From the back cover: "Adelaide Shadd was born in Southwestern Ontario in the first decade of the 20th century in an all-black town settled by fugitive slaves. Forced to flee her beloved Rusholme as a teenager, the place will call to her for the rest of her life. Now an old woman, she lives a quiet existence in a trailor park not far from her birthplace, until her whole world is turned upside down when five-year-old Sharla Cody is aboned on her doorstep. Sharla helps Addy to open a door to her past, find forgiveness, and finally make the journey home again."

This was a wonderful story of the power of forgiveness and love. The first couple of chapters were difficult to read, but I soon was hooked and could barely put the book down.

RELEASE NOTES:

Placed in Kimmi's Canadian Authors Bookbox #3. Enjoy!

Taking out of the Canadian authors bookbox. Looks interesting. I've read *The Girls* and liked that one. Thanks loveamystery!

I remember writing a story in high school that was much like this one (not nearly as eloquent as this but with a similar theme). I remember being cut to the quick by my teacher's comments: A bit trite but enjoyable and well-written. And I remember my inner outrage, wondering what was so trite about the beauty and innocence of a loving relationship between a child and an old person set in a rather ugly world?

I suspect that if I had read this novel at another time in my life, I might have had the same comments as my teacher did about my story. I might have said it was trite. I might have rolled my eyes and said Lansens all too obviously plucks at my heartstrings with her story of an old, near to dying, coloured woman - her past filled with seemingly endless, unbearable tragedy, cruelty and hardship - having enough love in her heart for a needy, neglected and abandoned five year-old girl, to whom she is not even related. I might have said that. In fact I do say that. And yet, it seems I read this story just when I needed to. (Which might explain why it's been sitting on my shelf for 4 years - sorry loveamystery!) It left me believing that despite this often careless, impersonal and downright nasty world there is still human goodness and kindness for and from whom you might least expect. Maybe we all need a Hallmark moment now and again.

I plan to release this book soon (perhaps in gypsysmom's Canada Day release challenge, if not sooner) so it can continue on its journey.

To the finder of this book:

This book was released as part of the Canada Day release challenge running from June 23 to July 2nd this year in celebration of Canadian books and authors. The author of this wonderful book was born and raised in Chatham, Ontario and this was her first book. I hope you enjoy it. Happy Canada Day on July 1!

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