Today I welcome guest author Susan Ann Mason as she shares about her latest release and offers readers who leave a comment the opportunity to enter a random drawing for a print (US only) or ebook copy of any of her titles.

But before Susan Ann tells us about her books, she's agreed to answer some questions so we can get to know her better.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Really, I love anywhere in Florida. So far, I’ve been to St Petersburg, Orlando, Ft. Myers and Destin. I love the ocean, walking on the beach, and all the palm trees. Being from up north in Canada where winters drag on and we only get a few months of really nice weather, I love the tropical atmosphere of Florida. My dream is to be a snowbird and spend most of the winters there when my husband and I retire.

What do you do for relaxation?

I love working on my family tree in Ancestry.com. I started this hobby back in 2007 when I began researching my mother’s family. It quickly became addicting. I had taken a break from for quite a while since writing deadlines didn’t give me a lot of spare time. But when Covid hit and even the TV shows were on hold, I renewed my subscription to Ancestry and continued where I left off. I’ve now done my DNA and have hundreds of new relatives to explore!

Do you have a dedicated place to write?

Funny enough, I had always dreamed about having my own dedicated office space. I was waiting for one of my kids to move out to convert their room into my writing lair. When the day finally came about 2 years ago, I quickly took over my daughter’s old room, keeping her bed for when she came to visit, and changed half of the room into my office. It was cute and homey, and I thought I’d be so productive there. I did start out using it, but gradually realized I was using the space less and less. I think I felt shut off from the rest of the house, stuck up in the back bedroom. And before I knew it, I found myself back at the kitchen table! For now, my daughter has moved back home again, and I wasn’t at all upset having to give up my writing space.

Thanks for having me, Donna. I’d love to offer a giveaway of a copy of any one of my books, either print or ebook. Available to those in the US or Canada. Simply leave a comment, and please disguise your email address like this example: Sally2022 AT mydomainname DOT org

First page of A Feeling of Home

CHAPTER 1

January 1944

“I need to speak to Dr. Henshaw. It’s an emergency.” Isabelle Wardrop stood on the front step of the Bennington Place Maternity Home, too filled with anxiety to even care about the frigid air that turned her harsh pants into white puffs in front of her.

Pure adrenaline had driven her here, filling her with such purpose that she’d ignored the onslaught of snow that continued to swirl down at an alarming rate. If the storm didn’t let up by morning, the city would be socked in.

But the weather was the least of her worries at the moment.

“I’m afraid the doctor’s delivering a baby and can’t be disturbed.” A timid pregnant woman glanced over her shoulder to the hallway beyond as though hoping someone would materialize and come to her aid. But the house remained shrouded in an almost unnatural silence.

Isabelle shoved her way into the foyer. If she hadn’t been so desperate, she would never have acted with such uncharacteristic rudeness. “I’m sorry, but my mother’s life is at stake. Surely, the midwife can manage the birth without him.” Isabelle didn’t know everything about Dr. Henshaw, but she did know he worked alongside a midwife at the home for unwed mothers, a woman who was usually more than capable of handling the births. Tonight would have to be one of those times.

The young woman twisted her hands together over her extended belly. “Let me get Mrs. Reed or Mrs. Bennington. They’ll know more about the situation than I do.”

Isabelle forced a slow breath through her nose. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

As soon as the girl disappeared from sight, Isabelle shot up the staircase to the second floor. She had no intention of waiting for the maternity home’s matrons who would undoubtedly try to placate her and send her away. She would find the doctor herself and make certain he understood the direness of the situation. As her mother’s physician, he was well aware of Monique Wardrop’s precarious health. It was his duty to come immediately and treat her.

Don’t worry, Mama. I won’t fail you. I promise.

Isabelle’s footsteps echoed through the upper hallway as she forged on, attempting to determine which room he might be in. When she came to a standstill in the hushed area, a low moaning could be heard. Isabelle followed the sound to a room at the far end of the corridor where a door stood ajar.

“That’s it, Miss O’Reilly. You’re doing fine.” Dr. Henshaw’s voice drifted out to Isabelle.

The tension in Isabelle’s chest eased slightly. It sounded like a routine delivery. Once the doctor understood the seriousness of Isabelle’s situation, he should have no issue with leaving the laboring woman. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

Right away the foul stench of ripe body odor assaulted her senses. She placed her gloved hand over her nose in an attempt to lessen its power and took in the scene before her.

A woman lay on the bed, a sheet covering the lower half of her body. Dr. Henshaw and a short plump woman stood at the foot of the bed, their heads bent together.

“It’s a breach birth, Mrs. Dingelmire.” The doctor’s low voice was drenched in tension. “I’m going to need your help to turn the child.”

“Oh, no.” The older woman shook her gray head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“We have no choice. We have to act now to save the mother and the child.”

Isabelle’s heart started to pump harder. This didn’t sound promising. But she had no time for distractions. Her mother would die if the doctor didn’t get there soon.

About Susan Anne:

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Her book A Haven for Her Heart won the Word Award in 2020. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Susan lives near Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two adult children. She loves wine and chocolate and isn’t partial to snow even though she’s Canadian. Learn more about her books at www.susanannemason.net.

Connect online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.anne.mason.333

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samason

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Website: https://susanannemason.net/