A friends-to-something-more trope is among my top favorites. So when I saw what was happening between Emmaline and Jonathan, I gave a little cheer. There also seems to be a bit of unrequited love at the beginning, which I enjoyed watching unfold. Their love story helped push things along, and though Emmaline can be stubborn, it was easy to see her deep struggle with needing to be loved. The story is well-written, and the powerful need to find her father and earn his love is Emmaline's driving force. She wants to be loved. This allows for a deep spiritual message on how loved we are by our heavenly father.
I enjoyed this jaunt into history. It was a bit of a slow start but grew on me with each page. I will read more by this author.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Highest Of Hopes by Susan Anne Mason is a most charming Christian historical novel and the second book in the Canadian Crossings series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Susan Anne Mason has created a wonderful set of characters who will warm the reader’s heart. There are cameo appearances from characters from book one which enhances the feeling of familiarity for the reader.
The year is 1919. The leading lady is searching for her father in a quest to belong and be loved. What she fails to realise is that God, her perfect Father, already loves her and has given her a home in Him. The family she searches for are flawed, they have their own agendas. Our true family is not always found in blood relatives but in the arms of those who love us.
World War I left its scars. Some are physical, others are mental. “Nobody really won in a war… It ate at your soul long after the gunfire had faded.” Shell shock was just beginning to be known and treated. “The horrors in his head were something he might never be able to erase.” There are some sights we can never ‘unsee’, but we can learn to manage the effects.
When fear rules lives, it immobilises. Sometimes we just have to ‘do it afraid.’ We need to master our fears especially if they affect the health of others. The reader witnesses a mother’s fear for her daughter in case she has a relapse of Polio if she pushes too hard.
The world was on the brink of change. The old order of marriage alliances for wealth and power was being challenged by the younger generation who wanted to marry for love.
Love is the greatest force. We are urged to love as seen in 1 Corinthians 13. Love has no room for self. It puts others first. God loves each of us completely as we are His unique masterpieces.
I am adoring Susan Anne Mason’s stories. They are full of love and care with godly lessons for us all.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

More than one character has high hopes in this novel. Emma travels to Canada with high hopes that she can have a relationship with her father and Jonathan hopes that he can have a romantic relationship with Emma.

This book is a reminder that we cannot control the people around us because of a wish or desire. Each has to trust in God and know that we can find happiness in less than ideal situations.

The book explores the concepts of forgiveness, unconditional love, and sacrifice.

This is the first book I have read in the series. It had it's own unique story and can be a stand-alone.

After reading the first book, I was not sure where this next book would pick up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author is going to tell the stories of three individuals that met by chance on their ocean voyage from England to Canada. The first book, The Best of Intentions, tells the story of Grace Abernathy, and this book, The Highest of Hopes, tells the story of Emmaline Moore.
I thought it was a good story and found the mystery surrounding Emma's mom and dad interesting. What truly happened when she was born, and why would a father abandon a newborn? There was a lot of tension throughout this whole story between Emma, her father's family, and also at times with Jonathan. Emma's character is a bit on the reckless side rushing ahead of sound advice to do whatever her heart dictates. She seems like one of those people that has to learn things the hard way. Her best friend Jonathan is definitely more level-headed, but struggles to share his true feelings for Emma. The reader is left to wonder whether they will ever get together. Throughout the story, both of these character have a lot to learn about love and acceptance not just from each other, but especially how God sees them too.
I would suggest that the series be read in order since the characters do appear in all three of these books.
***I received a complimentary e-book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I liked the first book! And I've liked a lot of other books by this author. Therefore, I was looking forward to this one.

Emmaline just didn't grab me like the heroine of book 1 did, however, and the story didn't, either. Perhaps because there wasn't a tiny baby who needed taken care of. But I do like Jonathan! He was super sweet, and it was adorable how much he cared for Emma.

Susan Anne Mason has a wonderful talent for writing and her characters seem realistic. You can feel the angst, grief, fear and genuine affection of the characters as they faced trials in their relationships.  You will fall in love with Emma and Jonathan, the main characters who are best friends but Jonathan wants more than friendship from Emma. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. Mason kept my interest the whole time, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. This book is a great stand alone, even though it is book two in the series. I also enjoyed the personal acknowledgment at the end of the story, detailing how some of the book was part of the author’s own history............. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley and was in no way required to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is book two in the Canadian Crossings series, however I would say it is a stand alone, since I did not read book one and had no trouble keeping up with what was going on.

Emma and Jonathan embark on quite an adventure. Emma is a spontaneous, beautiful girl, her best friend, Jonathan, balances her well. They both have things to learn about themself and each other.

When Emma is determined to find acceptance from a father she has never met, she is in for a world of surprises. There is adventure, humor, friendship, heartache and more in this book. If you enjoy historical romance books you will enjoy this one.

Really sweet historical romance fiction. This is the second in a series but it’s not at all necessary to have read the first one ahead of time. Interesting plot and characters and a sweet romance.

I read The Highest of Hopes while Husband and I were on our cruise which means I had the opportunity to keep reading. I basically finished it within a day or two. For me these days, this is rare. I just don't often have the opportunity to read a book from start to finish with very little interruption. I say all of that because I've found that the length of time it takes for me to finish a book can really factor into my enjoyment of the book. And I can 100% say that I believe if I'd been faced with my normal day to day interruptions while reading The Highest of Hopes I might have enjoyed it less than I did.

Emma was a struggle for me in some ways. I could understand her burning desire for love and acceptance from her father. She thought he was dead for so long--her entire life. And she can't really fathom that she might not be a welcome presence in his life. What bothered me about her was her inability to heed sound advice. It was like she appreciated Jonathan for his sound mind and good advice, yet she never actually listened to him. She was stubborn, rash, and prone to following her emotions without giving anything considerable thought. Yet, I also felt sorry for her at times too.

In some ways, I wondered why Jonathan was in love with Emma. It's obvious that their proximity growing up influenced them both considerably. But Emma's rashness was so opposite to his balanced and methodical nature. Opposites attract though, I guess. I liked him a lot as a person and a character--perhaps because he was more like myself than Emma was.

I found myself feeling the same things that Jonathan felt concerning Emma's priorities. It's hard for me to root for a relationship when one of the characters hasn't made the other their number one priority. But I ended up really liking how Susan Anne Mason handled this. Actually, I give her kudos for even addressing it in the first place.

Favorite quote:
-There's no place for ego in marriage.

Ultimately, The Highest of Hopes wasn't a perfect read for me. I didn't love Emma's character, but this is kind of a clash of personalities rather than a writing flaw. I do think my opportunity to read straight through helped me to enjoy this book more than I might have under other circumstances. The Highest of Hopes gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Highest of Hopes? What did you think? Let me know!

I felt the story started out a little slow but not to bad, and things got pretty interesting a few chapters in...and kept you on your toes off and on through out it.
I loved Emma even though she was a bit pushy! And Jonathan!! I loved him! The story itself was very interesting...not sure I've read one like it!
Great read!! I highly recommend

I received this book for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

https://booksnbaubles.com/the-highest-of-hopes-by-susan-anne-mason/

A wonderful book touching on some very real, very hard and heart-breaking issues!

I really enjoyed reading Jonathan and Emmaline’s story and traveling with them through their travels and struggles. I also thought it was very fun to read more about early collegiate life, especially for Emma and Corrine. And Marianne may have been one of my fave characters—she was so spunky and caring!! ❤️

Emma was also a great character, complete with flaws—she has an incredibly tender and kind heart, along with a heaping scoop of impulsiveness! 😂

Jonathan was a kind, generous, thoughtful, and very self-sacrificial person. His love for Emma was strong, and the way he cared for her so selflessly was such a beautiful thing!!

Best friends Emma and Jonathan have always been there for each other, but when Jonathan’s feelings begin to change toward his dearest friend, and Emma’s careful life is turned upside down, everything changes....

Susan Mason did a wonderful job weaving a story of hope, second chances, and love. She dealt with the issues of PTSD (in a time when it wasn’t understood or treated well), abandonment, and loss in a very sensitive, heartfelt way.

An excellent read—highly recommended!!

Fabulous book. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
A very talented author. You get to fully know the lead characters and why they do the things they do. Usually as stories go along I try to think things through for them and try to problem solve for them. Many times it's obvious. With this story you simply feel like there is nothing else that you would have done in their place.

Emma was orphaned as a baby, taken in and raised by her Grandparents. When they both die she discovers that her father is not dead as she had been told. He lives in Canada, so she sells everything her Grandfather had left to her in order to go and find him. This girl burns bridges. She's strongly focused, blind to anything else. Jonathan, who is her best friend, sacrifices everything to help her. But will it ever be enough for her? A great story of making mistakes for love, looking in all the wrong places. Good message of faith. It's interesting that the timeline runs concurrently with the previous book in this series. It's not necessary to read that first, but you'll be glad if you do. Here's hoping for another!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”

The story was written quite well and the premise of the story had me intrigued. However, as I was reading the story I just had trouble liking the main character. I realize that people, including characters in books, are flawed. But the way she goes about doing things, such as barging in on her father's home, with no warning, just seemed overdone. It was like that in other areas of the book.

So my main issue was with the main character, Emmaline. I was vested into reading about her and how she was resolved to find her father. One that she was lead to believe was dead all her life. But when she discovered that he was actually alive, she was determined to find him. For her to drag along her childhood friend, for a decision like that, just seemed outrageous. Selfish. She wasn't someone whom I really wanted to know, more or less, I was curious as to how the story was to play out.

So for some you will like the book and the story, and for others, you may not enjoy it. I'm unfortunately in the later category. Despite this, I will definite try other books by Susan Mason, and not base this one experience on this story.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through NetGalley.

The Highest of Hopes was written by Susan Anne Mason, and is book two in the Canadian Crossings series. It is not necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this book.
Summary: Emmaline Moore is given the surprise of a lifetime when she discovers her father is actually alive! Determined to meet him and gain a fresh start, she travels from England to Canada with her best friend Jonathan. What will her father be like, and where has he been all her life?
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well-defined and interesting, there is plenty of drama, and a bit of mystery and romance as well. There is a very unique plot line, and it really kept me engaged in the book. I had no idea how the book could conclude, but the author did a wonderful job tying everything together in the end.
Overall, this is a really good book, and worth the read-check it out!
As always, I thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Highest of Hopes

by Susan Anne Mason



Bethany House


Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 05 Mar 2019







I am reviewing a copy The Highest Of Hopes through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:





Emmaline Moore is stunned to learn that the father she had believed was dead is actually alive and is actually living in Canada, after her beloved Grandfather died. Because she has no other living family she decides to leave England and go to Canada. She head to Canada with her best friend Jonathon. But her father Randall Moore and his wealthy family does not welcome her arrival, they fear her appearance will hinder his becoming Mayor Of Toronto in 1919, but Emma is still determined to win her newfound Families affection.





Jonathan Rowe has been in love with Emmaline for years, but he has not found the courage to tell her how he felt, but he hopes that during this trip he will be able to win his heart, worried that Randall May reject her Jonathan stands ready to take her back home to England. But she informs him that she has no intentions on returning to England it made him begin to despair. Will he be able to convince Emma to see that she has value within herself and she doesn’t have to seek it in a virtual strangers? Will Emma ever go home with Jonathan?







I found this book to be engaging, and heartwarming in parts while heartbreaking in others. My attention was captured throughout so I give The Highest of Hopes five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

After reading the first book in the Canadian Crossings Series (The Best of Intentions) I was looking forward to reading the next instalment by Susan Anne Mason, and I was not disappointed.

Emmaline Moore is a bit of a headstrong character who acts before she thinks which gets her into trouble more than once in this book. Fortunately, she has a steadfast companion in Johnathan Rowe, whom she has known since she was a child. Unfortunately for Johnathan, Emmaline has no clue as to how he feels about her - because she's too busy caring about her feelings and her life. When she finds out her father is alive she heads to Toronto and the wonderful reunion she expects to receive from dear old dad. If only she would listen to the voice of reason (Johnathan) once in a while.

The best way to describe Emmaline is that she explodes into everyone's life, giving them no time to adjust before the next explosion occurs. She happily picks herself up, dusts herself off and assumes everyone will love her because - well - she's Emmaline! Johnathan who has grown up with Emmaline is used to her impulsive ways, and so he tries (valiantly) to counsel her and at the same time show her his feelings. But he never seems to find the right moment. While Emmaline is starting to feel differently towards Johnathan, she is still set on starting her new life in Canada with her father and his family - not in England with Johnathan - and that is something he finds hard to accept.

I know it sounds like Emmaline is a creep but she isn't really, she's got a good heart, but she's incredibly impulsive. But, praise the Lord, she learns a perfect lesson in the end (as does Johnathan), and together they trust God for His plans for them, no matter what those plans might be.

I loved the growth of both Emmaline and Johnathan and how they both turned to God for guidance. The ending was perfect and brought a tear to my eye.

I cannot wait for book three! Well done Susan!

This book was provided courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley.

I really enjoyed Susan Ann Mason's first book, The Best of Intentions, in the Canadian Crossings series; so I had high hopes that the next book, The Highest of Hopes would be just as good. The characters were very realistic, the setting was unique, and the plot was intriguing.  The characters had both good and bad qualities which made them seem real since they were never perfect. .  I even couldn't completely dislike the characters that were mostly mean and nasty because they had something good about them.  The setting in Canada was unique because I  haven't read many books set in Canada. I've read many books that take place in the USA or England but not Canada. The story itself was intriguing because I wanted know how everything would end, and I have to admit that part of the ending did surprise me a little, although not completely.  

So, did The Highest of Hopes live up to my expectations for another great book in the Canadian Crossings series? Yes, it did! I enjoyed this book just as much as the first and am looking forward to another great book by Susan Ann Mason. 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical romance and to those who enjoy books set in Canada. 

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

This was an enjoyable read overall. I will say Emma kind of annoyed me at times early in the book but by the end of the book I loved her character. This book hit kind of close to home for me as my dad has never been a part of my life so I could identify well with Emma’s desires and feelings. The plot and story flowed well and kept a good pace despite the fact the book is a longer read. I am looking forward to the finale of this set!

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

The Highest of Hopes by Susan Anne Mason

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Susan Anne Mason continues her Canadian Crossings series with a story that, while very well written, seemed to lack originality.

I love stories with plots about a person finding out the family or person they thought were dead is really alive. But there are always one of two ways that plays out, either the person is welcomed and loved or the person is seen as disruptive and intrusive. This story takes on the latter situation and while I enjoyed the way the book was written and some of the characters, I just didn’t find the fleshing out of the story to be very “new” feeling. Its okay if an author wants to use a unoriginal plot line but they need to give it a fresh spin or twist to make it stand out – otherwise you are just writing what someone else has already written. Ms. Mason had plenty to work with and created some very good characters; I just think she could have expanded them more to make them her own. The story begins on the deck of a ship, with a young woman named Emmaline Moore who is about to dock in Toronto, Canada. Emma has spent her whole life in England with her grandparents under the impression that both her parents have died. But with the passing of her grandfather, Emma discovers that the father she was told was dead is actually alive and well in Canada. Having always longed for a real family, Emma sets out to find her father and learn why he has never come back for her. Her best friend, Jonathan Rowe, has agreed to come along as protector on the voyage and is hoping for the chance to tell Emma how he really feels about her. But all does not go as Emma or Jonathan hopes. Her father, Randall Moore, has a new family and is in the middle of a large campaign to become Mayor of Toronto. When Emma arrives on his doorstep, Randall is shocked to see her. It was his understanding that his daughter didn’t want anything to do with him and he had left her in the past with the painful memories of her mother. His current family is also much less than welcoming to this stranger who barrels into their lives with no warning. With the campaign season soon to be at full steam, Randall cannot afford to have any hint of scandal surrounding him. So all agree, albeit reluctantly, to say that Emma is his niece who is visiting from England, at least until after the election is passed. Greatly upset that her father is too willing to regulate her to the position of niece rather than daughter, Emma tries to wrap her mind around how everything went so differently than she imagined. Finding ways to spend time with her father becomes her newest plan and she will do whatever she needs to make that happen. Jonathan is disappointed that Emma is spending so much time trying to win her father over but he feels guilty about it. How can he begrudge her the chance to know such an important part of herself? But he still hasn’t had a chance to tell her how he feels and time is running out before he has to return to England and his schooling. As time goes on and everything eventually comes out, everyone will have to decide what is most important. Is winning the election worth Randall losing his oldest daughter forever? Is being with her father (given his lack of wanting her around) worth losing the family Emma has had all along? Is finally gaining the education he’s always wanted going to be enough for Jonathan if he loses Emma’s love? All these questions and more are answered in the pages of this quiet story. I only wish Ms. Mason had made the fleshing out of the story less predictable. I usually have a good idea of where a book is going by the third or fourth chapter, depending on the content and length, and I could have literally told you what would happen at the end of this book by page fifty. There was no surprise plot twist, no additional surprise character, no non-predictable passage to the story at all. I do concede that the writing itself was very well done and the conversations well written. But I felt that the story lacked “yumph” to quote William Powell, and that was disappointing. I had some good hope for the story when two of the characters were talking with a third about making Emma “disappear” but that never really got played out in the slightest. So while it was a nice book, its not one that I’ll be recommending readily. I will say that it would be fine if you needed a story you didn’t have to really pay attention to if you wanted to keep everything straight but its not an exhilarating read by any stretch of the imagination. Hopefully the next story by Ms. Mason will be an improvement.

I received this E-book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Emma's beloved grandfather has just died and she discovers that the father whom she THOUGHT was dead, is very much alive! Emma travels to Canada in search of her father and discovers more about herself and love than she ever imagined. Fantastic book with quirky but sweet characters.