Quinten Aspinall is determined to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased father to keep his family together. To do so, he must travel to Canada to find his younger siblings, who were sent there as indentured workers while Quinn was away at war. He is also solicited by his employer to look for the man’s niece who ran off with a Canadian soldier. If Quinn can bring Julia back, he will receive … his own tenant farm, enabling him to provide a home for his ailing mother and siblings.
Julia Holloway’s decision to come to Toronto has been met with disaster. When her uncle’s employee rescues her from a bad situation, she fears she can never repay Quinn’s kindness. So when he asks her to help find his sister, she agrees. Soon after, however, Julia receives some devastating news that changes everything.
Torn between reuniting his family and protecting Julia, will Quinn have to sacrifice his chance at happiness to finally keep his promise?
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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.
While this is the third book in the Canadian Crossing series, this story can easily be read on its own. With that said, fans of this series will enjoy glimpses of characters from the other two books and enjoy finding out where those characters are now.
Quinten is quite a dynamic hero, he is sure to capture your heart. Time and again he was put in impossible situations, and faced with difficult decisions. As a youth, he is charged with the heavy responsibility of taking care of his family. Quinn takes this responsibility seriously and does his very best to fulfill the promise he made to his dying father. Little did he know the lengths he would have to go to, to ensure that he keeps that promise. He starts out taking on responsibilities and making decisions without first taking the time to go to God in prayer. We see Quinten grow as a character throughout the course of this story, in not only his relationships with others but also with God.
This story takes place in the early 1900s, just after World War I and focus on a family that unfortunately got wrapped up in the event that came to be known as “The Canadian Home Children”. Children who were sent to Canada from Great Brittan as orphans. Children who were often treated as indentured servants at best. Fans of Carrie Turansky’s “No Ocean Too Wide”, will enjoy delving into this story and the history.
I enjoyed my time reading this story and felt pulled into the drama and the lives of the characters. Susan Ann Mason has written a beautiful story that wrapped itself around my heart.
(I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
I enjoyed listening to the audio version of The Brightest of Dreams. Set in Canada and featuring British Home Children, this story really grabbed my heart. The characters were realistic, and I could tell the author did a lot of research to make that time in history come alive for the reader. Some of the harsh realities the children faced were difficult to hear, but that is actually what happened, and their stories need to be told. Well done and highly recommended.
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.
First of all, the cover of The Brightest of Dreams is just perfect. The hero is shown and you can almost see into his character. He looks kind, handsome, thoughtful and there is an air of anticipation in his gaze. And that’s what Susan Anne Mason brings out in her story of Quinn Aspinall.
In this third book of the series, Canadian Crossings, we see Quinn back from the war. He is on a mission to track down his siblings who were sent to Canada to be indentured because their ill mother could not care for them in England. His employer, the Earl of Brentwood, gives him leave to depart for Canada. The Earl asks Quinn to find his niece, Julia, who left for Canada as a caretaker to a wounded soldier.
This story is full of heartache and joy, faith and folly. Told with realism and poignancy, it takes us back to a time when good intentions didn’t always end up with the ideal circumstances. There are many obstacles to overcome, sometimes spiritual, sometimes physical and sometimes of the heart. And when Quinn meets Julia even motives change.
This book can be read as a stand alone but in it we see fellow travelers from books one and two. The secondary characters of Mrs. Chamberlain and Reverend Burke were very sweet. They provided steadying and wise spiritual counsel, showing that if we put out trust in God, He will direct out paths.
If you have read No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky, these three books by Ms. Mason will be a great complement. The Brightest of Dreams was informative about the British Home Children and a touching, romantic story as well.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
First, this is a great story on its own. I loved Quinn’s determination to find his siblings. I also loved how he finds Julia and the feelings that develop between the two. Quinn’s protectiveness of Julia was quite touching.
I very much enjoyed seeing Mrs. C. and Reverend Burke again (I love them). They have been an important part of this series. The brief glimpses of Grace, Emma, and Jon were nice too.
This is a fantastic conclusion to the Canadian Crossings series. Though each book can be read as a stand-alone, I think everyone would enjoy all three stories.
The subject of the British Home Children is a very weighty one. I think Ms. Mason has done a wonderful job bringing it to life in fiction.
The narrator adds just the right amount of drama and feeling to the story too.
I started listening to the audiobook as soon as it downloaded at 2 am and didn’t stop until the satisfying end.
I purchased the Audible version of this book. I received a paperback from the publisher. A review was not required. The opinion expressed is entirely my own.
‘Surely the hand of God had been on their lives every step of the way.’
The Brightest of Dreams is such a lovely finish to this series. Mason uses a deft pen to plumb the depths of despair and heartache which brought many a tear to this reader’s eye. Emotional pain runs deep throughout the narrative and although several situations cannot be described as good, the author was careful to portray them with sensitivity and compassion.
The sub-story with the Reverend and Mrs “C” is utterly captivating and oh, so sweet. Mason is adept at drawing me into her stories and holding me captive with both good and not-so-good personalities. The biblical theme of forgiveness is prominent. I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion to Canadian Crossings. I highly recommend it of fans of Historical fiction.
Reading the notes in the back of the book, I was surprised that such an enormous event in history would be so little known. Several writers like Mason are shedding new light onto this period in history, for which I am thankful. We have much to continue learning about the terrible plights children suffered and to make sure those in the foster system today are treated with dignity and love.
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher. My opinion is my own.
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.
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.
I enjoyed each book in the Canadian Crossings series by Susan Anne Mason, but this third and final book wrapped up the series so beautifully and finished it off with flourish. My review is based on my listening to the story via audiobook. While the novel revolves around main character Quinten Aspinall’s search for his siblings who were sent to Canada as British Home Children around the time of World War I, this is just one of several interesting story layers that is revealed as the book unfolds. Julia Holloway is a lovely heroine who displayed such strength and depth of character in spite of the trials that she had to endure and overcome. Plus, the secondary characters added even more interest, particularly Mrs. Chamberlain and Reverend Burke, whom we also see in the first two books of the series. I found the spiritually uplifting messages of trust and forgiveness to be very inspirational and woven seamlessly into the story. This was such a heartwarming and uplifting novel that I can’t recommend highly enough!
Content disclosure: Contained in the book is a non-detailed reference of a previously occurring sexual assault that happened prior to the events of this story, the mention of which is integral to the plot.
A satisfying conclusion to a rich and well-written series. Quinten is so well written that you can’t help but love him. Determined to save his family, and restore Julia to her family, he sets out for Canada. Along the way, his fortitude is strengthened and we see how solid a character he truly is. Julia is also a quiet, but strong female lead, who has endured a severe injustice. The two create a dynamic chemistry that guarantee to captivate your attention and interest.
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.
In The Brightest of Dreams, Quinten Aspinall returns to England from war to find that his ailing mother, being unable to care for her three youngest children, has sent them to an orphanage. And the orphanage has shipped the children to Canada for “the chance for a better life” as indentured laborers. Quinn promises his mother he will find his siblings and bring them back, but when he asks his employer, the Earl of Brentwood, for the time off to travel to Canada, the Earl has another mission for him. The Earl’s niece, Julia Holloway, ran away to Canada with a soldier in order to care for him after the war, and he wants Quinn to find Julia and try to convince her to return to England, as well. As an added bonus, Quinn will be rewarded with one of the tenant farms for him and his family if he can bring Julia back. In Canada, Julia is living in poverty as the soldier she was caring for has died. When Quinn finds her, comes to her aid, and offers her protection, she is grateful, but when she learns of the deal made with her uncle, she wonders if Quinn actually cares about her or if he is using her in order to earn the farm. As Quinn struggles to get all the pieces of his life together — finding his siblings, trying to win Julia, striving to get back to England with his brothers and sister in tow in order to keep his promise to his mother, and trying to hold up his end of the deal with the Earl of Brentwood in order to earn the farm and provide a home for his family — he wonders if it’s even possible for him to have all he dreams of.
The Brightest of Dreams is a clean, faith-based story. The story weaves in historical events as it tells about the British Home Children which is a pretty horrible piece of history that I had never heard of before. Although I liked the premise of this story, I personally had a hard time connecting with the characters. I felt that the story dragged and seemed a bit unfocused sometimes. And in some places, I thought the dialogue seemed awkward and didn’t seem to fit the time period. Of course everyone has their own reaction to a story, and as this book has many five star ratings, obviously many others did connect with this story in a way that I just didn’t. But I certainly do appreciate the focus on faith in the story, and I’m glad to have learned a bit of history as well.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Quinten Aspinall returns from fighting the Seven Years War to find his mother in the workhouse infirmary and close to death. His father had died shortly before Quinten left home seeking work. He sent his pay home to his mother and thought it would be enough to keep herself and his siblings in their home. He quickly finds out his mother used the money for liquor instead of food and was forced to go to work. She didn’t have enough money to support her three children, so she took them to an orphanage temporarily until she could get back on her feet financially. However, the orphanage sent the children to Canada as indentured servants! Quinten will do whatever it takes to bring his siblings home to England, but after five years and few leads how is he going to find them in a foreign country? His former employer also has given him the task of finding his wayward niece, who has also traveled to Canada. Quinten will receive land and a house if he can find her and bring her back. His family would be set for life then, so Quinten accepts the additional challenge.
Julia Holloway traveled to Canada as a caretaker for a wounded soldier. He unexpectedly commits suicide, leaving Julie distraught and vulnerable to his manipulative doctor who takes advantage of her to act on his own desires. Julia must find another job to support herself and is scrubbing floors in a hospital when Quinten stumbles across her. She agrees to help him in his search for his siblings in exchange for him paying her rent. She has no intention of returning to England, and he has no intention of staying in Canada.
Quinten and Julie both have a stubborn streak but also put the care of others before themselves. In England, the differences of class were strictly adhered to. In Canada, the class distinctions are more relaxed. I enjoyed the setting of all three novels in this series, and I especially liked Quinten in this story. He put his siblings and Julia’s needs before his own wants and desires, trying his best to do what was right. Readers see the upside and downside to the siblings’ lives as indentured servants and how God honors Quinten’s decisions regarding Julia and the future.
Susan Anne Mason is a master of the family drama; in both this series and her previous, we have been treated to following several different families as their members learn what it means to love unconditionally. This final book of the series is an excellent conclusion and I highly recommend it.
The book explores how the prescribed roles for women were undergoing some shifts, both for the common person, and for the aristocracy. While in England, changes were slower, but because this book takes place in Canada, those ideas are shifting more rapidly out of necessity as well as a new environment for many of the characters. It was intriguing to me how thought patterns had to be adjusted in order to accomplish many daily tasks, as well as to experience a fulfilling future.
This is a good family drama; with multiple families represented, the reader is allowed to feel the emotional pull and tug of parental expectation, personal wishes, and the desire to be valued and loved, for more than one character and situation. For both the hero and heroine, at least one parent has passed away, so there is the unfulfillable dream of making that person proud after they are gone, and there is no way for the parent to correct any mistaken impression that the child may have been carrying for many years.
The spiritual thread is a natural component of the storyline, as well. Characters rely on God, prayer, and have to realize at various points that, despite their best efforts, things may not always turn out the way that they think they should. The decision becomes whether or not to trust that God is truly in control, even when it seems like things are not going to turn out in a happy manner.
While this is the concluding book of the Canadian Crossings series, it can easily read as a standalone. The three novels are linked, but they do not cross over into the others except in minor ways that will not harm readability. Of course, I do recommend each of the books as riveting reading, especially for those who enjoy family dramas with romance, set in an interesting time in history, in a different setting (at least for those of us who often read books set either in America or England). At times heartbreaking, at other points inspiring, this is a book well worth the read and a reminder of what is important when everything seems to be falling apart.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and 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 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.
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.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*
I absolutely loved this story. Where do I begin? First of all, I just loved the romance that developed between Quinn and Julia. They start as friends and a mutual affection grows. Then there was the story of Quinn’s siblings who were sent to Canada as indentured workers. It was a part of Canadian history that I did not know but found very interesting and sad. Full review is at my website: LoraineNunley.com
I received this book complimentary as a member of the author’s launch team. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed her 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.