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Saskatchewan Saga #1
A Place Called Bliss
In A Place Called Bliss, Sophia Galloway, a rich and pampered lady of Scotland's renowned house of Heatherstone, and Mary Morrison, a simple servant, share a dream of traveling to a new land of freedom, promise, and opportunity: Canada. On the tumultuous journey overseas, Sophia and Mary both give birth. Neither mother knows how closely their destinies will be intertwined by a secret with the power to shatter their lives.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2001
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871 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 30, 2014
Boring. Oh so boring. The only exciting part was the boat ride. Good descriptions of the landscape and area they traveled, but the characters were flat and we never really got to know them. The dialogue was awful. I thought Sophia and Hugh were cold to each other. The preaching part didn't bother me but it did go a little over the top at times. I won't look for anything else by this author.
October 2, 2015
Sometimes a book is special because of the vocabulary and unique way in which an author puts thoughts to words. This book is that and more!
1878 Sophia and Hugh marry in Scotland. With Angus and Mary, Hugh's friend and employee, they all decide to immigrate to Canada; Hugh and Sophia to a city, Angus and Mary to "the bush", to a small community east of Prince Albert called Bliss.
On the ship both women give birth, but the unthinkable happens, and the lives of the two families are altered.
I have read so many fluffy mediocre romance, or Christian romance novels, that when a truly well written book comes along I'm blown away. Ms. Glover blew me away. Her writing is amazing. You can be reading along and all of a sudden you say to yourself, "Wait, what just happened?" Then re-reading it you think you MAY understand what was different about that, but still question your assumptions. Later in the story it comes together. Then of course, at the end, you have to go back to re-read those sections so you can see what really happened. I LOVE THAT! Things may not be as they seem.
The way in which Ms. Glover puts her story to paper is a true work of art. One not to be missed. This really shouldn't be considered a romance novel, if it is. This is a story of two very different families and what they mean to each other, bound together by one complicated, yet incredibly loving woman named Kezzie, eternal nursemaid to Hugh's family and mother to Mary.
More on this story would ruin it for you. Read this... You won't regret it.
I have no other books by Ms. Glover, but I certainly intend to research what else she's written.
1878 Sophia and Hugh marry in Scotland. With Angus and Mary, Hugh's friend and employee, they all decide to immigrate to Canada; Hugh and Sophia to a city, Angus and Mary to "the bush", to a small community east of Prince Albert called Bliss.
On the ship both women give birth, but the unthinkable happens, and the lives of the two families are altered.
I have read so many fluffy mediocre romance, or Christian romance novels, that when a truly well written book comes along I'm blown away. Ms. Glover blew me away. Her writing is amazing. You can be reading along and all of a sudden you say to yourself, "Wait, what just happened?" Then re-reading it you think you MAY understand what was different about that, but still question your assumptions. Later in the story it comes together. Then of course, at the end, you have to go back to re-read those sections so you can see what really happened. I LOVE THAT! Things may not be as they seem.
The way in which Ms. Glover puts her story to paper is a true work of art. One not to be missed. This really shouldn't be considered a romance novel, if it is. This is a story of two very different families and what they mean to each other, bound together by one complicated, yet incredibly loving woman named Kezzie, eternal nursemaid to Hugh's family and mother to Mary.
More on this story would ruin it for you. Read this... You won't regret it.
I have no other books by Ms. Glover, but I certainly intend to research what else she's written.
June 2, 2010
I enjoyed the way this book ended better than the way it started. I would like to continue the series. Set in the late 1800s it is about 2 families that leave Scotland for Canada. One is very wealthy and will set themselves up in a more civilized area while the other is going to try and make it out in the bush of Bliss with dreams of freedom. The book shifts from the various viewpoints of the various characters and has an interesting twist to it that connects the families forever.
March 19, 2016
A wonderful story that encourages you and moves quickly.
This is a well written book that does not drag and keeps your interest and also moves your heart. It also teaches you about an area that most of us know nothing about and makes us think about how we would endure in a new world for us. It gave me hope for my future and faith that there is good in everything.
This is a well written book that does not drag and keeps your interest and also moves your heart. It also teaches you about an area that most of us know nothing about and makes us think about how we would endure in a new world for us. It gave me hope for my future and faith that there is good in everything.
April 13, 2020
This story has twists and turns, sorrow, love,strength God and his words. I love how the she wrote the Bible verses! Very good!
April 30, 2024
This was a really lovely historical, family saga that I really enjoyed. I knew where the plot was leading from less than half way through but it was still a lovely read. This is book one in a series called Saskatchewan Saga.
*****************************
n A Place Called Bliss, Sophia Galloway, a rich and pampered lady of Scotland's renowned house of Heatherstone, and Mary Morrison, a simple servant, share a dream of traveling to a new land of freedom, promise, and opportunity: Canada. On the tumultuous journey overseas, Sophia and Mary both give birth. Neither mother knows how closely their destinies will be intertwined by a secret with the power to shatter their lives.
*****************************
n A Place Called Bliss, Sophia Galloway, a rich and pampered lady of Scotland's renowned house of Heatherstone, and Mary Morrison, a simple servant, share a dream of traveling to a new land of freedom, promise, and opportunity: Canada. On the tumultuous journey overseas, Sophia and Mary both give birth. Neither mother knows how closely their destinies will be intertwined by a secret with the power to shatter their lives.
December 5, 2020
Not sure who the main character was supposed to be. It kept changing. Very different from what I am used to.
Characters were one dimensional which made it difficult to care for any of them.
The first 3/4 of the book moved very slowly and I almost put it down several times. However, the last 1/4 was great. Cam really came to life as did Margo. I'm hoping that the next book in the series is better than this one as far as character depth. The author proved that she has the ability but just didn't get to that point until the story was almost completed in this book.
Characters were one dimensional which made it difficult to care for any of them.
The first 3/4 of the book moved very slowly and I almost put it down several times. However, the last 1/4 was great. Cam really came to life as did Margo. I'm hoping that the next book in the series is better than this one as far as character depth. The author proved that she has the ability but just didn't get to that point until the story was almost completed in this book.
August 18, 2021
Christian fiction. Starting in Scotland 1878. This is a moving story of two families bonded together through years of service and loyalty. Both relocate to Canada to make new starts - the Galloways of higher status, and the Morrisons who were servant class in Scotland. The ocean voyage was long and grueling and the start of a well kept secret that threatens to destroy two families. A very good read for historical fiction fans.
June 19, 2017
Unfortunately the recurrent need to preach repeatedly took over the story and ruined a tale initially enthralling. With the recurring theme that no one not with god was good enough, I barely got to the end!! There was good story in there, but the latter part was often lost in preaching and pressuring. 2.5 stars
August 21, 2024
I thought this would appeal to me, but it just failed miserably. It just isn't as epic as it wants to be and it all was too predictable and shallow, plus it went on too long, dragging out what was an inevitable conclusion. I won't be reading any more of the series, but this one did give me a good idea of what Saskatchewan was like in its early days, so not a total waste of my time.
March 13, 2020
A nice book
A very good depiction of how the Canadian frontier was settled. The story was superb and the description of the travels were very good. Plus I really liked the characters and their wonderful story with all its twists and turns.
A very good depiction of how the Canadian frontier was settled. The story was superb and the description of the travels were very good. Plus I really liked the characters and their wonderful story with all its twists and turns.
November 2, 2017
Fascinating story, great from the start.
A sweet fascinating story with some interesting history thrown in. I loved the surprising twist that made me try to out guess the author.
A sweet fascinating story with some interesting history thrown in. I loved the surprising twist that made me try to out guess the author.
November 19, 2018
A Beautiful Story
I was spellbound by this book. A great story of love and sadness. I did not want to put it down.
I was spellbound by this book. A great story of love and sadness. I did not want to put it down.
January 25, 2019
It was okay.
March 19, 2019
It took me a long time to know and love the characters but I eventually did. I was hoping it was more about Saskatchewan.
August 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this book
November 15, 2021
Great book
April 8, 2022
Enjoyed it lots!
July 23, 2022
great book
August 8, 2023
24% & done! Thought something would happen.
May 12, 2025
Wonderful book
July 4, 2014
This pioneer saga is rich in historical details and comes from multiple points of view over a span of twenty years. The story develops gradually and is rich in descriptive details as two families move from Scotland to the vastness of the Canadian frontier. The Galloways are wealthy and entitled, about to take their place among the bourgeoning society in the city of Toronto. The Morrisons are headed further west to take up a homestead on the prairies. The two families are connected through friendship and service in the form of Kezzie, an elderly servant to the Galloways and mother to Mrs. Morrison. On the grueling passage across the Atlantic, tragedy strikes and events unfold that will bring the two families together in ways that neither could have imagined. Although the historical information sometimes slowed the story at times, I still enjoyed the book as a whole, partly because of my connection to Saskatchewan and the area in which that part of the story was set. Readers should also be aware that the evangelical Christian message is a prominent part of the story. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded over time, the character development, and the sweet romantic elements. Although not necessarily surprising, the ending was quite satisfying.
June 4, 2015
A saga of a two families who leave Scotland to make their way in the growing territories of Canada. Sophia and Hugh Galloway, being of noble lines with deep pockets, settle in Toronto and build a mansion to rival what they left behind. Mary and Angus Morrison left Scotland for a better life, a chance to be successful away from the hierarchy of the old country. They settled in the western bush territory, where land was free if one was tough enough to prove it out. But through the years, the two families remained connected.
From the hardship of crossing the Atlantic to the struggle to survive on frontier, the reader is treated to numerous historical insights. Delightful details about how the upper class would dress, their mannerisms, their outings, all combine to give the reader a look back in time.
The story is good and the plot is engaging, but the it meanders quite a bit and drags on in places. Told in the omniscient point of view, the book reads more like a classic of old. The characters lack the intimate depth modern readers are accustom to.
If you like epic stories that cover more than one generation with excellent historical references, this might be the book for you.
From the hardship of crossing the Atlantic to the struggle to survive on frontier, the reader is treated to numerous historical insights. Delightful details about how the upper class would dress, their mannerisms, their outings, all combine to give the reader a look back in time.
The story is good and the plot is engaging, but the it meanders quite a bit and drags on in places. Told in the omniscient point of view, the book reads more like a classic of old. The characters lack the intimate depth modern readers are accustom to.
If you like epic stories that cover more than one generation with excellent historical references, this might be the book for you.
October 2, 2015
A place Called Bliss era 1878 in Canada. This is a rich historical story over a 20 year spans. Two families are connected through two couples in Scotland. One couple was very wealthy, Hugh and Sophie Galloway and the other couple Angus and Mary Morrison was going further west into Canada to homestead land. The two couples were friends through Ms. Kizzie, she was Mary Morrison's mother and was Ms. Galloway servant. The two women were both expecting babies to be born on the ship. These two families stayed in touch throughout the years and only one person knew the secret about what happen on the journey.
This was a really good book, Well written with a very special ending. Mr. and Mrs. Galloway both passed away after the daughter was grown she had no place to go so she decided to see granny Kizzie. This novel has a very special ending. It is well written, it kept my interest throughout the whole book.
This was a really good book, Well written with a very special ending. Mr. and Mrs. Galloway both passed away after the daughter was grown she had no place to go so she decided to see granny Kizzie. This novel has a very special ending. It is well written, it kept my interest throughout the whole book.
October 31, 2015
Currently very annoyed by this book. Might give it another star someday, but not right now. I skimmed the last 60% of this ebook, because it was seriously dragging, and I can't stand a DNF. If it had been a paperback, I'd have skipped a number of pages, chapters even, altogether. The first 60 or 70% was a whole lot of history about life on the Canadian frontier, and really only a patchy, odd history at that. The story seemed to be added in just to give the history and Sunday school lessons a bit of life. Somewhere around 70% (and twenty years later), the author quit the history lessons, and dedicated the last of the book to a rushed story and an even more rushed ending. This could have easily been a short story, and it would have been a lot less frustrating for it. Certainly won't be trying the rest of the books in this series. Ugh.
October 6, 2015
The writing in this piece was more simplistic than what I've seen in many Christian historical romance novels, but it worked for me and I think I could enjoy more of Glover's work. I identified the switch immediately when it occurred, but still enjoyed the story, as the author unfolded the details over many decades. There was some lack of continuity in the chronology of the story, as the child returning to her home in Scotland at the age of 13 predates Kezie's visit to her family "after nearly 12 years away." But otherwise, the characters are riveting, the story is fascinating, and I especially appreciated seeing a time and place in Christian romance with which I was less familiar. The impact of the gospel on the story was also well done.
December 31, 2015
It was rather intriguing to read a story from my "neck of the woods" since I moved to northern Saskatchewan several years ago. Prince Albert is a familiar place in my part of the world. On the other hand the story seemed rather predictable as if the author was reciting material that could be found in any Canadian history book. Sigh...to much description and not enough action was how I felt about it and quickly skimmed parts of it. Anyway, the story held enough interest to keep reading to the end of the book. I might read more of the books just because of the setting.
February 25, 2016
This was a wonderful Christian Historical Fiction. It is set in the 1800's and begins in Scotland. It ends in the Northwest Territory. I really liked it and will probably finish the series at some point. There are a total of six so don't expect a quick read. This could easily be a stand alone as well as there is a clear finish to this book. I give it four stars. I really liked it. No swearing, or sexual content, no violence. I can recommend for teens and up.
July 10, 2014
Hugh & Sophia Galloway went to Toronto, Canada to start fresh since his older brother inherited the family estate & business. Angus & Mary Morrison left Scotland with the Galloways, ready to tackle the rigors of pioneer life in the Northwest territories. Mary's mother, Kezzie, had served "Mr. Hugh" since childhood and what happened on the boat from Scotland would be life-changing for both families. And when the truth came out, I was excited for them all.
January 10, 2015
Like a lovely melody or moving poem, this book is beautifully written. An account of two women who leave Scotland and come to Canada with different goals in mind. Sophia is a socialite, well-bred and ready to make her mark in this new place. Mary is doomed to servitude in her homeland and longs to break free and make a new life in the bush. Both families move West at the same time and are unknowingly bound together by a tragic secret.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews