1912 Heart Junction, South Dakota

Laura Windsor is a seamstress and waits outside the train station for the arrival of her five-year-old daughter, Angelina Sanchez. She made all the arrangements with the agency in New York for the adoption. While she waits, her thoughts are on holding her little daughter in her arms. Scanning the crowds of people, she spies a tall, handsome man. He notices Laura and approaches, introducing himself as Gavin Maitland. He is curious if she is waiting for the Orphan Train for one of the needy orphans, and Laura says yes. Moments later, Laura sees Angelina as Gavin leaves. Laura feels orphans are special and need more love and kindness. As Laura observes the long line of children standing next to the train, she recalls how seven years prior, she had been one of those orphans. She can only hope these children will find a happy home to live in. She soon learns that Gavin owns the Maitland Mercantile store in town. He wants to help Laura in her adoption, but the city council has other issues, deeming the children should only go to married couples. Gavin sees how genuinely concerned she is with Angelina. One thing does fall into Laura’s favor. With Angelina being sickly, no other family wishes a child with medical bills. Laura doesn’t wish Angelina to serve a life of servitude as she did. She wants to adopt her and give her love. Gavin and Laura begin to see more of each other, as they fight their growing attraction. The harder Laura fights to adopt Angelina, the more she and Gavin lean toward a love that will make them a complete family.

Laura’s Lost Love is one of those feel good stories that make you laugh, bring on some tears, and have you wanting to jump into the pages and grab hold of some of the people and say wake up. Once I started reading this page-turner, I couldn’t stop. Laura and Gavin are genuine characters. They lend charm like the old movies and it made the story more interesting. Fran Shaff carries the reader into the story with her in-depth visualization and surroundings. I could almost feel the same sensations that stirred in Laura’s heart as she waited for her daughter to get off the train. Ms. Shaff cleverly pens a story that is not only captivating but kept me on the edge of the seat in this engaging and huge recommended read. I look forward to the other books in the series.

Reviewed by: Linda L.