A sweet story of hope and love set against the poignant backdrop of a 1910 orphanage.
Sadie Sillsby works as the assistant to the matron at the Raystown Home for Orphan and Friendless Children, pouring all her energy into caring for the boys and girls who live there and dreaming of the day she’ll marry her beau, Blaine, and have children of her own. But when the matron surprises everyone by announcing her own engagement, Sadie is suddenly next in line for the esteemed job of running the orphanage.
There’s one glitch. The matron cannot be married. She must focus her attention on the financial, legal, and logistical matters of the Home. Sadie’s heart is torn. Should she give up her plans for a life with Blaine in order to continue serving these children who have no one else? Does she, a young woman who was once an orphan herself, have what it takes to succeed in such a challenging career? And when the future of the Home begins to look bleak, can Sadie turn things around before the place is forced to close forever?
The year is 1910, and the Raystown Home for Orphan and Friendless Children is full. Finances are tight, and now the matron of the home has finally accepted a proposal of marriage from her long time suitor. Sadie is next in line for the coveted position and she takes it, hoping to save the extra money for her future. She also knows something about orphan life, having lived within the home’s walls for several years as a child. While she might be familiar with an orphan’s needs, however, she knows little about the practicalities of running the home and soon finds herself in over her head.
One of the themes in A Home for My Heart is that of how others see us and whether or not that is important. Sadie is determined to rise above her humble beginnings and believes her promotion will cause the people of Raystown – particularly those with long memories – to see her differently. She thinks an enigmatic gentleman from Philadelphia might be a solution to many of her problems; as does a former employee of the home, Viola. Blaine believes owning land will be the answer to his problems and erase the wrongs in his past, but his relationships with Sadie and his brother suffer because of it. It takes both of them a long time to realize there are more important things in life than work and possessions.
Thank you to Bethany House for my free copy of A Home for My Heart, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
Read an excerpt of A Home for My Heart
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: 15 September 2013
Page Count: 352
Read more on: Anne Mateer’s Website Bethany House’s Website
Purchase on: Amazon Barnes & Noble Christianbook.com
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