and he’s demanding undecent work from her if she doesn’t pay... But her uncle warned her to never come back if she left, so she’ll have to survive... Until Quinten comes to her rescue and saves her from her leecherous landlord, pays her debt and takes her to a safe place. Julia knows she owes Quinn so much, so when he asks her to help him find his siblings, she can’t say no... But there are secrets that will be revealed that will jeopardize this newfound friendship that is slowly growing into something more. And Quinn will find himself at odds when it seems he can’t have both: his family and a chance at true love? Will he be able to reunite his family? Will he and Julia overcome so many obstacles that stand between them?
This was a beautiful and heartwrenching story. I loved it all the more because it was based on real history. It’s so sad but true, that thousands of orphans were shipped from England to Canada, supposedly to find them a better life and future, but found themselves almost as slaves tied to their employees until they reached the majority of age, and never finding a loving family to take care of them. And some mother’s didn’t know they would be shipped across the ocean when they placed them in the British home because as widows they could no longer support them! It broke my heart to know that Quinn’s siblings plight was something real, even if this is a fictional story.
The story was beautifully crafted, intertwining Quinn’s and Julia’s difficult circumstances and making it an epic journey. The need to cling to hope and not give up, the beauty of finding friends and kind souls along the way, the need to deepen in their faith and believe that everything happens for a greater good, if you let God direct your path... There’s so much to learn in this story, about God’s unconditional love, about the force of family ties, the beauty of forgiveness and a sacrificial love, among other insights. This is a book that can be commented on a book club.
The characters felt real and relatable. I especially fell in love with Quinn, his quiet determination, his kind heart and selflessness. Julia grows throughout the story, being a girl who had everything to end losing everything, especially the loss of a person she loved and wanted to help. She becomes mature and hardworking and will eventually work through her pride and resentment. She has a lot to forgive and it won’t be easy, but her journey to love and freedom was beautiful to watch.
And finally Quinn and Julia’s love story was so sweet, unexpected to both of them. What they’ll have to go through in order to fight for each other you will have to see for yourself. I can only say that this story is so much worth it and it will leave you inspired and wanting to be a better person and to let God into your life and burdens so He can help you take care of them in the best -and often unexpected- of ways.
The historical part is rich in detail and seems well researched and accurate. I felt as if I traveled through time!
I definitely recommend this book to historical romance lovers. I wouldn’t call it a romance, because it’s so much more! This book can be easily read as a standalone, but I surely recommend the other two, even if they’re not read in order.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher vía NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV


I just recently have heard of the British Home children but wasn't aware some of them had been sent to Canada as indentured laborers, mostly to work on farms.
British home children were said to be orphans but many in reality were not but came from homes where through sickness or death of one of the parents, had fallen on hard times.
From 1860 up until about 1948 over one hundred thousand children were sent from the United Kingdom to Canada. These same children rarely if ever spoke of this when they grew up.
I am grateful for the intense research the author has put into this book as she so accurately portrays
what the children went through and the struggle it was to try to retrieve some of these children home.
Quinten Aspinall makes a promise to his father to always take care of his mother and younger siblings and keep them together. He'll do everything in his power to keep this deathbed promise.
Upon returning from war he finds his siblings split up and had been sent to Canada as indentured workers.
Before he leaves to cross the ocean to find his siblings his employer offers him a deal to can not pass up, a tenant farm of his own for his ailing mother and siblings to be reunited on. There is a slight catch to this offer though his employer wants him to bring his wayward niece back home who ran off with a Canadian soldier.
In Canada, Quintin finds Julia but she's just received devastating news and doesn't feel like going home to her uncle is the right thing to do.
With Julia's help will Quinten be able to find his siblings and what about the feelings developing between the two of them as they closely work together?
Inspirational messages of God's unconditional love and forgiveness are what the author adds to her stories.
This is by far my favorite book of the Canadian Crossing series!

Published February 4th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you
All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. So many twists and turn.
Just when I thought I handle on who Julia was the author threw in something new. When that news settles we get something else to throw the reader off.
Quinn’s adventure to find his siblings will keep you interested as well. Nothing goes quit as he has planned, but it is highly engaging.
We have the added secondary character of Harriet and her desire to help the orphans being abused.
Overall, a very well done story with much to keep the reader engaged.

A copy of this book was given to me through the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I just finished reading this awesome
book and I must say that I enjoyed taking Quinn's journey right along with him. I loved meeting his family too.
Many times I wanted to smack him upside the head because of his selfishness and pride.
Right along with Julia too.
There in lies the key to this whole story line. Pride and selfishness
His journey took him through many twists and turns. Along with the heartbreak and disappointment
Life is full of disappointments. Especially if you shut God out of it.
A lesson that Quinn and Julia learned the hard way.
I feel like them because I am them. Most of the time I find myself learning the hard way that it never pays to do it yourself. That's when I turn to the Lord like they did.
God is the key to making your life a good one. Put Him at the forefront and you'll have many blessings and happiness but only if we ask for it and in His own time.
Patience is a virtue. Something I was never good with at all! Trust me, it is never good to try it by yourself.
I enjoyed that the characters prayed to God whenever they needed help.
Prayer is our lifeline to God.
Sometimes it's hard to do because we feel that we are too proud in asking God to intervene or to asking other people to help us. I often have that problem. I feel too embarrassed to ask at times.
Mason has done a great job with this story and again with tough subjects. Parts of this story will break your heart and other parts just simply make you want to get mad at the unfair things that are happening to the people of this story.
I love this book because it was based on the events in real life.
Another reason is that I learned a little more about the children that were placed in Canada.
I strongly recommend this book. I feel that this book will be going on my list of favorites.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bethenny House for this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

With her stellar writing voice and depth of research, Susan Anne Mason brings us another story highlighting a little known event in history called the British Home Children. Children who were supposed orphans sent over to Canada, oftentimes without the parents knowledge, to become indentured servants. Most of them to farm work and subjected to cruel conditions meted out by the farmers. Quinten Aspinall learns his three younger siblings were sent to Canada after their mom could no longer care for them and goes in a desperate search to reunite them. With the promise from his employer for his own tenement farm upon his successful return of Mr. Holloway's niece Julia, he sets off on a journey that proves to be challenging.

Mason brings this story to life in more ways than one for me. She is one of my top favorite historical writers because of the amount of research she puts into her books and creating characters that come alive. I can relate to the plight of Quinten and his strong desire to have his family safe under one roof and his motivation for a place to call his own; thus providing for the needs of those he loves. What sets out as an almost selfish reason becomes much more as things change for him. One of those reasons being Julia Holloway, his employers’ niece. He comes to care very much for her and wants to protect her upon learning a secret she has been carrying for far too long. He envisions a happy home with her by his side as his loving wife. Without spoiling it for other readers, Julia's life changes in an instant and her desire for a family of her own shatters with unexpected news. She faces it head on and with her faith intact, but at the same time, holds herself back from Quinten's affection thinking she does not deserve the gift of his love. I really love how the author uses other people in their lives to help guide them through tough times and gives them Godly wisdom. This story has so much depth to it, emotionally and plot wise. I found myself tuning out the world around me to plunge myself into the world of Quinten & Julia.

I always get so excited when I see a new book coming out from Susan Anne Mason because her writers’ voice draws the reader in completely! For me, she's one of those authors that I will automatically pick up a book to read just because it was written by her. This is for fans of historical fiction, who enjoy well researched novels based on real events but enough literary license to bring those people or events to life in a new way. Like living history through the pages of a book! She also weaves strong scriptural truths in her stories, which I appreciate. I can't say enough good about “The Brightest of Dreams” or Mason as a writer! Her books are always a must reads for me.

Be sure to read her authors note at the end where she talks more about the British Home Children, I found it added an extra layer to the story!

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House on the authors behalf but was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. The Brightest of Dreams is the third book in the Canadian Crossings series. I was blessed to read the other two, so I already knew I was going to love this one. That being said, each book can totally be read as a stand alone novel as well. The series follows a group of friends who met while traveling to Canada, so they each have their own separate reasons for their journey. This story follows Quinten as he searches for his siblings who were mistakenly sent to an orphanage in Canada. Quinten and the heroine Julia were easy to love, although both were far from perfect. Julia has a secret and it tends to shape everything around her. Little does she know, if she just let Quinten in he might be just the man to help her. Quinten has plenty of his own problems concerning his siblings and the contracts that bound them. It was so interesting to imagine what something like that would have been like. Mason made it really hard to stop reading, I needed to know what Quinten and Julia were going to do. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction. I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!

We had been introduced to Quinn in the first book of this series. I loved finding out what had brought him to Canada. This is a stand-alone story. Yet at the same time Mrs. C and Reverend Burke are strong supportive characters in each book and their friendship carries over through all of them.

Julia Holloway is a very deep character. She has a lot of hurt that has shaped her and directs many of her decisions throughout the book. Her story points out how deeply someone can be wounded by something said out of anger.

I had never heard of the practice of sending children from England to Canada until I started hearing about the book in the author’s newsletters. The details that are given about the British Home Children and how they were treated were definitely eye opening. It reminded me a lot of the Orphan Trains that were used in America to send orphans west.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

"The Brightest of Dreams" By Susan Mason is the third book in the Canadian Crossings series. This series is an historical fiction series. It takes place in Derbyshire , England in Spring of 1919. The setting goes between the wealthy estate of Lord Brentwood's estate in Derbyshire, England and Nova Scotia , Canada. One of the themes is rich vs poor. Quinn the main character has a heart for doing what is right. He has good character. He wants to do what is right no matter what the cost is for him. I like his character since He values what is lasting instead of just material worth. During this time in history there are many children who become orphans. Some of the children that have become orphans are sent to Canada and it is hard to reconnect with the children after they are placed in an orphanage. The orphanage has rules that regulate their system. The parents either die or can not care for their children due to illness or other circumstances. The book was very well written. I like the way the author weaves Christian principles in the book. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book. I will post my book on netgalley, Goodreads, facebook, my blog, and with Church staff.

I have loved this series by Susan Anne Mason. This book brings together the separate storylines we’ve been following throughout the series in a perfect way. Quinn and Julia have some tragedy and heartbreak to go through before all is settled for them. I admired Quinn’s strong determination to rescue his siblings and reunite them with their seriously ill mother back in England. Julia comes to the point that she has to put aside her fierce independence and accept help. I’ve loved Harriet Chamberlain’s role in this series as the one who helps and “mothers” the young ladies, and was glad that she also found her happily-ever-after.

I would suggest reading the books in this series in order so as to get the full impact of the “British Home Children in Canada” storyline. Based on historical facts, it’s been a heart-touching series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I thought this was a good concluding story to this three book series. Quinten's story is one that has the reader routing for him to pull his family back together again even though it seems impossible. Not all stories are "rosy," and the author portrays that well with the heartbreak that happened with the British children who were brought over from England to Canada to work on farms. So many children were frightened and hoping for a good home, but many ended up with awful situations. I was not aware of this time in history until I read Carrie Turansky's book, No Ocean Too Wide. I'm glad to see authors bringing to light this part of Canada's history, and helping readers to understand all that these children went through. Although, Quinten finding his siblings is only part of this grand story. Quinten finds that his plans are beginning to change once he encounters the beautiful Julia Holloway. Now, he must choose between family obligations and a woman he loves. It was interesting to see how his character changes throughout the story battling inside himself to do what it right. I thought the author did a great job creating tension and resolution throughout this story. It kept the story moving and the reader interested.

***I received this complimentary book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

An informative and eye-opening account of three, among the nearly 100,000, British Home Children brought to Canada between the war years. Detailed review to appear in the May 2020 edition of the Historical Novels Review magazine.

I finished reading "The Brightest of Dreams" by Susan Anne Mason and is was really really good!!! 5⭐. I loved it. This book had me tearing up so many times!! Another great book, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.
Thank you to #netgalley and to the publisher for letting me read this great book. All opinions are my own.

The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason is the third novel in the Canadian Crossings series. It can be read as a standalone if you have not read the other two Canadian Crossings novels. If you have read Best of Intentions and Highest of Hopes, you will be delighted with this final story. Grace and Emmaline are in included, so we get to find out how they are faring. I thought The Brightest of Dreams was well-written with developed characters. I can tell the author did her research for this novel. It is heartbreaking that hundreds of children were sent to Canada as indentured servants. The working conditions for some of them were intolerable as we see in this story. Quinn Aspinsall is searching for his two brothers and sister in Canada so he can return them to England. He hopes that when his mother sees all her children once again, she will begin to recover. The Brightest of Dreams is an emotional story that captures the time period beautifully. Christianity is woven into the story making it an integral part. The characters pray to God for help on their journeys and with their lives. Quinn and Julia become a part of a charming church community that includes Mrs. Chamberlain and Reverend Burke. My favorite phrase from The Brightest of Dreams is, “God’s timing was always perfect.” It is can be hard to turn our worries over to Him and leave them in His hands. The romance plays out sweetly and slowly which suits the time period and the story. The Brightest of Dreams allows us to glimpse into the past in this multifaceted novel. I especially appreciated the epilogue. The Brightest of Dreams is a story that draws you in and holds you until you finish the very last page.

The Brightest of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason is the third book in her Canadian Crossings series. I haven’t read the first two, but the back copy of The Brightest of Dreams captured my interest, so I did something usual: I read Book Three first. I’m glad I did!

Quinten Aspinall worked as a butler for an English earl in the early 1900s. After returning from war, he learns that his mother is deathly ill, in a workhouse hospital and his three younger siblings had been sent to Canada after his mother left them in an orphanage. Determined to bring his family back together, he gains his employer’s blessing to travel to Canada to search them out.

The choices Julia Holloway has made have left her alone in Toronto and in dire straights. She determines to find her own way out, but in a moment of weakness, she pens a letter to her cousin, who shares it with her father, who tasks his butler with the job of bringing Julia home. Quentin wants to refuse the task, but the earl insists.

Faced with so many social issues of the day, Quentin and Julia navigate many difficult waters. From child labor to unwed pregnancy to family expectations and class distinctions. The Brightest of Dreams is not necessarily an easy book to read, but it does an excellent job of showcasing the issues facing immigrants in the early 1900s.

The Brightest of Dreams can stand on it’s own though the last book in a series and though readers are given a sneak peak at the characters from the first two books. I also hadn’t read Susan Anne Mason before but after reading Quentin and Julia’s story, I intend to take a look at her other books. If you love historical fiction or just want a snapshot of what it was like to live in that time in history, I highly recommend The Brightest of Dreams.

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I received this book free from NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. 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.”

This is a fantastic finale to the Canadian Crossings series and my favorite of the set. The story line was so engrossing, it kept me reading to find out what was going to happen to these characters and how they would get their happy ending. Quinten and Julia were very likable characters and I loved seeing Mrs. C again and learning more of her story. Really enjoyed this book!

I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

The Brightest of Dreams
by Susan Anne Mason

Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 04 Feb 2020



I am reviewing a copy of The Brightest of Dreams through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:


Quinten Aspinall who out of determination to keep a promise to his late Father to keep his Family together he heads to Canada. Canada was where his younger siblings were sent to as indentured servants while Quinten was away at war.



Julia Holloway's decision to come to Toronto had been met with disaster. After her uncle's employee Quinn rescues her from a horrible situation she worries she will never be able to repay him. When he asks for help finding his sister Julia agrees. Soon after though she receives devestating news that changes everything.



Quinn is now torn between reuniting with his family and keeping Julia's secret safe. Will he be able to reunite with his siblings.



I give The Brightest of Dreams five out of five stars!


Happy Reading

This has been a fantastic series of historical fiction. I had not read much that takes place in Canada before this and I had definitely not read about England sending children over to Canada. It seems like it was a good idea on paper but there were children that it did not work out for. I loved the characters of Quinten and Julia. These two came together at the right time in their lives and were able to help each other. This made me laugh and cry. I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

The Brightest of Dreams was written by Susan Anne Mason, and is book three in the Canadian Crossings series.

Summary: This third book follows Quinten Aspinall, and his desperate search for his siblings. Upon returning from war, he finds they have been sent from England to Canada to serve as indentured servants when their mother could no longer care for them.

Determined to reunite his family, he immediately books passage to find them. His employer tasks him with another mission on his journey-to find his estranged niece Julia, and bring her back to England. His reward? A farm of his own where his family can all be together at last.

Will Quinten be able to locate his siblings, and bring Julia Holloway back to England? He has to try-if only to fulfill the promise to his dying father to look after the family and keep them safe.

My Thoughts: This was a great book. I have enjoyed the others in the series as well, and I am not sure I could pick a favorite. It is definitely not necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one, but they are all worth the read.

I really liked the characters, the storyline was well-done, I enjoyed the romance, and it was a fitting conclusion to the series as a whole. I also enjoyed learning more about the history behind the mass migration of English children to Canada during this time period.

It is a good read, and I recommend it! Another great book by Susan Anne Mason.

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

4 stars for this historical romance. This book follows Quinn, who has just come back from the war (WWI) to learn that his mother was unable to support his siblings and she turned them over to an orphanage, where they were sent to Canada to be laborers. I've read one other book about the British Children's home and was absolutely astounded by this piece of history that I'd not known before. This is somewhat of a crude forebearer to the foster care system; but Britain was running out of room and resources and Canada needed farm labor. Some hundreds of thousands of children made the voyage in the few decades that this was happening. This book spoke to that time frame and how things came to pass for these fictional characters. Whie this is book 3 in the Canadian Crossings, it was the first I read and I was not at all confused, so this can certainly be read as a stand-alone.

Quinn was a multi-faceted character. In some instances, he was patient and kind - the perfect gentleman. In other instances, he was rather impatient and threw a tantrum (that happened a couple of times). Through it all, though, circumstances came about as he'd hoped. While there was some tension throughout the book, I felt like he found his siblings rather easily and his dreams came to pass rather quickly towards the end, making it seem a bit unrealistic. But.... the spiritual lesson throughout was trusting in God brought about His Will, and so I suppose if that was His Will, then there's no reason for it to not turn out happilly ever after. It just "felt" a little too easy. This is the main reason for a 4 star instead of a 5 star rating.

There was a lovely cast of side characters. I especially adored Mrs. Chamberlain, who ran the local boarding house. I also apprecatiated Rev Burke and the way he ministered to his flock and the new immigrants. Julia, the heroine, was also very likable and relatable. I appreciated her independent spirit and at the same time her reliance upon others when times got tough. She can be an example for us all in those regards. She lived a life of quiet faith and grace that was easy to admire.

This book was an interesting historical romance about a time and issue that are little known, with a sweet romance, solid faith thread and interesting sub-plots. I would recommend to fans of inspirational historical fiction. Special thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book. I was not obligated to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

I was not aware of the practice of sending children to Canada to find new homes. How tragic for these families. This book dealt with this practice and showed how things were changed.
The relationship between Quinn and his family showed loyalty by Quinn for never giving up. I also admired Julia for standIng up for herself.
I will be recommending this book to the patrons at my library.

A great way to end the series! Susan has a way of making me swoon throughout the stories and her plot twists keep me turning the pages.

The Brightest Of Dreams by Susan Anne Mason is a delightful Christian historical novel set in 1919. It is the third book in the Canadian Crossings series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces.
The story surrounds the plight of Dr Bernardo’s children who were sent from the orphanages in England to Canada. Not all the children were orphans, some were in the homes due to their parents falling on hard times. Permission to take the children overseas was not obtained. It was a shocking time in history. Susan Anne Mason has woven a marvellous fictional tale around the facts.
The reader is reminded that God wants us to take care of the widows and orphans. There are some huge hearts within the novel who open up their hearts and homes to others and who do not judge them.
There are the themes of guilt and forgiveness. Deathbed promises made before World War I intervened did not materialize. A character is weighted down with guilt and needs to forgive the face in the mirror.
Another character is also buckling under the weight of guilt and inactivity. Forgiveness needs to be given and received.
God sees all our situations. When we cannot help our loved ones, we must surrender them to His care. We can trust Him with their lives.
Faith in God is vital. God is wherever we are. “No matter where in the world he travelled, God was with him.”
Due to circumstances beyond her a control, a character battles with feelings of self-worth. “She didn’t feel worthy to ask anything of God.” God asks us to come to Him just as we are. No one is ever too far from the hand and heart of God.
Once more Susan Anne Mason has created a charming set of characters who warm the reader’s heart with their love.
The Brightest Of Dreams is a beautiful story showing how God repays the years the locusts have eaten.
I received a free copy from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.